The Italian amusement park company that took over what was once Astroland doesn't want anyone taking photos inside the park, according a photographer who was recently hassled by security at the Scream Zone. The amusement park, it should be noted, is located on city-owned property that's being leased to the company, Zamperla. On the Coney Island message board, photographer Harold Kramer vents about his experience: more ›

Photographers' rights have been misunderstood by many, including the NYPD—who have arrested and ticketed folks for snapping shots in various public locations around the city. However, the NY Times reports on some progress being made: the right of photographers to photograph federal buildings from a public space has been upheld, following a lawsuit filed by 29-year-old Antonio Musumeci. more ›

29-year-old Antonio Musumeci isn't the only one who's been hassled by The Man for photographing near a federal building in New York, but he is behind the latest lawsuit being filed by the New York Civil Liberties Union. The organization says citizens should not be prohibited to photograph while standing in public spaces near such buildings. The Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Protective Service, an unnamed federal officer, and Inspector Clifford Barnes of the Federal Protective Service are all named in the suit, which was filed in Manhattan yesterday. more ›

Looks like the NYPD should send out that memo again regarding photographers rights. The War on Photography website recently posted this video, which shows an NYPD officer calling in the secret service to detain this man who taking photos on a public sidewalk near the UN. The officer asks if he's ever heard of the Patriot Act, and tells him the sidewalk is federal property. more ›

A plump cob roller just flew by our window, and some New York City police officers actually defended a photographer's rights. Carlos Miller reports that recently a witness reported seeing a Japanese tourist toting an SLR getting harassed by a man who told him he was not allowed to take photos in the subway system or in Yankee Stadium (the origin of the report is at SubChat, where it's noted this took place at Rockefeller Center's northbound side). When the tourist stood up for his rights, the man got "slightly physical" and drew the argument out. The tourist found two NYPD officers to ask them the rules, "and was shockingly told that it was legal. In fact, the officers even walked downstairs with him and informed the man that photography was indeed legal." Score one for photographers, seems some in the NYPD actually got the memo! more ›

Say "cheese," NYPD! The NY Post reports that the department is finally schooling officers on photography rights, releasing an order stating, in part, "Photography and the videotaping of public places, buildings and structures are common activities within New York City... and is rarely unlawful." It continues on to clarify that cops have no right to demand photos be destroyed or deleted, or request to view photos taken by an individual. Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne noted that they're attempting to balance their efforts to stop possible terrorist activity while keeping in mind the First Amendment—but will this reminder help people like Arun Wiita? His was just one of the many incidents where the long arm of the law attempted to stop an innocent photographer; most recently an MTA worker was given a summons for not having permits to photograph underground—something that you actually don't need a permit for! While it's a good sign the NYPD is getting a reminder, you still may want to carry around a copy of the photographer's bill of rights with you. more ›

Many a straphanger has taken heat for pulling out their point and shoot cameras in the subway system, but now an off-duty MTA worker has been arrested by the NYPD's transit cops for photographing the underground. Carlos Miller reports on the charges made against 30-year-old Robert Taylor, who has been with the MTA for three years and actually cited section 1050.9 (c) of the Rules of Conduct to the arresting officers, which state that photography is allowed under certain conditions, all of which he met. more ›

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? more ›