Well, it was only a matter of time!

4

480sparky

Senior Member
Before IT happened. IT being what happened to me tonight.

I got a nice used copy of a Nikkor 20/2.8D AF in the mail the other day, and decided to take it on a test run at a nearby courthouse. I like this one because it's full of detail and is a good test subject. It's also in my home town, so I'm prejudiced.

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D62_2369post.jpg


As I'm taking the second image, a guy walks up and asks why I'm taking photos. I tell him I'm testing out a new lens I just got.

"But you can't do that! It's against the law!"

Me: "Huh? It's a public building, and I'm on public property. There's no law against taking photos like this......."

Him: "They passed a law making it a crime to take photos in public like this......"

Me: "Are you a lawyer or a law enforcement officer? If so, let me know what law I'm violating."

Him: "Well, I can't quote the law because I don't have it with me, but............"

Me: "Actually, you can't quote the law because it doesn't exist."

At this point, I start to walk away and continue shooting. He follows me.

Me: "Look, I'm not asking you to quote this 'law' verbatim. But is it a city, county, state or federal law?"

Him: "I don't know, I just know it's......."

Me: "Well, then you'd better call Google up and tell them they need to take their Street View web site off the internet."

I walk away again, and he just stands there. His wife was standing by their SUV, talking (to the local constabulary, no doubt!) on the cell phone. They continue to watch me until I finish and get in my truck and drive away.

OK, rant over.


BTW, I love this lens. I had a 20/2.8 back in my film days and boy does this classic piece of glass take me back.
 
R

RON_RIP

Senior Member
480sparky said:
Before IT happened. IT being what happened to me tonight.

I got a nice used copy of a Nikkor 20/2.8D AF in the mail the other day, and decided to take it on a test run at a nearby courthouse. I like this one because it's full of detail and is a good test subject. It's also in my home town, so I'm prejudiced.

D62_2361post.jpg


D62_2369post.jpg


As I'm taking the second image, a guy walks up and asks why I'm taking photos. I tell him I'm testing out a new lens I just got.

"But you can't do that! It's against the law!"

Me: "Huh? It's a public building, and I'm on public property. There's no law against taking photos like this......."

Him: "They passed a law making it a crime to take photos in public like this......"

Me: "Are you a lawyer or a law enforcement officer? If so, let me know what law I'm violating."

Him: "Well, I can't quote the law because I don't have it with me, but............"

Me: "Actually, you can't quote the law because it doesn't exist."

At this point, I start to walk away and continue shooting. He follows me.

Me: "Look, I'm not asking you to quote this 'law' verbatim. But is it a city, county, state or federal law?"

Him: "I don't know, I just know it's......."

Me: "Well, then you'd better call Google up and tell them they need to take their Street View web site off the internet."

I walk away again, and he just stands there. His wife was standing by their SUV, talking (to the local constabulary, no doubt!) on the cell phone. They continue to watch me until I finish and get in my truck and drive away.

OK, rant over.


BTW, I love this lens. I had a 20/2.8 back in my film days and boy does this classic piece of glass take me back.
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You can hide out on this site till they quit looking for you, but we had better give you an alias
 
R

RON_RIP

Senior Member
Blacktop said:
You mean 'Sparky" is not an alias?:p
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I thought it was his given name. I am so naive. Even with an alias his great shooting style might give him away. maybe he should post so lousy pictures under his "new name" so the thought police won't catch on.
 
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B

Blacktop

Senior Member
But seriously. Some people just can't help putting their nose where it doesn't belong.
Fortunately there are some remnants left of the US that I used to know.
One of them is taking photos of public buildings in public places, by the public.

I would have told that busy body to get lost. :mad:
 
4

480sparky

Senior Member
As a sidebar:

Back in the early 80's (when I lived a block away from this building), I was walking by it and an older man on a bicycle was taking a photo of it. As I walked by, he asked me if I'd take his photo with the courthouse in the background. I happily obliged, and commented on his French accent.

He, indeed, was from France, taking a bicycle trip across the US. This courthouse was very special to him as he told me some of his ancestors helped build the French chateau it's patterned after. Stopping to see this building was the highlight of his trip. I invited him to have lunch with me on the spot, and we spent over 2 hours together. I have long since lost his name & address, but I'm sure he enjoyed the photo I took of him.
 
R

RON_RIP

Senior Member
I guessed correctly about the Bedford stone. It is so distinct. It is great to see buildings like this preserved and restored. That new lens would do a great job on the interior also. It would be awesome if you could get to shoot the interior renovations also. Any chance they would let you? Under your new alias ,of course. These photos should get you an invite to shoot the interior, given how good they are.
 
hark

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
Nice photos, Sparky! :) So are you impressed with the lens? It sure appears to work well!

I had problems photographing one of the bridges that crosses the Delaware River--something about a National Security law. One of the port authority guards stopped me from taking any photos. Perhaps it has something to do with that law. :confused:
 
K

Krs_2007

Senior Member
Where are people getting these laws from? The only thing that is remotely close is the paparazzi stuff on the news and maybe some mumblings from non US locations.

you handled it better than I would have. Guess you can't fix stupid.

Nice shots it's by the way

@hark, I have heard of people being asked not to photo high security locations, not sure how the bridge would fit into that.
 
4

480sparky

Senior Member
It's real simple.

Demand a copy of the 'law' they're spouting off about.

"Well, let's narrow it down.... is it a federal or state law, or possibly a county or even a civil ordinance. If you knew where the law you say exists came from, that would speed up the process of finding it."

"Huh? It's not a law or ordinance? OK, then it's some sort of Administrative Rule. If so, you should have a copy of it handy. Oh, don't have one with you? Well, call your office. Maybe they have it there. Is there someone in your legal department that might have it?"

"Hmmmm. I don't get it. You say it's against the rules/law, but you can't quite provide any proof it exists. Then the logical result is: it doesn't. So unless you have Due Cause to detain me or even arrest me, I guess I'm free to go."

At this point, you have three choices, depending on who you're dealing with.
1. A duly-sworn Law Enforcement officer: "Well, either arrest me and charge me, or I'm free to go."
2. Private-sector security guard: "Let me make a suggestion. Stop trying to over-step your authority and quit making up rules. It's not illegal, and when it comes down to it, you know it isn't. And you cannot legally take my camera or memory card without a court order. Goodbye."
3. Joe Sixpack: "Goodbye!"


Krs_2007 said:
......... not sure how the bridge would fit into that.
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Most bridges are part of the civil infrastructure, and are not illegal to photograph. Same for dams, roadways, non-military airports, lighthouses, hospitals, power generation plants, railways, etc. They're perfectly legal to photograph, at least from public property.
 
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hark

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
Krs_2007 said:
Where are people getting these laws from? The only thing that is remotely close is the paparazzi stuff on the news and maybe some mumblings from non US locations.

you handled it better than I would have. Guess you can't fix stupid.

Nice shots it's by the way

@hark, I have heard of people being asked not to photo high security locations, not sure how the bridge would fit into that.
Click to expand...

I misspoke when I said it was a National security law--I meant Homeland Security law--something that was implemented after 9/11. And I believe courthouses are also included on the no-photography list. The thing is I couldn't find any info online; however, when I mentioned this to my chiropractor in his waiting room, another patient spoke up and said her husband (who works for the government) also told her about this law. With Google Earth and 3D maps, what's the point of having this law? :confused: The port authority guy even went as far as telling me questionable online photos get removed by the government yet there are still tons of photos online of the bridge I tried to photograph.

I'm just confirming I experienced a similar situation as Sparky, and it was frustrating. On that particular day I wanted to photograph the bridge, the river froze and created an ice jam. A Trenton newspaper published a photo of the bridge with the jammed ice underneath--much to the chagrin of the port authority guy when I told him! Lol! ;) During a subsequent storm and different ice jam, I was able to get photos from a different vantage point as were many others--mostly who used cell phones.
 
4

480sparky

Senior Member
hark said:
........ And I believe courthouses are also included on the no-photography list. The thing is I couldn't find any info online........
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It's rather difficult to find what doesn't exist.

hark said:
........another patient spoke up and said her husband (who works for the government) also told her about this law.........The port authority guy even went as far as telling me questionable online photos get removed by the government..........
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It's amazing how so many people are self-appointed experts. Or more accurately, self-deluded experts.
 
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