Gothamist: Photographers to MTA: Suck It!

James S. Li

Tue, 14 Dec 2004 19:08:28 -0500

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

Wed, 22 Sep 2004 19:57:58 -0500

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

Tue, 13 Jul 2004 17:16:51 -0500

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

Christopher Street

Sun, 20 Jun 2004 20:11:32 -0500

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

Thu, 17 Jun 2004 22:30:50 -0500

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

Harry Yagerman

Thu, 10 Jun 2004 16:27:16 -0500

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

Wed, 09 Jun 2004 14:44:49 -0500

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

Tue, 08 Jun 2004 23:55:52 -0500

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

Tue, 08 Jun 2004 14:47:46 -0500

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

Mon, 07 Jun 2004 16:05:59 -0500

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

Mon, 07 Jun 2004 13:49:44 -0500

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

Mon, 07 Jun 2004 12:19:57 -0500

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

Mon, 07 Jun 2004 12:16:20 -0500

Mine are up, too: http://www.jenblossom.com/photos/subway

Joe Holmes

Mon, 07 Jun 2004 11:12:38 -0500

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

Mon, 07 Jun 2004 11:01:22 -0500

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

Mon, 07 Jun 2004 04:08:25 -0500

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

Mon, 07 Jun 2004 03:56:13 -0500

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

Mike

Mon, 07 Jun 2004 02:12:33 -0500

I have blurry, repetitive photos! Agreed w/Matt.

goodcow

Sun, 06 Jun 2004 23:51:46 -0500

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

Matt

Sun, 06 Jun 2004 23:36:29 -0500

My contribution to the pile: http://www.aboutmattlaw.com/pb/pb_1.htm I would say that it generally went ok, but I kind of got a "we're gonna do what we want and there's nothing you can do to stop us" feeling from the whole thing rather than the "look - all we're doing is taking pictures - no harm?" vibe I was expecting.

Netherworld Online

Sun, 06 Jun 2004 22:47:04 -0500

I'm that young green haired urban explorer... I suppose my page on it would resemble a "photolog." http://www.netherworldonline.net/mtaphotoprotest.htm

Sleazy Santa

Sun, 06 Jun 2004 22:10:26 -0500

Exposing security flaws: I am detrimental to the cause

Kevin Walsh

Sun, 06 Jun 2004 20:10:35 -0500

Read my thoughts on the photo ban at http://www.forgotten-ny.com/protest/flashmob.html

Frank

Sun, 06 Jun 2004 20:03:51 -0500

"People take pictures of each other," sang the Kinks. But it was a pleasant time nonetheless. I have a few shots up at http://www.samueljohnson.com/blog/archives/0406a.html#6a

mr. v

Sun, 06 Jun 2004 18:26:56 -0500

i was one of the detached looking bloggers and had a blast: http://brzinnyc.blogspot.com/2004/06/photographers-rights-2.html

Jen

Sun, 06 Jun 2004 15:58:11 -0500

That's a really great photograph, Jake. Clearly, the next step is for someone to make a downloadable "press pass" that photobloggers can print out, color in with crayons, laminate, and show to cops.