Photographer’s rights have been in the news quite a lot since 9/11 and seemingly even more so this past year, especially in the US and UK.  Everyone from the ACLU to US federal courts to individual photographers have weighed in on one basic question; “what does a photographer have the right to shoot?”.  I wrote about my own “run in” with the law while photographing as well.  There are legal opinions, personal opinions and quite a few rants and raves on the topic.  But in the end, the question stems from an even bigger debate over giving up some personal freedoms in the name of preserving the greater security.  But does one have to be sacrificed for the other?

It is a debate that is not likely to be answered any time soon, for photographers and the public in general, as we have grown accustomed to terror alerts and “patriot acts.”  So as the debate rages on it makes for some good discussion.  One “rant” that I ran across recently was by photographer William Beem.  William Beem’s take on photographer’s rights is well written and worth a read.

1 Response to “Photographer’s Rights – One Photographer’s Perspective”

  1. Mike, Studio city

    on December 30 2010

    I read your “run in” with the law article. That happened to me about 18 years ago when I was in downtown Los Angeles. It is a very strange feeling to be told to stop doing something as harmless as taking a photo of a public building.

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