Innocent photographer or Terrorist?

seaviewuk · 17 Apr 2008 at 13:01

Misplaced fears about terror, privacy and child protection are preventing amateur photographers from enjoying their hobby, say campaigners.

Phil Smith thought ex-EastEnder Letitia Dean turning on the Christmas lights in Ipswich would make a good snap for his collection.

continues.......

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7351252.stm

Why do they have to make you feel like a criminal just because you have a decent camera?

edit: Sorry, didn't realise it had been referenced in this post http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=11515357&postcount=41

CocoPops · 17 Apr 2008 at 13:02

Already posted...
See here for discussion:
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17853159

Mr_Sukebe · 17 Apr 2008 at 15:03

Surely that's better than the group who were locked up in Crete(?) for plane spotting.

33L · 18 Apr 2008 at 13:23

i have been warned about taking street photos - was with a group of 2 other guys with cameras! the police officer was nice though - took our details, asked to view the pictures and just told me if you want to shoot in a group call the local police and inform them so at least they are aware ands that we wont be bothered and infact looked after since we are carrying some expensive gear.

krisboats · 19 Apr 2008 at 14:30

Was out with my friend a few nights back and took some pictures of him while he was freerunning. After monkey swinging on some scaffolding bars for almost half and hour and taking photos of him doing so we moved 10 feet further on and i tried taking some unusual pictures of a derelict building site through the wire mesh. In a few seconds of being there a security guard from a nearby building walked up to me and said "can i help you?" in that patronising "what the **** are you doing?" kind of way.

I replied with a short and simple "no" and proceeded to take my photos, to which i was also questioned with "what are you doing", "do you have permission" and "do you have a permit" because apparantly i was breaking the law.

I had to explain that its not illegal to take pictures in the street, i don't need a permit and that he actually can't make me delete my photos. What could possibly come of me taking pictures of a building site?

ElDude · 19 Apr 2008 at 15:11

Mr_Sukebe said:
Surely that's better than the group who were locked up in Crete(?) for plane spotting.

Ah but you can't trust those plane spotters. Dodgy sort those

No-One · 21 Apr 2008 at 22:52

This might have been already posted but I've just been sent this link. It's a security guard detaining 2 people for shooting photos/video in a public street.

https://flic.kr/p/4G6bqz

doofer · 21 Apr 2008 at 23:52

No-One said:
This might have been already posted but I've just been sent this link. It's a security guard detaining 2 people for shooting photos/video in a public street.

https://flic.kr/p/4G6bqz

That is absolutely disgraceful. :mad:

I hope the two guys involved take every single measure they can to prosecute and indeed - this coming from a die-hard 'Compensation Culture' hater - sue the people involved in that fiasco.

No-One · 21 Apr 2008 at 23:56

Personally I'd do pretty much the same. Not kick up and fuss on the scene etc. Then when they realise that no law is actually being broken, then throw the book at them for harrassment etc. Anyone know of an official document listing rights of photographers that I can print off and keep in my camera bag?

doofer · 22 Apr 2008 at 00:02

No-One said:
Personally I'd do pretty much the same. Not kick up and fuss on the scene etc. Then when they realise that no law is actually being broken, then throw the book at them for harrassment etc. Anyone know of an official document listing rights of photographers that I can print off and keep in my camera bag?

http://www.sirimo.co.uk/media/UKPhotographersRights.pdf

Caged · 22 Apr 2008 at 01:06

Is there a longer version of that video anywhere / link to an article?

Overlag · 22 Apr 2008 at 01:42

Caged said:
Is there a longer version of that video anywhere / link to an article?

it got cut off when the rest of the sercuity guards showed up to assault the 2 men.

Baggins_451 · 22 Apr 2008 at 08:28

It's bad enough when security guards get the law wrong but this is even worse

IceAx · 22 Apr 2008 at 08:49

Baggins_451 said:
It's bad enough when security guards get the law wrong but this is even worse

Seen this before made me LOL

Andy

box · 22 Apr 2008 at 10:03

Baggins_451 said:
It's bad enough when security guards get the law wrong but this is even worse

Seems this guy has a number of videos, in none of which is he breaking the law, but in all of which he seems to try and provoke officers with his video camera.

This is not the kind of behaviour that will put photographers in a good light. I hope he gets what's coming to him.

neil_g · 22 Apr 2008 at 10:14

thats ridiculous behavour in that security guard video.

i carry all the info on shooting rights that i can these days just in case.

growse · 22 Apr 2008 at 10:33

Does anyone know the state of play with Canary Wharf? I've heard it's technically private land, as it seems to be 'patrolled' by Canary Wharf management people. However, I can't see any reason why it's not public property...

Mohain · 22 Apr 2008 at 10:38

It technically is private land and you do not have an automatic right to shoot there. However, tourists with compacts are abundant and wont get hassled but if you have a telephoto on an SLR expect to get stopped and asked not to take any more photographs. You should be OK with an SLR and 'normal' lens though.

growse · 22 Apr 2008 at 10:41

Hmmm, so if the roads and street signs look the same, how do I tell the difference between public and private land?

neil_g · 22 Apr 2008 at 10:58

surely unless the area is restricted in someway it should be public right of way at the very least. bit of a grey area i think..

Innocent photographer or Terrorist?

Man of Honour