Trespassing for a photograph

[spacefuzz]

I'm just curious, has anyone here ever been charged with trespassing for taking a photograph? Especially after the fact.

Particularly interested in national parks......hypothetically speaking.

 

[wyogirl]

No, but that's because when I lived in Ohio and Kentucky, I did not trespass. People shoot your for that kind of thing. And now that I live in Wyoming, still don't trespass because 90% of this state is public land.

Its one of the things that I take seriously. There aren't many locations that I have come across where I couldn't just get permission to shoot. You especially want to get permission if you have paying clients, nothing is more embarrassing that being kicked out of somewhere because you weren't prepared.

 

[SnappingShark]

No.

I was on government property (coastguard) the other week getting a photograph of a bridge, and had an official run up to me, ask what I was doing and then just stand by and ensure I was doing exactly that.

But charged, no.

 

[480sparky]

....... And now that I live in Wyoming, still don't trespass because 90% of this state is public land........

How does one trespass on public land?

 

[spacefuzz]

....... And now that I live in Wyoming, still don't trespass because 90% of this state is public land........

How does one trespass on public land?

It's usually leased out to ranchers....so I believe it would technically still be trespassing despite being owned by BLM. At least thats how it was in Montana

 

[ronlane]

Have I trespassed to get a shot, mmmm yeah. Have I been called on it by someone? No. There are fences everywhere here in Oklahoma. I generally won't cross one unless it's down. (That is, unless I have asked and received permission to do so.) Now, I will go down a road that is on the land and shoot from there or step off the edge of the road but not cross the fence.

 

[wyogirl]

....... And now that I live in Wyoming, still don't trespass because 90% of this state is public land........

How does one trespass on public land?

You don't that's why I don't have to trespass.... there is very little private land that I would need access to.
I'm not sure about land leases because we are an open range state.... maybe I have been trespassing and didn't know. ?? Oh well.

 

[skieur]

I'm just curious, has anyone here ever been charged with trespassing for taking a photograph? Especially after the fact.

No, and I have even shot in hospitals, in shopping malls, community centres, skating arenas and on school property. The general procedure is for a security guard to approach and indicate that taking photos is not allowed. If you put away your camera, you are allowed to continue on your way. If you react "negatively" by comment or attitude they will escort you off the property. I have NOT however been even confronted by anyone.

By the way the photographer retains ownership and copyright of photos even taken while trespassing.

 

[Rick58]

Nope. Unless I can get permission NO TRESPASSING means just that.
My desire for a photo never Supersedes the wishes of the property owner.

 

[Tailgunner]

This is Texas where everyone is issued a gun at birth. So I tread lightly when it comes to trespassing. This doesn't mean that I want, property that is obviously ignored is fare game but I'll ask for permission for property that is being watched closely.

 

[Steve5D]

I've certainly never been charged.

I have, however, taken photos on property which wasn't necessarily "posted" but which, in all likelihood, was privately owned.

If property is clearly marked, though, I won't do it. Aside from the fact that it's wrong being enough for me, I also wouldn't have a leg to stand on if and when charged for trespassing...

 

[sm4him]

Nope, never been charged with trespassing. I *did* trespass once, but to be fair, I didn't really realize I had trespassed until after the fact, and I have refrained from doing it again. It was at my little spot just down the road from me where there's an eagle's nest. The first time I saw the eagles there, I went traipsing up the hill thinking I might get a better shot from the top. Well, first, I accidentally stumbled across where their nest was (I didn't even realize the nest was in the area at this time). I moved away from that area and eventually ended up on top of the hill. That's when I realized that it was private property and there WAS a fence. It had just been down at the point where I'd happened to decide to cross and I didn't even notice it. When I went back down the hill, I saw that a tree had fallen and taken out a fairly large section of the fence.
The problem is that the whole area is fenced off and I have YET to be able to get in touch with the owners and see if they'll let me go up there again. But in the meantime, I haven't gone up there since I realized it was private property.

If it were MY land, and I posted "No Trespassing" I'd want people to STAY. OFF. And so I try to reciprocate.

I also echo the statements by those who live in Texas, Kentucky and other areas. In Tennessee, ESPECIALLY in the hills of East TN, your best bet is to just ASSUME everyone has a gun. Not only would I not trespass on some property around here for fear of being shot at before being questioned, there have been times when I have NOT been trespassing and I was afraid I was going to get shot for being there.

 

[SCraig]

Nope. Unless I can get permission NO TRESPASSING means just that.
My desire for a photo never Supersedes the wishes of the property owner.

This. 100%. Never have, never will.

I ran a survey crew for 12 years. I learned quickly how some people react when they see strangers traipsing around on their property. Any time I had to get on neighboring property I tried to let them know who we were and what we were doing.

 

[jeroen]

We climbed over the fence of the near by racing track as kids because we couldn't afford a ticket. But not when there was a serious race like F1, mean looking guards with even meaner looking dogs...
I can even remember running across the track to get behind the paddocks on Ferrari day. Insanely stupid and dangerous, never been caught though and I made some very nice photos that day

 

[spacefuzz]

Seems like TPF has a bunch of law abiding citizens on it.