where you can take pictures
January 15th, 2006 by Lawrence David
i’m now in too deep to this whole photography thing; i actually told someone i was “an aspiring photographer” yesterday. what a tacky thing to say.
in any case, i was reading up what you are, and are not allowed to do, with your camera the other day and came across this informative article. apparently, you can do some pretty ballsy things:
Let’s get the easy stuff out of the way. Aside from sensitive government buildings (e.g., military bases), if you’re on public property you can photograph anything you like, including private property. There are some limits — using a zoom lens to shoot someone who has a reasonable expectation of privacy isn’t covered — but no one can come charging out of a business and tell you not to take photos of the building, period.
Further, they cannot demand your camera or your digital media or film. Well, they can demand it, but you are under no obligation to give it to them. In fact, only an officer of the law or court can take it from you, and then only with a court order. And if they try or threaten you? They can be charged with theft or coercion, and you may even have civil recourse. Cool. (For details, see “The Photographer’s Right.”)
sadly, i bet a lot of this doesn’t apply back in the nyc. for instance, i’m fairly sure it’s now illegal to take pictures in the subway or in tunnels. i wonder if you’re allowed to sketch things down there … or just take notes … or even just try really really hard to remember what you saw.
