"I don't think so." Well, I think so....

[Paul Luscher]

I'll go with jsrockit here. This is a combination of ignorance with what I call the "Barney Fife" mentality.

 

[Hjortsberg]

I agree with Mr. Hicks that you put yourself on less stable ground by going in the establishment only for a light reading. Even so, as long as you were taking the photo from public property, you would be within you rights in any jurisdiction I am familiar with in the USA.

But I am curious. What kind of place and neighborhood were you in? A security guard inside the eating establishment? Were you on a public street or perhaps in a park or strip mall of some sort?

it was a nice part of town. i was on a public sidewalk on the main street thru town. it wasn't a strip mall.

yes, a spot meter would have been better. buy hey, I'm just into this two months now.

 

[filmfan]

I mentioned the print-out because, sadly, many people in charge of protecting law and order do not actually know the laws they are keeping which results in a lack of order (Cops). This print-out has kept a few of my friends from getting into escalated arguments and having police hold them while they call their superiors for clarification on the law. I am speaking from the experience of friends, while critics of this tactic merely speculate. One of these people is a very well respected photojournalist whom a few of you probably have taken workshops with.
To each, their own I guess...

(edit: sorry for the Ad Verecundiam argument, but I thought it was better to include it than to not)

 

[crawdiddy]

My response to "you can't take photographs" is to say "I'm pretty sure I can." And then I do.

 

[oftheherd]

A spot meter is nice. A telephoto lens with in camera that has an in camera meter is nice as well (I see your camera at the time didn't). Experience at that type of photography will help. I don't see where you did anything illegal. I don't know the area so I don't know if it would be wise, but it you got a decent photo, you might want to consider giving them an 8x10 print. Also be careful of how they use it, since the patrons might object if it is hung up in public view.

In the long run, I think you did the correct thing defending your rights, and then leaving. No harm, no foul.

 

[willie_901]

In your specific case I would have calmly told them to call the police or leave me alone. Private security guards rely heavily on intimidation and in your case intimidation was the only method available to make you go away.

Law enforcement officers are aware of the appropriate laws... and they really don't want to do all the paper work required to book you based on a guess (I guess the restaurant can prohibit photography from a public place?)

That said, even if a law enforcement officer is wrong, you should follow their orders. Later you can file a formal complaint that your constitutional rights were violated.

 

[kkdanamatt]

Exercising one's civil rights is similar to excercising one's muscles. If you don't excercise them, they tend to weaken.
Ergo, keep shooting, even after you've gotten all your pictures.

 

[crawdiddy]

Exercising one's civil rights is similar to excercising one's muscles. If you don't excercise them, they tend to weaken.
Ergo, keep shooting, even after you've gotten all your pictures.

I agree. Many things inspire me to photograph. One of them is a person in a public place telling me I can't photograph. At that point I consider it my duty to keep shooting. Even if I'm out of film.

 

[MC JC86]

I mentioned the print-out because, sadly, many people in charge of protecting law and order do not actually know the laws they are keeping which results in a lack of order (Cops). This print-out has kept a few of my friends from getting into escalated arguments and having police hold them while they call their superiors for clarification on the law. I am speaking from the experience of friends, while critics of this tactic merely speculate. One of these people is a very well respected photojournalist whom a few of you probably have taken workshops with.
To each, their own I guess...

(edit: sorry for the Ad Verecundiam argument, but I thought it was better to include it than to not)

Not for a second would I doubt your experiences or those of your friends.

I am not, as you say, merely speculating. I HAVE used this tactic before and found it to be problematic. Having the codified law, in print, on your side can go either way.


To each their own is a good point though, as I believe a lot of people that tend to come into these situations wouldn't be able to diffuse any tense situation regardless of what moral or legal high ground they held.

Like anything, everything involved will vary case by case.

EDIT: I take you have probably never been beaten or roughed up by the police... it's quite a hopeless situation, while it's happening 😉

 

[filmfan]

Exercising one's civil rights is similar to excercising one's muscles. If you don't excercise them, they tend to weaken.
Ergo, keep shooting, even after you've gotten all your pictures.

I agree. Except we are discussing the defense of civil rights and not the exercise of them...