Photographers’ rights in the D.C. metro area are seemingly on the wane in recent years. Last summer, a photographer was stopped from taking pictures in the newly redeveloped downtown Silver Spring; the incident led to a mass gathering of area photogs on July 4. (Independence Day, almost appropriately enough.) Since then, it was ruled that even though the downtown area is managed by a private company, it is still a public space; photography is allowed under freedom of expression.
Today — nearly a year later — Union Station has become the center of attention as security goons guards have stopped professional and amateur photographers alike from taking pictures inside the historic landmark. Earlier this evening, our local Fox affiliate aired a piece on the issue, attempting to highlight the hypocrisy and inconsistencies behind it. As if on cue, a security guard materialized as the reporter interviewed an Amtrak spokesperson who said photography was allowed at least in the Amtrak-occupied portion of the station. The security guard came up to the reporter and the spokesperson and said the camera had to be turned off.
When pressed for details on the station’s alleged anti-photography policy, the guard said he cannot answer any questions about the policy he claimed was in place. Judging by his body language, I’m inclined to think he just spouted off whatever line his employer told him to; he didn’t seem to know what exactly the policy he enforced is and tried to skirt the issue.
The recent incidents at Union Station trouble me. I’ve taken photos there for years; I frequently go through the station whether commuting to work or heading up to New York to visit mom. Sometimes there are some really cool exhibits, displays or decor worth capturing on film or in pixels. And the structure itself is just gorgeous.
The photo at the top of this entry was taken by yours truly back in December. It’s part of a new flickr set I created of photos in and around Union Station. This set shall continue to grow.
4 responses so far ↓
1 Brendan // May 31, 2008 at 12:40 am
I’ve been hearing a lot about this. It hasn’t happened to me yet, and I’m not looking forward to the time when it finally does.
2 Romach // May 31, 2008 at 1:35 am
There are places over here in the UK that has the same policy. I dot know on earth why. Its not as if these places are top government spy places or something. I cant for the life of me see what the problem is in taking a few photos.
3 Lolypup // May 31, 2008 at 4:39 am
This is sad, Union Station is my major access point to the rest of the city and im in and out of the building almost daily and like you I love taking pictures of the building and events that take place there.
This hasnt happened to me yet and as im there so much and I always see people taking pictures, I never walk through this building without seeing someone taking pictures and I have yet to see anyone being stopped.
The policy is lame, just crazy!
4 CJ // Jun 18, 2008 at 11:20 am
I know some of the policies in such places have to do with copyright infringement believe it or not - the stores that lease the space have copyrighted displays that are not covered under freedom of expression if you take a photograph of them - however, some places have taken this to be a blanket reason to keep people from taking pics in an entire location (malls, etc…)