mtnredhed Loc: The part of NorCal that doesn't move

Actually, a number of cities and even parks are requiring permits for commercial photography. How much it's enforced seems to vary.

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

Sounds like just another way to gouge citizens and potential visitors. What an idiotic law! It's a nice place, but not worth spending $483.00 to photograph anything there as a student or professional. Sounds like amateurs are safe, at least for now.

NikonJohn Loc: Indiana U.S.A.

I completely agree with what mremery is saying about trying to see others points of view, that’s a good thing. I often do that myself and think I’m pretty good at it, however there are times that I’m just guessing because I don’t have the facts.

There might be a film school nearby and there may not, who knows unless you live there and are quite familiar with the community.

I have also witnessed times when one person’s actions, when possibly drunk, have changed policy and caused others some hardship in their daily lives. It just seems to be a sign of the times that a one in a million accident now causes laws to be written, policies to be made, and often, a general over-reaction that we must control the situation so that it never happens again. Up to you if you think that is a good thing or bad thing. I personally don’t like the idea of living in a “nanny state”.

I once had a woman yell at me, accuse me of wrong doing, and report me to the “authorities” because I was trying to take pictures of my wife and daughter playing in a public pool. Did she have a bad experience with a photographer taking “inappropriate” pictures of her kids? Maybe, but that does not mean that every person with a camera at a public pool is a pervert! After the “authorities” talked to me they brushed it off said no big deal and we all went on our way. Did a “no cameras policy” go into effect later there? I don’t know, but I wouldn’t be surprised.

So when you encounter a policy that you don’t like you can rest assured there is a reason. Is it a good reason? Maybe, maybe not, but there it is.

That’s my rant for the morning. :wink:

mtnredhed Loc: The part of NorCal that doesn't move

Yes and no. I used to shoot a RB67. The assumption is that it was a pro camera. I was shooting as an amateur. I got questioned a handful of times, and even got told to get a permit or I'd be written up at Grand Canyon NP. No models or anything else, just me, a tripod, and a camera. The rangers are police, so trying to have a discussion with them might be a good way to spend the next day or two as a guest in some local jail.

les_stockton Loc: Eastern Oklahoma

I'm sure in California, if they thought they could get away with it, you'd be required to get a permit to exercise your freedom of speech.

C. David Loc: Wisconsin

I will second that, Nikonian. Trouble is...where will it endup after gas money runs out ( I hear banjo's being tuned up. :?: 8-) :?:

bikinkawboy Loc: north central Missouri

Republicans or not, I'm sure there is a lot of NIMBY (not in my back yard) thinking going on there. Yes, they would support you in your right to photograph what and where you want, but just as long as it's not in their neighborhood.

I've seen the same urban style thinking here in rural Missouri. People come to your farm wanting to hunt on it. I've heard it all; the wildlife needs to be thinned out so they don't starve when winter comes, you have all that ground you aren't "using", you don't hunt so you should let me hunt and so on. But as soon as those same people purchase a farm or land of their own so they have a place to go hunting, the very first thing that goes up is a metal gate at the driveway secured by a chain and padlock and either purple paint or no trespassing signs everywhere. It was ok when they wanted to tromp all over and hunt my land but as soon as they own land, then eveyone better stay off. It seems that those that do not have think like many liberals that all land should be public and acessable to anyone. But when they actually buy it and pay taxes on it, conservative style feelings of ownership and having a vested interest comes into the picture. I guess it depends upon which side of the fence you happen to be standing.

C. David Loc: Wisconsin

WHAT????

gdwsr Loc: Northern California

I am not necessarily defending the requirement to pay for a permit. But the concept sort of does make sense if you think of it as a business permit. All the other commercial enterprises are required to have one. The enforcement by cops on anybody with a nice camera and tripod is where the problem is. It is obviously meant for those commercial photographers making much more than $500 from your work.

I carry a business card that states that I am an amateur. I know that's an oxymoron....

PS in California do as Californians do. Ignore the permit requirement. If you get caught, plead ignorance, apologize, explain you are an amateur, and move over to the next block.

As far as Parks etc. All commercial activities on federal land require a permit. Trust me that is the way you would want it. Again, it is not meant for the one guy with a camera that might sell his/her photo in a restaurant. I, as a taxpayer, do not want to be paying for the supervision or the environmental analysis required for these activities. And as a tourist, I don't want to see big commercial activities interfering with my appreciation of a park. Again, one individual or even a group of individuals photographing Old Faithful doesn't fit into that category.

Just my thoughts.

gdwsr Loc: Northern California

double post sorry

les_stockton Loc: Eastern Oklahoma

For many, socialist ideals stop at the end of their own driveway.

amyinsparta Loc: White county, TN

Thank you for saying this. Sometimes rules are really dumb and not thought through, and many times our reactions are dumb and not thought through. The makers of the regs are just like us-or are us, as one wishes to look at it.

amyinsparta Loc: White county, TN

Stupid is not a exclusive state of mind of the left. There is plenty of stupid on the right in my fair state. Of course, if one is one the right, that would not be true, nor would it be true if one leans left. However, if one likes the middle, then both are stupid. It's all a matter of perspective. Have a great day and may all your photos be in focus! :)

fthomas Loc: Philippines

You are completely correct that things need to be viewed from all perspectives. I can appreciate Newport Beach or Orange Count, State of California and our National Parks requiring permits for photographic activities that might prove disruptive and/or create the potential to damage public property.

However, the lines get blurred and the majority of photographers with a camera and a tripod are penalized if they happen to be a "Student". I don't want to be put in a position that I have to lie and deny that I'm a student, because I'm also an amateur.

It is an interesting subject and there are many, many angles it can be viewed from. Hence forth, I am an amateur who is working to improve my photography with the aspiration of becoming a "Professional Photographer" some day. A dream and a goal!

It is my desire to eliminate this mess of excessive bureaucracy in my life. Newport Beach just happens to be the place my journey began with a very happy to control you individual in their “Film Application Department”.

It is unfortunate that "Common Sense" is not at the helm, but a overreaching bureaucratic system is in control.

I used to backpack a lot and practiced "Leave No Trace". That continues when I am out photographing.

amyinsparta Loc: White county, TN

That should read "if one is ON the right"