Taking Photos In Public

[mysticchyna]

This may not be an original question, but I am haivng "issues" recently. I don't know if the paranoia of who takes photos of what, and where, and why is related to 'security' issues or what...but I've been told on three occassions to stop taking photos, of all places, in the GROCERY store. I don't understand what the big deal is. Are they afraid I'm going to steal their ideas of how to mound fruits and vegetables together? Are they afraid I'll take the photos to their compitition and show them their price tags? (as if the compition doesn't already know, DUH.).

I've found a new "fancy" market I want to take photos in, but everyone makes such a big stink, like I'm some spy or invading some super secret privacy...that I called the manager of the store, and he gave me the number of the manager of advertising, and I had to come up with some half cocked story in order to get "permission" to take photos. It's quite silly.

Do any of you have issues like this? Any solution? Opinons?

[imagestruck]

You might be better off taking photos in an open air public market or a fruit stand if it's fruit & veges you are after. Although I'm sure they won't have formal displays your local grocery store may have. Chris P.

[camera0bug]

If you dress up as a cauliflower...

...they're less likely to notice you.

[gpaai]

This really is an ongoing issue. I've been kicked out of so many places it's not funny. When I was using a point and shoot it was a little easier to get away with it, but now my 20D is a lot more noticable. I hardly get a chance to get one shot off before being told to put the camera in my car.

Gary

[donna_lear]

I was approached once taking shots in the grocery store and was asked whether or not I was "documenting violations." I said no, I had just spotted something that, as a photographer, I thought made an interesting shot. The store manager didn't believe me.
There are, I've found, a few reasons people tell you to stop taking pictures. They're paranoid about something - whether it's a "documented violation" or that you'll photograph someone who doesn't want their photo taken and will spot it online; or they're ignorant about what's legally allowable and what's not.
When you're out in public, there really is no question - you're allowed to take photos. But, the definition of "public" often means outside. A grocery store is open to the public, but the store manager can say it's not a public place and their rules don't allow photography. A mall manager can say the same thing about the mall - as can people at train or subway stations, restaurants, libraries, stores, etc. That's where the definition of what constitutes being out in public gets fuzzy.
I'm not often given a hard time about taking photos, though. When I am, I try to be polite, but let people know that I do know what my legal rights are. If I'm at all unsure whether or not I am in a truly public place, I stop. It's just not worth the hassle.

[kahphotography]

I have been reading in my local newspaper of a man that took his camera into a store and was shooting. Turns out that this person was shooing up peoples dresses. Might this be one of the reasons for getting the boot out of the store? I personaly have never been asked to put my camera away. I have been asked what paper,book, mag. I have been shooting for. I heard this same question at an adults baseball game last year.

[kahphotography]

( not saying you or any real photographer would do that! )

[nature_pix_me]

If you tell them that you're a photography student, and you need experience photographing fruits or whatever, they'll most likely be accommodating.

[clickaway]

If you tell them that you're a photography student, and you need experience photographing fruits or whatever, they'll most likely be accommodating.

Yes, I've often thought of the "student" line just to get people's co-operation, but they wouldn't believe I was a student at my age

A while back, I did a project here in the UK for English Heritage - I had to photograph historically protected buildings. We had to get permission if shooting from private property (perhaps a front garden, or adjoining farm), but would be OK if shooting from the pavement or a public right of way, such as a public footpath crossing a farmer's field.

Shopping malls aren't usually public rights of way here, and being private property I just have to take my chances.

I was even warned off a publicly owned public market as it counted as private land. I explained myself to him, and he gave me permission as long as I asked the stallholders it was OK by them too. Yeah, right, I just watched behind me and shot a few candids of the stallholders lol

[gpaai]

If you tell them that you're a photography student, and you need experience photographing fruits or whatever, they'll most likely be accommodating.

Yes, I've often thought of the "student" line just to get people's co-operation, but they wouldn't believe I was a student at my age

I know what you mean. At 51 years of age I actually am going to school. I even showed one proprietor my student ID. He still said, "Sorry! No photos here!"

Gary

[pathfindar]

What amazes me is with all of the phone, small, and "spy" cams that are out there, if someone wanted to photograph violations or anything, they certainly wouldn't be hauling out a camera for all to see.

Other than some areas protected for government security or some levels of pornography, it is not illegal to take pictures of much of anything in the USA. It may be illegal with what you do with those pictures.- such as using people or sites for advertising without permission.

I usually try to respect people who don't want to be photographed or private areas. Sometimes, being a teacher, and letting someone know I am working on a project for students helps.

[twalker294]

It may seem silly but believe it or not the reason that many companies have a no photos policy is exactly what you made light of -- their competitors taking pictures inside their establishment. It's much more common than you realize and as their store is private property, they make the rules. If they don't want you taking pictures, you can't.

[cjmorgan]

This may not be an original question, but I am haivng "issues" recently. I don't know if the paranoia of who takes photos of what, and where, and why is related to 'security' issues or what...but I've been told on three occassions to stop taking photos, of all places, in the GROCERY store.

A grocery store you say? Well then, we're not talking about making
photos in public, are we? Rather, we're now talking about trying to make
shots an owned establishment. And in that case, it's just like our parents
use to say, "Under our roof, you follow our rules."

Yes, I know there's a great deal of silliness about all this. And the
"policy" is usually being enforced by seemingly mindless drones who's
apparent IQ seems to suggest they only know how to parrot the
phrase "You can't photograph here because it's against store policy."

Yes, these people are paranoid. And usually not about anything
greater or more far fetched than just doing something which might
go against their employer's rules (read: turning a blind eye to
something which might potentially get them in trouble with their
boss because someone in the establishment is not following "the
rules").

That said, it should also be noted that were you to stand on a
public sidewalk and photograph some store, in most places you
would be perfectly within your rights to do so. Indeed, generally
speaking, if you're standing in some public area, you can shoot
in any direction you wish.

One exception to this might be photographing into a place where
it is reasonable to have the expectation of privacy. And so, for
example, this thing about standing on the sidewalk to photograph
is not a licence to be photographing into your neighbor's bedroom
(or even into their livingroom, or backyard for that matter).

But if you walk into a store with the want to photograph in there,
you need to remember that you have now crossed the boundary
of what is considered "shooting in public" and are now in somebody's
establishment. And under "their roof", as it were, quite reasonable
that we respect their rules (even if those rules sometimes seem
about as dumb as some of the ones mom and dad use to give us).

CJ

P.S. When I lived with my parents, do not make the assumption
that I always, always, always followed their rules of the house (if
you know what I mean). But, if you quote me... I'll have to deny it.

[jude_53]

clickaway wrote:
nature_pix_me wrote:
If you tell them that you're a photography student, and you need experience photographing fruits or whatever, they'll most likely be accommodating.


Yes, I've often thought of the "student" line just to get people's co-operation, but they wouldn't believe I was a student at my age


I know what you mean. At 51 years of age I actually am going to school. I even showed one proprietor my student ID. He still said, "Sorry! No photos here!"

Gary

Let's go with "I'm taking a photography course and...."

I am VERY uncomfortable taking photos inside a store and have only done it for the newspaper (mostly awards or grip n grins).. But if I ever want to take say .... beautiful vegetable ... I'd follow this line of action:

Either ask permission from the manager.. adding the part about a photography course or just the suck up line simiilar to "The row of apples are just beautiful (you have the best produce around, you know) and do you see the way the light shines off the polished, red, roundness of it all? You can tell how juicy it is! Come here... look at the way the uniform curves make sort of a parallex pattern with the repeating red/green, red/green.. see that? There is a uniquiness.. a creative thing going on here with the universe and the life that still oozes from these apples....."

keep going until his/her eyes glaze over and you'll be able to get a few good shots in

[jude_53]

erm .. you do realize that I'm not kidding? I'd do exactly that... LOL