Jeff's Stuff

Having just spent a long weekend in our nation's capital, I saw a sign that reminded me of just how stupid our elected officials can be.

Actually, I'm not certain whether the stupidity lies with the elected officials, or with the voters who put them in office. What am I ranting about? Signs that read, "no photography". All around New York City, for example, you see these signs. You see them on bridges and tunnels. They are popping up in more and more places. What's the purpose? To fight terrorism of course!

This is just another case where politicians take away a little more of our freedom to give us the "illusion of security". Why do I call this an illusion? Simple. Let's take for example the Brooklyn Bridge. Did you know that since 9/11, you have not been allowed to photograph the Brooklyn Bridge while standing on it? There are signs prohibiting photography on the span.

The trouble with this is, while it takes away my rights as a photographer to photograph an important landmark, it does nothing to help national security. Any terrorist who wants detailed photographs of the Brooklyn Bridge need only go as far as the Internet. There, a simple Google search, yields over 100,000 photographs of the famous bridge.

Now you may argue that these pictures aren't all current. They might not show current security measures or certain details that would interest someone intent on mayhem and destruction. I agree. The trouble is, if I were a terrorist, would I really stand on the bridge with my tripod and my camera? No. I would be surreptitious about it. Concealed cameras are commonplace these days. Likewise, it is perfectly acceptable for me to carry a camera while walking across the bridge. It is certainly easy enough to set the camera to take photographs at preset intervals. For example, you could set a camera to take a photograph every five seconds. With the focus and exposure preset, your hands would not be near the camera and thus no one would know you were taking pictures.

In short, a terrorist would certainly be able to obtain photographs through stealth regardless to whatever laws you put into effect. So it is clear to me that these rules do nothing to stop terrorism much less photography of the bridges and tunnels. So what does it do? It, like so many other silly policies, erodes yet further, our civil rights. It also gives naïve citizens a false sense of security. It gives them the feeling that their elected officials are actually doing something to stop terrorism. Nothing could be further from the truth.

There are countless opportunities for photography of "potential terrorist targets". I object strenuously to giving up my rights to photograph something just because some idiot in government wants a couple extra votes. I object to giving up my rights because some clueless people think that by doing so, we will stop terrorism. If you want to live in a dream world, that is your right. Just don't get in my way by doing it!

I have heard many examples of people being harassed by security guards and police officers alike for taking pictures while standing on public property. People have tried to threaten photographers with seizure of film and/or equipment. Now, I am not an attorney, but my understanding is that if I'm standing on public property, I can photograph anyone or anything I like within my view. Publication of that information might be questionable for various legal reasons. Nonetheless, if I want to stand on a public street and photograph something, even if you don't want me to, you legally cannot stop me.

I highly recommend a website devoted to this issue: Photopermit.org

So get out there and photograph the world around you. You had better do it quick before someone claims that it poses a threat...