abargrill

<p> If I understand the Maryland law correctly, Maryland's courts have found violations of the statute in question when the recordings were made in a context where the person recorded has a "reasonable expectation of privacy."<br>

<br /> There is also element of the offense requiring that the event be done "knowingly." I suppose that it could be that all one needs to do is know that the recording device is on. It is also possible that "knowingly" means that one intends to violate someone's privacy or has some reason to know that Maryland forbids the act.<br>

<br /> Anyway, it seems that the full letter and application of the law is not contained in the words of the statute. However, as others have said, police in public do not have a "reasonable expectation of privacy" but that doesn't mean that an officer that takes offense won't give you a hard time.</p>

<p>In Wealth of Nations, Adam Smith cautioned that when competitors gather, conversation inevitably turns to price fixing. In other words, how can we cooperate to eliminate competiton? Smith's caution is well demonstrated here as many pros chime in to limit "competition" from the guests at the wedding, or, at least to express irritation with that "competition." In fact, guests bring cameras, guests take photos and guests frequently share photos with the wedding party. No introductions are necessary. Go to the wedding (without the 100-400 -- it is hard to dance with a partner and a howitzer), take your pictures and have fun.</p>

<p>Quebec has its own laws, distinct from those of other provinces in Canada. Preparing for a visit a few years back, I tried to make sense of somewhat contradictory precepts The best that I can come up with is that one can take photos of people but any form of publication invokes other rights. It appears to be a civil matter (as opposed to criminal). It also appears that Quebec recognizes the right to "own" one's image. I don't recall seeing anything any about the right to <em>take</em> of photograph, which should be permitted because freedom of expression is also protected and the mere act of taking a photo would not appear to cause harm or embarassment, by itself.<br />A summary of a relevant Supreme Court case: <a href="http://www.canlii.org/ca/cas/scc/1998/1998scc31.html">http://www.canlii.org/ca/cas/scc/1998/1998scc31.html</a><br />A relevant article: <a href="http://www.montrealmirror.com/2005/080405/news1.html">http://www.montrealmirror.com/2005/080405/news1.html</a><br />Hope this helps.</p>

<p>Alan</p>

<p>I'm curious. Does the argument for a higher priced photographer assume that the wedding book and photos will be valued keepsakes that will be looked at for years after the wedding? In my own experience, wedding books are looked at for a few months and then take their place on a bookshelf, seldom to be consulted.<br /><br />I suppose if you are paying premium prices for a "perfect wedding" then you might not want to skimp on the photographer. But, given that the "perfect wedding" that gets its adjective by paying premium prices can cost what a downpayment on a house costs, that seems like an unnecessary extravagance to an awful lot of people who may chose to define "perfect" in terms that have smaller numbers to the left of the decimal point.<br /><br />I have only photographed one wedding, for a young colleague of my wife. I was happy to do it for a bottle of good scotch and the couple was very happy with my work.<br>

<br />If I was in the biz, I would probably go for the lower price end of the market, let the couple select a number of RAW images that I would edit and provide them with a disk so that they can make their own copies.<br /><br />But I am not in the biz, and don't rely on photographs to pay my light bill. If others can provide satisfaction at low rates and take away enough to keep body and soul together, more power to them! They provide a wonderful service!<br />Alan</p>

<p>There is a first rate photographer. I think his name is Brad Daly. He has done quite a bit of street pano work. If you would like to take a look, here is his url: <a href="http://bradbrad.com/section/123487_Pukka_Panoramas.html">http://bradbrad.com/section/123487_Pukka_Panoramas.html</a><br>

Cheers</p>

<p>Alan</p>

 

<p>Walker Evans once said (paraphrasing because I don't recall the quote): If you need to crop, then crop.</p>

It doesn't seem like the law provides the answer here. The police officer said "put it away, the fella's sister is here and she's upset". He was just trying to spare a young lady further pain. Under the circumstances, and without regard to the question of "rights," I think the decent thing to do was to comply, as you did.

 

Alan

I like your photo. I think it is particularly hard to take outstanding (?) memorable (?) [searching for the right word] photos at demonstrations because so much of the behavior that is displayed is expected. There are people with signs, t-shirts body art, etc. and it seems to fall into the regulation demonstration tool-kit (which is not intended to disparage the purpose of the demonstration that you photographed - Indeed, I suspect that my sympathies are with the demonstrators, here).So, what is unexpected? What will catch the eye and say, "hey, this stands out." "I didn't expect this" or the like. I'm afraid I have no answer but am still looking!

I'm also a fan of the Italian Market....so much energy...so many people! And after shooting, there are great cheeses, olive oils and pastries to hunt down!

 

Alan Barr

Joyce Baronio put out a book of photos of the women who worked around Times Square in NYC when it was a center of adult entertainment. The book came out 20+ years ago.

 

Alan

I suspect that emails to a customer hotline are not going to do the trip. When a regulation is proposed, formal notice is published in some official register and a particular address for comments is usually published with that notice. I am looking for the published notice but have not yet found it online (but then I am not familiar with New York's particular procedures or publications). Folks might want to keep an eye out for the formal notice and submit comments according to the process outlined there.

 

Also, New Yorkers might want to contact their city council representatives....a bit of political muscle never hurts.

 

Regards

 

Alan

Quoth Walker Evans "If you need to crop, crop."

 

Cheers

 

Alan

I was glad to see Mary Ellen Mark get a mention. Her method of operating - that of living among the people she photographs, in many cases, and, also in many cases, becoming very close to her subjects, truly gives her work a personal touch that seems to come through the photos.

 

Alan