All Narfed Up photography and words by Bryan Villarin

I swear, shit like this just makes me see red. I think all buildings that “can’t be photographed” should get gigantic tarps and cover themselves up. Make everyone inside suffer for their idiotic “privacy” policies.

Posted by Brian on 24 July 2008 @ 6pm

I think that you guys should host a photowalk in that area and invite everyone to meet at the TCW Group building. That should draw some interesting reactions. ^_-

Posted by James on 24 July 2008 @ 7pm

+1 ~ organize another photographers’ rights rally like the one at union station on june 1 and go there as a group. i am sorry you had to go through this, it’s unfair and frustrating. lol about the tarp comment though, i wholeheartedly agree. keep up the awesome work you do with your photos. ciao.

Posted by Nico on 25 July 2008 @ 1am

@Brian: Thanks for understanding. Some people might side with them, but there honestly isn’t any merit in their arguments. They should cover up! =/

@James: I’m 95% sure we can photowalk around any of those huge corporate buildings in downtown LA and get harassed.

@Nico: Thanks for the understanding and the support. (I’m stoked you’re liking my photos!) I think I’ll ask Shawn for suggestions, or maybe if he’d like to organize another event. Annual protests just won’t cut it.

Posted by Bryan Villarin on 25 July 2008 @ 2am

Enlist someone with authority on your side: a city councilmember, or a state assembly rep. Reach out to local media, especially television. Send them your blog posting. Shine a spotlight on the situation. It works: http://lightboxdc.blogspot.com/

Posted by Joel Lawson on 25 July 2008 @ 5am

that is a great idea actually, to get some authority backup on the issue, or expose it to the public. i’m out of the country until mid-september, but after that, i can offer physical support, and not just moral. i agree that annual protests are not enough ~ i wonder how feasible it is to turn it into a monthly thing, or every other month…

(and yes, big fan, check blog and flickr daily)

Posted by Nico on 25 July 2008 @ 5am

@Joel Lawson: I know attorneys and a friend in the media that I hope will help. I’ll definitely work on that, thanks.

@Nico: I hope you’re having a good time! I’ll try to keep my Flickr photostream fresh for you.

Posted by Bryan Villarin on 25 July 2008 @ 8am

I went on a photo tour with my class. We were accosted at nearly every building. Security came out each time telling us that we could not photogragh. Something about homeland security. I was lucky I had digital. Just sanp as fast as you can. The students with film, got very few shots.

Posted by Heather on 25 July 2008 @ 9am

@ Heather:

I’m sorry you got harassed.

Don’t take any lip next time. Write down the time, names, location, etc. As long as you’re on public property and its in public view, you’re not doing anything wrong or breaking any laws.

Like I said, I would’ve stuck it out and continued, but I didn’t have any time.

Posted by Bryan Villarin on 25 July 2008 @ 9am

thats ridiculous, i hope the same stuff doesn’t happen in vegas. i would totally be down if some one organized a photo walk around the area!

Posted by Cody Mendoza on 25 July 2008 @ 7pm

I tried calling the property management group, BUT the number is disconnected. What is going on? I am ready to fight to good fight IF…

Posted by Monty on 25 July 2008 @ 7pm

I am glad you guys are sticking this out. So many people succumb to fear when threatened by those who appear to be in “authority”. Fear is the opposite of freedom.

While the tarp idea is a little ridiculous, so is the idea of building a beautiful piece of architecture in full view of the public and expecting no one to want to or be allowed to photograph it. I understand security, but if pictures of the outside of your building are actually going to cause a security risk for your company, then you need to 1) reconsider the design of your building and your lame security force and 2) have your building photoshopped out of all postcards everywhere.

Anyways, good luck with it all. I think step one would be start a flickr group of pictures of the TCW group building and invite (challenge) photographers to get the best shots of the building. Bonus points if someone can get some good shots from the top of a nearby building.

Posted by Chris Marsden on 27 July 2008 @ 11am

@ Cody Mendoza:

So many tourists in Vegas, it’s easy to blend in. We had no problems there.

I’m glad you’re up for the fight. I’ll let you know.

Posted by Bryan Villarin on 28 July 2008 @ 5pm

@ Monty:

Thanks for taking the time to call the number.

You’re ready to fight if what?

Posted by Bryan Villarin on 28 July 2008 @ 5pm

@ Chris Marsden:

I think we’re sort of trained not to question people in authority. That’s asking for trouble. Our country wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for that.

Thanks for the support, man. We’ll figure a way out to be noticed.

Posted by Bryan Villarin on 28 July 2008 @ 5pm

bryan-
got your message. i am out of town until september 15th but i will gladly organize a rally in downtown. this time we will keep it to ourselves so we can get genuine reactions from security and the police.

Posted by discarted on 28 July 2008 @ 5pm

@ discarted:

Cool, I got a reply from Julie. Thanks man, see you when you get back.

Posted by Bryan Villarin on 28 July 2008 @ 7pm

Here is our post about it:

http://discarted.wordpress.com/2008/07/29/downtown-la-not-camera-friendly/

Posted by Julie on 28 July 2008 @ 9pm

@ Julie:

Thanks Julie!

Posted by Bryan Villarin on 29 July 2008 @ 12am

I ran into this problem a little while back, but found that the local council had passed local laws that meant infringement notices could be issued. Although this “law” has to be validated by the Federal Government in Australia, I didn’t feel like testing my luck whether it was or not.

The problem was that they had issued this “law” to cover almost their entire electorate.

Posted by the_wolf_brigade on 29 July 2008 @ 2am

As to the security guard’s first claim, the right to photograph a building visible from public space is specifically protected in US copyright law. US law specifically knocks down these absurd claims we hear sometimes from security guards, shop owners, and others that their building cannot be photographed:

“The copyright in an architectural work that has been constructed does not include the right to prevent the making, distributing, or public display of pictures, paintings, photographs, or other pictorial representations of the work, if the building in which the work is embodied is located in or ordinarily visible from a public place.” [17 U.S.C. 120 (a)]

Posted by Joel Lawson on 29 July 2008 @ 6am

Will this crap never stop? I’m glad you at least let them know it was fully within your rights to do what you were doing. I think the idea of going down there with a bunch of people lined up photographing stuff (from the sidewalk) is a great idea.

Posted by Marcus on 29 July 2008 @ 7am

@ the_wolf_brigade:

I’m sorry to hear that. Sounds worse than it does here when local laws are being passed. Slightly worse than power-crazy security guards.

Posted by Bryan Villarin on 30 July 2008 @ 12am

@ Joel Lawson:

Thanks for citing specific text! I’m gonna print that on some index cards to wave it in their faces.

Posted by Bryan Villarin on 30 July 2008 @ 12am

I just discovered your blog and photo stream, and came across this post.

I’ll keep an eye on your blog for updates. If you are able to organize a photo walk I will be there (work schedule permitting). I hate stuff like this and would be glad to participate in a photo walk.

Sorry you had to deal with this.

Posted by Daniel L. Taylor on 19 August 2008 @ 2am

@ Daniel L. Taylor:

Thanks for finding me and giving me your support. I’m waiting for Shawn (discarted) to return, which will be in about six weeks.

Posted by Bryan Villarin on 19 August 2008 @ 10am