bostechie
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Boston, MA
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3 edits |  Stopped by police- You can't photograph here...
Yesterday I planned my day around going to Boston's South Station (Amtrak) to photograph trains and people disembarking from them. Before I could get in the door I was stopped by an AMTRAK police officer who asked, "you're not planning to take photos in the station, are you?". I replied, "Well, yes I was." He informed me that I could not do so and if I did my camera would be confiscated,(not good).
Now I didn't get in his face arguing or anything and in all fairness his manner was quite non-confrontational - actually nice. He went on to inform me I could get a permit to photograph through the MBTA (our transit authority) police.
We continued to chat a bit about the whole restriction and he even agreed it was ill conceived. I asked him how they handled tourists and he said, we're not supposed to bother them. I replied, YIKES! They're the people you have to watch. I mean what terrorist is going to draw all sorts of attention to himself lugging around an expensive DSLR camera, zoom lenses, and a tripod? It's the guy you think is a tourist who is more likely to be scoping the joint with his little point and shoot. He laughed in agreement, but said, "I just follow my orders." And I respect that he is doing his job regardless of the fact that I don't agree with the policy.
Anyway, the cop and I had a nice chat about it and I agreed to get the necessary permit. He even apologized for the hassle. We shook hands and I went on my way.
Has anyone else had a similar experience and how did it go for you?
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jordan f
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join:2002-06-27
Miami, FL
| Glad you see the officer was friendly and understanding. Still, to require a permit to photography...that just rubs me the wrong way.
I've had a similar experience when I was out shooting in public streets on Halloween. A wonderful photo presented itself to me (officers against neon lights surrounded by girls dressed like prostitutes) and i began snapping. Immediately one of the officers approached me in a very confrontational manner and demanded that I ask for permission before taking his picture - his tone was very, very threatening and he spoke with very few words. I knew I had the right to be shooting and continued to take the photos. Then he got right up in my face like some street thug would do and threatened me some more. He told me the officers were 'undercover' (yet...all of them were dressed in uniform..) and that i just violated the law. i laughed at him and walked away, knowing that he wasn't worth my time and that i already got the shot.
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vapochilled
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join:2004-11-23
Macungie, PA
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| reply to bostechie
Arhh, god bless the ignorance that guides these idiots into trying to enforce illegal laws!
Just did a quick google for south boston station images...many hundreds came up, not all useful to a would be terrorist intent on terror,lol
It's a shame these people were not so careful on 9/11, we would not have to deal with their brain dead ideas now!
It's also a shame that the laws don't protect you more when you are within the law here! any "civilized" country and an officer who behaved in that manner would be very quickly out of a job! Here it's a trait they actively seek!
There was another thread similar to this one I think a few days ago here, about photogs rights. Going to be an issue more and more I think here. |
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tmpchaos
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| reply to bostechie
Photography has been prohibited without permit on the PATH system for years. I discovered it was also not permitted on NJTransit property when I tried last year. The MTA permits it, but the subway cops may or may not be informed about the current rules. I don't know what Amtrak's rules are. It's certainly becoming a more hostile world for photographers.
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vapochilled
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join:2004-11-23
Macungie, PA
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| reply to bostechie
I was in Hoboken with the camera today.. never saw you,lol!
All it requires is some common sense being applied, but it seems it's just easier to put in place these illegal bans and rely on the fact that people will not argue!
How about a mass rally of photographers, snapping en-mass somewhere?  |
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inciter
Noobie
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join:2000-08-30
Rohnert Park, CA
| reply to bostechie
»Whats next banning cameras in public? your not alone. I finally asked about taking the picture of the Owl on top of the CHP station and was told in a nice manner no. The front clerk called the supervisor.
He was not much of a talker.
What gets me not this board but another one I was getting called names and crazy... It's really a reality you have to be very careful of what and were you photograph now a days.
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eXodus
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join:2005-08-04
Rockaway, NJ | reply to bostechie
What gets me is if you can see it, why cant you photograph it? What if I had a photographic memory and could draw it perfectly later? Ignorance these days ugh...
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Stacy
FotoDogue
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New York, NY
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| reply to tmpchaos
said by tmpchaos  :Photography has been prohibited without permit on the PATH system for years. I discovered it was also not permitted on NJTransit property when I tried last year. The MTA permits it, but the subway cops may or may not be informed about the current rules. I don't know what Amtrak's rules are. It's certainly becoming a more hostile world for photographers. Twenty years ago I did some freelance work for New York State DOT so I was in and about Grand Central Station and drove up to Croton on Hudson where I got down on the AMTRAK and Metro North tracks to photograph workers. No credentials but nobody questioned my authority to be there.
Earlier this week I was shooting in Times Square when I was approached by a couple of cops near the recruiting center who wanted to know "if they could help me." There certainly are no laws against shooting in Times Square but New York's Finest certainly know how to encourage you to move on. |
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tmpchaos
Goodbye John
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Hoboken, NJ
clubs: | Did you ask if one would be kind enough to hold you camera bag? |
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Stacy
FotoDogue
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New York, NY
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| said by tmpchaos :Did you ask if one would be kind enough to hold you camera bag? I know this sounds terrible but.. I'm tired of trying to charm my way through a shoot when I have every right to be there. I'd much rather save my charm for times when I need to overstep my bounds  |
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mromero
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join:2000-12-07
Fullerton, CA | reply to bostechie
Yep, same thing happened to me and a couple of my friends while attempting to shoot at the train station. Was told it was because of the threat of terrorism. |
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pog
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Kihei, HI
·Hawaiian Telcom
| reply to bostechie
I'm not much into street-type photography but, human nature and general ignorance being what they are, there are WAY too many reasons for people to get upset. It's not just photography... people are just more edgy and mistrustful these days, in general.
The sad thing is that they are not mindful of things where it counts very often! |
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Splitpair
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4 edits | reply to bostechie
said by bostechie :Yesterday I planned my day around going to Boston's South Station (Amtrak) to photograph trains and people disembarking from them. Before I could get in the door I was stopped by an AMTRAK police officer who asked, "you're not planning to take photos in the station, are you?". I replied, "Well, yes I was." He informed me that I could not do so and if I did my camera would be confiscated,(not good). Nothing new about that. Having photographed trains all over the country I have learned train dicks are some of the least informed LEO's when it comes to what is legal or not.
Last year I was shooting a train vs. car wreck when I had a railroad cop order me to stop shooting or face being arrested. I not being in the best of moods that day and not standing on railroad property told him to blow it out his a**. I then walked away from him and resumed shooting. He paused then yelled over to a nearby Sheriffs deputy for assistance and both of them began walking toward me. I could clearly hear the railroad cop telling the deputy that he ordered me to stop shooting and that I “mouthed back” to him why he didn‘t tell the deputy what I actually said I do not know. They approched me and the deputy asked me what I was doing and I explained I am a freelance photographer and was photographing the accident with the intent of selling the photographs. He then asked for and received my ID copied some info from it made a quick check on the radio handed my ID back and advised me to stay on public property keep moving and there will be no problems. He then turned to the railroad cop and asked what do you want me to do the guys legal? End of story.
Wayne
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JRSlater8
Do or do not... there is no try
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join:2004-08-12
| reply to vapochilled
said by vapochilled :How about a mass rally of photographers, snapping en-mass somewhere? I like this idea. Get twenty thousand amateur and pro photographers together in one place and see if there will be two images the same. LOL Oh, and I do like the protest idea. |
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bostechie
I'm too old to know everything
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join:2002-02-05
Boston, MA
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| reply to bostechie
Here is where I believe the policy folks are trained:
»/showpic/dimag···5413&1=1
(Thank you Ispark)
I mean they stated that they don't bother the tourist and folks with P&S cameras. HELLO! I think terrorists are capable of of using a P&S. Hell, they would probably use a throw away if the are planing to do a suicide bombing - no sense in spending lots on a camera if you aren't going to be around to use it.
"Never under-estimate the power of human stupidity" |
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vapochilled
Premium
join:2004-11-23
Macungie, PA | reply to bostechie
I'm still waiting to hear exactly what they will take photos of? and why? everything is on the bloody internet ffs! |
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Gbcue
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| reply to JRSlater8
Flash-mob. No pun intended.
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vapochilled
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| said by Gbcue :Flash-mob. No pun intended.  |
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envoid
join:2002-12-21
Duluth, GA | reply to bostechie
What is keeping the 'terrorists' from using promo shots of the stations and what-not for research? You're all quite right, this reasoning is retarded. |
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HardwareGeek
join:2003-11-15
Brooklyn, NY
| reply to tmpchaos
said by tmpchaos :Photography has been prohibited without permit on the PATH system for years. I discovered it was also not permitted on NJTransit property when I tried last year. The MTA permits it, but the subway cops may or may not be informed about the current rules. I don't know what Amtrak's rules are. It's certainly becoming a more hostile world for photographers. MTA doesn't permit it anymore. Those new rules they approved last year. One of them was no pictures.
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Email/MSN: Michael at hardwaregeeks.comAIM: MikeR35292 |
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