The rules around photographing and taking moving pictures in public can often be misinterprested and or flat out wrong especially when dealing with someone who does not want you to take a picture of them or thier property. Knowing your rights can help you diffuse a situation when used in the right way. Its important to remember that even though you may have the legal right to take someone's picture, there is also the need to be an understanding, kind and considerate human. When someone asks you not to or if they seem visibly upset, explaining what you do and why you are photographing them can help, often complimenting what you saw in the photo can help people understand you are an artist and not a spy or creep looking to do something nefarious, unless of course you are .
Generally going for the unspoken good-human rules first before bringing in the backup of the law is a good approach, but when you need to, an attorney at law, Bert P. Krages II has put together this handy guide. Its important for every photographer to review and may even be helpful to print out and keep in your camera bag.
Bert has also posted this disclaimer within the PDF
Disclaimer
This is a general education guide about the right to take photographs and is necessarily limited in scope. More information about the laws that affect photography can be found in my book, Legal Handbook for Photographers (Amherst Media).
This guide is not intended to be legal advice nor does it create an attorney- client relationship.
The general guidelines are that in public and on public property, you are allowed to photograph, you are even allowed to photograph on private property unless told not to or made aware through signage. Military and govermnet buildings can be an exception. People out in public are legally allowed to be photographed though not in places where resonable privacy is expected such as washrooms or thier own homes.
The PDF was made for the rules and laws specifically for the US but we've checked with Canada as well and they are generally similar. Please review the laws within your own country or when traveling.
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