The actual HQ of Coke is about a mile behind the photographer as well, next to Georgia Tech’s campus.

I lived in Atlanta (less than a mile from the photograph) for the past two years, and thinking about it I RARELY see anyone with tripods or other more professional equipment. There are usually a ton of tourists with DSLR’s and some pretty big lenses, and I guess this is the reason there aren’t more as Atlanta is a fairly photogenic city.

Beautiful photo though, props to that guy and hopes the charges don’t stick.

There is, or was, a 10-minute rule regarding tripod use. However, seems like whenever I have used one, even at sunrise in a nearly deserted Times Square, inevitably some shitheel beat cop beelined it for me to say “Take that damn thing down now!” (Seems like cops are all passion for keeping society walking in a line, whatever line the cop wants walked that day.)

A quick scan of the PDF you linked tells me there’s no longer mentions a 10-minute limit, that correct?

Anyway, the last time I was shooting the World of Coke from every angle possible I do remember getting some long glances by Atlanta police officers that were stationed nearby. I could tell they seemed a little curious about me so I decided to avoid what could have been a confrontation and moved around to another side of the building and kept shooting photos without a problem. I guess I was lucky I wasn’t followed and questioned. Still their questioning stares at me for enjoying my legal hobby left a chilling impression on me.

The cops that are stationed in this area should know better than to harass someone with a camera in what is considered the tourist zone of downtown. This area is the most popular part of the city with tourists armed with cameras given it includes Centennial Olympic Park, The Georgia Aquarium, The World of Coke, CNN Center and good views of the city skyline.

I know other locals amateurs that have been harassed by private security for shooting photos of the Suntrust Tower, Bank of America Tower and anything near the Federal building all legally from the sidewalk.

So just like every other city in the country we have uninformed police and private security guards wanting to consider photographers as suspicious.

My apologies for the long comment.

BTW, it was a real police-woman. Not a security guard…

Coke officially replied on the thread with an apology – you can see it at http://www.stuckincustoms.com/2009/08/09/nearly-getting-arrested-in-downtown-atlanta/ down on Comment #55

What can they do if you say no-I was here first?

Actually tripods do not require a permit as long as the space conditions are met (i.e. leave 8 feet of sidewalk space passable).

A tripod is considered “handheld equipment” – see page 3 of the full document

http://www.nyc.gov/html/film/downloads/pdf/moftb_permit_rules_final.pdf

(3) “Hand-held devices” shall mean (a) film, still or television cameras, videocameras or other equipment which are held in the photographer’s or filmmaker’s hand and carried at all times with the photographer or filmmaker during the course of filming, or (b) tripods used to support film, still, television cameras or videocameras. Hand-held devices shall not include cables or any other item or equipment not carried by the photographer or filmmaker at all times during the course of photography, filming or transmission.

The photographer indicates that he spoke to a park worker – parks have their own rules and permit requirements.

But seriously-Coke is the company store in Atlanta. They have a lot of pull with city hall so they could possibly get some laws or ordinances passed that help them control their image. Or the municipality could pass laws restricting professional photography to generate fees.

http://pdlstudios.com/blog/?p=36

http://www.nyc.gov/html/film/html/news/070108_moftb_adopts_rules.shtml

Silly, I know. They say that use of a tripod constitutes “exclusive use” of a piece of NYC property (which, although we call it “public,” they say it’s owned by the municipal corporation.)

I bring a monopod when I know a long lens will be necessary and the light’s too low. I have a press card, but almost never bother unless it’s a landscape or building shot.