No picture taking allowed here

[jjbacoomba]

Was out tonight getting some practice taking night shots. Using different speeds, apertures,etc. All was going well until a security guard told me that picture taking was not allowed. He was a nice guy, just doin his job. He told me it was a dumb rule,,,,but,,,,,. The location is at The Quarry. Its a big shopping mall and has a large movie theater, restaurants, shops.The buildings there I know have been photographed before.I have sen tourists taking photos there ,so what gives? Anyone ever run into this sort of thing? Hopefully I can post some pics I took tonight.The one with the red lights is the theater, and the round windows was the last one I took before he told me to stop. These arent the best photos. I am a beginner. Thanks, Joe

[jjbacoomba]

gonna try this again using Flickr

[RichardTaylor]

A general guideline, which I believe applies in the USA as well as some other countries.- If you are on private property (even though it may be open to the public) you have to follow the owners rules.

See this thread.
There are other similar ones on the forums.

Rights of Photographers

[jjbacoomba]

Thanks for the reply Richard. Very interesting link. Now I'll know better. Luckily for me the guard was very courteous.

[OsmosisStudios]

Were you on a sidewalk? Even the parking lot?

The sidewalk is city land and therefore public. And while the parking lot is likely private, you could argue otherwise if there are no signs announcing as much.

Sounds like someone who got bored and wanted something to do.

[Ambrosia76]

I find it rather amusing that I have seen 2 threads in 2 days saying people were asked to stop taking photos at the mall. Apparently our mall doesn't care or the guards would be extremely busy. Every time I have been it is packed with kids half of which have cameras or cell phone taking pics. Or perhaps it only applies to people with professional looking cameras. I may have to venture to the mall to test that theory.

[theosus]

I think they are just worried about either terrorist activity or robbery. You take a bunch of pictures and go back to your base and plan your event...where the cameras are, air vents, etc.

But they have that right. It is after all private property, even though it is open to the public.

[mosgood]

You might try contacting mall management to see if there is a clause restricting photography. Maybe you could ask permission to shoot there, if there is? At least the guard was polite...sometimes they're not. He is getting paid to keep things safe.

My hubby & I were at a local train station doing some photography not too long ago, & were approached by a security guard. He didn't stop us, he was just curious who we were. Turns out there's a sign on the building there encouraging photography. Go figure.

[rosserx]

You can join the NPPA and get an ID card.
https://www.nppa.org/member_id/
Showing the security guard a NPPA ID card at least validates you are not a terrorist or robber casing the joint. He may be more inclined to "look the other way".

I notice the annual membership is $110 though. But there's a ton of benefits that go with it. The more I read, the more I'm liking it. Hell, maybe I'll join!

[TheEagleSpirit]

Originally Posted by RichardTaylor

A general guideline, which I believe applies in the USA as well as some other countries.- If you are on private property (even though it may be open to the public) you have to follow the owners rules.

See this thread.
There are other similar ones on the forums.

Rights of Photographers

Some stores in our shopping mall have been robbed and they put up no cameras allowed for good reason. So far I have not been stopped in the parking lots but some seeing you take pictures may think of all the kidnappings, and sex predators I read about in the news of the area. Also residential and car break-ins. Such a crazy world we live in here since it is ok for criminals to carry guns but not the innocent. I go to Graceland in Memphis but take all the pictures you want but no flash allowed also no movies.