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Visiting NYC PhotoPlusExpo

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ALevesque

ALevesque

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I will be traveling to New York to attend the PhotoPlusExpo on November 2-4 and planning to do some city photography.
I am planning to bring a 5D, 17-40L, and 70-200 f/4L and a sling bag.

Has anyone experienced problems photographing bridges, buildings, skylines, etc as a result of all the security measures being taken? Will I need a pass of sorts from law enforcement to be allowed to photograph freely?
Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Adrian
 
Bridges should be ok, acctually, I ask the police before took the following picture, it's allowed.
http://www.photo96.com/yongbo/20050405_crw_5450_a.htm

You may not be able to take any pictures underground, such as the subway. Central park near the The Pond is very nice, two pictures from the past two years around early November.
http://www.photo96.com/yongbo/20051113_crw_9961_a.htm
http://www.photo96.com/yongbo/20041025_img_2287_a.htm
--
Yongbo



Photo Gallery: http://www.photo96.com/
Online DOF Calculator: http://www.photo96.com/dof
 
I worked in NYC until a few months ago. The city is crawling with tourists taking photos of everything in site, enjoy your trip-
 
I live in NJ and go to NYC often. I've never had a problem. What the other poster said about underground subways is true - not allowed.

Also, I go to the city via NJ Transit Bus - and now there is a sign when approaching the tunnels that you can't take pics there.

Other than that - no problem. The police even smiled when I asked if I could take their picture with MT-5's (I believe that's what they're called). They were out in great numbers when there was a higher alert last summer.

Enjoy - have fun. You'll see that you can't go 2 feet in NYC without seeing people taking pictures.......LOTS of people....shooting with anything from tiny P&S to HUGE arsenals of equeipment - lenses/dslrs/tripods.......and more.

Maria
--

 
... you were born here, they will understand why you did not listen.

Welcome to New York and please give us more details about that show.
 
An earlier proposal to stop the public from taking photos in the subway was rejected by the City Council. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. There is one prohibition: You can't take pix of the entrances and in the Hudson River tunnels (Lincoln & Holland), which are under the jurisdiction of the N.J. N.Y. Port Authority. Happy snapping!
 
If inside a building a building guard has the right to ask to you stop shooting. It's private property. If you're on the sidewalk (public property), it's none of their business what you're taking pictures of. One exception: All of Rockefeller Center is private property, but they expect and welcome out-of-towners with cameras.
 
Jaimo said:
An earlier proposal to stop the public from taking photos in the
subway was rejected by the City Council. Don't let anyone tell you
otherwise. There is one prohibition: You can't take pix of the
entrances and in the Hudson River tunnels (Lincoln & Holland),
which are under the jurisdiction of the N.J. N.Y. Port Authority.
Happy snapping!
Click to expand...
There are also many signs on the Verrazano Narrows Bridge prohibiting photos and videos.
 
"MTA (subway) is private, I bought a Panasonic FX01 and was trying to take some low light sample pictures, I heard someone screaming from 50 feet away, looked like a MTA employee."
--

The MTA is not private. It is sort of private and sort of not. It's techncally a New York State chartered public benefit corporation. An agent of the state and subject to state oversight.

Of more practical interest, photography is permitted in the NY subway, though for obvious reasons, not with a tripod. As a practical matter, based on my own recent shooting down there, you can shoot what you want and no one seems to care.
 
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has nothing to do with NYC subways & buses. MTA, a state entity, runs the Long Island Rail Road and Hudson North train lines. The NYC Transit System operates city subways and buses. Once again to all: There are NO photo restrictions on NYC subways and platforms -- all public places. Of course that does not include going on the tracks, into tunnels or control areas marked off-limits. By the way, yongbo, you let someone who, from your description was a cleaner/sweeper (an honorable job) deter you from taping. Whoever is coming to N.Y.....welcome! It's a great place to snap away.
 
Like the others said, there is NO restrcition on taking pictures in subway.

I was taking pictures at 42nd st. station and two undercovered cops asked me what I was doing, I explained to them I was taking pictures for my hobby and they walked away. It's perfectly legal.
 
Re your statement:

"The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has nothing to do with NYC subways & buses. MTA, a state entity, runs the Long Island Rail Road and Hudson North train lines. The NYC Transit System operates city subways and buses. "

It wouldn't take more then 10 seconds of searching to learn tht the NYC Transit System is the largest agency OF THE MTA. THE MTA. Got that. THE MTA. In case it's not clear, the NYC Transit System is an agency of the MTA. I hope that clears up your confusion.

As for "MTA, a state entity;" that phrase has not a lot of meaning. I've already stated in my previous post the MTAs legal status.

In addition, there are restrictions on photography in the subway but none of practical concern to most tourists.
 
The talk about photographic equipment never lead to any rule change.

The rule as currently posted on the MTA website:

"Section 1050.9

Restricted areas and activities.

...

3. 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."

Sorry but the rest of the "part" is too boring to summarize. I would say use your common sense and your within the spirit of the rules. Don't do anything that would put yourself of others in danger and don't inconvenience those using the subway for it's primary purpose, which is not picture taking.
 
In other words, there is no restriction on hand-held phtographys in public spaces on the subway, i.e. trains and platforms.

And you are right that the NYCTS is part of the MTA, a fact that is only relevant to most New Yorkers when it comes to fare hikes (or not) and ending worker strikes under the state's Taylor Law, which forbids strikes by public employees.

The proposal last year to ban photography in the subway was just that -- a proposed city regulation before the City Council. It was NOT voted in.
Good Night, and Good Luck
 
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