"Although this approach was systematically the standard for almost a decade, that treatment was officially laid to rest between August and October 2010 with a settlement between the New York Civil Liberties Union and the Feds that stated it was okay to photograph Federal Courthouse buildings.

TODAY however, the NYTimes Lens Blog reports that the NYCLU has received a redacted and updated version of the directive that was sent to all law enforcement agencies nationwide indicating that it is officially legit to photograph ANY AND ALL exteriors of federal buildings from "publicly accessible spaces such as streets, sidewalks, parks and plazas."

(Courtesy of blog.chasejarvis.com.)


Updated directive found here.

Description:

"Federal Protective Service Information Bulletin of Aug. 2, 2010, emphasizing "the public's right to photograph the exterior of federal facilities" from "publicly accessible spaces such as streets, sidewalks, parks and plazas." It also states that in a field interview, "officers should not seize the camera or its contents, and must be cautious not to give such 'orders' to a photographer to erase the contents of a camera."

This has happened to me out side an across the street from a VA hospital, I had a few hours to kill while waiting for an appointment,so i went across the street ,Property of Syracuse University,an was shootng different subjects, while coming back for my appointment I was seen by 3 federal officers an met at the curb, I explaned the camera was off, an was not taking pics of the builing
You will give me your camera I was told,my reply was I dident break any law an you cant aford this camera, Next give me the memory card.I asked why? Homeland security,I responded with an off color comment, an told him if he wanted it he would have to pay for it. After all kinds of ID checks I was told I could not take photographs of Federal Buildings, an I was not anyway, It was the fact that his happened ,,really got to me ( This Past Summer)