I got harassed for taking pictures today.
I stopped on my way home from work at the rail yard to take pictures. It was late in the day and it was overcast and
nothing was working quite like I wanted, so I got in my car to leave. As I was waiting for rush hour traffic to clear, some
guy came out of his house across the street and wanted to know what I was taking pictures of and why. So I told him, "trains."
I saw him turn to someone in the house and say something and the next thing I knew he was walking across the street to
intercept me. As he approached he started calling out my auto license to someone standing in the door of the house with
a phone. In as pleasant of a way possible, I told him he was welcome to take down my number. After all, I knew I wasn't doing
anything wrong. I was trying to be polite and trying to diffuse the situation. He said, very belligerently, "Oh, I know I can!"
He got to the middle of the street and before he could get closer I said goodbye and drove away.
I wasn't prepared for an argument, and even though I grew up only a few blocks away, this wasn't a very nice neighborhood.
Remember, here in the States, if it's in public view you can take a picture of it... more or less!
Know your rights and be prepared:
The Photographer's Right
.