Photographers' rights in USA

[haven]

The American Civil Liberties Union has published a short guide to the rights and responsibilities of photographers in USA.

http://www.aclu.org/free-speech/know-your-rights-photographers

Now you know what statements to make to the police while you are being detained!

The discussion about videotaping points out that states in USA have a variety of rules about audio recording, which can be construed as similar to wiretapping under some circumstances. So the state you're in may affect your ability to videotape in public.

 

[scenicgreenrr]

Hmm - something about this makes me feel just plain sad. We've come to a point in this great country that are freedoms require an ACLU hand out to understand ... just plain sad.

 

[maxingout]

Thanks for the post. This is a very confusing area. I think there may be different rules for people who have press credentials, or so I have been told.

It's odd that you can video some interactions as long as you don't record the audio which would be a violation of wire tapping regulations.

As we sailed around the world, we have avoided taking pictures of government buildings. When we were in Sudan, we were specifically told to avoid having government buildings in our photos.

Not a problem. I would rather take pictures of palm trees, turquoise water, canyons, red rocks, sunsets, sailboats at anchor, and offroad vehicles.

 

[grntrdtaco]

as horrible as it may sound i think these days no matter what piece of paper you have in your hand, its what whomever is hassling you (officer, border, security guard) thinks at the time, is what the "law" is right there and then.

having a business card, website (ipad or smartphone with you) to show your work and explain who you are will do wonders and get you much farther than being confrontational and shoving a piece of paper into the face of someone who thinks they are an authority over you, while at the same time you explain to them how wrong they are.

right or wrong that really wont get you anywhere and might get you arrested for charges completely unrelated to photography.

if you are shooting at night its even harder to explain

 

[HumphreyBear]

Nanny State

Very interesting, thank you Haven.

Whilst I agree it is wise to always avoid photographing public buildings or officials in places like Sudan, the ACLU link posted by Haven was documenting the misuse and inconsistency of the laws in America, and one of the links from that document also reported on the same situation here in Australia and in the UK.

The Nanny State restriction on photography are just as bad here, and walking with a camera in Sydney I have been reminded me of doing the same thing in Iran a few years ago - where people (often minor officials) mysteriously appear to use the badge of some (often supposed) law to impose ridiculous and arbitrary decisions.

The point is that these three countries denigrate other countries for the same intimidatory behaviour, yet (some sections?) employ these behaviours in what seems like a concerted and orchestrated manner (re: the ACLU report on New Orleans Police Department arresting people for filming them beating suspects - to try and avoid a public scandal). A less severe example is that several beach-side councils have been trying to prohibit public photography. Ostensibly this is stated to avoid 'child pornography' and public obstructions with large crews, but they wanted you to get a permit to do the same photography. It is the councils generating revenue and mistaskenly using the law to do so (in Australia councils can't do squat about this).
http://www.overclockers.com.au/wiki/Your_right_to_take_photographs
http://rossbmedia.wordpress.com/2010/08/30/do-bureaucrats-not-understand-plain-english/

Anyway, it may be worth it for others travelling in Australia to know something about this as well.

BTW - nice web site(s) Dave - looks like I know what I'll be doing for a couple of days - Maxingout on Maxingout....

Cheers,
Humphrey