In one of the more interesting mashups for photographers, the folks from PetaPixel are now providing “Photographer’s Rights gray cards.” These are three cards, white black and gray for use in setting the white balance on your digital camera, plus on the back of the white and gray cards are a list of the top ten photographers rights, including:
- You can make a photograph of anything and anyone on any public property, except where a specific law prohibits it.
- You may shoot on private property if it is open to the public, but you are obligated to stop if the owner requests it.
- Private property owners can prevent photography ON their property, but not photography OF their property from a public location.
Additionally, there is information on what to do if someone demands your equipment from you. The cards are just $15 and come with a lanyard to wear around your neck, but if you just don’t have the funds right now, they also provide a link to a printable version of the “photographer’s rights.”
August 25th, 2010 at 8:06 am
I feel like photographers are the most oft-ignored in regards to artists’ rights. Nobody would complain about a more “traditional” artist painting or sketching them/their property, but once you whip out your camera they’re on you like you’ve been evading taxes. It’s so annoying.
August 26th, 2010 at 1:54 pm
Unfortunately, cameras have been used in preparation for criminal activity especially in the movies. For that reason a lot of people are concerned about the implications of having themselves and their property photographed. Still, we as photographers have a responsibility to ensure that people understand just what our rights are as there is a great deal of misinformation out there. I would highly suggest you check out Bert Krages excellent site and print out the pdf file he makes available. I keep one in my camera bag all the time, just in case someone stops me inappropriately.