Posted by Jim DeWitt on January 27, 2011 at 1:04 PM
The Feds have issued a clarification memorandum on photographing federal properties. This doesn't impact nature photographers a lot, but if you are going to be photographing the exteriors of federal buildings - any federal building - you might want to have a photocopy of the bulletin in your pocket.
The bulletin is distressingly redacted, but the sense is clear, and may help you with officious federal officers.
That's really useful Jim, and thanks! My printer is whirring right now, and copies are headed for the document pockets of all our camera bags.
BTW- I carry the NPS, USFS and BLM photo guidelines too, and regs for local parks in the states I'm visiting. You just never know when you'll run into a minor functionary with major ambitions for a career-building bust. It also helps to drop into the headquarters of each entity and inquire in person, just so you're in a position to drop names when you run into an Eliot Ness wannabe.
I clearly remember surveying the array of holstered guns and handcuffs that suddenly appeared a couple of years after 9-11 while I was tracking and photographing a train. And I was on contract to photograph the train!!!! Fortunately I was carrying a copy of the contract and a phone call was made to my contact, and the issue was resolved in time for me to catch up with the train and continue my work. But I could see clear disappointment on the faces of a few of the enforcement-types as I drove away. Some of them really and truly were hoping for a big bust.
Posted by Jim Bennett on January 28, 2011 at 12:19 AM
Thanks Jim for the update. One thing that I found that makes printing better is to open the link on the right side of that window to view the original pdf.
Posted by Larry Fischer on January 28, 2011 at 7:56 AM
Jim,
I remember posting an article about phtographying federal buildings from another site--about 6-10 months ago.
As I recall the issue was such that it was not a problem.
You might do a search under my name and see if its listed. I will too.
the fisch
Posted by Larry Fischer on January 28, 2011 at 8:00 AM
Discussion
4 repliesThe bulletin is distressingly redacted, but the sense is clear, and may help you with officious federal officers.
BTW- I carry the NPS, USFS and BLM photo guidelines too, and regs for local parks in the states I'm visiting. You just never know when you'll run into a minor functionary with major ambitions for a career-building bust. It also helps to drop into the headquarters of each entity and inquire in person, just so you're in a position to drop names when you run into an Eliot Ness wannabe.
I clearly remember surveying the array of holstered guns and handcuffs that suddenly appeared a couple of years after 9-11 while I was tracking and photographing a train. And I was on contract to photograph the train!!!! Fortunately I was carrying a copy of the contract and a phone call was made to my contact, and the issue was resolved in time for me to catch up with the train and continue my work. But I could see clear disappointment on the faces of a few of the enforcement-types as I drove away. Some of them really and truly were hoping for a big bust.
I remember posting an article about phtographying federal buildings from another site--about 6-10 months ago.
As I recall the issue was such that it was not a problem.
You might do a search under my name and see if its listed. I will too.
the fisch
Here is the site:
http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/18/you-can-photograph-that-federal-building/