Photos Taken From Public Land

[ToadHollow]

My wife and I have been talking a lot lately on the legality and ethics behind taking photos of people's houses etc. from public streets. My main passion lies in old buildings, particularly if they are deserted and in need of repairs. I like the effects of b&w photography with such subjects. We just aren't sure if this is legal, and if it is, are there any ethical issues behind this?

[Jim Bryant]

I don't foresee a problem in that, but here in the US National Park system for years have been trying to issue photography permits especially in Yosemite and some of the other California parks. Here's a good read. Photographing in US National Parks and other NPS sites

There are others on this page: UNited state parks photographer permits - Google Search

[ToadHollow]

VERY interesting article, thanks for posting that! This does talk more specifically about photography in public parks and areas, do you have any thoughts or opinions about photographing private property, like houses and barns etc.?

I have a long term goal of creating a photo book (like a coffee table book) of old barns out here on the West Coast of Canada and was wondering if it was OK to photo peoples private property like that, from a public road of course.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by ToadHollow

VERY interesting article, thanks for posting that! This does talk more specifically about photography in public parks and areas, do you have any thoughts or opinions about photographing private property, like houses and barns etc.?

I have a long term goal of creating a photo book (like a coffee table book) of old barns out here on the West Coast of Canada and was wondering if it was OK to photo peoples private property like that, from a public road of course.

In Canada, as long as youre on a public road or in a public space, you;re more than welcome to take a photo and publish it. There are few exceptions: DoD sites, military bases, that kind of thing.

So, if you're on a road, you;re more than welcome.

[ToadHollow]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

In Canada, as long as youre on a public road or in a public space, you;re more than welcome to take a photo and publish it. There are few exceptions: DoD sites, military bases, that kind of thing.

That makes perfect sense, I have no intentions of helping out bad guys, that's for sure.

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

So, if you're on a road, you;re more than welcome.

Excellent news! Thanks for posting this reply, I really appreciate it.

[kirbinster]

If you have questions, just take a look at Google Street View, they have pictures of a huge percentage of homes in the US from the street -- if you are not on the persons property you can take a picture of whatever you can see from public view.

[Izzy]

I am in the US but I am sure the rules apply in a similar fashion. I shoot pictures of old barns and old farm tractors. The barns are usually shot from the edge of the road. Old tractors are another thing. I will shoot them if they are within close range to the road so it does not look like I was sneaking around. Even better if they have a for sale sign on them. Just yesterday I spotted an old truck in the weeds behind a barn by about 100 ft and a barb wire fence around the property. I think they were trying to say keep out. And I respected that.

I think if you use common sense and are not "creeping" people are understanding. I have only been approached once during these shooting drives. I was careful to make sure I was transparent about what I was doing while we struck up a conversation. I never dash out in a hurry. I always take my time to give people a chance to come out and talk. BTW this one conversation led to even more pictures as the guy had a barn chock o' block full of tractors that he either restored of was in process of doing so. He was more than willing to share .

As for the legality, like the others I have to agree that if it is viewable from a public location your are in the clear. Naturally this changes when it comes to identifiable people.

[ToadHollow]

Originally Posted by Izzy

I am in the US but I am sure the rules apply in a similar fashion. I shoot pictures of old barns and old farm tractors. The barns are usually shot from the edge of the road. Old tractors are another thing. I will shoot them if they are within close range to the road so it does not look like I was sneaking around. Even better if they have a for sale sign on them. Just yesterday I spotted an old truck in the weeds behind a barn by about 100 ft and a barb wire fence around the property. I think they were trying to say keep out. And I respected that.

I think if you use common sense and are not "creeping" people are understanding. I have only been approached once during these shooting drives. I was careful to make sure I was transparent about what I was doing while we struck up a conversation. I never dash out in a hurry. I always take my time to give people a chance to come out and talk. BTW this one conversation led to even more pictures as the guy had a barn chock o' block full of tractors that he either restored of was in process of doing so. He was more than willing to share .

Thank you so much for taking the time to post this, this is exactly the information and insight I was looking for. To be honest, there's been a couple times where it felt a little weird to be out on a street taking pictures of peoples homes. I know if I was inside my house and saw someone outside doing that, I would have a 3 alarm Spidey-Sense event. So, I was really hoping to understand the legal and ethical aspects of this so that if someone came out to talk to me, I'd know where I stood on the topic. I am a very outgoing and friendly person, so I am sure that one day I might have an experience like the one you mentioned, where you were invited onto the property for further photographic gems.

Originally Posted by Izzy

As for the legality, like the others I have to agree that if it is viewable from a public location your are in the clear. Naturally this changes when it comes to identifiable people.

Can someone elaborate on this a little more?

[ToadHollow]

Originally Posted by kirbinster

If you have questions, just take a look at Google Street View, they have pictures of a huge percentage of homes in the US from the street -- if you are not on the persons property you can take a picture of whatever you can see from public view.

That's what I truly suspected, but am really glad to see the posts on this thread stating it as such. Thanks for posting, I appreciate it.

[Niresangwa]

Originally Posted by ToadHollow

Can someone elaborate on this a little more?

By my understanding, if you're on public space (sidewalk etc) but using a 500mm lens to shoot into someone's bedroom window, that's not ok. Mostly because in your own home in those circumstances, you do have an expectation of privacy, and the law will uphold that...

...good luck trying to explain you were focusing on the gutter's architecture and lines if there was a scantily clad female changing in the window below it.