Once got stopped my a cop who seemed certain that I was out looking for a rape victim. Got the fed the usual BS lines from them about how it is illegal to take certain types of photos, etc... Full write up can be found at http://www.kpraslowicz.com/2009/10/03/the-night...

Full story here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nvaine/4057076433/

Short story: I was confronted by a very confused security guard while I was on a public street shooting landscape photos in a tourist area in Florida, USA. He tried to intimidate me; I waited for him to leave and continued shooting.

You'd think that in an area where most of the income comes from tourists, security guards would be instructed to encourage photography.

I was in Key West of all places and was on the corner taking photos of the house I was staying at. Across the corner a female officer was talking to a city worker and a tow truck guy at what I think was a fresh water storage unit.

Anyways she started to yelling at me to not take photos of her and to delete any photos I had just taken (had not even pointed my camera her direction as my rental house was on the opposite corner). She was very aggressive and in the end threaten to sue me if I didn't delete the photos (really..sue me? like, not arrest me, just sue?)

Long story short, her supervisor came and told her to chill out, I was really chill the entire time and we all moved on. Come to find out later...several officers were fired for working with local towing companies to illegally have rental cars towed and impounded.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j147/dfwphoto...

Never been stopped for photographing anything, but check this site from the Met police.
http://www.met.police.uk/about/photography.htm

Two different times by security on Chicago's Navy Pier. They explained that the water filtration plant was opposite one side of the pier and the locks were opposite the other. Once they spceifically mentioned that I was using a tripod and telephoto lens. That same time they also suggested that I could make arrangements in advance during normal business hours with the head of security or some such (both times I was stopped I was shooting at night--there are fireworks off the pier twice weekly during the summer and on special occasions during the rest of the year.) Both times we agreed that I would take a few more shots and move on.

There a full history on the legendary "Mall Ninja". Probably the funniest thread I've ever read.

http://doodiepants.com/2009/12/09/the-legend-of...

Since I am a concert photographer I have always have to explain something to a security guard. Whether it's has to do with access or my photo bag - it's always something. The best thing for me has been to be polite, state the facts, know the contacts of the agency that hired me and stay respectful. More often than not things are resolved. In a couple of situations I needed to call the Tour Manager or the head of security so they can clarify the rules to their employee.

And nakedlens: I just don't feel tat I SHOULD have to be "cooperative" and "honest" when I am engaging in a lawful activity that incidentally I engage in for a living. Just like I do not wish to be strip-searched at every airport, or breathalyzed and showing my drivers license at every stop sign, even if there too, being cooperative would no doubt make the experience easier.

Imagine if this was not "photography" but "driving". If every time we drove we had to explain where we were going. I would say no way - I am driving lawfully and unless I a drunk or speeding, I am allowed to do this without having to explain.

Because like it or not, there are a lot of paranoid people in this world, and if saying "hello" and answering a couple of yes or no questions makes everyone happy, it's something I'm willing to do.

You're trying to portray this as a slippery slope situation, and it isn't. Answering the question of "What are you doing" when engaged in an activity that a lot of people have begun to consider "suspicious" isn't the same as being stripsearched or asked for your papers every time you get behind the wheel.

More than anything else, it's a matter of ignorance, and being confrontational is only going to escalate things. If you willingly engage in a conversation with your challengers, then there's a better chance of them understanding that you're not in fact engaged in anything illegal.

The whole thing is preposterous. I have been told to delete photos in bookstores, to leave from malls, and to stop shooting in public areas all over the place. We really stand to lose a lot if we, bit by bit, allow the right to take photos to be removed.

Well, bookstores and malls are private property, even if they're publicly accessible. They do have the authority to ask you to leave or delete your photos.

As for actual public lands, that's a different story entirely.

On private property they may ask you to leave, or require that you stop taking photos if you wish to stay. If you do not oblige they can call the police and have you charged with trespassing.

Under no circumstances would the owner of a bookstore, or mall security ever have a legal right to delete your photos, or request you to do so.

I was taking pictures of a MARTA station in Atlanta, and was told that it was illegal by an officer. As it was almost midnight, and she and I were the only two people there, I stopped and put my gear away. When I reached my hotel I checked and found that non-commercial photography was not prohibited.

A few weeks late I was doing moon pictures outside of my apartment when I police officer pulled up and watched me for a few minutes before asking what I was doing, because they had received a report that I was looking in people's windows. I offered to show him the photos which seemed to mostly satisfy him, although he di watch me for a few more minutes before driving off.

Finally, a few weeks ago I was leading a small group of photgraphers and models in a shoot around downtown Dallas. As the girls were burlesque performers, and one was carrying her fans, a squad car stopped and asked us what we were doing. It was in no way accusatory, and when we explained that it was just a morning shoot, they drove off with one of my cards. Later that morning we were at a DART train station, and an officer explained that we weren't allowed to take photos of the trains or the station.

So, at least from my experience, the police seem to be mostly concerned with mass transit facilities, even though most transit authorities allow photographs. I also follow the thought that being honest and not copping an attitude will get you better results than being uncooperative like some people. Four different situations, only one required me to stop shooting, and none ended with me in the back of a squad car.

I've never been asked to stop shooting but have been confronted many, many times about carrying a tripod and told that I was not allowed to use it. Reasons vary but are generally rather unconvincing - "safety reasons" or "for copyright reasons" are the two most usually offered. As far as I can tell, New York City is pretty much a tripod-free zone unless you are standing in a public park or sidewalk. This makes sense in crowded tourist destinations (for example St. Patrick's Cathedral) but is just annoying in other places where there is no issue of getting in the way (e.g. Top of the Rock observation deck). Typically I am allowed to shoot handheld and often a small tripod or Gorillapod is allowed, however.

I remember going through security check in an airport where a security officer pointed at my tripod and said:

- "What is it?"
- "A tripod."
- "And what's a tripod?"
- "o_O ... Euh. Well, you set your camera on it to reduce shake during long exposures."
- "What?"
- "That's part of my photographic equipment, sir"
- "Please take it out of the bag"

So I took it out of the bag and he looked at it suspiciously. But at this moment his colleague (a young woman) appeared from behind him and exclaimed:

- "Oh, it's a tripod!"
- "Yeah!" I said.
- "Oh, let him pass, it's okay."

That incident made my day.

That's hilarious! :-)

i think that just lowered my opinion of the intelligence of some tsa workers, thats great, made my day now too.

I know that at least for professional press photographers, authorities cannot lawfully request you delete photos that you've taken, so long as you are in a public space, with a reasonable plain sight view of whatever you've photographed.

Strangely, I've had an experience with an unhappy subject when I was not working as a photojournalist, but as a photographer for the recreation program at my college. I was assigned to photograph a yoga class that was coordinated by the recreation program-- with prior notification to the class members -- for promotional materials for that same class. Before the class began, I had the instructor ask the class if certain people did not wish to be photographed, and they sat at the opposite end of the room.

A woman became very agitated when she came in late after seeing me photographing and verbally requested that I do not take photographs of her. I agreed (she had the right to refuse), but later, when I was pointing the lens in her direction, knowing she'd be cropped out or at best, fuzzed out from the shallow depth of field, she became irate and yelled at me across the room, saying I was invading her privacy -- while the rest of the class was attempting to meditate. All very odd.

It was a bit traumatic. Since I wasn't working as a press photographer or in an open, public area--and it was not on the rec program's premises like most classes were, I respectfully stopped. Apparently she had a lot of clout with one of the science departments at my college, so unfortunately, despite my caution, she requested the recreation department to delete all photos taken during that session, even though they were not of her.

I was pretty outraged, but since I wasn't working as a journalist, the odds were against me. It's always safest to get written model release forms from anyone you photograph if you are not a press photographer--and even in some cases, if you are.

If I was working as a photojournalist, things may have worked out differently, though it does eventually come down to a courtesy matter.

In any case, it's usually a good policy to try do do no harm while photographing. It's good to be assertive when necessary, and certainly to know your rights.

Here are some useful, informative links from the National Press Photographers Association:

On ethical photojournalism:
http://www.nppa.org/professional_development/bu...

On photographers' rights:
http://www.nppa.org/news_and_events/news/2005/0...

the Eiffel tower as well as the Louvre and many other pieces of architecture in Paris are copyrighted, for stock photography in any case (whether it's light or dark out)

best idea is to check before going out :)

What, really?...

I had no idea. Wow.

Normally, taking pictures or filming for a professional purpose in public places (this includes squares, parks that close in the evening, streets etc.) requires a permit and in some cases a payment. For example you cannot record any kind of image on Trafalgar square in London.

Here's a quote from the "TRAFALGAR SQUARE AND PARLIAMENT SQUARE GARDEN
(AMENDMENT No: 1) BYELAWS 2002" (google it):

Acts within the Squares for which written permission is required to
(Unless acting in accordance with permission...)
5 (11): "take photographs or any other recordings of visual images for the purpose of
or in connection with a business, trade, profession or employment or any
activity carried on by a person or body of persons, whether corporate or
unincorporate"

Why - I have no idea, but I suppose that this is the same as engaging in commercial activity or living in a certain place. You have to register your company or yourself, pay taxes, pay rent etc. You never exclaim with surprise: "Why the fook am I asked to pay taxes if I live here?" or "Why cannot I build a shop under this monument to sell a candy?", do you? So same thing is with taking pictures.

Now how do you know who's a professional and who's not? Well, you use subjective judgement and look at the equipment the photo/videographer is using. There is simply no other way! If it's a big camera or lighting or audio recording equipment is being used then chances are - he/she's a professional and he/she needs a prior permission to engage in a professional activity here.

I was asked to stop shooting on two occasions:
1) I was in proximity of an embassy of the USA in Paris. A policeman run up to me and said that I'm not allowed to take any pictures of the embassy. I asked if I could shoot in a different direction and he said it was okay, but glanced at me from time to time to check.
2) I was with a couple of friends in a park shooting with flashes and brollys when a security guard came up to me and asked what was the purpose of the shoot. I told him we were friends and were taking pictures for fun. He said: "No photo distribution either online or through traditional media!" and walked away.

The most funny thing is that both of the cases took place in Paris, which is not so anti-photographic as London is today. I went to London 5 times, carried a camera with me from early morning till late evening, shoot everything (office buildings, parks, people, vehicles), I had a model with me and a huge 1,5x1m reflector that I carried everywhere and NObody stopped me or asked me what I was doing. I guess I was just lucky, because if not - all that London-hates-photographers is nothing more than a soap bubble.

"Now how do you know who's a professional and who's not?"

You don't, and you're innocent until proven guilty. So when they ask you to stop making photos in Trafalgar Square, tell them you're a hobbyist. It is now up to them to *PROVE* that you're a professional. Using subjective judgement is exactly that: subjective.

"It is now up to them to *PROVE* that you're a professional."

Sorry, I have to disagree here. It was "proven" the moment they saw that bulky camera in your hands. In their minds you are already guilty. Now it's your turn to prove the contrary (which, in my humble opinion, is impossible) or stop taking pictures.

Hmm, just remembered an interesting but a bit irrelevant fact. Now that the Eiffel Tower has this new fancy illumination - it is prohibited to take pictures of the tower (and distribute them) after sunset because this illumination is considered the work of art and is under copyright! :) Don't know if anyone was asked to stop photographing the tower since that copyright claim, but I find that the idea is quite funny.

Living in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Have been pulled up by security guards and made to delete my photos, just street scenes, which I always do. Don't want to get on the wrong side of them!! I do sometimes get yelled at by people when I take pictures in the street. Public photography used to be completely illegal here, a lot of the public still think so, so do not like to see a camera in the street!

First time: At the Los Angeles County Fair, was stopped in the midway by the carnival's media relations director saying that I had to stop using my tripod because of "insurance" reasons. Later in another part of the fairgrounds, a media relations person not directly related to the carnival contractor, but affiliated with the overall fairgrounds indicated that there was no such restriction.

Second time: At the Fashion Valley Mall in San Diego, a security guard indicated that after I had been strolling around for awhile with a DSLR and a tripod told me that that "photography wasn't allowed" on the premises. I then pulled out my iPhone and asked him if I could use that and we waffled on the subject. Luckily I had worked fast and was pretty much done.

My experience is documented here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tysoncrosbieedit/3...

Cheers!

Nice story and photo =)

Stopped by a cop in Times Square in NY for using a tripod. He let me off without arresting me or giving me a citation, but indicated that a permit is required to use a tripod there.

Yes, that is another contemporary paranoia: taking a picture of a kid must mean that you are a child molester, just like taking pictures of an adult means you are a paparazzo and taking a picture of a federal building means you are a terrorist and taking a picture of a mall means you are a copyright thief. All preposterous, and it seems to me that as photographers we need to fight against this nonsense.

I was visiting Manchester with my parents, and we wanted to take some pictures of how much it had changed since we had moved away (Piccadilly Gardens had kids playing in fountains and such). A parkie came over and asked that we stopped taking pictures of the kids - although they didn't ask us to delete the images we'd already taken.

All of the kids we could see where clothed, and we were using wide angle lenses to get the whole square in - not focussing on individuals.

Never had a problem here in Australia (so far)

Been stopped by security many times, but I never stopped shooting, cause I'm always on public property. I live in LA. I don't have to say more.

I was taking some pictures in a mall parking lot in Arizona and the mall security guy (on a Segway) stopped and told me it was illegal to take pictures there and told me to delete the pictures, citing Homeland Security. I told him to show me where it was written that I couldn't shot pictures in the parking lot. We went back into Mall Security and they looked up their "policy". It only addressed taking pictures inside the mall and then only required obtaining permission from store owners or subjects to take photographs.

I was asked no to take pictures in Toledo, Spain, because a security guard appeared in the background.
A few weeks ago I was asked to stop taking pictures using tripod at Mexico City's Angel (Columna de la Independencia).
I had to obtain a permission to shoot Mexico City's "Palacio de Bellas Artes" with a tripod.
It is frobidden to shoot USA's embassy in Mexico City (although I don't know which authority forbids this).

London. London. London. That is why I;d rather visit Iran than the UK. It's OK for them to film me all day, but oh dear, the moment I lift a 1Ds MkIII I must surely be a terrorist. Hare-brained idiots.

No one has ever tried to make me delete photos, as most of my trouble has been with video. I have been stopped and turned away from a grocery store parking lot shooting video of cars sliding around in snow. I have been questioned several times while taping along the sidewalk by the Old Courthouse in St. Louis, MO, as well as run off from the train tracks across the river from the Gateway Arch. Regular citizens have been worse than police in most cases. I've been threatened with bodily harm by a construction worker who must have been running from the law. I told him I had a wireless transmitter and my feed was being recorded at the tv station. Apparently he believed me because he ran off and hid inside the building.

After going to the Beijing Olympics, I took plenty of photos of the airports in Beijing. The only time the authorities approached me in China about photography was when I took a photo of some officials in the security check line.

Coming back into JFK, I took a photo of the customs officer going through our group director's bags - which held about 30 of our sharp and shinies from China - and he yelled at me for a solid few minutes about "I don't know what the policy is where you were coming from, but you don't take pictures inside airports in the US," then deleted the dozen photos I'd taken inside the JFK airport. It was a dumb move on my part, but he was kinda a dick about it; then again what else do you expect in JFK?

Been confronted by the airport "authorities" in brazil, because aviation phrotography is "dangerous"

we were crossing a bridge somewhere in northern ethiopia and my flash accidentally went off. i didn't even want the bloody photo. the soldiers came running and demanded i give them the film. this was back in 1997 and i had one of those packet size olympus cameras. there was nothing i could do. i looked at my sister helplessly but she didn't/couldn't react. neither could my dad nor my brother. as he ripped the film out, i saw all the photos i had taken flash in front of my eyes. for all i know they might have been total rubbish but i still think about those photos and *sigh*

I've only had a few small incidents. Times where I've been shooting photos at a concert, or other event and have been briefly questioned my security guards. I've never been asked to delete images or other media before. While taking photos in the Canadian Parliament buildings I was required to give up my tripod until leaving because it "could be used as a weapon", but this is just their standard policy. It did make it difficult to shot the low lit architecture though.

Josh,
(@JoshVinePhoto)

I was asked by secret service to delete a photo of a security check point when President Bush came to town. I respectfully deleted it, I had no intention on making a point, too excited in the moment :) I was also asked by a mall cop to stop taking photos of my niece and nephew. I laughed at him and proceeded to take a few smart alec photos of him on his segway.

I live in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and photography is generally prohibited. I took pictures that had a cop's motorcycle in them, and that would've caused me a lot of trouble. The pictures weren't worth it.

Yikes... that sounds like a tough environment for aspiring street photographers...

A few years ago, I was a newspaper reporter when I came across a scene where an individual had set himself on fire inside his vehicle in order to commit suicide. I was taking some photos from a bridge above the car which held the charred, lifeless body of this hapless person and a Westminster, CA police officer told me to stop, even after I showed him my press credentials. I asked for his badge number and he allowed me to proceed.

1) took a picture of a piece of clothing in a shop and the owner/manager told me i was violating his copyright. I chose not to argue that, since my GF was with me and just left.
2) taking pictures of a friend in a public park, a ranger came up to me and said that wasn't allowed. We left and i wrote a letter to the park's director asking, "WTF?" and she said the ranger was wrong.

What the... Public park as in, out in nature?

It specifically Kapiolani Park, which is near Waikiki on Oahu. Yes, a public park, but not way out in the wilds.

i've had issues shooting skateboarding. the cops are generally pretty aggro toward everyone involved. never given up film or mem cards, tho.

also got busted by security at a local cathedral for shooting pics outside the building. i was asked to leave, but i pressed the office for permission, and they gave.

I was confronted twice in london, apparently I'm not allowed to take pictures at a tube station with a dslr... The first time was from a cop who stopped me at Liverpool street, he kinda cornered me to a pillar and was way too close for comfort, questioned me why I was taking photos. He made me delete the photo I just took and moved away. The second time was with a friend for a hobby shoot but I couldn't convince the staff it was so as I look professional and my friend was quite pretty. So we couldn't do any shoot there.

Made a photo of a bunch of schoolkids who were monkying around on a bus stop in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Teacher from the school demanded I delete the photos; told me it was against the law. I told him to call the police. He did. Police told him I had the right to make photos... Teacher apologized.

Several times,
Stopped by Morocco's Royal Guard,
Ispra (Italy) Research Center's guards,
Salvador (Brazil) police

among others...

I've only been stopped once and it was near the courtyard of the courthouse. I had been taking photos of the statues. The security guard asked me to give him my memory card, I refused and he eventually told me to move along but not to take any more photos around the courthouse. Not very exciting. :-)

The times I have been stopped have not been a big deal. "What are you doing?" "Why are you out here under this bridge so early in the morning?" "What the heck are you looking at?" I've been asked to stop because it was private property, and so I did. Not a big deal like some of the stories you read...

Stopped by a cop on a NYC subway platform. I politely explained that I'd researched the law and found that MTA rules explicitly allow photography in the subways -- he called his supervisor and confirmed that, and allowed me to go on shooting.

I like that. Know more about it than the cop.