Photographers justified rule breakers and above everyone else?

Goldminer- I say we need to make sure we all know the rules so that there are no issues. I am an architect and photographer. I have taken pictures of police stations for projects and I had three officers in front of me before I even took the first picture! HAHA I explained my reason and they took my name, phone number and business card and left me alone.
If you are not trespassing, in most places you can take pictures on public property. For me, I try to follow the rules as much as possible. Asking permission can also get you more access at times, so sometimes it pays to follow the rules.

i don't think breaking rules is "OK" exactly, but sometimes, to get that shot that nobody else has, its something that has to be done, i try not to if i know im not supposed to, but i have been known to break the rules

OK rule breaking: Pushing to the front of the P&S rabble to get your shot
Not OK rule breaking: Taking "artistic nudes" in the female changing room at the local pool.


Just for interests sake, did this thread get posted on Facebook or something? It's really old and there's some new poster posting (nothing wrong with that, I encourage it) I'm just wondering how it got resurrected.

Here it is... Ethically...you do not have permission to use your illegal picture. It is not yours to use. You did not get permission to obtain it. So, congrats for breaking the rules, but good luck if someone doesn't want you to use it for any commercial purposes (unless you all are just taking pictures for an awesome photo album at home).
I will state it again, staying within the law is the only way to go. As a artist, we live within design guidelines. We learn the rules and we learn which ones are bendable. I have learned early on that this one is not bendable for my business.

Part of being a GREAT photographer is to get a good shot while following the rules just like being a good driver requires following the traffic laws. How can a photographer 'pride' him or herself with a shot that was obtained by breaking rules other's are following. We live in an "entitled" society where many feel they should be able to break the rules because they are "them". Celeb photographers have broken the rules to the point of killing princesses. Ethics in photography are just as important as ethics in live. Show me a photographer 'rule breaker' and I expect to see an unethical personality that will break whatever rules necessary to get what they selfishly want. This will not be popular but think about it... why should anyone break the rules... the rules were set for good reasons by authorities and should be observed.

there are rules and then there are " rules" that are more suggestions than laws. There are rules for your safety and those should be strictly followed. Asking permission to go onto private property should be done out of respect but if you can get the shot from public access then so much the better.. The Arena that I shoot games at does not allow "professional " cameras but lots of people bring cameras and shoot away from next to the plexiglass while I must have a Press Pass to bring my gear in.. Is it that those folks are bending the rules by bringing in DSLR cameras rather than point & shoot ?

I am not a rule breaker, I tend to follow the rules as well as common courtesy when shooting public places and faces. In fact- I refrain from street photography as I fear getting jumped by some peeved person. I sometimes see things I would love to photograph, but in person I get scared and stay on public land to avoid issues.

Good point Rob, there are laws and then there are 'guidelines' at places like arenas. I've found that it works for me to ask, sometimes there is some flexibility within the guidelines. If not then it's a matter of figuring out another way to get the shot. Maybe photographers are naturally curious...

[quote="Stealthy Ninja" post Just for interests sake, did this thread get posted on Facebook or something? It's really old and there's some new poster posting (nothing wrong with that, I encourage it) I'm just wondering how it got resurrected.[/quote]

YES - it very likely got posted on Facebook. This has come up a couple of times, one of the agents should let PT admin know. Someone already posted a week or two ago that they had a photo stolen, although I don't know if it was due to the FB connection or not.

PT has an app on FB that posts hourly - it links to articles on the site, our conversations on the messge board, and periodically posts someone's photo. Without being logged in to PT or to FB, from the PT Facebook page I was able to access the message board as well as photos being posted. I don't think PT's intention is for people's photos to be taken but once they're posted on FB, they're unprotected.

icepics wrote:

Stealthy Ninja wrote: Just for interests sake, did this thread get posted on Facebook or something? It's really old and there's some new poster posting (nothing wrong with that, I encourage it) I'm just wondering how it got resurrected.

YES - it very likely got posted on Facebook. This has come up a couple of times, one of the agents should let PT admin know. Someone already posted a week or two ago that they had a photo stolen, although I don't know if it was due to the FB connection or not.

PT has an app on FB that posts hourly - it links to articles on the site, our conversations on the messge board, and periodically posts someone's photo. Without being logged in to PT or to FB, from the PT Facebook page I was able to access the message board as well as photos being posted. I don't think PT's intention is for people's photos to be taken but once they're posted on FB, they're unprotected.

Interesting, is this also the reason why they seem to be posting spiels on the subject with no recognition of other people's posts (no offense to people posting, just asking)?

[email protected] wrote: Part of being a GREAT photographer is to get a good shot while following the rules just like being a good driver requires following the traffic laws. How can a photographer 'pride' him or herself with a shot that was obtained by breaking rules other's are following. We live in an "entitled" society where many feel they should be able to break the rules because they are "them". Celeb photographers have broken the rules to the point of killing princesses. Ethics in photography are just as important as ethics in live. Show me a photographer 'rule breaker' and I expect to see an unethical personality that will break whatever rules necessary to get what they selfishly want. This will not be popular but think about it... why should anyone break the rules... the rules were set for good reasons by authorities and should be observed.

I would say the difference is if the person plans to use the image for commercial purposes they should have permission from the arena. If you are going to post it on FB and tell everyone what a great time you had, it doesnt need the Arena's permission...

Stealthy Ninja wrote:

icepics wrote:

Stealthy Ninja wrote: Just for interests sake, did this thread get posted on Facebook or something? It's really old and there's some new poster posting (nothing wrong with that, I encourage it) I'm just wondering how it got resurrected.

YES - it very likely got posted on Facebook. This has come up a couple of times, one of the agents should let PT admin know. Someone already posted a week or two ago that they had a photo stolen, although I don't know if it was due to the FB connection or not.

PT has an app on FB that posts hourly - it links to articles on the site, our conversations on the messge board, and periodically posts someone's photo. Without being logged in to PT or to FB, from the PT Facebook page I was able to access the message board as well as photos being posted. I don't think PT's intention is for people's photos to be taken but once they're posted on FB, they're unprotected.

Interesting, is this also the reason why they seem to be posting spiels on the subject with no recognition of other people's posts (no offense to people posting, just asking)?

Would just like to add that when someone comes to PT from a Facebook link, they can view the images and forum posts but must log in in order to comment. Put simply, anyone commenting already has a PT account.

I believe its called "The Rule of Law" and it is a fundamental principle of Liberty. Its called having respect for your Country. I understand we're loosing more and more of that as our Immaculate Deception keeps bowing to foreign powers and p*^&$$% in the wheaties of our allies, but that doesn't mean I have too. If you don't mind not having Liberty then just keep breaking the rules.

RodgerThePhotographer wrote: I believe its called "The Rule of Law" and it is a fundamental principle of Liberty. Its called having respect for your Country. I understand we're loosing more and more of that as our Immaculate Deception keeps bowing to foreign powers and p*^&$$% in the wheaties of our allies, but that doesn't mean I have too. If you don't mind not having Liberty then just keep breaking the rules.