Most security guards and rent-a-cops have orders not to allow any photography. But to enforce that would be difficult, so they usually don’t bother if you don’t appear like a professional and are usually a point and shoot.

In case you haven’t noticed, just about every portable device has a digital camera in it now especially phones, so they’re fighting a losing battle there.

If you use a digital SLR, I would suggest no long zoom lenses, that will usually “tip them off.”

If you get stopped, just say you didn’t know and move on and don’t argue, it’s not worth it. I doubt they’ll ask you to erase your images.

A little trick you can do on some digital SLRs is use the “protect image” feature. If you’re asked to erase the images, show them the menu where you choose erase all images.

Those images you protected will be safe. Of course if you want to be tricky, you can swap the memory card too.

Merry Christmas, be safe and take lots of pictures!

Because you’ve taken the time to comment, I now consider you a friend just as the others who have done so on my blog.

I wrote about street photography because many people exploring photography are not unlike you and I. We are social creatures and like to observe our fellow human beings.

Unfortunately there are weirdos out there with cameras, hence we get the stereotypes that men with cameras are some sort of fiend.

That’s why I advise that when discovered taking pictures in public, it is best to “come clean.”

You are lucky to be in Japan where photography is very widely accepted.

If you’ve been in Japan a while, depending on where you live, you must have heard of Sundays at Harajuku

It might not be what you’re after since the kids that dress up and hang out are hamming it up. They’re there to be seen.

However, I am moving back to the U.S. early next year and wonder if I will be bold enough to continue street photography?

Reading the above post I feel I learned what a photographer’s rights are, and what ethics and manners he/she should practice.

I shoot with an 80-200m f/2.8 lens mostly for street photography.

I just realized, Pixel Pete, are you a friend or producer of The Mac Observer’s Mac Geek Gab?

The Olympics situation is mostly fueled by greed. I can’t imagine how they could try and enforce this. If you were were on a public street photographing say one of those long distance 10K races, which often take the runners through the city streets, I can’t imagine them trying to fight you for the rights to those pictures.

If you were in a stadium, it might be a different story. Security would want to see credentials if you showed up with a long lens and professional-looking camera. Maybe I’m naive, but life used to be a whole lot simpler for making photographs in public places whether you’re a tourist or someone who makes a living from photography. It’s a travesty for artists/photographers.

I’m saddened that it’s the same in Australia these days. Thank you for the insight!

And in just in case anyone thinks it’s okay to take pictures inside any mall, it’s not. That is not public property. It’s just tough for their security to enforce that “NO PHOTOGRAPHY” policy when there’s so many people about.

When I worked at the newspaper whenever there was some sort of scuffle or breaking news inside a mall, I used to lose my SLR and just strolled inside with a high-end point and shoot camera to keep a low profile to evade the security guards.

If I showed up with all my gear hanging around my neck, they’ll ask me to cool my heels and wait in the mall office while their public relations people sort things out with the cops.