Details from photojojo about photographer rights: http://content.photojojo.com/photo-technique/tips/legal-rights-of-photographers/ http://content.photojojo.com

Details from photojojo about photographer rights: http://content.photojojo.com/photo-technique/tips/legal-rights-of-photographers/ http://content.photojojo.com/photo-technique/tips/legal-righ... Reading between the lines a bit I suspect this passerby was relaying instructions he got in some kind of "security" training ostensibly about terrorism. If he discourages you from taking the photo, and a real security incident can be avoided, so much the better. If he overplays his hand and, for example, tries to restrain you at the scene, this causes a bigger story and a blemish to his employer at the very least. I think you handled it correctly. Bend, but don't break. Know your rights. Understand what is at stake and then decide if you want to risk standing your ground.