Your rights in a public place

[David Adolphus]

I hope this isn't a repost; I couldn't find it.

This doesn't apply to everyone, but it's certainly come up for me. Check out "The Photographer’s Right (http://www.krages.com/phoright.htm);" I'll quote the relevant passage from the intro:

The right to take photographs in the United States is being challenged more than ever. People are being stopped, harassed, and even intimidated into handing over their personal property simply because they were taking photographs of subjects that made other people uncomfortable. Recent examples have included photographing industrial plants, bridges, buildings, trains, and bus stations. For the most part, attempts to restrict photography are based on misguided fears about the supposed dangers that unrestricted photography presents to society.

[Mike Ditz]

Why do you hate our freedom?
Keep an eye out for the dark blue Chevy Malibu in front of your house tomorrow.:cool:

[Natchez Richburg]

It is becoming more and more of an issue. ie Cameras on Metro (subway) in D.C.= no issue, Tripod = one hour of harassment by metro police. I was not taking pictures just had a tripod attached to my bag.

[Mark Scheuern]

A few days ago, I had the experience of being questioned by a couple of US Marshals for shooting the exterior of a US court. I was just wandering around killing time while my wife was taking a test, saw the building, thought it would make a decent stock shot, and got to meet the marshals as a result. They brought me inside, asked for my drivers license, questioned me a bit, and said that shooting the building was not a good idea. I pointed out that thousands of people drive or walk past daily, the building's in plain site, and if I were up to something I probably wouldn't be doing it in plain site with a large, obvious camera. They said no matter, I couldn't do that. I disagreed.

They were polite and I tried to be the same while expressing some displeasure at being questioned over something I had every right to be doing.