7 May 2009 245 notes

Photography and The Law: Know Your Rights

julie911:

The Ten Legal Commandments of Photography

I. Anyone in a public place can take pictures of anything they want. Public places include parks, sidewalks, malls, etc. Malls? Yeah. Even though it’s technically private property, being open to the public makes it public space.

II. If you are on public property, you can take pictures of private property. If a building, for example, is visible from the sidewalk, it’s fair game.

III. If you are on private property and are asked not to take pictures, you are obligated to honor that request. This includes posted signs.

IV. Sensitive government buildings (military bases, nuclear facilities) can prohibit photography if it is deemed a threat to national security.

V. People can be photographed if they are in public (without their consent) unless they have secluded themselves and can expect a reasonable degree of privacy. Kids swimming in a fountain? Okay. Somebody entering their PIN at the ATM? Not okay.

VI. The following can almost always be photographed from public places, despite popular opinion:

  • accident & fire scenes, criminal activities
  • bridges & other infrastructure, transportation facilities (i.e. airports)
  • industrial facilities, Superfund sites
  • public utilities, residential & commercial buildings
  • children, celebrities, law enforcement officers
  • UFOs, the Loch Ness Monster, Chuck Norris

VII. Although “security” is often given as the reason somebody doesn’t want you to take photos, it’s rarely valid. Taking a photo of a publicly visible subject does not constitute terrorism, nor does it infringe on a company’s trade secrets.

VIII. If you are challenged, you do not have to explain why you are taking pictures, nor to you have to disclose your identity (except in some cases when questioned by a law enforcement officer.)

IX. Private parties have very limited rights to detain you against your will, and can be subject to legal action if they harass you.

X. If someone tries to confiscate your camera and/or film, you don’t have to give it to them. If they take it by force or threaten you, they can be liable for things like theft and coercion. Even law enforcement officers need a court order.

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    This would have come in handy when border patrol got me or that time i pretended to be a P&G worker in target to snag...
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  27. rarelyaround reblogged this from myblogmyrules and added:
    kari-shma: julie911:
  28. robmandu reblogged this from kari-shma and added:
    I like that it’s the law that Chuck Norris can always be photographed. kari-shma:
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    I need to remember this!
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    i need to remember these
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    An important thing to note is yes, the subways in New York are considered public. As long as you’re not a large-scale,...
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  68. curiousgirl reblogged this from kari-shma and added:
    I shall remember this the next time I’m out taking pictures.
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  83. kissingstars reblogged this from wishinghopingpraying and added:
    Photojournalism Ethics 101. :)
  84. wishinghopingpraying reblogged this from wizkid and added:
    Thank you for this!
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