February 23, 2008
Gowanus Canal, Off-Limits to Photographers?
Photograph by Joe Holmes on Flickr
Documenting the city in the snow apparently has its limits. Gowanus Lounge noticed this photograph of the Gowanus Canal, taken yesterday, by photoblogger Joe Holmes. Holmes wrote on his Flickr page it was "taken seconds before I was told that photography is prohibited on the 9th Street bridge because of 9-11 concerns." Oh, man, that should be a problem for the Toll Bros. marketing department. And what if there's another whale or seal spotted?
Photographers and videographers, whether amateur or professional (but not carrying an NYPD press pass), have long been battling various agencies over the right to photograph parts of the city. Whether it's the MTA trying to crack down on photographs of the subway system or the Mayor's Office of Theater, Film and Broadcasting trying require permits and liability insurance for small groups, people have protested (noting civil liberties concerns) and the agencies have largely backed down (though the NYPD still arrests and MTA police officers still harass).
Oregon lawyer Bert Krages, who has spoken on NPR about the issue, drafted a "Photographer's Bill of Rights" (here's a PDF you can print out) which describes your rights as a photographer if you're stopped. Regarding his brush, Holmes added, "Those crafty terrorists -- blow up the 9th St bridge, and they'll bring this country to its knees." You can see more of his photographs at joe's nyc.
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The only thing you can do is look around and make sure the cops aren't around when you aim your camera. Basically that's all you can do, without the chance of getting stopped, ID check, camera confiscated, court case.
Miss Heather of newyorkshitty was stopped by The Finest for taking pictures of Christmas decorations. Apparently someone on the block thought she was a suspicious character. I was on the Louis Pink Houses grounds in East New York a couple of years ago, a squad car caught up to me and I had to spend 10 minutes waiting around while they ran me through the database. I was talked to for shooting DECOR in the 66th St-Lincoln Center station.
The cops are doing what the precinct says they have to do (watch for suspicious characters). I'm doing what I have to do (photograph urban scenery). The two are at odds. Therefore, I make sure no blue unis are around, shoot what I want and move on.
Krages can come up with all the treatises he wants to, and the ACLU or whoever can get subway photography reinstated, but it's basically about what the cops will allow.
www.forgotten-ny.com
I certainly wouldn't want to go anywhere near a canal that had the word "anus" embedded in it's name, anyway!
Sue them until they learn... Wasn't this supposed to be a free country anyway? Jeez...
they don't care about lawsuits, it's not their money.
The TBTA's bridge/tunnel no-photography rule is well known, but this isn't one of the 7 bridges and 2 tunnels under their jurisdiction. Any idea who (which agency) gave Joe the hassle?
I'm fairly certain that the fastest way to piss off a cop is to start lecturing him or her on what your rights as a citizen in a free country are. You could have the latest legal precedent emblazoned on your t-shirt and a judge on speed dial on your mobile phone. You will only increase their aggravation by attempting to educate them.
I guess Ansel Adams would have been locked up, then. I wish people would wake up. This country is returning to the McCarthy era.
I guess Ansel Adams would have been locked up, then. I wish people would wake up. This country is returning to the McCarthy era.
If we allow people to take hazy photographs of filthy polluted water and abandoned factories, the terrorists have won.
This is just another case of the homeland security bullies needlessly flexing their republican-'roided- muscles.
Should we only harass you if you are Arabic looking?
The best defense is a good offense. Just like my NYPD uncle used to do, you should carry an extra, unregistered gun with you at all times. When some punk-ass NYPD rookie starts to question you, give him a quick 2 shots to the temple, then put the unregistered gun is his hand, and claim self-defense. Its worked for the NYPD for the last 25 years, so I'm sure it'll work for you too!!!
And no, I'm really not kidding.
The best defense is a good offense. Just like my NYPD uncle used to do, you should carry an extra, unregistered gun with you at all times. When some punk-ass NYPD rookie starts to question you, give him a quick 2 shots to the temple, then put the unregistered gun is his hand, and claim self-defense. Its worked for the NYPD for the last 25 years, so I'm sure it'll work for you too!!!
@Dave Hogarty: Actually, sometimes cops can be pretty reasonable. I carry around the Photographer's Rights document, and have pulled it out and shown it to cops more than once when being questioned. Generally, if you're polite and up front with them about what you're doing, it doesn't necessarily have to become a showdown.
@Dave Hogarty: Actually, sometimes cops can be pretty reasonable. I carry around the Photographer's Rights document, and have pulled it out and shown it to cops more than once when being questioned. Generally, if you're polite and up front with them about what you're doing, it doesn't necessarily have to become a showdown.
I wanna know how that irritating guy on public access got his NYPD press pass? you know that irritating homo guy and his mini skirt russian blonde chik.