"You can't take pictures here" (Page 9): She has good reason to ask for restraint. So does Thomas Barbey, a photographer who combines disparate images to produce fanciful illusions.

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"You can't take pictures here"

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Nov 16, 2012 14:05:13 #

beverett Loc: los angeles

marycar53 wrote:

I write for an on line newspaper quadcitiesdaily.c... (show quote)

She has good reason to ask for restraint. So does Thomas Barbey, a photographer who combines disparate images to produce fanciful illusions. These artists are protecting their ideas, not necessarily the artwork itself. I display my (rather straightforward) photography at public art shows with Barbey and others like the gourd lady. Barbey puts up "no photography" signs at his display, and I see similar signs at some other displays. But just putting up signs doesn't make photography illegal, only impolite.

I don't object to people photographing my work; there is no way they can actually replicate the art. But I have heard from other photographers who take great offense. Best to be respectful when photographing people and their work even when it is perfectly legal.

Nov 16, 2012 14:31:44 #

silver Loc: Santa Monica Ca.

krgatlgm wrote:

Big Grouch wrote:

When I argued with a cop he told me he could make a "disorderly conduct" charge stick. I know damn well it's not up to local police to enforce copyright laws, or any other intellectual property laws.

What state? I want to look up disorderly conduct to see what is included in the statute.

We can thank President Busch for this situation when the patriot act was passed. If you are really concerned about a confrontation get a lawyer and go to the people in charge of the police department and tell them that you are going to sue them and do so. Br sure that you get the badge numbers and names of the offending officers. Also one thing to remember is that if you are on private property you can legally be asked to leave. Also go to your local newspaper and see if they will be interested in running a story about the situation. The more that this is brought into the light the more people will start screaming about it and things will change.

Nov 16, 2012 14:41:09 #

beverett Loc: los angeles

silver wrote:

quote=krgatlgm quote=Big Grouch When I argued wi... (show quote)

Just contact your local ACLU chapter. They file lawsuits and win. "Disorderly conduct" won't fly unless you were actually disorderly in a commonly accepted manner.

Check out Commercial and Industrial Photography section of our forum.

Nov 16, 2012 14:58:50 #

Gramps Loc: Republic of Tejas--Tomball, TX

Big Grouch wrote:

I would go to the local police department and ask them to show me the law that precludes taking photos from a public place and when they cannot , ask them to educate their clueless officers.[/quote]
Actually, I have. They told me that local police CAN enforce copyright laws. They also told me It's against the law to photograph anyone who doesn't want to be photographed, or anyone's property who doesn't want it photographed. The man with the badge and gun declined to elaborate. I offered to show them the Photographers Bill Of Rights that a lawyer/photographer produced. I also offered to show them where New York City told their police to stop harassing photographers. Not interested. It's a no win situation.
This is in a county that has admitted it's unconstitutional to arrest someone for videotaping police doing their job, but they will arrest you anyway.[/quote]

Maybe that's why you feel required to claim annonimity by hiding? Advice:"You may beat the crime, but you can't beat the ride"! At 77 I've about seen it all and have never been hassled in or out with my camera.

Especially Calm!
Especially Calm!...

Nov 16, 2012 15:14:11 #

R'laine Loc: Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.

krgatlgm wrote:

Here is the Illinois statute: . . . . (4) Transmits or causes to be transmitted in any manner to any peace officer, public officer or public employee a report to the effect that an offense will be committed, is being committed, or has been committed, knowing at the time of the transmission that there is no reasonable ground for believing that the offense will be committed, is being committed, or has been committed;

Playing Devil's Advocate here, but I'm picking this is the one they could get you on. YOU know there's no reasonable ground for believing an offense will be committed, yet if someone chooses to call the cops, then you have 'caused to be transmitted'.'
Of course, having read this thread it has me wondering what the laws are here in NZ. When I'm taking photos in public I'm always considerate of people's right to privacy, haven't had any problems - yet. Seems the world is going downhill rapidly though, it's possibly only a matter of time before I have an experience such as this. I guess photographers are seen as easy targets by cops with small 'truncheons.'

Nov 16, 2012 15:20:13 #

Robeng Loc: California

Big Grouch wrote:

I'm getting really tired of my local police force ... (show quote)

Hey BG,

Not sure what state you're in, but out here in the Republic of California, if its in plain view you can photograph it. For the crime of trespassing, someone other than the cop has to ask you to leave in the cop's presents. None of what you have done in my state is disorderly conduct.

Nov 16, 2012 15:34:47 #

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

Have you tried contacting the local news for some support?

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Nov 16, 2012 16:07:13 #

RicknJude Loc: Quebec, Canada

Stay with the Drag Races. You will never win the Cops do whatever they want fight. If you make enough waves they will get you. Been there done that.

Nov 16, 2012 16:10:20 #

SoHillGuy Loc: Washington

You must be spending to much time at the photo sites. Why not get in, get it, and then get out. Get a 500mm and shoot from a distance. You don't need an arrest record, or an appearance in court.

You got a lot of advise from your posting, now you just have to figure out what to do.

Nov 16, 2012 16:16:09 #

DJ Mills Loc: Idaho

dpullum wrote:

You guys are walking around clucking like chickens... (show quote)

:thumbup: :thumbup: Best answer yet!

Nov 16, 2012 16:18:16 #

davidk Loc: Winchester, VA, USA

I have one incident in particular that shows the action of the ever-present "police". We live in a town not too far from Washington, D.C., and there is a facility there that hosts horse shows every Spring and Summer. During the Kennedy Administration, it wasn't unusual to see Jackie there, along with her enterage, and a battalion of Secret Service people. That summer, I, along with a friend decided to go for a photo-op at the show, hoping to catch a shot or two of the First Lady. We were about 150 feet from her group, and noticed The FLOTUS was throwing back a tall cold Schlitz beer. When we made this discovery, my "friend' pulls out his 300mm tele in order to get THE shot. As soon as he aimed his camera in her direction, there was a tap on his shoulder. A Secret Service agent was standing there in his SS garb, complete with sunglasses. He asked my friend for his camera; he relinquished same, and watched as the agent opened his camera, removed the film,at the same time exposing the entire roll. He then returned the camera and film to my frined, and capped it off with: "Have a nice day".

Check out Street Photography section of our forum.

Nov 16, 2012 17:02:24 #

jbslord Loc: Coventry UK

The first thing I did in such an instance was to take a photo of the individual who was attempting to stop me taking photos; actually I recorded it on my secod camera as a video and then requested the individual to repeat what they had said. For some reason, the person decided it was not in the best interest to proceed.

I went back to taking my photos. But I did keep the video, just in case.

Nov 16, 2012 17:04:23 #