NYC subway, magic arm, Rolleiflex, & the NYPD

[shootar401]

On my way home I tried something that I've been wondering about for a while. Since tripods are not allowed to be used on the NYC subway platforms I decided to use my super clamp and magic arm and attach it to the I beams that run along the platform. Not the ideal situation, but the only real option for long exposures.

Walking along the platform I saw 2 NYPD cops standing around, I figured I'd set up right in front of them. At least I'd get instant feedback if I was wrong about this.

I took a light reading (FYI it's around 1sec at f/8 on 100ASA film +/- a few stops depending on where you are on the platform) clamped my rig to the I beam, adjusted it, focused, wound and tripped the shutter. I could see the cops looking at me and I'm just waiting for one of them to come and tell me get lost. I unclamped changed positions and took about 3 more shots around the same area before walking off to get on the next train. I was there about 5 minutes total.

The cops were talking about the Jets game and didn't seem too bothered about me. The platform was semi-crowded, so I made sure I kept a low profile and out of the way of other people. So now I think I'm pretty much good to go for more subway shots!

I'm also loving Acros 100 for these long exposures. I think it's my 2nd favorite b/w film behind Fomapan 200.

 

[sanmich]

so maybe the problem is only with people falling on the rails because they tripped on some huge tripod, and the cops are not there only to harass photographers?
I know, a long shot...😀

 

[MikeL]

So now I think I'm pretty much good to go for more subway shots!

My guess is you'll be fine most of the time. Most of the cops I know and have interacted with could care less about what photographers are doing.
It's the 10% jerks, whether cops, or photographers with tripods, that ruin things for the rest.

 

[JMQ]

It's the 10% jerks, whether cops, or photographers with tripods, that ruin things for the rest.

Or photographers more concerned about capturing the shot than saving the poor guy trying to desperately climb back up to the platform after being pushed in.

 

[Particular]

Good to know. Thanks for putting yourself out there to find out what can be done. I also figured that a monopod should be ok in a lot of situations where a tripod isn't.

At the moment the NYPD seems far more preoccupied with pulling over cyclists and lecturing them on traffic safety, and hoping to catch immigration violations while they are at it. Ask me how I know.

 

[thegman]

In the London Underground, tripods are not permitted either. I think it's purely because the stations are very high foot traffic areas, and a tripod is going to seriously get in the way. Also it's very clearly a hazard, hell, I've very nearly fallen over my own tripod, and I was the only person on the beach.

 

[Particular]

In the London Underground, tripods are not permitted either. I think it's purely because the stations are very high foot traffic areas, and a tripod is going to seriously get in the way. Also it's very clearly a hazard, hell, I've very nearly fallen over my own tripod, and I was the only person on the beach.

When I was young and naive and living in London I once took my 4x5 and set it up on a tripod in the underground. I managed to take a few shots. Finally after 15 minutes I heard an announcement over the PA that went something like:
"Will the gentleman with the camera cease his activity. Tripods are not permitted in the London Underground".

 

[Pablito]

.....
The cops were talking about the Jets game and didn't seem too bothered about me. ......So now I think I'm pretty much good to go for more subway shots!

You can't be serious. You were lucky. Cops are completely unpredictable when they see photographers in the subway especially after 9/11. You should try PWB..

 

[shootar401]

You can't be serious. You were lucky. Cops are completely unpredictable when they see photographers in the subway especially after 9/11. You should try PWB..

I was lucky? Please explain, I'd like to hear this....

I'm going to refrain from making this a political thread, but if you want to go there, you can PM me.

 

[Pablito]

Nothing political whatsoever. Glad it worked out for you, and glad your device held the camera still for you. Just that in my long experience, cops are more than likely to stop you than not stop you if you are photographing in the subway, and this has increased since 2001. So these particular cops knew you were doing nothing wrong, but the next cops you encounter in the subway might not, and they might not know the law. As someone who has photographed in the subways since 1979, I would advise extreme caution when it comes to the police and photographing in the subways. Of course this is based solely on my own experience, but that experience goes way back. And that experience is also colored by what some people refer to as profiling. But as they say, your mileage may vary, this is just one person's experience, proceed as you wish, etc.

 

[JChrome]

Unsure about Pablito's note above. I've been shooting in the subways for years post-911 without any issues from the Police.

One anecdote - I was shooting with a tripod at the 8th Ave and 14th St. subway stop with my SWC. It was late at night, there was little foot-traffic and I made sure to put myself at the end of the stop. I was spotted multiple times by MTA employees (mostly train drivers) and they wouldn't say a word to me. Then again, it's not their job to enforce the law but I at least expected them to mention something.

Maybe I've gotten lucky, but at the end of the day, I don't think the Police are that harsh on photographers in New York (unless you are maybe photographing them).