I think she had a bad day and just wanted to get your attention! I am a person keep my camera all the time in my pocket and zoom! I can not stop taking photos and never experienced anything like that here but once in Amsterdam airport...security lady came and told me that you are not allowed to take photos here. I told her there is no sign says you can not take photos...puff she was gone...
I am astonished. But of course, any bank-station-manager can send out somebody to tell "unwanted people" to get off. But neither the manager nor his slaves have any right to demand films etc. Neither did he have his top management behind him
Obviously not only outside the bank but everywhere when you or someone else is not in the picture!!!
This thing happened to me two months ago - I had guest and while she was making pictures at Hönng bath (Limmat River), as it was very shiny day and lots of people were enjoying the sun, a man came and told us that we have no right to take pictures of the surroundings as this is Zurich property, BUT we can make pictures only if one of us is actually being pictured
There is a fine line of a difference. If you take photographs of some models of planned buildings in a closed hall, the owners of course can defend their right and accuse you of industrial espionnage. As soon as the building is under construction, this is no longer valid, UNLESS they can show conclusively that you on purpose photographed some architectural peculiarties. Once a building is finished, it no longer is protected from being photographed. And this also is law in the French Republic.
Back to banks. IF you photograph details of Bankomats or of particular security doors you no longer take photos of the building but of sensitive details, and in such a case, things look different.
France ? Buildings like the Ministry of Defence and the buildings of many military services in Paris are photographed by thousands of tourists daily as being in prominent places of the city.
I think you have to accept a sensible differentiation.
The man talked rubbish ! You can photograph any property of the City of Zürich always. And I CAN tell as I AM a citizen of the City of Zürich, and have possibly been so longer than that idiot !
And you speak about "a man" . What "man" ? A policeman ? if so of what unit ? or a teacher ? or who exactly ?
Copyright on products is guarded, the problem in regard to architecture is on the side of the architect. Only the use of some design under patent gives him copyright protection, but not just to plan another building.
For further details you have to contact the Patentamt in Bern, and a lawyer.
Beside the theory, in Switzerland and also in France and Italy you can photograph ALL buildings, old or new, EXCEPT military installations, which means that to photograph the Ministry of Defence is allowed, To photograph a military airport or above water submarines etc can be critical.
I can understand the guy. If I were swimming in the river and some strangers take my picture to show to his/her friends.... its not nice. Its ok if they take their photo or some building photo but not other people.
These days some hobby photographers (who have bought super DSLR) wants to show their non-existent skills by randomly photographing strangers (victims) and posting in their facebook or twitter (or whatever)!!
Example: My friend was in beach holiday and everyday she took photos of others in the beach and then shared in facebook with funny (but humiliating) comment.
I worked in Syria years ago, one of my colleagues took a pciture of the wrong building, was arrested and interogated for a couple hours in Arabic, apparently was not a fun experience. Lucky we're don't live in countries like that, for now anyway.
Me and a friend were in H&M the other week trying on some of the hideous clothing on sale. I had quite the combination on, so my friend decided to take a photo of me wearing it on her iPhone when one of the staff members informed us that we weren't allowed to take photos... in H&M... found it a bit weird, but ok.
I am sometimes a life guard at an indoor pool. One of the rules is: No pictures w/o permission. It is strictly enforced especially around the kids area. But additionally, I really do not fancy do see me and my Pirelli on facebook or whatever. Keep in mind that a simple general rule is easier to enforce than one with a lot of ifs, buts, and other exemptions.
I think that ban is more because clothing store want to sell their stuff rather than to be a venue for private fashion shows. Any way, H&M is ridiculously cheap even more when their garbage is on sale. Why not buy the junk and do an outdoor shooting and have some real fun?