photographing strangers

[B..]

Originally Posted by NaturesPixel

Zach.. is this just American rule.. or can we photograph people in the streets in Canada or Australia.. do you know???

This is not so much American rule, but it's a useful American generality if one adds common sense to it. For example, you could not stand on a public sidewalk/pavement outside my house and freely take pictures of the inside of my house through my windows - not even if I had my drapes open. But if I come outside of my house, then you can freely take pictures of me. You probably wouldn't bother, though, since I'm not Madonna.

[B..]

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.

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.

[tradley]

Originally Posted by MzChristine

Knowing your "right" to photograph people in public and actually being brave enough to do it are 2 different things.. I'm thinking about getting some of those moo cards printed up with my flickr address to give to people who ask "Hey.. why are you taking my picture"

I hope this is not a dumb question, but what is a moo card?

[misskels]

Originally Posted by tradley

I hope this is not a dumb question, but what is a moo card?

Moo Cards :]


As for myself, photographing people is my favorite. I have been quite a shy person in the past, but through forcing myself to interact with people I'm getting much better at it! If I see someone with an interesting look, I tell them that I am a photographer and that I love their look, and if I could take a photo of them. Most of the time, they say yes. Or sometimes, I'll shoot from the sidelines and then approach them afterward to ask if I can post it online. Actually, most of the time they ask for my email or something so they can see it, which I didn't expect at first so I started carrying around moo cards hehe. The only problem I have with people are people that I am uncomfortable with, mostly scary looking men and guys around my age. Being a younger female, I don't want them to get the wrong impression, which a few guys have. Then again, I don't want to be really rude, so I'm kind of still trying to figure this out. But actually when I'm with a group of photographers it doesn't bother me.

[Dumbscout]

Awesome, thank you everyone who posted info here, and I'm bookmarking the moo cards link!