$250 ticket for shooting on a tripod in NYC?

Paul Ron · Jun 28, 2011

While at Orchard Beach, a NYC public beach, I saw an amature photographer get a ticket for shooting a model (also an amature) on the sand without a permit because he was using a tripod. The park ranger said as soon as you shoot on a tripod you are considered a professional and that requires a permit in NYC... it's the law. Is this true?

Anyone know exactly what the law is on this?

Robin Usagani · Jun 28, 2011

I dont know.. but it is amateur, not amature

. My first reaction is, why would he need a tripod shooting a model? I dont get it. I am glad I dont live in NY!

Paul Ron said:
While at Orchard Beach, a NYC public beach, I saw an amature photographer get a ticket for shooting a model (also an amature) on the sand without a permit because he was using a tripod. The park ranger said as soon as you shoot on a tripod you are considered a professional and that requires a permit in NYC... it's the law. Is this true?

Anyone know exactly what the law is on this?

ghache · Jun 28, 2011

I cant beleive how many stupid laws and **** you guys get into for taking pictures....., thanks god i live in canada.

Trever1t · Jun 28, 2011

Obviously the officer isn't clear on the law and issued a ticket. An intelligent person would take it to court and get it dropped. I can see if you are using a tripod on Manhatten streets where people are trying to walk/drive, it is crowded and would make a mess of traffic but on the beach, no.

The_Traveler · Jun 28, 2011

According to the Mayor's Office of Film Theatre and broadcasting there is no requirement for a permit if you are shooting on a hand-held camera either in-hand or on a tripod if you don't expect to bar the public from the space.

Thus you can't rope off an area, etc.

imagemaker46 · Jun 28, 2011

I'd be fighting this one in court, how stupid is that. If it is a law, I would be surprised, but then we have some pretty stupid laws in my home town as well. I find it difficut to believe that some flunky park ranger is in a position to decide who is an amateur and how a tripod makes them a professional.

Just read the post before, it makes sense. This park ranger needs to learn the rules, that's what minimum wage buys you these days.

The_Traveler · Jun 28, 2011

My guess is a single call and fax to the Mayor's office will solve this.
Shooters in NYC would be advised to carry a printout of that page.

Derrel · Jun 28, 2011

ghache said:
I cant beleive how many stupid laws and **** you guys get into for taking pictures....., thanks god i live in canada.

Yes, thanks to God. French fries and gravy forever!!! Major hockey riots every time Vancouver loses the Stanley cup (1994, 2011). Tim Horton's stale coffee! Oh, Canada! Bleeding from a gash.

K8-90 · Jun 28, 2011

Derrel said:
ghache said:

I cant beleive how many stupid laws and **** you guys get into for taking pictures....., thanks god i live in canada.

Click to expand...

Yes, thanks to God. French fries and gravy forever!!! Major hockey riots every time Vancouver loses the Stanley cup (1994, 2011). Tim Horton's stale coffee! Oh, Canada! Bleeding from a gash.

And to think I considered you one of the more intelligent members on this forum... My bad.

ngaerlan · Jun 28, 2011

note to self, when shooting in NYC wear a shirt that says " I am a photographer not a terrorist"

Eternal Eights Photography

imagemaker46 · Jun 28, 2011

K8-90 said:
Derrel said:

ghache said:

I cant beleive how many stupid laws and **** you guys get into for taking pictures....., thanks god i live in canada.

Click to expand...

Yes, thanks to God. French fries and gravy forever!!! Major hockey riots every time Vancouver loses the Stanley cup (1994, 2011). Tim Horton's stale coffee! Oh, Canada! Bleeding from a gash.

Click to expand...

And to think I considered you one of the more intelligent members on this forum... My bad.

That's interesting I never thought he was one of the more intelligent ones on this forum, every chance he can get to bash Canada, he does. At least we can say Canada is not the world's school yard bully, we may not have the strongest military, but we show up, disasters around the world, we show up. Canada feeds the National Hockey League with the best players in the world, and Tim Hortons coffee is brewed fresh every 20minutes, although I'm not sure if it's real coffee. As for french fries and gravy, you forgot the cheese curds, Poutine, best in the world. I'm surprised that the US hasn't adopted potuine as a food they invented, it would be a great addition for the most obese country in the world.