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Vancouver street photography - what is prohibited?
I'm really familiar with what is permitted and not permitted in the US, but I'm lucky enough to be in Vancouver for the week -- and unfamiliar with the differences between the US and Canada/British Columbia with regard to street photography. Any Canadian photographers out there want to let me know what is prohibited? I'm not concerned about commercial use of photos, I just want to know what photos I can take for editorial use. Is it permissible to take a photo of somebody on the street without their consent? What about taking photos of bridges and other beautiful but critical infrastructure? Basically, in the US you can always take a photo from a public place of a person or thing in a public place. Is the same true in Canada? What about photographing law enforcement doing their job? I know it is permitted in the US but at the risk of having the camera illegally seized -- is it the same in Canada? Thanks in advance for any experience you can share with regard to this. May 22 13 10:55 am Link You can take a picture of anything viewable in a public area where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy. People on the street/parks etc are fine. But you can't stand on the street and use a zoom to shoot through someones window. Buildings etc are fine. No one can seize your camera or make you delete images. If you happen to snap pics of a crime in progress, make copies for the police right away(or offer to go to the station so they can copy the pics under your supervision) and save yourself a world of headache. Right to likeness is provincial jurisdiction so one of the BC guys may know what the law is on that. May 22 13 11:19 am Link As far as I know there are no real differences. You are "truely free" to photograph anything you want from a public area/property. If you are photographing on private property (house, building, musuem, farm, etc.) technically you need a release to do so regardless of the purpose beng personal or commercial and definitely a release is recommended if the purpose of the shoot is commercial. May 22 13 11:28 am Link Vancouver can be somewhat weird due to the large activity with the film industry. If you are just running around snapping off photos you shouldn’t have any issues, but if you are doing a photo shoot on public property a permit may be required. I have been required to pull permits in the past. Typically though they will waive the fees if the shoot is non-commercial. Common requirements All filming or photography activity taking place on public property in the City of Vancouver must be approved by the Film Office prior to commencement of any activity. All projects are subject to the City of Vancouver’s filming guidelines and applicable bylaws. Applications must be fully completed and both pages returned to the Vancouver Film Office at least four working days before you start working. Costs will be incurred if City services are required, such as posting "Temporary No Stopping" signs, hooding City meters and hiring police for traffic control or weapons escort. The project contact assigned as Location Manager must be on set and is responsible to the City and community for all activity. Any deviations from the schedule or activity must be approved by the Vancouver Film Office prior you start working. Still photography (in parks) You will not need a permit if: You are not blocking public access Your set up is limited (only a camera and a tripod) Your shoot is not commercial in nature (that is, not for print advertising, magazine or newspaper editorial shoots, or a related activity) Otherwise you will need a permit. If you are not sure you will need a permit, please contact the Park Board at [email protected]. Still photography (outside of parks) There is no application fee for still photography projects. However, a permit is required for work that includes: More than 3 crew or more than 3 models Lighting equipment, such as bounce boards and lights on stands Camera equipment other than handheld Generator power Reserved street space, for parking of vehicles or for continuity of picture (additional costs) The “Proof of insurance” form must be completed by your insurer and submitted after the project is approved and before a permit is issued. http://vancouver.ca/doing-business/rela … ities.aspx May 22 13 11:37 am Link Wow -- fast response and the answers I was hoping for! Good info on the permits issue -- I'm likely shooting with a model on Saturday so that knowledge comes in handy. May 22 13 11:54 am Link No photos on skytrain transit. No photos in the malls. The securities there are pretty fast. May 22 13 12:23 pm Link May 22 13 06:48 pm Link Jayc Yu wrote: Wrong... you can shoot all you want on any public transit including skytrain. The only thing you're not allowed is to use a tripod / monopod in any of the skytrain stations. Jayc Yu wrote: That's because the malls are private property. May 22 13 07:04 pm Link Michael Broughton wrote: From your link "I am not a lawyer, and this is not legal advice" May 22 13 07:09 pm Link Images by MR wrote: what's your point? the op asked for information from photographers, which is exactly what that site is. do you have a problem with any of the information given on that site? did you even bother to read that far? May 22 13 07:29 pm Link A Sight Worth Seeing wrote: " photos I can take for editorial use. " is commercial use of photos is it not... May 22 13 07:37 pm Link Images by MR wrote: Michael Broughton wrote: Yes I also read the "Disclaimer" May 22 13 07:42 pm Link Images by MR wrote: Images by MR wrote: Yes I also read the "Disclaimer" so you read two paragraphs and a short list of bullet points, skipped all the info relating to street photography and bc law, then came back here to complain that the site wasn't written by a lawyer... ok then. May 22 13 07:57 pm Link Michael Broughton wrote: Yup that's about it. If there is some law on that site that pertains to street photography in Vancouver BC plz provide a link. May 22 13 08:07 pm Link I have shot on the street numerous times in Vancouver and Victoria and never encountered a problem. I have even shot with my model posing with a police car in Victoria and the police not at all concerned. The only time I have encountered a problem is at the legistature in Victoria and I needed a permit to shoot. Got one and no problem. Malls are are a definite NO. Some city sites require a permit, most do not or no one is concerned about it. So enjoy yourself. Do not worry about the parks unless you have a crew and even then I had five people on a shoot and no one bothered us!  May 22 13 08:27 pm Link Images by MR wrote: it's all right there in a clearly labeled list of links on the right hand side of the page i already provided a link to, you intellectually lazy ****. May 22 13 08:43 pm Link Images by MR wrote: Michael Broughton wrote: It's interesting you're not able to provide a simple link for the OP's benefit that pertains to street photography in Vancouver BC. And I'm the lazy one. May 22 13 08:52 pm Link Images by MR wrote:
May 22 13 09:33 pm Link I'm a little confused the question came up in the first place. You're not going to a different culture where taking photos of stranger may get you killed. Anywhere in civilized world street photography is fine. May 23 13 02:17 am Link The assumption here is the OPs is asking what is permissible under the law and it's a fair one to make. That said, what is permissible under the law and what is permissible in reality - if you're concerned for your personal safety - are two different things. To illustrate, sure, you can pop your lens cap off on East Hastings between Gore and Carrall Streets and take pictures of whomever and whatever you want. Just remember, we don't have an equivalent to the second amendment to the OP's national constitution much less open carry in Canada, so be aware that just pulling out a camera and aiming it anywhere in some parts of the Downtown Eastside could lead to some very unwelcome treatment from the locals and you wouldn't be able to pull a firearm out to defend yourself. I know they would be acting illegally if they were to assault or kill you but, for some, the law isn't relevant. That's reality. Happy shooting! ;-) Mar 14 14 02:55 pm Link Jay Black wrote: +1 Mar 14 14 03:35 pm Link cwwmbm wrote: Actually, I'm pretty sure that taking photos of the wrong people can get you killed, or at least harmed even in the Unites States. Mar 14 14 03:58 pm Link I hate to add thi but.. If you are going there to shoot for professional purposes you may need a work permit. Is this a part of your business activity? Will you be making money from these shots? Is it part of a commissioned piece of work? Beware that the Canadian border guards are just as wary about people coming to work ilgally in Canada as the US border guards are for the USA. If you have professional looking gear and are shooting with a model you may well be challenged. If you're just going to Canada to do street shooting and a hobby shoot with a model then you should be fine - but make sure you have your story straight (and true!) at the border. Mar 14 14 07:23 pm Link Azimuth Arts wrote: And harass you just for taking pictures. Happened to a friend in Victoria. The cop was legally wrong, but the friend did not argue the point. So even in Canada, people with badges and uniforms can be asshats. Mar 15 14 06:12 pm Link |
