tradergeorge Loc: Newport, Kentucky

In addition to that, we have to be careful when using the term "rights" to describe something that is merely not a crime. The only "rights" we are guaranteed are those that are outlined in the Constitution. Anything else is presumed to be legal because there is no law on the books specifically banning it. This is where the controversy arises. Like it was previously mentioned, it is PRESUMABLY legal to photograph things and people in "public", whatever that is interpreted to be. But, even if we are in public and photograph things that are related to National Security, covert law enforcement activity, or looking into places where we should not (thus the "up-skirt" issue), we may be prosecuted. I am not so sure that people are collecting huge settlements for false arrest, anecdotal evidence aside. A lot of people do not realize that you have to suffer a real injury or loss to recover. This is harder to prove than most TV shows would lead you to believe.

So, bottom line, photography is not a crime, unless it is, and then watch out because you may suffer a lot of misery and not collect a dime...

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

I thought I was the only one who took pictures that bad. Maybe we need to have one of our weekly challenges entitled "REALLY BAD PHOTOGRAPHS"

krl48 Loc: NY, PA now SC

There is also this more recent (updated July 2014) outline from the ACLU:

http://www.aclu.org/free-speech/know-your-rights-photographers

BigWahoo Loc: Kentucky

If you want to know your rights as a photographer this site will tell you much more about them.

http://www.aclu.org/free-speech/know-your-rights-photographers

anotherview Loc: California

Thank you. Very helpful information said in plain terms.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Ya know, I just hate the ACLU. They are the Anti-Christ of law mongers.

Look, anything is Legal.


Until you get caught....
And when caught in another Country. You will find yourself up sheet creek without a paddle.

Life's a bed of roses.
(Remember that roses have thorns)

DJ Mills Loc: Idaho

I have been in and out of prison a hundred times or so (as a volunteer teacher) and have learned by experience that there is a good reason for everything they do. Searching backpacks is pretty fundamental to maintaining a safe environment.

Even with good intentions, crazy things happen. One time I approached the front gate to ask for my I.D. badge. I couldn't remember my 3-digit number, so I said the first three that came to mind, thinking my subconscious memory would come to my rescue. The guard handed me the badge I asked for, I clipped it on and entered the "yard." About an hour later an inmate pointed out that I was actually wearing someone else's badge. Hmmm.

Another time I had been there about an hour and casually put my hand into my pocket only to discover my four-blade pocket knife! A too-casual guard at the front desk could have caused someone's death and everyone would have wondered how an inmate got such a lethal weapon inside.

I took a cool picture of my car parked in front of the main gate at Maximum Security and showed it to a former guard. He told me I was pretty stupid for parking there and showed me several inmate cells that faced the parking lot. "Some inmates have nothing to do, so they copy down license plate numbers, send them to a friend outside, and they see if there is some way they can contact the owner and turn his prison access into some kind of advantage for the inmate."

Visiting prison can be like going to a petting zoo featuring lions, tigers, and bears. Not everything that looks friendly is as nice as it appears.

khm105 Loc: Louisiana

I agree, it was an experience going in there. Some of the inmates were allowed to be out among the guests. Some of them though were behind a very high fence, but the things they were selling was out on tables outside the fence. I bought a chopping board from an inmate that was behind that fence. His name is "Fish". He gave me a form showing what I was buying, how much it was and his identity. I took that to a little booth and paid for the chopping board. Then I was given another form to give to Fish. What made me angry was that I couldn't bring my camera in to take pictures of the rodeo but a lot of the people just got their phones out and took all of the pictures they wanted. If they don't want pictures taken then they should not allow phones in either.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

One of the highest security places I've ever worked was a computer manufacturer's distribution center. There were also repair and programming centers on site. Our ID badges were photo badges with our employee numbers and built-in access codes. Of course, there were very few places to which we did not have access; programming and payroll centers were very sensitive areas, and we had access because we had to escort custodial personnel (janitors). One night six of us, men and women switched badges. Even though each access was recorder by computer, nobody noticed that the woman who was scheduled to be patrolling a parking in another part of the facility had apparently admitted the janitor to payroll. Of course we would have lost our jobs had our ruse been discovered, but nobody noticed. I was the last of the six to resign, at which point I told a supervisor what we had done. He was livid, but did not report the incident because he was the boss the night it happened - and he did not notice that the 60+ year old bald guy he had accompanied for two hours was wearing the badge of a 30 +/- year old woman with long brunette hair.

AuntPhil Loc: Ireland

Yes, because all us non-Americans are godless heathens, with no morals or freedoms and we eat puppies.

There's plenty of countries in the world where you have just as much freedom and rights as in America. I even discussed street and documentary photography, via e-mail with an Irish senator when he was proposing new privacy laws. Although not an outright photography fan, and more into traditional arts and literature he was well informed as to the history and importance of street and documentary photography, and assuaged any concerns I had.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Just remember that you, like many Americans, were dealing with a POLITICIAN!

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Well, Only you could answer that Auntie. I know the Chinese eat dogs. We always ate Corn Beef and Cabbage on St Patrick's Day when I was growing up. Not dog.
I don't think I've ever eaten dog, but hey, who knows what is being served to them? Especially from a food truck.

My point being that when abroad, American "rights" are not existent, the laws and rules of THAT country are.
Now you can cherry pick this and come back with another frivolous retort.
BTW, my wife happens to be Irish. But she prefers to make traditional Dutch dishes. Imagine that... ;)

khm105 Loc: Louisiana

My ancestors are from France, Ireland, Scotland, England and Italy. I cook like my mother plus the changes I've made. My poor kids, besides the countries I've already mentioned, have ancestors from Sweden, Germany and American Indian. They are truly a mixture.

JaiGieEse Loc: Foxworth, MS

This I can relate to. I often attend concerts at a casino. Noticably posted in numerous places, outside and inside the concerthall, including on large signs on both sides of the stage, is a statement explicitly prohibiting the use of any and all photography or video equipment. I knew of this sort of rule at concert venues, so I didn't even consider taking my gear. But as you say, there were people everywhere taking pix and video with smart phones, and lots of them were even using flash (which works REALLY well when you're sitting in the thirtyth row, you know....). I had to ask a girl directly in front of me to please stop blocking my view by holding up her smart phone and capturing videos. The third time, I thratened to get the attention of a security guard if she didn't stop. She gave me the single finger salute. Next time she did this, I waved and got the attention of the guard. He walked over and took the smart phone out of her hands and told her she could pick it up at the ticket desk after the casino IT guys had erased all the concert video from it.

James R. Kyle Loc: Saint Louis, Missouri (A Suburb of Ferguson)

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This is because "security" guards, and other non-thinking other "officials" FAIL to think about that there IS a camera in every phone.... It would take a tremendous amount of time and energy on the part of so called "security" guards to do that to everyone... So the "officials" become selective. = and They only do what they have "orders" to do .. Or SAY that they have. ((After all, that was the official answer that the SS gave when They were tired for War Crimes. = They too where only following orders.))