Yesterday at 1.00AM I was at Grand Central, NYC. I liked the fact that there was almost no people there so I took out my camera and my tripod and started shooting. After a while, a policeman came and told me that using a tripod was illegal and that I could get a ticket because of it. Anyway, there was no problem about taking photos.

I thanked him for just telling me and not giving me a ticket and then asked if he knew why is the use of a tripod illegal but he didn't know the answer.

Does anyone know?

Its the same inside the Vatican Musuem and Saint Peters Church in Rome. I found that out when i was there on vacation a few months ago. What i got told was that tripods werent allowed cause they presented a "trip-risk" for other visitors. A monopod was therefor allowed. Maybe its the same at Grand Central. #:O)

Found some related info for reference:

Clampdown on Photographer's Rights in New York City

In that blog this link is mentioned for "permits"
The New York City Mayors Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting

Hope this is useful!
Joe

Message edited on: 02/11/2006 13:10

I think apart from the trip factor, it is not allowed in many English churches for example due to the possible damage that the spikes can cause even if they are all rubber capped these days!!

I quick google reveals: http://www.photo.net/oped/mtaban/ Photography of any kind restricted rail stations in the UK, of course if you look like a happy snapper you will probably get away with it, get out a big camera and tripod and they are onto you quicker than you can set it up, more so in the larger stations where the transport police have offices. I think the restrictions are really aimed at commercial photography, but these days many people have professional looking kit, there are exception but generally you must get written permission before shooting in rail stations. As I understand it, it is an offence to use photographic equipment, although I am not sure if this is actually law or not.

Attached Link: http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=005xQs&tag=

In Chicago, its been my experience that arguing with a cop is a BAD idea at any time, whatever the actual law. I've used my tripod all around the city, and maybe just got lucky, but have never had a problem. I have, however, been stopped from just taking "tourist snaps" without a tripod at the train station because of "security concerns." Shedd Aquarium does not allow using a tripod, which seems reasonable with the close packed "schools" of tourists. The Field Museum allows cameras except for special exhibits. Supposedly one can obtain a free tripod permit from the information desk for the regular exhibits. [I want to try this on my next Field trip, as some of the Native American artifacts are very dimly lighted.] The Art Institute does not seem to allow cameras, period. Sketchbooks and pencil are OK, but you need a permit to set up an easel. Apparently this permit is rather easy to get, as I've seen lots of folks painting the paintings. So far, none of the residents at the two local zoos have complained about cameras or tripods, and are generally quite happy to pose. Some of the links I've included here are informative. Perhaps the mods would like to add a couple of them to the resource area, as this topic seems to come up a lot. But always remember it is a VERY bad idea to argue with a cop. http://www.boingboing.net/2005/05/27/chicagos_bean_sculpt.html http://www.rcfp.org/photoguide/ http://www.krages.com/ThePhotographersRight.pdf http://www.mobar.org/press/medhnbk3.htm http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/andrewkantor/2005-12-29-camera-laws_x.htm

My Mom-in-law argued with a cop over taking a photo...and ended up spending the night in jail.Defnately a BAAAD idea! ;^)

I thought you didn't like your MiL? ;^P

LMAO! ;^P

Went to shoot the Marine (as in USMC) band on the steps of the Capital Building in Wash DC with my father - same problem. Popped out my small tripod, my dad pulled his out, we attached our cameras very quickly and I was taking a meter reading (shooting with an old Rollie TLR 6x6 at the time) when a cop slowly walked up and asked if we had a tripod permit - just then some guy with a point&shoot walked by us and snapped a shot - Aahh! No tripod! The thought process was that you could "launch" something from a tripod - even though I'm shooting with a 45yr old TLR and my dad was shooting a Nikon manual camera! No bazooka in site, guys! After 45 minutes waiting for someone who apparently wanted to leave early for the day to sign a FREE permit that lasts for 1 week, and only let's you shoot on ONE CORNER of the Capitol grounds (the other 3 guys for the rest of the grounds' quadrants had left!) the band was gone... Gotta love beaurocracy..!