Violation of a Photographers Rights

I awoke choking from the smoke. I thought my house was on fire! I jumped out of bed and slid my pants on as fast as I could. I realized then the smoke was pine. Not my house, thats good, but why was the smoke so thick? It was 3 in the morning, I looked outside and the whole neighborhood was wrapped in a smokey blanket. I swiftly got dressed grabbed my little Kodak point n shoot and left the house to investigate.


Fire Trucks at Work

It only took a few minutes to find the source of the smoke. A pile of fire wood next to a shed had caught fire. Naturally I started taking shots. I set my camera on fence posts, stone walls, even on the sidewalk to hold it steady. I made sure to keep my distance never crossing the street even though the fire was out before I arrived. I know better than to get in the way and I did not want to endanger myself.


Protect and serve

The officer sitting in his car must have been bored cause he got out and approached me. Shine his light and asked were do you live? "Just down the street" I answer. "Well I think its time for you to go home. Its all over here", He sneared at me "And photo time is done!"


Cop shines Light

I then proceeded to tell him what my rights truly are which he didn't like. He detained me taking my camera until backup arrived. The backup was a Sargent that is commenly around my area a fellow that I have spoken with a number of times and a very nice guy. He agreed with me that I wasn't braking any laws and that the other cop was just a rookie that didn't know any better. I got my camera back and went home.

---

What are your rights as a photographer? Since 9/11 people have come up with some very strange ideas. Photogs are being harassed in many places they were left alone before. Photos being deleted from memory cards, cameras being taken. NPR has a story you can listen to here.

Have a look here to read The Photographers Rights by Bert P. Krages, Attorney at Law.