Cracking Down
While walking around on my lunch today, I happened to witness someone being asked to not take photos of the fountain by the Irvine Spectrum Center Security.
The photographer in question was arguing that they hand no right to enforce the rule and that it was a public place. The security guard countered with “…I can have you removed from the property.” The photographer and security guard exchanged a few more words and the security guard made said a couple things into his radio and the frustrated photographer walked away.
Then the security guard informed another photographer that they “can take pictures of their family, etc in front of the fountains, but not the fountains, fixtures, or storefronts by themselves.”
While I was able to take photos of the fountains previously without incident, all amateur and professional photographers should be aware that the Irvine Spectrum Center is enforcing this rule.
It’s pretty obvious that this man is a terrorist taking reconnaissance photos of his next target. Stay Vigilant, Mr. Security Guard!!!
Interesting they didn’t bust you for taking pictures of them busting someone for taking pictures.
As long as you’re intended targets were in the frame I guess……
This is universal at shopping malls, in chain and fast food restaurants, and in supermarkets. Nothing new. They want to protect their design from competitors.
People mistakenly assume that malls are public places. Nope! They’re fake main streets, public as Disneyland.
How dare he do his job! Heaven forbid!
Get a copy of the photographers bill of rights. Read it and understand it. I keep a copy in my camera bag whenever I’m out. Only a couple of times have I ever been questioned on what I was doing while out shooting. My experience is rare given I shoot thousands of images every year. Other photogs have problems all the times and the PBoR has saved them.
Substitute is pretty close to spot on regarding the mall being public property. Things can get funky with intended purpose of the image (news) vs commercial vs private use.
I think that fejsez images would have fallen under news gathering and they would have had a week leg to stand on if they tried to stop.
My total assholian moment is that I carry a digital toy camera with me and whenever I can take pics, I take a pic of the warning sign and then of what the big secret is. Its sophmoric and a cheap thrill, but I do have to nurture the juvenile delinquint within some times! Flickr has groups dedicated to the "no photo here":
http://www.flickr.com/groups/canttakepictureshere/
http://www.flickr.com/groups/nophotosigns/