Photographer looking for trucks

You take pictures at a truck stop, all you'll see is trash in the background. Rest area's might be better in the daytime when the lot isn't full. We'll that's a stupid answer. You wouldn't take it at night when it's full. Doh!

 

I'm surprised nobody has asked this yet...

What is the OP's intent or purpose for shooting just flatbeds with cargo on them?

Looking for improperly secured cargo? Is this the makings of a media story that sheds bad light on the industry? Something sounds fishy to me, call me negative, or just cautious. Maybe I'm wrong, but OP what is your intent?

 

You have a major flatbed carrier based right there in Louisville. I'm leased to them.

As for taken photos, wasn't there something about that in the Patriot Act that made it illegal to photograph vehicles used in interstate commerce?

 

You are incorrect on permission being needed. I too am a truck driving photographer hence my user name. It depends on the use of the photo. If you are an amateur and the photo is for personal use...... no problem. But if you are a pro and the photo is to be used commercially you had better have a release from the property owner before using the photo in ANY commercial capacity. I have been approached by property owners before when shooting a cool looking neon sign because that is their logo and they don't want a photo of it used commercially or in a "bad light"..... pardon the pun. Don't believe it check with an attorney familiar with copyright law. That of course is here in the USA.

 

As long as you can the photograph from a public place you may take the photograph. You can not be stopped from taking photographs from public property.

Commercial use of a photograph means being used to advertise. You do not need a release is the photograph is not being using to advertise, you can publish a book of photographs that you yourself took with out any release.

Mark

 

Railfans run into problems photographing trains, so, the Department of Homeland Security, et. al. may want to know why you are photographing trucks ... to what end? Is it to case the transportation system to see where they may be flaws that could be used to someone else's advantage towards bad ends?

Now, I am not saying that you have bad ends in mind but someone in authority may wonder why you are photographing trucks. I would not want to be there trying to explain myself out of this situation in the post 9-11 atmosphere since the ninth anniversary is tomorrow.

 

This guy got into beaucoup problems filming a policeman on a public highway. That was a public servant on public property that begged to differ with him.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/15/AR2010061505556.html

 

Mark,
I have to ask what is your background in either copyright law or professional photography? Because frankly you don't know what you are saying. Commercial photography isn't just advertising. If it raises any type of income, advertising in any capacity, and this is by no means a complete list, it is commercial photography. Go to a professional image site such as Getty Images and you can locate on there a basic models release and also a basic property release for photographers shooting someone's property. If you publish photos of someones property in a book that is most definitely commercial use. Now I'm not talking about some shot of trees etc. I'm talking about recognizable things as that cool looking building or neon sign.

 

If you can take the photo from public property you can use the image any way you want.

As for the police, yes there is currently problems with over zealous police. You can take still photo of police, EMS, Fire from public property with out problems.

The current problems is recording sound! In many states it requires all parties to agree on sound recording.

I have been a hobby photographer from about the 1985 to current. I have been shooting wedding for about 5 years.

Mark