January 28th, 2010 | 
Author: The government of the Unitied States appears to be continuing its war against photographers. Watch the following video:
Watch and listen to the guard say:
“It’s not totally free but it’s free enough. We’ve lost a lot of our freedoms due to terrorism”
Sorry but those freedoms that we supposedly have lost DO NOT include having lost the right to take pictures of federal buildings from public sidewalks. There is NO LAW against that.
Watch the second video:
It is obvious from these videos that simply walking down the street and taking pictures will attract unwelcome attention from authorities. These encounters were rather mild as encounters go, however they do have a chilling effect since many people shy away from confrontations with authority and many photographers have chosen to leave their cameras at home and give up their hobby rather than deal with daily hassles.
However, the most disturbing news comes from the National Archives which has BANNED PHOTOGRAPHY:
Their stated reason is:
to ensure the necessary protection for the documents from
the cumulative effects of photographic flash and to enhance the overall
visitor experience.
However professional photographers – who probably are charged exorbitant fees:
will continue to be permitted to take photographs and video footage of the
exhibits and documents on display in the NAE with special permission
and with available light, e.g. without the use of any flash or steady
light source, just as they have been allowed to do in the past pursuant
to 36 CFR 1280.52. This final rule applies only to the general public,
who are the source of most photographic flash from either accidental or
intentional action.
Banning photography does not enhance the visitor experience. I refuse to visit museums that I cannot photograph because I know that I will be frustrated and angry by the time I return home because I will not be able to recall a particular detail of something that I saw. Postcards and guidebooks are expensive and it outrageous that the United States government is doing what other private museums do by forcing people to purchase these products in order to be able to remember their visit. Besides memories fade over time. Also postcards and guidebooks may not necessarily contain the image of the item I liked or a particular detail that I would otherwise take a closeup photograph of. These federal documents belong to ALL the people of this country and taking home memories should not be limited to professional photographers and so-called professional media.
Posted in Photography and the Law
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Next to not being able to photograph, the part I’m concerned about is when they said:
“Visitors are forced to shuffle past the documents at a pace that ensures only a brief glimpse of the documents before being asked to move along.”
If that’s the case, then why would one want to drive several hours and hundreds of miles.. let alone thousands of miles, just to be forced to quickly move along?
Not me. I’ll go someplace else and spend my time and money where I’m more appreciated.
Rail Car Fan