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- Feb 27, 2005
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Being a photographer I have looked up the rules regarding taking photographs a few years ago. From what I have read you are able to take photos of whatever you want from public areas. You can even take photos of a private residence as long as YOU are on public land. The private resident can ask you to stop and that is still up to you. Law enforcement can ask you to stop, but it is still within your rights to take the photos. That's why law enforcement set up barricades on roads or cover crash scenes with tarps or blankets. If you are in a business the owner can tell you to stop and you should stop out of respect. If you don't stop they can call law enforcement.
All bets are off when it comes to restricted areas even though they may be visible from public property... think Area 51 and certain military-related installations, etc... verboten.
In general, if you can see something from public property, you may photograph it. You might not be permitted to use photographs that include logos/signs for businesses for commercial purposes unrelated to and not authorized by the business. People are expected to realize when they are seen in public or visible to public areas they waive any rights to privacy... except if the photographs will be used for commercial purpose. In that case, release form is the rule of the day.