Have you ever had issues in photographing residential property?

[MFstooges]

Have you ever had issues in photographing residential property?

 

[aw614]

It wont hurt to ask the owner of the property?

 

[Pieter12]

Not if it is from the street.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

It won't hurt to ask the owner of the property.

good idea. It shouldn't be a problem, but some folks are weird that way!

 

[koraks]

good idea. It shouldn't be a problem, but some folks are weird that way!

Weird..dunno. Depends on the context I suppose. I've had people stand in front of our apartment building or present house photographing it and I'd pop out my head and ask them what's up. No problem if they're a realtor snapping pics for a listing etc., which was usually the case.

If someone shows up at your house and starts snapping pics of it, it's not weird to be cautious. It's perfectly normal.

There's the legal aspect. Then there's the human factor. Different things. I see lots of confusion between the two, with some photographers seemingly believing they don't need to answer to anything or anyone because they have a right to photograph what they photograph. Sure, from a legal perspective, that's fine. But anyone who does so and acts like a jerk in the process if someone walks up and asks them what they're doing is still that - a jerk. A legally entitled jerk, perhaps. Still a jerk all the same.

For clarification: I'm not saying anyone photographic private property is a jerk, obviously. I'm reflecting on the specific case where a photographer immediately pulls the "but I have a right to photograph this so mind your own business" card.

 

[chriscrawfordphoto]

I photograph people's houses all the time for my documentary projects. I knock on the door and talk to the residents, and tell them why I want to photograph. Most people in Indiana where I live are very nice and helpful when I tell them I'm an Indiana artist documenting life in our state. I can count on one hand the number of people who have said no to me.

 

[TomR55]

A few years ago, I was photographing some commercial and residential buildings in a small city in South West Florida. An older resident, driving a golf cart approached me as I was walking across the street, near his property. He asked me why I was photographing his house. I explained that I was actually photographing the structure next to his house because it was the older, now defunct post office. He was clearly agitated and he told me that I had no right to make any pictures of his house and that I had no right to walk down “his street” with a camera. Again, I explained that I wasn’t photographing his house, and I reminded him that I was standing on public property.

At this point, he picked up the rifle sitting on the passenger seat and said, “How about I just shoot you?” I calmly replied, “You can do that and my problems will be over and your’s just beginning.” (Or, something to that effect.) I could see that he was considering … I continued, “Look, here’s my card, “ I slowly removed my wallet and produced a business card, “so you know who I am and I’m not working for any developer or the government.” He took the card, and I explained that this village has some historically significant buildings, etc., and that I lived not far away. He put the rifle down and recited a list of problems he’d had with “the government” and “real estate developers” looking to acquire properties. I told him that I was totally supportive of efforts to stop the rampant development in this region and offered to sign any local petitions to that effect.

About ten minutes passed and the episode concluded with me again promising him that no pictures of his house or grounds would appear in any publication.

Lesson for photographers:

(1) Carry a professional card, id, etc.
(2) Look and listen carefully to your environment. Know the “hot button issues.”
(3) Always have a “purpose” or reason for doing what you’re doing.

I still keep my camera in its case when passing that house … .

Question for photographers: Do you think that this would have happened if I had used a cell phone instead of a “camera”? Do you think that this situation is “typical”? How would you have reacted?

 

[guangong]

The town only a few miles from my house was once where upper class families lived during summers to escape NYC’s suffocating heat. Many very interesting homes, some with quirky architecture. Never had anyone complain, but sometimes do get a friendly wave and hello.

 

[TJones]

Question for photographers: Do you think that this would have happened if I had used a cell phone instead of a “camera”? Do you think that this situation is “typical”? How would you have reacted?

Typical? No. An elderly resident of south west Florida driving a golf cart would be much more likely to keep a shotgun on the passenger seat instead of a rifle.

But seriously, while not typical, I wouldn’t expect it to be a rare occurrence, given the number of people who think their rights extend well beyond what the law allows. In some instances, using a phone might reduce the chance of triggering a reaction, because you’re less likely to be mistaken for someone acting in an official (and automatically threatening) capacity.

Had I been in your position, I wouldn’t have had the composure to come up with your response. I would have retreated and contacted law enforcement.

 

[Mr Flibble]

My worst experience? Some Karen reported me in the Neighbourhood Watch whatsapp group as she spotted me walking home from my parents' house a few streets away, with my Leica I dangling from my neck.
Saying "Some suspicious bloke is taking photos through peoples windows"...... I obviously wasn't going to do anything nefarious with a 90-year old camera and a couple of folks in the group jumped to my defence right away.

 

[koraks]

Some Karen reported me in the Neighbourhood Watch whatsapp group as she spotted me walking home from my parents' house a few streets away, with my Leica I dangling from my neck.
Saying "Some suspicious bloke is taking photos through peoples windows"

Ugh. That's just as jerk-y as the situation I reflected on earlier.

 

[Philippe-Georges]

Never, as we had the owner's consent, but the publisher wasn't allowed to name the owner nor the address:

Bijzonder Wonen Sotogrande

Bijzonder Wonen Taroudant

 

[Mr Flibble]

Ugh. That's just as jerk-y as the situation I reflected on earlier.

In her defence, I do look "fishy AF" though.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

I photograph people's houses all the time for my documentary projects. I knock on the door and talk to the residents, and tell them why I want to photograph. Most people in Indiana where I live are very nice and helpful when I tell them I'm an Indiana artist documenting life in our state. I can count on one hand the number of people who have said no to me.

Do you carry around a business card or sample photos or a book to show them?

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

A few years ago, I was photographing some commercial and residential buildings in a small city in South West Florida. An older resident, driving a golf cart approached me as I was walking across the street, near his property. He asked me why I was photographing his house. I explained that I was actually photographing the structure next to his house because it was the older, now defunct post office. He was clearly agitated and he told me that I had no right to make any pictures of his house and that I had no right to walk down “his street” with a camera. Again, I explained that I wasn’t photographing his house, and I reminded him that I was standing on public property.

At this point, he picked up the rifle sitting on the passenger seat and said, “How about I just shoot you?” I calmly replied, “You can do that and my problems will be over and your’s just beginning.” (Or, something to that effect.) I could see that he was considering … I continued, “Look, here’s my card, “ I slowly removed my wallet and produced a business card, “so you know who I am and I’m not working for any developer or the government.” He took the card, and I explained that this village has some historically significant buildings, etc., and that I lived not far away. He put the rifle down and recited a list of problems he’d had with “the government” and “real estate developers” looking to acquire properties. I told him that I was totally supportive of efforts to stop the rampant development in this region and offered to sign any local petitions to that effect.

About ten minutes passed and the episode concluded with me again promising him that no pictures of his house or grounds would appear in any publication.

Lesson for photographers:

(1) Carry a professional card, id, etc.
(2) Look and listen carefully to your environment. Know the “hot button issues.”
(3) Always have a “purpose” or reason for doing what you’re doing.

I still keep my camera in its case when passing that house … .

Question for photographers: Do you think that this would have happened if I had used a cell phone instead of a “camera”? Do you think that this situation is “typical”? How would you have reacted?

When my wife and I were looking to move to NJ from NYC, we scouted nearby areas to see what they looked like. We ended up going down a one-way street and drove to the end where there was a house and lots of woodsy areas. We got out of the car standing on the road to look around when another car drove up with a man and woman in it., He jumped out of his car ran over to us angrily demanding what we were doing on "his" street? No camera. Thoughts of "Deliverance" flashed in my head. NJ may be an eastern state. But there are more guns here than Tombstone. I was hoping I'd get shot before being buried in his backyard. I explained we were just looking around as we planned to be moving nearby and wanted to see what the area looked like. He cooled down and we left. No, we didn't move onto "his" street.

 

[snusmumriken]

When my wife and I were looking to move to NJ from NYC, we scouted nearby areas to see what they looked like. We ended up going down a one-way street and drove to the end where there was a house and lots of woodsy areas. We got out of the car standing on the road to look around when another car drove up with a man and woman in it., He jumped out of his car ran over to us angrily demanding what we were doing on "his" street? No camera. Thoughts of "Deliverance" flashed in my head. NJ may be an eastern state. But there are more guns here than Tombstone. I was hoping I'd get shot before being buried in his backyard. I explained we were just looking around as we planned to be moving nearby and wanted to see what the area looked like. He cooled down and we left. No, we didn't move onto "his" street.

You must have looked like hippies.

But seriously, I’m feeling very glad that I live in rural England. Here you are more likely to have someone come out and tell you the history of the place, even offer you tea.

 

[xkaes]

You can take a picture of anything if you are NOT on private property. If anyone bothers you, take a picture of them -- and then report them to the Police (or at least threaten to)

 

[TomR55]

Typical? No. An elderly resident of south west Florida driving a golf cart would be much more likely to keep a shotgun on the passenger seat instead of a rifle.

But seriously, while not typical, I wouldn’t expect it to be a rare occurrence, given the number of people who think their rights extend well beyond what the law allows. In some instances, using a phone might reduce the chance of triggering a reaction, because you’re less likely to be mistaken for someone acting in an official (and automatically threatening) capacity.

Had I been in your position, I wouldn’t have had the composure to come up with your response. I would have retreated and contacted law enforcement.

In this part of Florida, I'm surprised that he wasn’t packing a machine gun ….

But, in all candor, I’ve been around for some time, living and photographing in metro areas and have had other “interesting" experiences with people. I think that it was HCB who said (and I paraphrase, in English no less) “It’s better to click with people than to click the shutter.”

Oh, and about contacting “law enforcement …” Our local chief law enforcement officer would have likely encouraged him to shoot me and then given him a cookie as a reward.

 

[TomR55]

You can take a picture of anything if you are NOT on private property. If anyone bothers you, take a picture of them -- and then report them to the Police (or at least threaten to)

Actually, leading up to the actual production of the rifle, I said something to the effect that I “was not on his property, but was on a public street…” That’s when he reached for the rifle, which he told me later he kept for shooting “pests.” While I can photograph freely in a “public space,” it’s a difficult argument to make in such circumstances.

 

[TomR55]

You must have looked like hippies.

But seriously, I’m feeling very glad that I live in rural England. Here you are more likely to have someone come out and tell you the history of the place, even offer you tea.

Well, truth be told, I’d much prefer a cup of “Tips” than a round of “soft tips in the gut."

 

[ChrisGalway]

A few years ago, I was photographing some commercial and residential buildings in a small city in South West Florida. An older resident, driving a golf cart approached me as I was walking across the street, near his property. He asked me why I was photographing his house. I explained that I was actually photographing the structure next to his house because it was the older, now defunct post office. He was clearly agitated and he told me that I had no right to make any pictures of his house and that I had no right to walk down “his street” with a camera. Again, I explained that I wasn’t photographing his house, and I reminded him that I was standing on public property.

At this point, he picked up the rifle sitting on the passenger seat and said, “How about I just shoot you?” I calmly replied, “You can do that and my problems will be over and your’s just beginning.” (Or, something to that effect.) I could see that he was considering … I continued, “Look, here’s my card, “ I slowly removed my wallet and produced a business card, “so you know who I am and I’m not working for any developer or the government.” He took the card, and I explained that this village has some historically significant buildings, etc., and that I lived not far away. He put the rifle down and recited a list of problems he’d had with “the government” and “real estate developers” looking to acquire properties. I told him that I was totally supportive of efforts to stop the rampant development in this region and offered to sign any local petitions to that effect.

About ten minutes passed and the episode concluded with me again promising him that no pictures of his house or grounds would appear in any publication.

Lesson for photographers:

(1) Carry a professional card, id, etc.
(2) Look and listen carefully to your environment. Know the “hot button issues.”
(3) Always have a “purpose” or reason for doing what you’re doing.

I still keep my camera in its case when passing that house … .

Question for photographers: Do you think that this would have happened if I had used a cell phone instead of a “camera”? Do you think that this situation is “typical”? How would you have reacted?

Or just leave the USA. You folks have big problems.

 

[TomR55]

Do you carry around a business card or sample photos or a book to show them?

I do carry business cards that contain contact information (but not my street address). When I visit places such as local historical societies I bring sample images (or rough drafts from Blurb, etc.) to give them an idea of the kinds of images under discussion. I find that this helps.

I sometimes offer to give people images; but this is difficult when I’m shooting in an area that I’m only passing-through. If someone asks, I try to deliver.

 

[TomR55]

Or just leave the USA. You folks have big problems.

Easier said than done if one is retired. I suppose that I could go back to work, teaching or some such thing, if my new hosts thought me up to the task.

 

[chriscrawfordphoto]

Do you carry around a business card or sample photos or a book to show them?

I always have some business cards in my pocket I used to carry a portfolio but stopped because virtually no one asked to see it. I'd tell them what I wanted and most says "Sure, no problem!" I do offer to give the homeowner a signed print of the photo I make there if he or she wants one.

 

[xkaes]

While I can photograph freely in a “public space,” it’s a difficult argument to make in such circumstances.

One more reason to photograph the jerk and file a complaint. Threatening anyone with a gun, without a legitimate reason, is a crime -- FYI.