As an overseas visitor to West Coast & Canada, do I need any photo permits to shoot from public viewing areas?
I promise to respect RR property, and boundaries!
‘Rusty Shunter’ - Australia
The general answer for the US is that you are free to shoot from any public place without any form of permit. An exception may occur if there is a sensitive background in your photo (for example a military installation), and Amtrak has restricted shooting from train platforms. It is possible the authorities may question you briefly or ask for identification, but you need not be concerned if that occurs. I believe the Canadians take a similar view of the situation.
Welcome to the USA!
To take Dakguy’s comments a little further - despite a general lack of restrictions on photography, you may run into those few who are still a bit paranoid (both citizens and law enforcement). Law enforcement can usually be reasoned with, citizens (especially those who would challenge you in the first place) not so much.
If it’s not obvious that someone is law enforcement, ask for ID. If they’re a real cop (public or railroad) they won’t have a problem providing it.
If challenged, listen politely, then explain yourself and what you’re doing (visiting railfan, just taking pictures). If it turns out you’re on private property or in an otherwise ‘restricted’ area (sometimes it’s not obvious), move.
Often a peaceful encounter with law enforcement will result in information on where you can get better shots… There’s lots of “closet” railfans out there.
It’s far better to move on than to risk gaining some silver bracelets and/or some time at the police station, so if things look like they’re headed in that direction, discretion wins out over bravado every time.
On the whole, it’s unlikely you’ll have any problems, so enjoy your visit!
shunter (7-24):
Tree68 very well expressed how America is, and what to do about abnormal, odd quirks that arise from time to time.
One community consistently with those odd quirks is Fontana, California on the west coast of the United States. It is probably the most paranoid town in the world … or the cops there have too much time on their hands.
In America, we can spread the word and fight back with our wallets! I try to do that by spending my money elsewhere, in towns that appreciate the liberties commonly afforded to Americans.
Enjoy your visit to America,
K.P.
I encountered a situation last year where I was on private property out in the middle of the desert that wasn’t fenced or marked, with a video camera set up. A man came riding up in an all-terrain vehicle and told me I was on private property.
He was apparently the caretaker for an out-of-state person who owned the property. When I explained why I was there and what I was doing, he pointed out a better location which was also on the same private property.
To answer your original question, unless the property is posted as PRIVATE or NO TRESPASSING, there is no such thing as a permit required. If you’re at a public location such as a train platform, look for signs indicating restrictions on photography.
In open country such as here in Arizona with large tracts of unfenced and unoccupied land, railroad property usually extends 100 feet on either side of their right-of-way, so if you’re no closer than that to the track, you’re not trespassing on railroad property.
My usual experience has been that the train crews wave or otherwise acknowledge my presence in a friendly manner and do not call the police to report my presence.
Links to some examples of military installation signs, where you’re supposed to not photograph (so I wonder how the 1st one was taken ?!?):
http://dagmar.lunarpages.com/~parasc2/articles/1196/areagal8.htm
http://stonehousesigns.com/military-access-control-and-perimeter-signs
http://nikemissile.org/Security/security_was_extremely_tight_on.shtml
You might want to consider joining BNSF’s “Citizens for Rail Security” program - can’t hurt, it seems to me: http://www.citizensforrailsecurity.com/crs-home.html
- Paul North.
The answer to the Aussie should be…NO! NO! NO! This isn’t the Ukraine, Russia,North Korea, or China. I don’t know about Europe in general, because of what’s happened over there in the last few years. BUT, just be aware of the ever present over enthusiastic (read: Wyatt Earp") law enforcement type’s that Hate citizen’s rights to be free in their pursuit of anything. Keep some form of identification with you at all times, especially if you’re from another country. Look Mate, I miss Steve Irwin as much as you’re country’s people, but I ain’t everybody.
Rusty Shunter;
[#welcome] To America, The above advice is excellent. Just keep a positive attitude, and you’ll get along well.
We’ve been dealt pretty much the same hand as they have down in OZ. WE have many good folks here, but seem to have been also gifted with a number of over zealous nut jobs as well. Just like everywhere else.
Hope you’ll keep us posted with your American adventure, and photos as well. Remember, we are not completely uncivilized, we do have Foster’s around the country, even out here in Kansas![B][B]
As others have mentioned you should have few problems photographing trains from public property; The only legitimate exception is photography from public areas with identifiable sensitive facilities in the close background such as defense installations, possibly defense contractors, or nuclear facilities. In general sensitive facilities where photography from public property is prohibited are few and far between, and most of them are usually marked.
The only other problem you might encounter in photographing trains from public property is railroads sometimes run through less than desireable neighborhoods, some of which might be run down. The best bet is to use common sense in sizing up the neighborhood. If it looks a little dicey, it probably is.