I think the safest thing is to let authorities know that you want to film and then go ahead and do it. If both of you know your rights then there isn't anything they can do to stop you but at the same time you don't want to get them on their guard. Letting them know first is just like letting a dog smell you first before you walk up the path.

It's tough to enter this thread without having a political opinion on it one way or another. But the photo.net thread demonstrates something entirely different and less controversial than whether the laws in place prior to 2001-09-11 still serve to protect security in a post 9/11 America: security personnel are largely ignorant of law, and will supercede/circumvent it in the pursuit of efficient fulfillment of their duties whenever they can get away with it.

Unlawful seizure of property (film, videotape) happens with greater frequency than one should think. It's even happened to some of us. Earlier this year, while doing some filming for a school project, DVInfo.net member Alex Knappenberger posted a video of his detainment at a Canton, Ohio mall, just a few miles away from the Akron location described in the photo.net post. Surreptitiously or by accident, Alex kept the video camera running while he was being questioned by the mall security chief. The tape--which Alex posted for public viewing but later removed--showed the security chief (who was clearly unaware he was being recorded) informing Alex that he would be confiscating the video tape. When Alex protested that he didn't think the security chief had right to do so, the chief, dogged but also seemingly unhinged at this challenge to his authority, rephrased his threat in the form of a question. Had Alex not demurred, his acquiesence to the seizure might have been construed as voluntary consent to forfeiture of the tape, and we'd have been cheated out of a most enjoyable viewing experience.

On quite the other hand, common sense is required when flaunting a camera in tight-security zones. I was once amused to watch as a female traveller, probably European and intrigued by the thorough body search being given her husband, took out her camera and started taking pictures of the process there in the middle of an airport security checkpoint. It wasn't more than a minute before she was nabbed by security officers. The look on her face made it apparent that she instantly understood the gravity of her faux pas, but it was too late, and the expression of embarassment didn't prevent them from wheeling her into a back room for questioning.

Actually Robert there was an art exposition last year where all it was was photos taken while waiting at the security check at airports around the world. Maybe it was for that.

Insecurities Project?
 

I think you are thinking of the Insecurities Project:

http://www.insecuritiesproject.com/

From that site:

In airports around the world security personnel are now asking many travellers to take a photo to prove their camera is not a bomb. Canadian visual artist Isabelle Devos is collecting these photographs for an international art project. While there have been many changes in our sense of security, this one may be the only one that is being documented; a record being produced by travellers on their journey.

Interesting exhibition.

Yes, that is the one.

He got out his radio...and said "crazy tourist headed your way"...i think he was joking.

Barry

That sounds almost like something you'd see in an Albert Brooks film, Barry.

Americans have the right to be concerned that their "freedom" is being infringed upon by overzealous law enforcement personnel, but also remember that all law enforcement personnel have the right to be nervous because they have been given an almost impossible task..."Your job, son, is to spot the terrorist--he/she may look like you and me, may be driving an ice cream truck, a delivery truck, or a police car...really anything... may be disguised as a journalist, a priest, an old woman...really anyone...may be Al Queda or just some redneck who's pissed off at the government...again anyone...and could be carrying enough explosives to level an entire city block and/or irradiate the city. Good luck."

As was said before, if you have to shoot a secure area...talk to authorities first. Otherwise, why even bother? Federal buildings and such usually aren't the most attractive places.