The right to take photographs in the United States is being challenged more than ever. People are being stopped, harassed, and even intimidated into handing over their personal property simply because they were taking photographs of subjects that made other people uncomfortable. Recent examples have included photographing industrial plants, bridges, buildings, trains, and bus stations. For the most part, attempts to restrict photography are based on misguided fears about the supposed dangers that unrestricted photography presents to society...

You can continue the article and download the PDF file of rights here.

Although I do not live in the US, this may help you guys out :P

It happens in the U.S too.......I have been stopped a couple of times for taking pictures.

Over here you can't even photograph your kids or grandkids sports days or plays..

Last night at a park I was told I could take photos but not with the aid of a tripod... on Cape Cod, massachusetts, USA... since the event occurred after dark it pretty much put the 'kibosh' on any uploadable photos... I was approached by a security guard and questioned about the 'use' of the photos I was taking, i.e., was it for private or public use. I was not causing a scene or interfering with anyone else's enjoyment of the event; it was outdoors and not in one of the park's museum buildings... I was attempting to photograph a 'festival of holiday lights' on the park-museum grounds, open (though not free) to the public. Since I was not certain of my rights I put the tripod away, but as I said, none of the hand held images I attempted afterwards are worth posting.

I think it is a good idea, after seeing this thread, to look up your exact rights online before you go shooting.

Personally, if I am on public ground I'll shoot what I like :p

"Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." - commonly attributed to Benjamin Franklin.

I understand reasonable precaution, but Mary, (having been to Cape Cod, so i know exactly what kind of area it is) that goes beyond the pale. That falls into the category of unreasonable precaution. Police State anyone?

USE VERY SPECIAL CAUTION when you take snaps in the Metropolitan New York Area! Since 9/11, most structural close-ups ...including the interior and exterior of buildings, subways and related equipment, airports (THAT'S A GIVEN!), commuter trains and train stations (especially ALL Amtrak lines), buses and bus stations, stadiums, public parks and attractions, museums (except the art or displayed items themselves), government offices and institutions of any kind, and all bridges and tunnels...will have restrictions on cameras and taking pictures! Do not take these warnings lightly, they are deadly serious when it comes to enforcement!!!

Actually, Ron, restrictions on photos in the subway were rescinded. I've yet to find one law enforcement official who can tell me where one list, provided by city, state, or federal government exists.

It would be helpful, for both sides, if that existed. To my knowledge, only signs at the entrances to bridges and tunnels have any clearly stated restrictions.

and .. some photographers have been known to shoot in GRAND CENTRAL .. and live to tell about it

forget who that was though ..

Gee, I wonder...

I was meaning to ask YOU, how YOU managed that in War-Torn NYC ..

I remember an old Abbot&Costello (?) movie where they wanted access to a place, and saw the PRESS showing passes (a little button that said 'press') .. so they broke some levers off of a vending machine ... all was fine till one of them said 'pull'


just a bit of trivia for you

Grand Central Station is a multiple-use terminal, leading to the NYC subway,and other commuter trains. That would fall under, to the best of my knowledge, locations where photography is allowed, where a few years ago it wasn't.

I never realised how bad it was over there. i hope it never gets like that in Australia. I find it outrageous you can't take shots inside shopping malls here (but i still have been known to do so).