Not to wade too deeply into political waters, but isn’t the repeated line from our current administration “we are fighting over there, to ensure freedom over here”? Tell that to NYC photographers, as this talking point doesn’t seem to apply to them. According to an article on nytimes.com today new rules being considered by the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting would require any group of two or more people who want to use a camera in a single public location for more than a half hour to get a city permit and insurance. The same requirements would apply to any group of five or more people who plan to use a tripod in a public location for more than 10 minutes, including the time it takes to set up the equipment.
Julianne Cho, assistant commissioner of the film office, said the rules were not intended to apply to families on vacation or amateur filmmakers or photographers. Yeah, sure. Beyond wondering just how these new regulations would be enforced since, in my opinion police (especially NYPD) have better things to do then cite someone in a group of two or more for snapping a photo, the language in these proposed rules is apparently so vague giving police broad discretion in their interpretation, that harassment of tourists or other amateur photographers could occur.
This is just more Homeland Security hysteria gone unchecked. Hopefully The Mayor’s office in NYC will come to their senses and worry more about real urban issues and not if Uncle Louie and Aunt May want to take photos of City Hall.
Actually let’s be honest, Uncle Louie and Aunt May probably won’t be bothered, but the Indian or middle-eastern family visiting New York may be questioned or detained while taking photos or video in line at the Empire State Building. Just ask Rakesh Sharma who is sited in the New York Times article. Welcome to America, the land of the free…
Julianne Cho, assistant commissioner of the film office, said the rules were not intended to apply to families on vacation or amateur filmmakers or photographers. Yeah, sure. Beyond wondering just how these new regulations would be enforced since, in my opinion police (especially NYPD) have better things to do then cite someone in a group of two or more for snapping a photo, the language in these proposed rules is apparently so vague giving police broad discretion in their interpretation, that harassment of tourists or other amateur photographers could occur.
This is just more Homeland Security hysteria gone unchecked. Hopefully The Mayor’s office in NYC will come to their senses and worry more about real urban issues and not if Uncle Louie and Aunt May want to take photos of City Hall.
Actually let’s be honest, Uncle Louie and Aunt May probably won’t be bothered, but the Indian or middle-eastern family visiting New York may be questioned or detained while taking photos or video in line at the Empire State Building. Just ask Rakesh Sharma who is sited in the New York Times article. Welcome to America, the land of the free…
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