As someone who occasionally likes to play at being an amateur photographer, particularly when taking a break during business travel, this article in the New York Times troubles me:
New rules being considered by the [New York City] Mayor’s Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting would require any group of two or more people who want to use a camera in a single public location for more than a half hour to get a city permit and insurance.
The same requirements would apply to any group of five or more people who plan to use a tripod in a public location for more than 10 minutes, including the time it takes to set up the equipment.[...]
[ACLU attorney] Dunn suggested that the city deliberately kept the language vague, and that as a result police would have broad discretion in enforcing the rules. In a letter sent to the film office this week, Mr. Dunn said the proposed rules would potentially apply to tourists in places like Times Square, Rockefeller Center or ground zero, “where people routinely congregate for more than half an hour and photograph or film.”
The article does report that the measure is intended to apply only to professionals; that tourists and amateurs would generally not be impacted. However, given that some of my favorite subjects are transportation-oriented, and those of us with similar interests were a bit stung by post-9/11 bans on photographing bridges and transit facilities, I have to confess to feeling a bit concerned by an apparent toughening up of photography rules in the city.