Big Apple to Crack Down on Clicksters?
Today’s New York Times ran a cheery story on New York considering requiring permits and insurance for public photography. Boooooo!
Some tourists, amateur photographers, even would-be filmmakers hoping to make it big on YouTube could soon be forced to obtain a city permit and $1 million in liability insurance before taking pictures or filming on city property, including sidewalks.
New rules being considered by the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting would require any group of two or more people who want to use a camera in a single public location for more than a half hour to get a city permit and insurance.
The same requirements would apply to any group of five or more people who plan to use a tripod in a public location for more than 10 minutes, including the time it takes to set up the equipment.
City May Seek Permit and Insurance for Many Kinds of Public Photography - New York Times
It’s annoying how photography has become a suspect activity. Yesterday, after I parked my car at work, I noticed a crane lifting three girders at a construction site a few blocks away. Without thinking twice, I pulled out my camera and took a few pictures.
While I was shooting, a security guard came over to ask what I was doing. She accepted my explanation (”taking pictures of cranes”) but seemed skeptical. What this article describes would make it easier for authorities not only to stop and question people for taking photographs or video but to prohibit it in some cases. I guess we’re a long way from the days when photography was an innocent and acceptable hobby . . .
What do you think; and how often are people being stopped for taking pictures?
Technorati Tags: Photography, New York, New York Times, Ray Rivera, Permits, Registration, Insurance
on July 5th, 2007 at 9:04 pm
That’s amazing Greg, where’s the Major’s office email I think I might email them.
on July 11th, 2007 at 11:06 am
As long as you are on public property there is absolutely nothing anyone can do about you taking a photo of a publicly visible building.
Go here:
http://www.krages.com/ThePhotographersRight.pdf
Print this and carry it around. Then next time a rent-a-cop or whoever hassles you, give it to them… and if you are in a public space, take their photo for good measure.
Brian from B.G. Lewandowski Photography
on July 11th, 2007 at 11:49 am
[…] here and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to it; but after my own recent experience with urban outdoor photography and a spate of other posts along similar veins, I wonder if I ought […]