My shoot yesterday took me out to Spotsylvania County to photograph an old barn I've been admiring for a few years. In order to get the shot I wanted, I needed to trespass on the grounds of the fire station. So I went inside, asked if I could park in their lot and shoot from the grassy knoll of their back field. While talking with the gentleman in the station, he asked if I had permission from the land owner to shoot the property. Well, the property's in public view, so at that point I didn't need permission, as long as I wasn't on his land. I didn't need a property release because I have no plans of selling the photo for commercial use. Now, don't get me wrong; my brief discussion on this matter with the gentleman in the station was not this curt and we never talked about property releases or commercial use. That knowledge is for you, the reader, so you understand how all of this photography stuff works.
The gentleman in the station did provide me the name and phone number of the land owner, said he was a friend and there wouldn't be any problem getting permission. When I said I just wanted a shot of the barn from across the road and I wasn't going on the property, he understood and gave a deeper explanation of his inquiry.
A while back, some photographer decided he was going to tramp about in the barn and take pictures. Tramp about, mind you, without getting permission. What this photographer seems to have ignored is that the land is private property. Do a little research. Or better yet, knock on the door of the house by the barn. Duh?
(Don't ever assume anything because even public property, state owned property, etc., may require a permit or certain restrictions. For instance, you're not allowed to include the National Park Service logo in your photographs - bet you didn't know that. And railroad tracks - private property. So if you get run over by a train because you wanted that oh so awesome pic, don't expect much sympathy).
What caused further issue with the matter is that while the barn looks abandoned, there was a resident living on the property. Personally, my thoughts on this, don't ever assume. (I imagine someone walking out with a shotgun in hand, shooting first and asking questions later.)
I don't know why some photographers believe they have the right to shoot wherever they want just because they have a Nikon or Cannon or whatever in their hands. That camera doesn't make you "the press" (and even the press need a pass) or the eccentric artist or the commercial genius. And it certainly doesn't make you a professional. It makes you an obnoxious bore that give the rest of us a bad rap.
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