Comments on: On Photography, Shooting Architecture and the Security Guard Problem

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 00:11:00 +0000

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By: tanguero

tanguero — Sun, 09 Jul 2006 02:35:00 +0000

good stuff here. i often try to relate to them as real people, and it often works. “hey, how is it going tonight, tough to be up so late, the weather, etc” sometimes their just power freaks though. i actually had a great experience, after climbing into a famous private research lab, getting caught immediately, then talking the guard into letting my companion and model into the place. he was just a lonely, bored guy. wish the results had been better, but better then jail! —>
http://www.flickr.com/photos/96342277@N00/91684451/in/set-1153443/

By: Keith79

Keith79 — Mon, 01 May 2006 23:48:00 +0000

I own the IowaPix photo website and just went through the same problem with a utility company in Iowa while photographing birds at the edge of a road. The story was on the front page of a local newspaper.

http://archive.thehawkeye.com/fcgi-bin/ArchiveIQue.acgi?req=rec=356314-295477669

My own position is that I do not ask permission for photography on public roads or public lands.

By: Duke

Duke — Fri, 21 Apr 2006 11:26:00 +0000

I usually carry a copy of Bert Krages handy little flyer Photographers Bill of Rights. Very handy to have.

I have had similiar experiences as well where the tension ramps up rather quickly and then slowly disipates. Calm but firm usually prevails. Thanks for keeping up the good fight Thomas!

By: The Photo Assistant

The Photo Assistant — Fri, 21 Apr 2006 10:27:00 +0000

I was recently hassled by a security guard in a similar manner. In the end I decided that I wasn’t getting what I wanted anyways so I moved on but before I left I asked the security guard, tell me, do you know why I’m not allowed to photograph this building? He replied that he didn’t and motioned back inside to someone who was clearly watching the altercation. I said, “look, if you’re going to be a security guard here, I suggest you learn the law about this because I have every right to photograph this building. I think you should go ask your supervisor why she says you can’t.”

By: ryran

ryran — Fri, 21 Apr 2006 07:37:00 +0000

Yay! Feel-good story, Thomas. The security guard seems like a pretty cool guy.

I totally second the stuff Shawn said about interacting with security guards in a respectful way. Also agree with norby–it’s good to get these first-hand examples of exchanges between you and security guards.. good to know.

By: Norby

Norby — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 22:28:00 +0000

I really enjoy reading your write-ups of some of your more involved interactions with the security folk in and around SF. Mostly because it helps the rest of us get a good first-hand look at how to calmly and rationally deal with many of the common tactics that they tend to throw at people with cameras. I live in the middle of nowhere and mostly shoot people, but it’s good info to have at the back of your mind and also at your fingertips.

-/\/

By: Roger Krueger

Roger Krueger — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 16:26:00 +0000

Be careful about claiming professional status, that can be used against you in the unlikely event the cops ever show up--most major cities have film permit laws requiring a permit and insurance for ANY commercial photography.

Now, these generally don't get enforced unless there's serious public inconvenience going on (think entourage or lots of equipment), but it might give a cop looking to side with security something to work with.

And some cops do know this stuff, twice I've had San Diego police ask me leading questions that could have no other purpose than to coerce me into admitting commercial intent. Both times it was that the cops drove by and were curious, rather than responding to a call (O.K., shooting at 3 a.m. in an industrial area is a little odd).

To their credit, after a few questions established I wasn't a threat, they moved on. 100% polite and done in 5 minutes.

By: Morven

Morven — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 15:35:00 +0000

In some cases, it's made harder because private security guards ARE cops, badge and gun and all. Two examples: campus police and railroad police.

In both circumstances, you are dealing with sworn peace officers who are armed and have the extra arrest on suspicion rights cops have. Unlike regular police, though, they are in the employ of a private organisation and have the desires of that organisation's management upmost in their minds.

The good point, at least, is that these people have to graduate from police academy and at least have had SOME training.

Two examples that I've run into are the USC Department of Public Safety's officers and the BNSF Police. Both of these organisations, by the way, can be proud of their officers; they were incredibly polite and professional, even when telling me I couldn't do things.

On the other hand, railroad police in particular have very nasty reputations in certain areas.

By: Shawn Oster

Shawn Oster — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 15:17:00 +0000

What you are dealing with is the unknown; that the security guards and a large part of the public don’t know photographer’s rights.

If someone says you can’t do something and you explain in a calm, non-confrontational manner that you can and here is why then it usually goes well. It’s a guards job to be overly cautious so letting yourself be goaded by their hulking attitude is the first step in proving their point instead of making yours. Educate them, let them do their job, answer their questions, stay firm. Give them a chance to save face when they finally come around. How many men do you know that are good at admitting they are wrong?

That being said there will always be jerks on both sides; guards AND photographers. I’ve smacked around my share of people with cameras when I used to work as a bouncer. After I politely explained that, no, inside this bar they didn’t have the right to photograph and they still did… well, let’s say I had a lot more leeway in dealing with them