Photography Is Not A Crime: Since the right to take photographs/video in public occasionally becomes a much discussed topic on UHH, I just learned of a website some of you may be...

krl48 Loc: NY, PA now SC

Since the right to take photographs/video in public occasionally becomes a much discussed topic on UHH, I just learned of a website some of you may be interested in.

Take the title of this topic, remove the spaces and add .com to get there.

BTW, remember the 70 year old fellow arrested and currently detained in the UAE for illegal photography? According to the UK's Daily Mail, he was arrested for taking a photo of a sign that read "NO PHOTOGRAPHY". The story says the man thought it was amusing.

I bet he's not laughing now.

Warning - Photography Is Not A Crime is an edgy website. As they used to say in Rome - Caveat Lector.

xxredbeardxx Loc: San Clemente CA.

krl48 wrote:

Since the right to take photographs/video in public occasionally becomes a much discussed topic on UHH, I just learned of a website some of you may be interested in.

Take the title of this topic, remove the spaces and add .com to get there.

Sounds interesting. It is a topic brought up here now and then.. Lots of conflicting opinions on it too.

346pak Loc: Texas

[quote=krl48]Since the right to take photographs/video in public occasionally becomes a much discussed topic on UHH, I just learned of a website some of you may be interested in.

Take the title of this topic, remove the spaces and add .com to the title

Interesting site. With video cameras everywhere today, you just never know when you are going to be photographed.

balticvid Loc: Queens now NJ

If I read all this stuff I think i'll get sick. (and pissed)

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Just don't do photography with a camera on the tip of your shoe!

rbfanman

In the USA, you have the right to photograph anyone, or anything, that is in a public place, and need no permission. That is what makes News photography / videography possible. Other nations have different laws, and there is nothing you can do about it. Know the law, in the location you are in, before you press that shutter release.

krl48 Loc: NY, PA now SC

rbfanman wrote:

In the USA, you have the right to photograph anyone, or anything, that is in a public place, and need no permission. That is what makes News photography / videography possible. Other nations have different laws, and there is nothing you can do about it. Know the law, in the location you are in, before you press that shutter release.

Theoretically, you're correct, rbfanman. However the website mentioned reports on many instances in the USA where photographers are being prevented from, and in some cases arrested for exercising that right.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

krl48 wrote:

Theoretically, you're correct, rbfanman. However the website mentioned reports on many instances in the USA where photographers are being prevented from, and in some cases arrested for exercising that right.

And when the cases have been through the courts, the photographer will win and most likely make a lot of money off of whatever county he was arrested in.

Plainly put..it's not a crime.

rbfanman

Sometimes what seems to be public is actually private. Then Trespass, Disorderly Conduct, etc, become factors. If you are wrongfully arrested in the USA, you can go to court to redress the matter.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Obviously you haven't seen some of MY photography...

Even I think it is a crime. :hunf:
****************************

This is a big assumption of Americans in general.
When you go abroad, or Canada, or even Mexico, you are a GUEST.
And as such you should respect their rules and laws.
Your "rights" stay here.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

DaveO wrote:

Just don't do photography with a camera on the tip of your shoe!

...Nor a mirror. :shock:

khm105 Loc: Louisiana

rbfanman wrote:

Sometimes what seems to be public is actually private. Then Trespass, Disorderly Conduct, etc, become factors. If you are wrongfully arrested in the USA, you can go to court to redress the matter.

Recently we went to a rodeo and weren't allowed to bring our cameras. The rodeo was at the Angola State Prison. Angola is in Louisiana and I live in Louisiana therefore I'm a part owner?? What really ticked me off was that people were using their phones to take pictures, but I had to leave my camera equipment in the car.

krl48 Loc: NY, PA now SC

khm105 wrote:

Recently we went to a rodeo and weren't allowed to bring our cameras. The rodeo was at the Angola State Prison. Angola is in Louisiana and I live in Louisiana therefore I'm a part owner?? What really ticked me off was that people were using their phones to take pictures, but I had to leave my camera equipment in the car.

While I recognize that the prison officials have the full weight of state authority on their side, and it's easy for me to say since I don't have to live with the consequences...but, had it been me, here's the question I would have asked:

"Is photography banned at this event, or is it just real cameras that are banned."

This dichotomy has been brought up a number of times when discussing when/where citizens may exercise their right to take photos.

It has not been considered rationally by those in charge of the venues where it has occurred.

Rather than claim "part ownership" of Angola State Prison, I'd be writing to the head person of Louisiana's prison system and seek clarification and resolution of the camera versus cell phone question.

Oh, and Good Luck! :D

PS - Would you consider relating your Angola experience to the folks at PINAC? They are interested in exactly those kinds of stories.

jfn007 Loc: Close to the middle of nowhere.

I do not go to that third world cesspool Mexico anymore. Down there I feel more like a target than a "guest." Why go to mexico? I just drive through South Central Los Angeles and get the same nauseous feeling.

khm105 Loc: Louisiana

krl48 wrote:

While I recognize that the prison officials have t... (show quote)

If you follow this link then go down to the "Prison Rodeo Policies" you will see that they say no cameras. I didn't read that, hubby bought the tickets.

http://www.angolarodeo.com/?q=Tickets

Usually I put my personal things in the backpack with my camera etc. There was a lot of room in the backpack after I took all of my camera related things out. The lady that searched it really checked each compartment thoroughly. I guess she thought there was too much empty space. I think I will write to the head of Louisiana Department of Corrections. First I need to find out who that is. I'll let you know how it turns out. BTW, the rodeo was great and all of the things the prisoners made and had for sale were great. Next year I want to go earlier so I can look at more of the things. Hubby got a new leather belt for $20.00 and I got a beautiful chopping board. I would have gotten more but we ran out of time.