I am a pro-hobbyist photog as well. I have heard stories of people being harassed in NYC for example for taking what would generally be considered "normal" photographs of buildings/bridges/monuments from either standard street-level, or in some cases slightly more artistic (but legal in the sense of not trespassing) vantage points.
From what I have seen, there is no true legal restriction from taking these photographs, but authorities either don't know this, or try to use intimidation tactics to discourage.
The "grey" area is that I don't know first-hand how all these cases have played out, and/or if there wasn't really some odd terrorist-area unconstitutional law that was being cited.
From what I have seen, there is no true legal restriction from taking these photographs, but authorities either don't know this, or try to use intimidation tactics to discourage.
The "grey" area is that I don't know first-hand how all these cases have played out, and/or if there wasn't really some odd terrorist-area unconstitutional law that was being cited.