Photographing random homes against the law?

9 years 8 months ago #391725 by Stacy Craig
I don't want to make this sound worse than what it is.  My husband and I were out walking last night and I was taking photos of just about anything that caught my eye.   Some times it was mailboxes with pretty gardens or flower arrangements around them, other times it was beautiful homes with amazing curb appeal.  I had a home owner who came out and was very polite about telling me that it was against the law to take photos of peoples homes and especially their mail boxes.  Now I know of course you can't touch peoples mailboxes, but taking photos?  News to me.  Can anyone confirm this? 


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9 years 8 months ago #391749 by Eliffman
Not sure, but with all the crazies these days, I would tread on the conservative side when pointing my camera at peoples property. 


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9 years 8 months ago #391750 by JeremyS
As far as I'm aware in America, if you are standing on public land i.e a sidewalk, you are allowed to take pictures of anything you want. 


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9 years 8 months ago #391776 by GLiDeR
From the eye of the home owner, I think its understandable to be wary of someone taking pictures of their home. So, leaving the law out of it, to me, it doesnt feel right.


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9 years 8 months ago #391784 by JeremyS

GLiDeR wrote: From the eye of the home owner, I think its understandable to be wary of someone taking pictures of their home. So, leaving the law out of it, to me, it doesnt feel right.


Agreed that it could easily cause problems. To avoid this or put people at ease, buy a small set of business cards with your name and some other details and a email address or something, so then they could even buy a print of their house maybe ;) If not, it will atleast calm them down to know your not a hired hitman or a private investigator.


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9 years 8 months ago #391864 by Marin Chi
:agree: with all mentioned here.   What it boils down is respecting the home owner.  Put yourself in their shoes, how would you respond to someone snapping shots in front of your home?  


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9 years 8 months ago #391979 by Joves
It is not against the law to photograph a house. The only part of the law that pertains to the photo is the usage if the photo. Then you get into problems if it is used for commercial purposes without a release. Also if you step on their property to get the shot, or have to climb up on a fence, in the case of homes with high solid walls. Anything easily viewable from a public area can be shot. 


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9 years 8 months ago #392015 by Stanly
:agree:  exactly

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9 years 8 months ago #392017 by Stealthy Ninja
If I go to America can I photograph people through their windows?

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9 years 7 months ago #397142 by D Hornick
I think there is nothing wrong with that.  Go for it  


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9 years 7 months ago #397152 by ubookoo
Google photographs, streets, cars, houses, and buildings everyday and places them on Google maps. They even give you the address and let you zoom in. They do block out faces and license plates but the amount of information available to view is amazing.


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9 years 7 months ago #397285 by garyrhook

Marin Chi wrote: What it boils down is respecting the home owner.  Put yourself in their shoes, how would you respond to someone snapping shots in front of your home?  


I would understand that I have no control over someone on a public right-of-way, no matter how I "felt" about it.

It's not illegal, and you can't stop them. Period.

Geez.


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