One of the unfortunate and completely unnecessary side effects of 9/11 is that a *lot* of photographers get hassled by security workers, doormen, and – almost especially – MTA personnel.
Its not an entirely new issue, its just that 9/11 made it a hell of a lot worse, creating this overreaching pretense that any photographer could be an Al-Quaida operative, taking that all-important snapshot which, if not obtained, would make some logistically complex attack impossible.
This has been an issue for MTA, which has had to consistently remind its staff on multiple occasions, in writing, to stop harassing photographers on MTA rail lines as MTA specifically does not have any restrictions regarding public photography. This after being reminded repeatedly by the ACLU in response to numerous MTA employee incidents with videographers and photographers.
Today, I had a few minutes before my train, so I snapped a few file photos of Grand Central Terminal (along with about 100 tourists) before I boarded my train. The conductor in the picture came over to me and insisted that there is no reason anyone should be taking a picture of an empty length of train track, and insisted I tell him why I was doing that.
Tonight I will be attending his Cub Scout meeting where I will be personally presenting him with his ‘See Anything Say Something’ badge.
BTW The following story just got frontpaged on digg today and is directly relevant to this story – its the Ten Legal Commandments Of Photography .
Also, photographers might want to check out a post on the Railroad.net forums regarding MTA Rules of conduct. Citing the relevant section:
” Photography, filming or video recording in any facility or conveyance is permitted except that ancillary equipment such as lights, reflectors or tripods may not be used. Members of the press holding valid identification issued by the New York City Police Department are hereby authorized to use necessary ancillary equipment. All photographic activity must be conducted in accordance with the provisions of this Part.”
Here is a direct link to the MTA’s Rules Of Conduct.
It also suggests that MTA photographers print out and carry a copy of this pdf which documents the exchange between the ACLU, MTA, in which the MTA notifies its employees in writing that photography is not prohibited.
12 responses so far ↓
1 admin // Mar 18, 2008 at 10:13 am
Coincidentally this story got dugg today:
http://photojojo.com/content/tips/legal-rights-of-photographers/
2 Brian // Mar 26, 2008 at 9:33 pm
NYCT (the subway) and MNCR/LIRR/SIR are different. The NYCT rules do not apply at GCT and the MNCR/LIRR/SIR rules do not apply on NYCT. Your incident took place at GCT, so only the memo from the MTA Police Chief applies. The text about “Photography, filming or video recording in any facility or conveyance is permitted…” does not apply since that is only talking about NYCT.
3 Bobby // Mar 30, 2008 at 11:15 am
As a Metro North conductor, I personally would have no problem with you taking my picture. In fact, I’m sure my irish mug graces vacation photo albums around the globe. Having said this, I think it’s common courtesy to ask your subject, be it a conductor or anybody else, if they mind if you take their picture.
4 Chris (Admin) // Mar 30, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Hey Bobby!
Nice to have a MN conductor on board.
I agree its appropriate to ask if it were a closeup, but its not really practical when youre shooting longshots in a crowded place like GCT.
I would have totally respected it if he had just told me he didnt want his picture taken rather then implying I was a terrorist.
5 NYC Video Flash Mob :: This American Summer // Jul 3, 2008 at 1:12 pm
[...] sufficient battery, synchronize your watch to official time, have fun. You can read more about the NYCLU/MTA controversy and general photography rights issues [...]
6 Train Man Paul // Nov 9, 2008 at 12:06 am
I myself am a conductor for MTA Metro-North RR, and I do not at all mind having my picture taken, and I do not at any time give anyone, especially railfans, to which I am one, any hard time taking pictures PROVIDING it is being done in legal, public areas, like stations and public roads and walkways adjacent to tracks. I only make calls and give warnings for such such whenever I see anyone in a place, like an interlocking, a bridge, on the track area itself, or up on signal appliances and wayside equipment and even on train equipment. As long as the photography is in legal, safe, public locations, who am I to infringe on peoples’ freedoms!!
7 Chris (Admin) // Nov 10, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Hey Paul good to hear from you.
I like your attitude!
I have to say, back when I originally wrote this article I was much newer to Metro-North and its conductors. I had also had some bad experiences with New Haven security about photography.
As much contact as I have had with conductors now, I would have approached taking this picture much differently, and my interaction with the conductor differently, and the post would have resultingly read much differently.
MNR conductors are a great bunch of people, and I am sorry if I pissed off the one in the picture!
8 ria jodrie // Dec 29, 2008 at 3:37 am
i am interested in working for the mta. i understand that you have to take a test. i would like to know how i can get material to study for these tests. thanks.
9 Railroad Photography and your rights « Passing Loop // Dec 30, 2008 at 10:19 am
[...] rail fan want to get up close and take that perfect shot . But there have been cases of harassment by authorities. This is not only happening in the US but elsewhere [...]
10 The Criminalization of Photographers | Visual Arts Junction // Apr 1, 2009 at 3:36 pm
[...] One of the unfortunate and completely unnecessary side effects of 9/11 is that a *lot* of photographers get hassled by security workers, doormen, and – almost especially – MTA personnel…more [...]
11 If You Like to Take Pictures in NYC or on MTA, Read This [Photography Rights] | StationStops // May 19, 2009 at 2:21 pm
[...] However, I know longtime MTA employees, such as one Metro-North conductor, who told me has has never been instructed to harass photographers he sees on the Metro-North line, and never has – in fact, he takes cameraphone pics on his train all the time, and is glad to pose for tourists! (Unlike this conductor). [...]
12 Metro-North Blogger Faces Off With MTA » trainjotting.com // Aug 18, 2009 at 9:58 am
[...] Readers of StationStops know that Schoenfeld sometimes takes issue with authority, such as the time(s) an MTA staffer has told him not to shoot photos inside Grand Central. [...]
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