Can someone clarify this for me

[Turntablist]

Do you have to obtain a permit to take photos in other countries using your camera equipment and tripod? I forgot where I read it, but I think it said something to the effect that if you are using a tripod it is considered as business photography?

[JDB]

That doesn't sound right at all to me.

[JWright]

Do you have to obtain a permit to take photos in other countries using your camera equipment and tripod? I forgot where I read it, but I think it said something to the effect that if you are using a tripod it is considered as business photography?

I don't know about countries other than the US, but I do know there are many, many people in positions of authority that automatically equate a big black camera and a tripod with commercial or professional photography. Funny thing is, I do some work for pay and when I do I don't use a tripod...

[Mark_Cohran]

In some places in some countries (including the US) a permit is required for photography (sometime with a tripod and sometimes, even without). The restriction is pretty much by specific locale and it's usually places where there is high foot traffic or where specific regulations have been lobbied into place the the owners of specific buildings or properties, or where there are heightend (over-hyped, in my opinion) security concerns.

Mark

[Turntablist]

i mainly shoot hand held, but i would like to do qtvr type photos so having a tripod would definitely be helpful.

thanks for the information. who would i contact for something like this? the embassy? the last thing i want is an altercation between me and the law enforcement. thanks for the help.

[20droger]

Depending upon the country, a polite inquiry of the local police may well be a good idea. I doubt anyone would get it trouble by introducing themselves and politly asking permission.

Some regimes, however, do take a dim view of those who are presumptuous or arrogant.

[goldboughtrue]

Depends on the country. I took pictures wherever I went in Korea. Sometimes people would run away from the camera or ask me what I was taking pictures of. One guy got really upset because I had a video camera pointed in the direction of his home. I was playing with it and looking at the sky.