Here’s a bit of street theatre going on in Ottawa right now, part of the Magnetic North Theatre Festival. I sat down to watch some of their performance under the Rideau Bridge.

I sat there for a bit with my camera in plain site hoping to take some photos, but not wanting to do so disruptively. At one point, someone looked over at me, maybe the producer or director or someone I kinda did the eye-ball roll to the camera, camera wiggle in hand, point, glance up and nod move; the universally-known permission asking gesture. An approving nod was given back; though soon after I was asked to stop taking pictures.

I’m not against this request, I asked, and was asked politely when to stop – fair exchange. And he even admitted; it’s public space, but a live performance, so they were in a bit of a grey area. If I was going to a show in a theatre, I wouldn’t have even brought my gear.

So what’s your take on this? Public space, free theatre: are my rights to photograph in a public space suspended? What are their rights in the situation? If I was 20 feet back with a telephoto they wouldn’t have even known I was there – probably would have had tighter shots too.

PLUS hoodlums showed up, swearing and “bop bopping”, which must have been far more disruptive than me clicking away time to time; but they weren’t asked to stop (likely a smart move since they would have created more of a scene having been confronted).

Are my rights worth LESS because I’m less vocal,less… intimidating? Am I a good citizen? Is this the road to serfdom? Tell us what you think, and how you’d approach this situation (or if you have already!).