Bridge photos in NYC

[kenneth_rowin]

After 9/11 the authorities were prohibiting photography on and around

many of NYC bridges including bridges such as the Brooklyn Bridge

that have pedestrian walkways. A number of people have posted their

bad experiences in the past. Does anyone know whether this

prohibition is still in effect?

[david_henderson]

I can't tell uou whether local laws ahve changed. I can tell you

that I photographed undisturbed on and round Brooklyn and

Manhattan Bridges in late 2002 and spring last year. Neither did

I see any notices. I didn't use a tripod , wishing to remain

inconspicuous.

 

On the street can be a different matter. NYC is full of security

guards who think they have the right (and in some cases the

solemn duty) to prevent "their" buildings being photographed. I

carry a copy of Bert Krages' "the photographers right"

downloaded from here. Also be careful in places like Battery

Park/City where the combination of park wardens and security

people tend to react quickly and negatively to any tripods.

 

Photographing in cities extensively, I'm finding more and more

that it pays to be prepared , through the equipment you take and

the fil choices you make, to be prepared to shoot hand-held.

[hrishikesh_keshavan]

I extensively photographed Brroklyn bridge and the Manhattan bridge last december without anybody stopping me. I did use tripod and did not have any problems with it. So I guess it should be fine now.

[rolpahof leikonblad]

After September 11, the police and the security people have been overloaded with works. They are, understandably, nervous when they see us take photos of bridges and public buildings. So I guess it's good for us to be more considerate and try harder to avoid taking pictures, especially close-ups of those subjects. As for those famous landmarks like Brooklyn Bridge, I think it is okay to take picture of it. It's because there are already so many photos of it in the public domain, it seems no one cares if some more are taken. Anyway, perhaps it is still a good idea to avoid taking close-ups.

 

As for my own experience, I had no big problems with the security people, except with a "good samaritan". Last summer, I went out to the seaside to take some photos of the beautiful partly cloudy sky with my small digital point-and-shoot camera. An old fellow about 75 years old tried to stop me. I explained to him that I just wanted to photograph the clouds for my digital darkroom and I pointed out to him that the bridge (the span of it is about 1 mile away!) was not my subject. He insisted that I should stop but I ignored him anyway. It was quite an unhappy experience.

 

Since September 11, some people in New York City become less tolerative. Attached is a photo taken recently of a minivan with a sticker of "FREE TO OFFEND". With people of mentality like this in the city, the hobby of taking photos is now less enjoyable.

[rolpahof leikonblad]

Closeup of "FREE TO OFFEND"