Photographing the T
While it may seem simple to grab a camera and take pictures of the T's stations, buses and trains, it is not so. Let me start by saying this: If all you want to do is take a quick picture of, say, PCCs running along the scenic Mattapan Line or Green Line trains passing over the Lechmere Viaduct, that is fine and conforms perfectly fine with the T's photography policy, which can be found here. However, once you start taking photos of people in stations, or standing for a while in a single location taping videos or snapping photos, things start to get a little more complicated.
The T states the following about personal photography:
"No permit is required for personal and/or non-commercial use Images taken in public areas."
While this statement may seem to offer great photography potential, it still requires common sense. For one thing, never take photographs in restricted access areas, for instance the long-closed Pleasant Street Portal at Boylston Station or even on the yellow line at a typical subway station. This practice is dangerous and could, with all seriousness, result in severe injury or death not to mention trouble with the Transit Police. Also, be careful when taking photographs of or around people in stations-as I found when filming Streetcar Tracks, many people do not like to be photographed by strangers. People generally appreciate it when you tell them that you would like to take pictures of the trains and station around them for a reason, for instance a production like Streetcar Tracks or even for some personal photo albums, and ask them if it is alright with them to be pointing a camera around them. It is generally not a good idea to take pictures inside a train, as there is bound to be someone there who will not appreciate it and tell you to stop or even report you to the operator. Also, don't use a tripod — only monopods are allowed:
"Non-commercial photographers are prohibited from using tripods, monopods, wiring or any like equipment that may have an impact on the safety of customers or employees and are prohibited from interfering with the free flow of passengers, disrupting service in any manner or interfering with any transportation activity."
If you plan on taking multiple pictures of an area for a production like Streetcar Tracks, you'll want to get a photography permit from the T's Marketing Office:
"Any person wishing to take Images for any type of commercial purpose or use must first obtain a Permit (See sample attached.) A permit may be obtained by completing the Application (See sample attached) and submitting it to the MBTA Marketing Department, 2nd Floor, Room 2310, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116 (617-222-5568). Once issued, the Permit will be valid for a specific location, date and time, which is stated on the Permit."
I got permits for Streetcar Tracks, and if you are making a similar production it will not be hard to get one. The Marketing staff are very nice and will be happy to assist you in getting the permits you need. Once you get a permit, make sure you carry your permit with you whenever you film and always report to the station supervisor or any other officials on duty at the filming location before you begin work. Even if the permit does not require you to do so, it will make the officials less nervous and suspicious about your actions and will only result in you being allowed to do your work without being questioned.
The T states the following about personal photography:
"No permit is required for personal and/or non-commercial use Images taken in public areas."
While this statement may seem to offer great photography potential, it still requires common sense. For one thing, never take photographs in restricted access areas, for instance the long-closed Pleasant Street Portal at Boylston Station or even on the yellow line at a typical subway station. This practice is dangerous and could, with all seriousness, result in severe injury or death not to mention trouble with the Transit Police. Also, be careful when taking photographs of or around people in stations-as I found when filming Streetcar Tracks, many people do not like to be photographed by strangers. People generally appreciate it when you tell them that you would like to take pictures of the trains and station around them for a reason, for instance a production like Streetcar Tracks or even for some personal photo albums, and ask them if it is alright with them to be pointing a camera around them. It is generally not a good idea to take pictures inside a train, as there is bound to be someone there who will not appreciate it and tell you to stop or even report you to the operator. Also, don't use a tripod — only monopods are allowed:
"Non-commercial photographers are prohibited from using tripods, monopods, wiring or any like equipment that may have an impact on the safety of customers or employees and are prohibited from interfering with the free flow of passengers, disrupting service in any manner or interfering with any transportation activity."
If you plan on taking multiple pictures of an area for a production like Streetcar Tracks, you'll want to get a photography permit from the T's Marketing Office:
"Any person wishing to take Images for any type of commercial purpose or use must first obtain a Permit (See sample attached.) A permit may be obtained by completing the Application (See sample attached) and submitting it to the MBTA Marketing Department, 2nd Floor, Room 2310, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116 (617-222-5568). Once issued, the Permit will be valid for a specific location, date and time, which is stated on the Permit."
I got permits for Streetcar Tracks, and if you are making a similar production it will not be hard to get one. The Marketing staff are very nice and will be happy to assist you in getting the permits you need. Once you get a permit, make sure you carry your permit with you whenever you film and always report to the station supervisor or any other officials on duty at the filming location before you begin work. Even if the permit does not require you to do so, it will make the officials less nervous and suspicious about your actions and will only result in you being allowed to do your work without being questioned.
