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[Thunderbird]

I'm a photographer, and as such, I take pictures. From public places. Three times in the last three days I've been threatened by security with camera confiscation, cop calling, ID checking, and license plate reporting for standing in public places (Port of Seattle, Port of Tacoma) and shooting cranes/loading operations. All three times, the security guards told me I had to leave or they could take my camera- that's completely bullshit. I did my research and it looks like I can press charges for:

1. False Imprisonment
2. Theft
3. Coercion

False imprisonment because no one except a cop can ask me for ID on public land.
Theft for trying to take the camera
Coercion for threatening to call the cops/take the camera/make me show ID.

Even better- the cops /have/ to back you up unless you're trespassing or there are legitimate /government/ restrictions on photography in the area. "Security" and "trade secrets" are NOT valid reasons. Remember, a cop can't confiscate your equipment without a court order (unless you're getting arrested), so don't fucking hand it over or delete anything. They can't make you delete photos.

There is great information here:

http://www.krages.com/phoright.htm

Does anyone have any stories to share about getting kicked out of somewhere for taking pictures? I'm not talking about crust punks and their ability to start shit with anyone- I mean legitimately taking photos and getting shut down while on PUBLIC PROPERTY. What did you do? Did you pack up and leave?

I'm going to try again at these spots, armed with the knowledge that the 1st amendment protects my right to photograph whatever the fuck I want(as long as it's viewable from a public space, and "it" doesn't have a reasonable expectation of privacy).

[bunnypuncher]

That sucks. I don't have any stories to share, just wanted to comment.

[Grendel]

the port is not necessarily considered a normal public space. one's first amendment right can be limited under certain circumstances, and they consider that one because they want to "stop terrorism."

[Thunderbird]

Not a valid response- Except for certain parts of military bases and areas deemed by government to be critical to national security, they can't stop you. Airports, train stations, and shipping hubs are all legit. Areas that are sensitive are PUT OUT OF THE PUBLIC'S VIEW. If you can see it, you can shoot it. Period. "Stopping terrorism" isn't a credible reason to ban photography in a public place.

[dan10things]

I've had it happen half a dozen times. Mostly at protests or when police show up to punk house shows to bust it. I have some excellent photos of cops sticking their hands out at me and my camera. The worst was during the WTO protests, I was taking photos, from the sidewalk, right in the heat of the action when the cops started shooting rubber bullets and teargassing protesters. One of the guys with pepper spray targeted me and told me I wasn't allowed to photograph, when I kept shooting, he just started spraying pepper spray in my face non stop until I had to turn away and try to breathe and see. Cops tend to use the intimidation factor. Security guards even more so, because they have no real power. 

[Grendel]

Not a valid response- Except for certain parts of military bases and areas deemed by government to be critical to national security, they can't stop you. Airports, train stations, and shipping hubs are all legit. Areas that are sensitive are PUT OUT OF THE PUBLIC'S VIEW. If you can see it, you can shoot it. Period. "Stopping terrorism" isn't a credible reason to ban photography in a public place.

clearly the government disagrees with you. and since they define the constitution, they win. doesnt mean they are right.

[Thunderbird]

clearly the government disagrees with you. and since they define the constitution, they win. doesnt mean they are right.

Um... no. I can't say "all" of the time, because I'm sure there's an exception, but most of the time judges side with photographers UNLESS there is a real, credible threat to national security or an invasion of privacy. That being said, cops can do whatever they want, just like the rest of us... that doesn't mean they're following the laws they're supposed to enforce. Also- it's important to note the distinction between a law-maker and a law-enforcer. Cops aren't the government. They work for the government. Just like a security guard that doesn't understand the rules he's trying to enforce by /illegally/ banning photography in certain areas.

[Paisley Park]

so, would you say the revolution will or will not be photographed?

[Thunderbird]

will, but by someone else, because that stuff usually takes place early in the morning. I'll be in bed still.

[quagmireco]

so, would you say the revolution will or will not be photographed?

it'll be twittered and facespaced

[Paisley Park]

it'll be twittered and facespaced

i hope the revolution brings about the destruction of those things!

[Thunderbird]

destruct this.

[Grendel]

i hope the revolution brings about the destruction of those things!

you arent up on current revolutionary history, are ya friend?

[ChrisCrusher]

you arent up on current revolutionary history, are ya friend?

It's sounds like you are!  Tell us about it!  I'm interested!

[Paisley Park]

It's sounds like you are!  Tell us about it!  I'm interested!

hahaha

[Grendel]

It's sounds like you are!  Tell us about it!  I'm interested!

well see, in Iraq, they had this election. and this dude ammajinnamajob stole it and stuff. and all the people in mosul were like we better write a tweet about it. and then the pope was like "THE ELECTION WAS FAIR" but the revolution had already started! YAY TWITTER! YOUR TWEETS SAVED CHINA!

[Dougie Felchtone]

well see, in Iraq, they had this election. and this dude ammajinnamajob stole it and stuff. and all the people in mosul were like we better write a tweet about it. and then the pope was like "THE ELECTION WAS FAIR" but the revolution had already started! YAY TWITTER! YOUR TWEETS SAVED CHINA!

So, Mr. Current Events, this happened in Iraq did it?

[ChrisCrusher]

So, Mr. Current Events, this happened in Iraq did it?

Yeah....I didn't know there was a revolution in Iraq...This is getting curiouser and curiouser.

[ineptbeerman]

So, Mr. Current Events, this happened in Iraq did it?

I think you guys are missing the parts about the pope and china as well.

Wit is wasted on so many.

[Dougie Felchtone]

I think you guys are missing the parts about the pope and china as well.

Wit is wasted on so many.

If that was wit, then yes, it surely was wasted.

[Thunderbird]

Wit was definitely wasted when he wrote it. He got downgraded from wit to bad sarcasm for it.

[ChrisCrusher]

Wit was definitely wasted when he wrote it. He got downgraded from wit to bad sarcasm for it.

I took it as pussing out after calling someone out.  I would figure he would be able to put more substance and facts behind his calling out of people.

[Grendel]

I took it as pussing out after calling someone out.  I would figure he would be able to put more substance and facts behind his calling out of people.

do you ever know what you are talking about?

[ChrisCrusher]

do you ever know what you are talking about?

This is proven fact that you sure as hell don't.  I'm using your words.

you arent up on current revolutionary history, are ya friend?

well see, in Iraq, they had this election. and this dude ammajinnamajob stole it and stuff. and all the people in mosul were like we better write a tweet about it. and then the pope was like "THE ELECTION WAS FAIR" but the revolution had already started! YAY TWITTER! YOUR TWEETS SAVED CHINA!

This is proven fact that you sure as hell don't.

[Thunderbird]

You're both retarded.