What is legal and what is not?

I plan on going to several events and shooting photos and possibly local places where people may not know I am shooting (such as a skateboard park or maybe even an indoor gym or local high school basketball game).

Even shooting random people, what is legal and what is not? I assume there are lots of grey areas but I would like to get some kind of general idea so that I am not tackled as soon as I press the shutter button!

First you need to tell us where you're taking this photos. Which country, and if in the US which states.

Go on help out a little here at least tell us what country you are in. This is an international forum and as yet the laws are not truly universal.

Also keep in mind that no matter where you are, certain venues may have rules/policies which supersede the law. While it may be perfectly legal to shoot in a skate park, sports arena/stadium, etc., they may have policies saying that no photography is allowed. If it's private property, they have the right to make (and enforce) those rules, and you have no choice but to abide by them...whether it's technically "legal" for you to shoot there or not.

I am in North Carolina, US. Particularly, Western NC. There aren't too many big places around here, and everyone is pretty easy going but I would like to know I guess, in case I am ever taking pics in a larger area.

Here is an example... say I am walking in the park... and I see someone posing with their dog and I think it is an amazing picture, or would make one. Is it legal to just take the picture and tell them nothing about it? I agree it would be common courtesy to show them the picture afterwards, etc... just wondering if it is "legal" without a word.

If it's a public park, you can take photographs of people without asking for permission.

fi20100 wrote in post #9602301
If it's a public park, you can take photographs of people without asking for permission.

...but you can do nothing 'commercial' with those photos without having individual permissions signed by an adult (no minors signing for self!).

By commercial, I mean you cannot post on your web site to promote a business you are in, you cannot sell rights to another individual or entity to utilize those photos in brochures, ads, in store window displays, etc.

If the public complains and the police respond, they have a right to check ID to insure you're not beaking the law...for example,
if you're a convicted child molester, it's against the law for you to be taking pictures of children.
Might apply to dogs...

How about in a street (public)... does the same apply?

FMX wrote in post #9602403
How about in a street (public)... does the same apply?

Not 'private property', anywhere else is 'in public' domain

Take a look at http://www.krages.com/​phoright.htm It's a bit dated but is a good starting point.

Do some searching around because there's a ton of threads on this and other documents you can find on public vs. private, where you can and can't shoot, etc. Schools are private property (even public schools), skate parks could be as well, you have to find out. Public property can become private for a time period (someone rents it for a private event). If you're going to shoot anywhere that is private you better have permission, just showing up to a HS game for example and shooting for no reason or permission is not smart. Public streets, parks, etc. are fine to shoot and don't need permission unless you intend to use the photos commercially. In that case you need model and property releases depending on what you shot.