What laws do you break to get the shots you want?

[Heroique]

I plead guilty – I’m a scoff-law when it comes to LF photography.

Every year, I break laws to get shots. Many of them are pre-meditated. These “illegal” shots are only a small part of my portfolio, but they’re among the very best I’ve taken. And telling the story is always a lot of fun.

My worst crime – it must be common around here – is trespassing, mainly on closed public lands, but sometimes on private lands too. I’ve never been caught, but I feel it’s only a matter of time. Some day, I’ll get my come-uppance.

— What laws have you broken, and why? When is it justifiable?

— Does the “sense of risk” improve – or interfere – w/ your photography?

— Do good results help alleviate any subsequent remorse?

[Preston]

Even if I did break the law to get a photograph, which I have not, it's unlikely I would say anything about it. Also, professionalism demands that I respect the law, and the property rights of others.

--P

[Brian Ellis]

None

[Jay DeFehr]

I've trespassed.... a lot, and ignored public nudity laws....a lot.

Preston, I'm relieved to know your ethics prevent you from full disclosure, if not full compliance.

[dperez]

I've trespassed.... a lot, and ignored public nudity laws....a lot.

Preston, I'm relieved to know your ethics prevent you from full disclosure, if not full compliance.

Haha..

[MumbleyJoe]

I've trespassed.... a lot, and ignored public nudity laws....a lot.

It took me a few moments to interpret that to mean photographing nude models, and not ignorning public nudity laws as the photographer - still not certain you didn't mean that. (Is it still nudity if you have the darkcloth over your head?)

I'm pretty law-abiding all around. It's possible I've ended up somewhere I shouldn't have been, though really if I know I shouldn't be there I move on. I don't willfully trespass. I mostly shoot in public spaces and play by the rules.

[vinny]

I live in America and I do whatever the hell I want.

[Heroique]

I live in America and I do whatever the hell I want.

That reminds me! It’s not my worst crime – “trespassing” wins that honor – but it’s certainly my most common: illegal parking on the shoulder of roads. Many times, I’ve pulled-off “wherever the hell I want,” never in the city where traffic is heavy & tickets are likely, but in national forests where I need 45 or 60 minutes for a shot nearby, and there’s nowhere else for my car...

[Chris Wong]

None, at least not intentionally. I think it's bad karma to break the law to get the shot. That doesn't mean that I'm an angel when it comes to breaking the law in general but I don't think a shot is worth breaking the law for.

[Ash]

Any and all that get in the way