Quote:
Originally Posted by bigfrank
So are you saying that your research has proven the information posted earlier in the thread written by the lawyer is incorrect. This would be important to know.
What I noticed was that the lawyer wrote this I think in 2006 or 2007, well after 9/11 and even mentioned the patriot Act didn't even have public photography built into it.
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I'm not a lawyer nor a security guard. I do work for a government contractor, and I do work at times on classified information and I understand why and how it's classified. I am aware of and agree with the need for some security. So this is my opinion, based on my experience.
This lawyer has decided that he is willing to defend these rights to the level that he describes in his document. I fully support his willingness and I'm grateful that he has that willingness. But. That doesn't mean that the rest of the world *must* agree and cede these rights to us photographers.
Personally, I am of the opinion that when possible, asking permission beforehand is likely to get the best response. When it's simply not possible to ask, then I believe it's better to ask forgiveness (and not lose a photo opportunity) than to ask permission.
I've also done some years of working for law enforcement agencies. A lot of their ability to 'control' the public comes from public accepting that 'control'. Knowing that, I would always deal with any security personnel with care to avoid disturbing their sense of 'control' ... for example, I would show them the lawyer's statement and *ask* whether I was violating it rather than *state* that I was not violating it. Private security don't really have as much control as public law enforcement, but I understand that they're trying to provide a service so I'm willing to pretend that they have 'control'.
Up to a point.
If someone were really being absurdly restrictive, I'd first try to simply get away from them while retaining possession of my photos. If that didn't work, I'd resort to inviting them to discuss the issue with my civil-rights lawyers. And, oh, by the way, with the court of public opinion as well.