Photographers to MTA: Suck It!

Gothamist was there for today's protest against the proposed ban on photography in New York City subways. The protest started at Grand Central, which was appropriate, as it is a frequent target for both photobloggers, tourists, and terrorists. A quick count revealed that reporters and press photographers outnumbered protestors by about five to one. The protestors themselves were a motley bunch: off-duty reporters in beat-up sneakers, unshaven urban explorers, and three or four detached looking photobloggers lingering at the edges.

After mugging for each other for twenty minutes, the group proceeded to the subway, where they rode the 6 downtown to 14th Street, the L across to the West Side, the C up to 42nd, and the Shuttle back to Grand Central again. Highlights of the ride included a near altercation with police at Union Square (well, they actually just asked some of the photographers to stop leaning against the barricades, but their tone was impolite), intimidation of a shy conductor trying to close the doors on the L ("Get him! He's trying to shield his face!"), and endless, endless, endless photographing of other photographers. Still, the point was made: if a group of 50 photographers rampaging through the system is this harmless, surely the ban on photography is a stupid, ill-conceived, wasteful, and unnecessary measure. [Related: Matt Haber's Village Voice article on the ban.]

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

June 6, 2004 3:23 PM

Comments [rss]

WestVillageVintage

The Port Authority forbids sketching in the PA Bus Station.

James S. Li

I suggest that you contact Donna Lieberman at American Civil Liberties for action. We cannot let the MTA ban tourists and railfans to photograph in the subway!!

David Mays

If you're a photographer and get hassled by the police, be sure to submit your story here:

http://www.freedomtophotograph.com/

We're compiling stories of police abuse of photographers' rights into a central place, for all the world to see.

MTA HATER

Finally, someone has the balls to stand up to government BS.

Christopher Street

The Paparazzi is going to be a wanted man!

This is why I left NY. Too many bureaucrats trying to justify their big salaries, expense accounts and cop driven limosines by creating non-sense rules and regulations which do absolutely nothing to better the city or it's people.

Christopher Street,

Jamaica, IA

Sleazy Santa

I got some great Photos at the Protest, Check them out @ Expedition NYC It may be a slow load, sorry :\

Harry Yagerman

I ontacted the MTA and was told the reasons why the ban is going into effect. But it is also my understanding the the MTA board if going to vote on the action sometimie this fall

James S. Li

This is a violation of 1st Amendment Rights. There are many touris taking photos of NYC Subways, Landmarks and other things as part of their NYC Experience. They are NOT in restricted areas like yards, garages, tracks, etc..

Sum Joe Guy

Paul: Unfortunately, the powers that be are already using the ban to harass good citzens. With a ligitmate ban, I suspect that it would only increase.

Michaek S: Organize an NJ protest. All you need to do is pick a date, post it to several web boards, and it will grow a life of it's own and it will happen.

Ban or no ban, I won't stop. They only way they'll ever get my camera is from my cold dead hands.

Michael D. Setty

The next "flashmob" needs to occur in New Jersey to protest their Gestapo-type attitude. See what is required for a "permit" to take photos on NJT at www.publictransit.us

R. Shuster

Tell the MTA you don't like the ban, here:

http://mta-nyc.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/mta_nyc.cfg/php/enduser/ask.php

PAUL

I have a strong feeling that if the proposed ban was put into effect it would not be enforced unless you seemed suspicous for reasons beyond merely taking pictures.

Basically law enforcement would use the ban as a "tool" to fight terrorism and not as a way to harrass the general public.

James

It was good to be in the midst of so many people who can identify and defend their rights. Let's keep it up.

For more pictures, and some text, see way cool photo-in captures New York MTA.

jenblossom

Mine are up, too:

http://www.jenblossom.com/photos/subway

Joe Holmes

And yet more photos from yesterday's protest -- some by me http://joesnyc.streetnine.com/ and a few by my nine-year old daughter http://lin.kz/?w5039 .

Carla

I absolutely disagree with the ban on photography, but have to say entering a conductor's cab and taunting her with "Say Cheese" serves not one person in the crusade to stop the MTA's insanity, and, to put it bluntly, is rather juvenile.

http://www.netherworldonline.net/mtaphotoprotest.htm

Protests are only good when the message remains clear and focused. Being told to stay out of a private area of a subway car, the conductor's cab, has nothing to do with this protest. Barraging her with photographs being taken solves nothing. The conductor has no power. She did not propose the ban. She drives a subway. Take your complaints to the real devil--MTA Executives, like Peter Kalikow (MTA Chairman) or Katherine Lapp (Executive Director).

Allan Dade

London Underground have a very similar ban in place but alas with all the security cameras it is hardly enforced unless you look suspicious.

Don't fear, if MTA do ban your photography they will have to check your person for camera phones, cameras and other photo taking devices which will slow down access and make using the subway a waste of time.

Erich Ian

Sounds like a good ol' time. Some of my best pictures have been taken in the NYC subway, including this rockin' movie clip.

Mike

I have blurry, repetitive photos!

Agreed w/Matt.

goodcow

Here's a short montage I edited together about today's protest, in the style of a silent film:

http://www.goodcowfilms.com/problem_resolvers/photography_ban.wmv