One way I like to relax is take the Gold Line from Pasadena into LA with a friend and do a mini photo safari. Los Angeles is so diverse, it has millions of subjects waiting to be shot.... Today, it was as if I were walking around with a gun slung over my shoulder.I won't mention the location but my buddy and I were shooting photographs and were approached by security in plain clothes. He told us what we can and cannot not photograph.
We were technically on public property and I know my rights as a photographer in United States of America--I even carry an copy of the Photographer's Right in my bag, which I've used to show ignorant security officers.
Technically, this photo is legal, but according to the "rent-a-cop," it is a violation. The gentleman told us while pointing above, "These buildings cannot be photographed or be in any photograph you take." Apparently, the property managers don't want their buildings photographed in fear we may want to take them down.
Rather than argue with the person, I smiled and continued shooting people--buildings or no buildings in the background. We were followed by another security guard for a few minutes until the guard overheard us talking about our rights. Once said, and heard, he turned around and went away.
Did you know that by law anyone can take a video or photo of the TSA at an airport, as long as they are not impeding with their job? And we were simply taking pictures of buildings.
