NYC seeks chilling clampdown on public photography

[tourdeforce]

Some tourists, amateur photographers, even would-be filmmakers hoping to make it big on YouTube could soon be forced to obtain a city permit and $1 million in liability insurance before taking pictures or filming on city property, including sidewalks.

New rules being considered by the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting would require any group of two or more people who want to use a camera in a single public location for more than a half hour to get a city permit and insurance.

The same requirements would apply to any group of five or more people who plan to use a tripod in a public location for more than 10 minutes, including the time it takes to set up the equipment.

The ACLU has objected-

Mr. Dunn suggested that the city deliberately kept the language vague, and that as a result police would have broad discretion in enforcing the rules. In a letter sent to the film office this week, Mr. Dunn said the proposed rules would potentially apply to tourists in places like Times Square, Rockefeller Center or ground zero, “where people routinely congregate for more than half an hour and photograph or film.”

The rule could also apply to people waiting in line to enter the Empire State Building (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/e/empire_state_building/index.html?inline=nyt-classifier) or other tourist attractions.

The rules define a “single site” as any area within 100 feet of where filming begins. Under the rules, the two or more people would not actually have to be filming, but could simply be holding an ordinary camera and talking to each other.


For the full story, go here-

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/29/nyregion/29camera.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

[DracoMerest]

What’s that sound? Oh it’s a stampede of paparazzi heading over to bang on the doors of the mayor’s office.

[RLB]

The rules were promulgated as a result of just such a case, Mr. Dunn said.

In May 2005, Rakesh Sharma, an Indian documentary filmmaker, was using a hand-held video camera in Midtown Manhattan when he was detained for several hours and questioned by police.

During his detention, Mr. Sharma was told he was required to have a permit to film on city property. According to a lawsuit, Mr. Sharma sought information about how permits were granted and who was required to have one but found there were no written guidelines. Nonetheless, the film office told him he was required to have a permit, but when he applied, the office refused to grant him one and would not give him a written explanation of its refusal.

As part of a settlement reached in April, the film office agreed to establish written rules for issuing permits. Mr. Sharma could not be reached for comment yesterday.

This is supposedly the reason for the permit, but I don't understand the permit's purpose. It's free to get one, so it's not like the city is making money?

[tourdeforce]

This is supposedly the reason for the permit, but I don't understand the permit's purpose. It's free to get one, so it's not like the city is making money?


The purpose of these restrictions are to give cops the right to arrest or detain people on virtually no grounds other than that they are holding a camera.

[robeiae]

Or a cell phone, since it could, you know, have a built-in camera.

[WackAMole]

Or a cell phone, since it could, you know, have a built-in camera.

Eww never even thought of that one..but yeah..good point

[TheGaffer]

Or an iPod. I mean, an iPhone. Or an iCamera. Or whatever they're calling those things these days.

[Jamesaritchie]

Anything that cuts down on YouTube is fine with me. But, really, I see nothing at all wrong with this. Anyone actually making a movie must get a permit, and no one that I know ever objected.

I think this will simply allow the police to cut down on the number of idiots who think they own the streets and sidewalks just because they know how to hold a camera.

[tourdeforce]

Anyone actually making a movie must get a permit, and no one that I know ever objected.

In NYC, if you were not using a multi-leg tripod, there was previously no restriction in regard to using a camera (still, film, video) in public.

This is a clear violation of our constitutional right to freedom of speech.

[robeiae]

Only if you're filming a "talkie."

[Sheryl Nantus]

In NYC, if you were not using a multi-leg tripod, there was previously no restriction in regard to using a camera (still, film, video) in public.

This is a clear violation of our constitutional right to freedom of speech.

guess you're glad you're not in Germany.

:D

[kristie911]

Guess I'll cross NYC off my lists of places to visit as a tourist. Hate to have to get a permit to take pics of the Statue of Liberty. I've seen it on tv anyway...ain't all that impressive. :)

[tourdeforce]

This could seriously disrupt the shooting of my gonzo porn epic I LUV NEW YORK.

[billythrilly7th]

I'm pretty sure this is a complete non-issue on more levels than I have the time or desire to explain and/or explore.

TourdeFor should be given a "On Break" by a supermod for wasting all of our time.

Thank you.

Holla!

Happy Friday!!

Say cheese!

:e2photo:

[tourdeforce]

I'm pretty sure this is a complete non-issue on more levels than I have the time or desire to explain and/or explore.

TourdeFor should be given a "On Break" by a supermod for wasting all of our time.


You broke my heart Fredo. You broke my heart

[billythrilly7th]

Uh oh.

[billythrilly7th]

Hate to have to get a permit to take pics of the Statue of Liberty.

It's "Statute" of liberty. Not statue.

[Fingers]

Chilling.
(goes to put a sweater on.)


yer pal Brian

[Celia Cyanide]

Anything that cuts down on YouTube is fine with me.

That's dumb.

Anyone actually making a movie must get a permit

No, they don't.

[pconsidine]

I wonder what really is behind this. Sure, it's good to have written rules, but by setting the threshold so absurdly low, who is it they're trying to run off? Pissing off tourists hardly seems like a wise idea, seeing as they bring an awful lot of money into the city. Nor does it seem wise to aggravate their local film community.

Hmmm...

[Tiger]

In NYC, if you were not using a multi-leg tripod, there was previously no restriction in regard to using a camera (still, film, video) in public.

This is a clear violation of our constitutional right to freedom of speech.

Let me get this straight: even before all of this, an amateur photographer using anything other than a monopod could get pinched?

I guess New Yorkers really hate tourists.

[Tiger]

This could seriously disrupt the shooting of my gonzo porn epic I LUV NEW YORK.

At least you don't need not multi-legged tripod for that

[TheGaffer]

I guess New Yorkers really hate tourists.

We don't hate tourists. We actually like 'em. We're happy to share our knowledge of good local restaurants and we're also grateful to you for visiting the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Times Square and a few other areas we wouldn't go anywhere near, because it keeps the residential neighborhoods less crowded.

But y'know what we hate? When you walk really really really REALLY f****ing slow right in front of us. Pick up the pace dammit.

[SpookyWriter]

guess you're glad you're not in Germany.

:D:roll: Or a Scientologist living in NYC.

[SpookyWriter]

I'm pretty sure this is a complete non-issue on more levels than I have the time or desire to explain and/or explore.

TourdeFor should be given a "On Break" by a supermod for wasting all of our time.

Thank you.

Holla!

Happy Friday!!

Say cheese!

:e2photo: :popcorn:

[Plot Device]

Best way to combat this ... Take out a full-page ad in the New York Times and craft it as a very scary warning that reads something like this:


WARNING TO ALL TOURISTS IN NYC

You WILL be arrested for the following camera-related infractions:

--standing/sitting/lingering with any type of camera in your hands in any one place for more than half an hour

--failing to have a city-issued permit to film/take photos within city limits

--failing to have $1 million dollars in liability insurance connected to your film/photo shooting

AND PLEASE TAKE NOTE:

The fines/jail times will INCREASE if you use a tripod.



That should raise the hackles of the many fine citizens of New York who depend on the tourist trade.

[tourdeforce]

Good suggestion.

[Tiger]

But y'know what we hate? When you walk really really really REALLY f****ing slow right in front of us. Pick up the pace dammit.

You'd think you New Yorkers would take this consideration with you when you travel...

"Yah, I'm from outta town! Just go around! Where's yer f***in' spirit of aloha, huh? Ya idiot!

D'hell's wrong with these morons?!"