NellsChoo wrote:Ah yes, a topic that keeps rearing its ugly head...
And will continue to do so for some time. Thankfully, people will always want strike a balance, unfortunately the radicals on both sides of the debate hold the cards, it seems, when it comes to public opinion.
NellsChoo wrote:My opinion, if anyone cares, is this: When you trespass on RR property, you are not only breaking the law, but potentially making the future hard for other railfans.
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Agreed mostly [mostly being that part of the "making it harder" part is shared between the trespassers, AS WELL AS those who will lump all photographers into the same group [wrongfully] and assume that because some photographers choose to trespass that most of the RR photography enthusiastic want to do so as well. [or in simpler terms, if some of A = B, than all of B = A, which is not true]].
I always try to find the as many public locations to shoot from as I can before shooting, and use those locations to their maximum potential. Doesn't stop me from the occasional confrontation with somebody curious about what I'm doing, but it [and carrying a memo from the RR I'm photographying/videographing saying there are no rules against it] certainly helps.
That is why you should ALWAYS, IMO of course, scout out the number of locations on public property. For example, Mamaroneck NY's Rochland Ave. overpass. Never shot there until I thought about scouting for good locations that were pubic access. Great view down towards Larchmont, and up towards the Mamaroneck station, and right over the Marval lead too. Plenty of places to point your camera to get unique perspectives as well.
NellsChoo wrote: Say you get nabbed too close to the yard at Deerfield. Or you walked all the way into Hill Yard at Ayer like you own the place. Or you are at Palmer standing on the tracks taking photos of CSX or NECR. You make railfans look bad. The more it happens, the more crews and RR/local police will look dislike us.
And again, I kinda agree, but I still feel that blame should also be placed partially on those who fail to recognize that just because some photographers choose to break the law to continue their hobby doesn't mean everybody does. After all, it is ignorance of many kinds that allows ignorance to spread. That goes for those who choose to break the law to continue their hobby as well.
NellsChoo wrote:As for the legality of "taking any photo of anything", there are things like safety, privacy, and common courtesy to think about.
This, IMO, is where one of the major clashing points occurs between the photographers and non-photographers, though I disagree partially with your example because of the idea that physical privacy doesn't quite exist [or if it does, to an extremely limited degree] in public, it is cool that you show empathy towards others, and I would try to do the same whenever possible.