January 24, 2011

Photographer’s Rights

As a blogger, I am constantly taking pictures of things that attract my attention. When I am in a shop, I always request permission to take photographs, informing the shop owner or manager that I write a blog and that I’d like to take some pictures and include them on my blog, along with a link to their shop. If the shop owner is smart, they will let me take pictures, because it’s free publicity for them.

halcyon house 029 It is very rare that my polite request is refused. If it is, then it’s not a place where I want to refer people. My feeling is that if the owner/manager is difficult about this request, then they might be problematic in other ways.

Many times, I walk or drive through neighbourhoods and take pictures of every house on the block. I can certainly understand someone being a little nervous about having a stranger take a picture of their house, but I am not out front with a tripod and a huge telephoto lens. I am always careful to be on public property as I am taking a picture of what I can see from that vantage point. Guilford 019 If I want to get a close up of some detail, I use my telephoto setting on my camera and use the highest resolution for the shot. That way, I can edit it later without losing detail.Guilford 020 The other day, I took a picture on a public street of something that was in full view of the public and I was assaulted because a person didn’t think I should have taken the picture. They tried to take my camera from me. I knew my rights as a photographer and objected strongly.

If you’re out and about photographing houses, landscapes, fashion and style or even your dinner, you should read and know your rights as a photographer. woodberry You can find a PDF of them here. And here’s a good article, also in a PDF, that explains in some detail what you can and cannot do, both while shooting pictures, and after you’ve shot them.

The law in the United States of America is pretty simple. You are allowed to photograph anything with the following exceptions:

• Certain military installations or operations.

• People who have a reasonable expectation of privacy. That is, people who are some place that's not easily visible to the general public, e.g., if you shoot through someone's window with a telephoto lens.

I hope you’ll take a few minutes to read through the Photographer’s Rights. You never know when the information might come in handy.

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29 comments:

  1. Low Tide High StyleJanuary 24, 2011 at 11:12 PM

    Ooh thanks for this post, I've often wondered what you can and cannot shoot! I'm very sorry to hear about your assault and hope you are fine!

    Kat :)

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  2. Nelle SomervilleJanuary 25, 2011 at 12:13 AM

    I'm thrilled you posted this! Thanks so much. I am beyond mortified at the bruise you received after the assault. Those lones are going down!!! It was however wonderful to see you on Friday! Heal well.

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  3. AnonymousJanuary 25, 2011 at 7:25 AM

    Thanks for the information. Your blog today has a picture of both my dogs...a jack Russell and a Westie....they look exactly like my pups.

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  4. The Everything ListJanuary 25, 2011 at 7:40 AM

    Thanks for the information. This was really helpful.

    stop by and enter the Hickory Tree giveaway: http://lachapstickfanatique.blogspot.com

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  5. house thingsJanuary 25, 2011 at 8:07 AM

    Meg,
    This is valuable information. I can't imagine how terrifying it must have been for someone to try and take your camera from you. Yikes.
    Best,
    Kathleen

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  6. andrew1860January 25, 2011 at 8:12 AM

    The attack sounds crazy. I have been photographing Historic architecture since I was a little boy and have never had a problem, in fact people have sometimes invited me into there homes. As a antique dealer when I go into other shops and see something I like I usually don't ask to take a pic.

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  7. La Maison FouJanuary 25, 2011 at 8:54 AM

    Good to know Meg!
    Still awaiting your Connor pics. Whenever you send them, I will begin. Just wanted you to know I have not forgotten.
    L.

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  8. AmyJanuary 25, 2011 at 9:12 AM

    Meg-I'm so sorry to hear about your incident, I do hope you're okay (aside from being bruised physically I hope you're not too bruised emotionally). Let me know if you need to talk, I was in a similar place last summer... Sending hugs your way. *Amy

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  9. HousewerksJanuary 25, 2011 at 9:14 AM

    Great post Meg, we should all be aware of our rights. As someone who is always taking pics I should have learned this stuff sooner! As far as your incident, don't let the (wo)man keep you down!

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  10. GretchenJanuary 25, 2011 at 9:14 AM

    Oh, Meg, what people resort to these days in our weird world. Now, I could certainly understand if that Westie had tried to take you out...little terrierists that they are (like Jacks, and I love them for it)!!

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  11. Vickie H.January 25, 2011 at 9:34 AM

    Wonderful information we all appreciate very much. But a very frightening incident for you personally with that nut case!! Good grief! It that person had known you there would never have been any question of impropriety!!!
    Please be safe.

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  12. Laura Casey InteriorsJanuary 25, 2011 at 10:30 AM

    Thanks so much for this post, Meg! Very valuable info. So sorry to hear what happened to you.

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  13. Pat'sAdditonJanuary 25, 2011 at 10:33 AM

    Excellent research as always. I've saved this.

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  14. KarenaJanuary 25, 2011 at 11:07 AM

    Meg,

    This is so good to know and yes it must have been a scary experience, my heart would be pounding!

    to brighten your day....

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  15. The Devoted ClassicistJanuary 25, 2011 at 11:52 AM

    I am helping in the design of a new portion of a Children's Garden and am very careful that no kids are anywhere close when I am taking pictures to record the site.

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  16. Peggy and FritzJanuary 25, 2011 at 12:47 PM

    Great information! BTW I love love love that house. Architecturally and the color. When can I move in?

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  17. BonnieJanuary 25, 2011 at 2:11 PM

    Thank you for the very informative post and great article. I'm saving the info too. The little dog in the window is so cute and the home is beautiful. I also like the dog on the pretty pillow too.

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  18. Lisa SimeoneJanuary 25, 2011 at 4:31 PM

    Meg, this is awful and I do hope you're all right. I also wonder if you went to the police? Assault is assault, and people should not be allowed to get away with it.

    Alas, this kind of behavior is becoming increasingly common, especially with the paranoia and hysteria since 9/11. We are rapidly become the United Security States of America.

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  19. UnknownJanuary 25, 2011 at 9:13 PM

    so many people use their iphones and cameras to take photos that I feel like many times those of us with SLR's really get picked on. Thanks for reminding everyone of those rules...when I lived in NYC there was lots of hub bub about what can you or can't you photograph. In the end...we all have to use our commonsense and photograph with discretion.

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  20. Toby WorthingtonJanuary 25, 2011 at 9:37 PM

    Two incidents come to mind, both of them in London.
    First, a lovely house in Kensington Palace Gardens.
    Aimed the camera and was politely told that photography was prohibited. It was the Saudi Arabian Embassy.
    On another occasion, attempting to snap a gothick
    design on a wrought iron balcony not far from Regents Park, we were confronted by two fairly menacing dudes who did not care for the attention to their property~not in the least! It was only after nattering on in a naive,nerdy way about architecture, that we were allowed to move on. Clearly, we were perceived as narcotics agents.

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  21. ChristinaJanuary 25, 2011 at 9:51 PM

    Great post! I shared it with blogger friends. I was once yelled at for photographing a hand-crocheted sweater by the artist at a craft fair. I understood her concern, that I might steal her work for recreation. I simply admired it, and thought I would share the photo with my mom, showing a sweater almost identical to the one she was crocheting for a friend. I can't believe they bruised you over it though!! How childish!

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  22. AnonymousJanuary 25, 2011 at 9:59 PM

    Meg, I think your photos are really great, and I love your blog. I would hesitate though to make a blanket statement that taking a picture of someone's home with a telephoto setting or lense is always allowed. Laws vary from state to state (what's true in OR may not be true in all states). And there is sometimes a distinction drawn between what can be seen with the naked eye and what might be interpreted as an electronic violation of one's privacy via enhanced "spying" equipment such as a telephoto lense. Would you have been completely comfortable posting that close-up of a stranger's home if your camera had caught a person in their undergarments rather than a Westie on the stairs? Finally, if you are bruised from your recent encounter, it is likely not just an assault, but a battery, and hopefully you have spoken with the police about possible recourse. Whatever the legalities of your photo shoot, no one has the right to attack you for taking a picture.

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  23. AnonymousJanuary 26, 2011 at 5:18 PM

    Press on, Margaret. The leafy glade of Guilford should share its beauty with the whole world, not simply the select few privileged enough to reside there. Perhaps next you should move on next to the even more posh pockets of Blythewood, Charlesmeade, and Poplar Hill. Happy snapping!

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  24. Lisa SimeoneJanuary 27, 2011 at 9:40 AM

    'See, Officer, I Can Too Take That Picture’

    http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/27/see-officer-i-can-too-take-that-picture/?emc=eta1

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  25. Lisa SimeoneJanuary 27, 2011 at 9:48 AM

    And here's another one:


    Banned for Life from the Miami-Dade Metrorail
    July 1, 2010

    http://stretchphotography.com/blog/2010.07.01/banned-from-metro/

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  26. carries design musingsJanuary 28, 2011 at 11:16 PM

    Really good to know, especially as a fairly new blogger, so much to learn.Thank you for posting

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  27. ADGJanuary 30, 2011 at 6:18 AM

    What's the deal on naked photos?

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  28. Philippines Real EstateJanuary 31, 2011 at 10:39 PM

    Those photographs are great. It was artistic and full of styles. I love the backgrounds. It shows that beautiful staging and internal design of the house is great.

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  29. Hugo ChavezFebruary 21, 2011 at 10:42 PM

    It's never OK to hit someone - especially for something as mundane as taking a photo. There is a tad more to the story, however. Just because the pedestrian has the right of way doesn't mean he or she should jump in front of a truck. I do not mean any disrespect and I do hope you are better. No one deserves to be hit. Ever.

    ReplyDelete

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