Taking Pictures at Airports and Onboard

[luongb]

Ive done a few searches and I seem to be reading mixed responses about taking pictures at an airport and inside the plane. Ive read that your just not allowed to take pictures of TSA officials and security areas. However, it seems like some people are told not to take pictures of the airplanes while in the terminals.

I am flying out of LAX in a couple of weeks and I was wondering if i could take pictures while waiting for my flight. Also am i allowed to take pictures while taking off and on the flight. Ive seen other people's pictures on board but some have also said they were told not to take pictures.

[John the Geek]

I've shot photos of planes taking off while in the terminal. Wasn't an issue.

I do also occasionally sneak shots out the window during take-off, but not with my DSLR. Usually just my iPhone. They wouldn't want you to be too distracted from the fear of suddenly crashing and dying at take-off and landing.

[Snydremark]

I haven't had any troubles shooting with my P&S's, but I haven't tried shots like that with the SLR.

[Staszek]

I've never had problems with my SLR in an airport or a plane.

[seaside]

Flying back home from Key West last April the flight attendent kept repeating over and over during her "do not use electronic devices" canned speach that NO digital cameras can be used during the flight.

Never heard that before. I think someone did use or tried to use a camera and she went back to the mic and again repeated not to use digital cameras during the flight.

I don't think using them should really be an issue but that specific flight attendant certainly had an issue with it!

[Staszek]

Flying back home from Key West last April the flight attendent kept repeating over and over during her "do not use electronic devices" canned speach that NO digital cameras can be used during the flight.

Never heard that before. I think someone did use or tried to use a camera and she went back to the mic and again repeated not to use digital cameras during the flight.

I don't think using them should really be an issue but that specific flight attendant certainly had an issue with it!

Usually its not during the flight, just take off and landing. They claim its electronic interference issues, but I'm sure the real reasoning is that they don't want distractions if something goes bad.

[Narwhal]

I travel frequently internationally, and some domestically in the US. I take pictures all the time with my Xt and nifty-fifty. They are sensitive about taking shots of TSA in (in)action as well as check-in and baggage claim areas. Otherwise no problem. Recent airports: Sao Paulo-Guarulhos, Sao Paulo - Congonhas, Newark, Boston, Providence, Baltimore, Manaus, Belem, Fortalza, Salvador.

Here is a link with info on TSA and other air travel topics
http://www.salon.com/technology/ask_the_pilot/

Here are two photos:

Sunrise at Newark
479109

"Meeting of the Waters": Rio Solomoes and Rio Negro = Amazon
479110



I refuse to give up all my rights to the irrational terrorist panic-mongers

[tfd888]

To my knowledge, photography of public areas in airports is completely legal including of TSA officials, officers, and checkpoints. What isn't allowed is photographing the screens of the inspection equipment, that's a big no-no and is mentioned somewhere on their site from what I remember. Onboard the planes, you are not allowed to use electronic devices of any sort during takeoff and landing but while in the air, personal photos are allowed. I think the thing that bugs the attendants is when people are constantly using the flash on their point and shoots (someone did that on a recent flight and drove everyone nuts) so they get annoyed when someone whips out a camera :lol:.

[luongb]

Thanks everyone. Good to know I can take some pics during my 6 hour layover in Heathrow so I won't be completely bored out of my mind

[Harm]

Thanks everyone. Good to know I can take some pics during my 6 hour layover in Heathrow so I won't be completely bored out of my mind

Plenty of cops in Heathrow. Been there, done that - but ask them for permission. Usually they will say "you shouldn't be really, but we won't say anything". But if you go about photographing all kinds of stuff, you'll definitely bring attention to yourself, fast. T5 is very nice to take photos of.

Damn, damn shame they retired Concorde!

[TomCross13]

Is it just me or do people think you're up to no good when you're shooting with a dslr instead of a ps or phone?

[John the Geek]

Is it just me or do people think you're up to no good when you're shooting with a dslr instead of a ps or phone?

Yes, which baffles me. It's the opposite of common sense.

Game show time! If I were a terrorist, would I be blend in more with:
a 1D with a 400mm telephoto lens.
a tiny point and shoot camera.

Carrying around a huge camera on a tripod seems like a bad way to covertly sneak secret pictures of popular landmarks that tourists are already shooting with their many point-and-shoots.

=)

[TomCross13]

Yes, which baffles me. It's the opposite of common sense.

Game show time! If I were a terrorist, would I be blend in more with:
a 1D with a 400mm telephoto lens.
a tiny point and shoot camera.

Carrying around a huge camera on a tripod seems like a bad way to covertly sneak secret pictures of popular landmarks that tourists are already shooting with their many point-and-shoots.

=)

So couldnt we sue for discrimination or stereotyping like everyone else does about being pulled over by a cop for instance. Its the movies and tv shows that have made dslr look suspicious.

[John the Geek]

So couldnt we sue for discrimination or stereotyping like everyone else does about being pulled over by a cop for instance. Its the movies and tv shows that have made dslr look suspicious.

It's called profiling, and not likely.

[FlyingPhotog]

Is it just me or do people think you're up to no good when you're shooting with a dslr instead of a ps or phone?

Hope not or I'll be out of work...

[TomCross13]

Everybody is getting into trouble for profiling these days.

[djentley]

Is it just me or do people think you're up to no good when you're shooting with a dslr instead of a ps or phone?

Any terrorist organisation that spends its planning funds on a huge white telephoto lens would have to can the thing before the whole "terrorist" phase.

However photographing anything in an airport is tempting fate; they make them mind numbingly boring for a reason. ;)

[-g-]

It's definitely something you shouldn't do. After taking these photos they opened the door and threw me out of the plane. I was sure glad I had my Crumpler 7MDH to act as a parachute to soften my landing. :)

http://www.geno.ca/photos/989615291_L8JDT-XL.jpg

http://www.geno.ca/photos/989612625_So3MD-XL.jpg

http://www.geno.ca/photos/989619298_AKNxw-XL.jpg

http://www.geno.ca/photos/989621977_dHpZa-XL.jpg

http://www.geno.ca/photos/986657559_8nE2Q-XL.jpg

BTW, the Flight Attendant was waiting right behind me on the last shot.