onvertigo.ca

Home :: About :: Archives :: Flickr :: RSS :: Contact

Decrepit( 10.20.05 )

This was taken in the small town of Cayuga, Ont. right around the corner from where I took the photo of the Blue Wall. I never thought that Cayuga would be full of so many good photo opportunities.

James and I got yelled at while taking this photo. "HEY... you should ask before you start taking photos." This is the first time I have ever been yelled at while taking pictures of other people's junk. Is there an etiquette behind this? I am curious, do you normally ask for permission when taking pictures of discarded junk or rundown properties?

More Small town Ontario Photos :: Comments (5)
I spent a whole night once researching photographer rights in Canada after being yelled at for taking photos of a convenience store: "You can't take pictures of a business!" ... after realizing the witty answer would have been "I'm not taking pictures of the business, i'm taking pictures of the building." I didn't find much on the Government of Canada website, but I found a site from the states, and figured, we're very close to them so it may be similar. The law was that you could take a photo of anything, as long as you're taking it from public property (ie. the street) ... that is if I read it right, and if it's the same as the states. So I really don't know much, but please do tell me if you find out more.
Posted by: andrew on 10.20.05

Hmm .. I've read similar. There was an article in the free magazine you can get at Black's and other stores called Marketnews : Here's How. They had a issue that discussed 'street photography' and discussed Canadian law. Apparently, you're right .. if you shoot from PUBLIC property, you can take a picture of anything. An example they gave was "you can take pictures of children in a schoolyard, we advice against doing so, not a smart move but you can LEGALLY do it." I was on top of parking lot in the Byward Market a few weeks ago, just playing with my camera and taking pictures of restaurants below when a security guard came up and told me 'heheh .. I hope you're taking pictures of buildings and not people, right?" ... I was but anyways, I was told to wrap it up, the parking lot was privately owned and people who were not in in the action of : leaving their car, getting into their car .. were not suppose to be there. Anyways, from what I gather, you can take a picture of anything you want if you are on public property, even shooting Jennifter Aniston emerging from her house in her pajamas. Once you step on private property though, that's where you're rights go down the poop shoot. :)
Posted by: Sarah on 10.20.05

It seems to be a topic that comes up more and more frequently. I did some digging around before and found a good link that sort of discusses it from a Canadian standpoint:
http://www.zvulony.com/photograph_rights.html

I read a lot of instances that photographers get hassled in the US too because they could be considered "security threats". Good ol' Dubya has everyone scared of their own shadows. Many even carry little cards with them that list what their rights are as photographers in the event they get bothered by authorities.
Posted by: Derrick on 10.20.05

I have always asked for permission whilst intently looking at old junk, which I do quite often - Old equipment, cars, etc. Ironically enough, rednecks will limit your exposure to their junk for two reasons: They think you will try and steal it later, and they think you're going to rat them out to the bylaw enforcement people. Many don't really understand the beauty of old junk.
Posted by: Johnny.308 on 10.20.05

I read so many stories in the photography forums of people (mostly Americans) who have been approached by security and staff. I'm not sure what you're shooting with but it seems the general perspection is if you're shooting with a SLR, you're conducting corporate espionage or commiting a terrorist act. I've been stopped once at a big gift shop in remote Alaska. Go figure.
Posted by: Ed on 10.20.05

	Home :: About :: Archives :: Flickr :: RSS :: Contact

Decrepit( 10.20.05 )	PREVIOUS :: CURRENT :: NEXT
This was taken in the small town of Cayuga, Ont. right around the corner from where I took the photo of the Blue Wall. I never thought that Cayuga would be full of so many good photo opportunities. James and I got yelled at while taking this photo. "HEY... you should ask before you start taking photos." This is the first time I have ever been yelled at while taking pictures of other people's junk. Is there an etiquette behind this? I am curious, do you normally ask for permission when taking pictures of discarded junk or rundown properties?
More Small town Ontario Photos :: Comments (5) I spent a whole night once researching photographer rights in Canada after being yelled at for taking photos of a convenience store: "You can't take pictures of a business!" ... after realizing the witty answer would have been "I'm not taking pictures of the business, i'm taking pictures of the building." I didn't find much on the Government of Canada website, but I found a site from the states, and figured, we're very close to them so it may be similar. The law was that you could take a photo of anything, as long as you're taking it from public property (ie. the street) ... that is if I read it right, and if it's the same as the states. So I really don't know much, but please do tell me if you find out more. Posted by: andrew on 10.20.05 Hmm .. I've read similar. There was an article in the free magazine you can get at Black's and other stores called Marketnews : Here's How. They had a issue that discussed 'street photography' and discussed Canadian law. Apparently, you're right .. if you shoot from PUBLIC property, you can take a picture of anything. An example they gave was "you can take pictures of children in a schoolyard, we advice against doing so, not a smart move but you can LEGALLY do it." I was on top of parking lot in the Byward Market a few weeks ago, just playing with my camera and taking pictures of restaurants below when a security guard came up and told me 'heheh .. I hope you're taking pictures of buildings and not people, right?" ... I was but anyways, I was told to wrap it up, the parking lot was privately owned and people who were not in in the action of : leaving their car, getting into their car .. were not suppose to be there. Anyways, from what I gather, you can take a picture of anything you want if you are on public property, even shooting Jennifter Aniston emerging from her house in her pajamas. Once you step on private property though, that's where you're rights go down the poop shoot. :) Posted by: Sarah on 10.20.05 It seems to be a topic that comes up more and more frequently. I did some digging around before and found a good link that sort of discusses it from a Canadian standpoint: http://www.zvulony.com/photograph_rights.html I read a lot of instances that photographers get hassled in the US too because they could be considered "security threats". Good ol' Dubya has everyone scared of their own shadows. Many even carry little cards with them that list what their rights are as photographers in the event they get bothered by authorities. Posted by: Derrick on 10.20.05 I have always asked for permission whilst intently looking at old junk, which I do quite often - Old equipment, cars, etc. Ironically enough, rednecks will limit your exposure to their junk for two reasons: They think you will try and steal it later, and they think you're going to rat them out to the bylaw enforcement people. Many don't really understand the beauty of old junk. Posted by: Johnny.308 on 10.20.05 I read so many stories in the photography forums of people (mostly Americans) who have been approached by security and staff. I'm not sure what you're shooting with but it seems the general perspection is if you're shooting with a SLR, you're conducting corporate espionage or commiting a terrorist act. I've been stopped once at a big gift shop in remote Alaska. Go figure. Posted by: Ed on 10.20.05 Post a comment Name: Email: URL: Comment: Remember info?