Anyone know the law for taking pictures in public?

Skyline

Skyline

Emmet Brickowski
Suspended / Banned
Messages
4,497
Name
Dave
Edit My Images
No
A friend had this problem yesterday. Does anyone know the law on things like this?

He was with his Granddaughter and her friend.


He said...... I was stopped taking pictures of some school kids dancing a maypole in my town center, is this right ?
I was stopped by a woman from the council who said that the school where the kids were from were upset that I was taking pictures but there was at least another 6 or 7 others taking pictures or videos on phones etc but they were not spoken to.
This is the scene in front of the famous Eleanor Statue.

cameras.jpg
 
Last edited:
Yeah tell her to do one in the future, I mean on your photo there are by my count 4 people taking photos :thumbs: to the best of my knowledge there is no law that stops you from taking photo's in a public place e.g. on the street as you were here :thumbs:

Matt
MWHCVT
 
agreed, as long as youre on public ground id tell her to jog on. id point out that everyone else was taking pics and to address them also.

also, write a formal complaint to the council.
 
There is no law stopping you from taking photos in public places including children. However rather than potentially giving photographers a bad name by telling her to 'do one' or 'jog on' why not politely point this out together with the fact that others were also taking photos. I believe there is a sticky on this very subject somewhere on the forum?
 
tell him to get the sensor cleaned ,look at the size of those dust bunnies :D
 
A rocket blower 'll shift 'em! :lol:

I can understand the council official may have had concerns but jeez, it looks like every man/woman/dog in that photo is taking pictures!
Take it to your local paper I reckon. ;)
 
As has been already said, any advice recommending that you tell someone to 'Do one' is not only wrong, but you are potentially leaving yourself open to arrest for breaching the peace.

Explain quietly and firmly that you are in a public place and as such there are no restrictions on photography. Should there be any further protest, pre-empt them and, yet again politely, invite them to summon a police officer; N.B. Not a PCSO. If the person claims that you are on private land with public access, ask to see the terms of access that should be posted in a visible place.
 
donutagain said:
tell him to get the sensor cleaned ,look at the size of those dust bunnies :D
Click to expand...


:lol: :lol: :lol: :D

Thanks for the replies all. Apparently jobs worth is in the tent with the yellow viz top on.

I have been passing on your replies. He said she said let me see your photos, and he said no, I know the law on photography (which he doesn't, nor do I for that matter) and also pointed out loads of other people were taking photos. Jobs worth then said, well the school were the kids go don't like you taking pictures (I smell a jobs worth lie there).
 
Daverkl said:
Jobs worth then said, well the school were the kids go don't like you taking pictures (I smell a jobs worth lie there).
Click to expand...

Not necessarily some schools have some strange ideas about photographing pupils, even your own children! However it does appear that your friend was being singled out for treatment and that is not on.
 
gramps said:
Not necessarily some schools have some strange ideas about photographing pupils, even your own children! However it does appear that your friend was being singled out for treatment and that is not on.
Click to expand...

He was probably the only one there with a pro camera so stood out.
 
gramps said:
Not necessarily some schools have some strange ideas about photographing pupils, even your own children! However it does appear that your friend was being singled out for treatment and that is not on.
Click to expand...

I understand that stance on school property, but it looks like these children where in the middle of a public area and the same expectations can not really be observed in that case.

Really, the onus is on the school if they do not want the children to be photographed in that they should not have them performing in a place where the 'general public' have access.

It does annoy, doesn't it, that you can have what looks like a 'normal' crappy camera and be allowed to do what you want but if you have a 'slightly bigger' one with (god forbid, a lens that sticks out more than a few millimeters) you are perceived as some kind of criminal.
 
Referring to the 'alleged' lie rather than the location :)
 
I like how in the picture there's two people blatantly filming, yet they jump on the guy with a real camera.

Paedophiles are easy to spot. They'll have a DSLR, and they'll be taking pictures of fully clothed children in public places, usually in a crowd full of other people also taking pictures on account of the children performing some kind of action that is worth taking a picture of.

Wrong'uns!
 
I was wrong to phrase it as "Do one" as to be honest that was more a sentiment than advise, of course you should remain confident but controlled, so don't raise your voice, don't be rude but stand your ground :thumbs:

Matt
 
Personally even though the law upholds your right to do it I would never have pointed a cmaera at that scene unless a relative or close friends child was in it, it's just not worth the grief!
 
Next time tell all the kids to stop what they are doing and move along. You have as much right to be there as they do.
 
a1ex2001 said:
Personally even though the law upholds your right to do it I would never have pointed a cmaera at that scene unless a relative or close friends child was in it, it's just not worth the grief!
Click to expand...

I was thinking this.
 
a1ex2001 said:
Personally even though the law upholds your right to do it I would never have pointed a cmaera at that scene unless a relative or close friends child was in it, it's just not worth the grief!
Click to expand...

Bilko said:
I was thinking this.
Click to expand...

I'm not so sure, if you re-check the pic there were a number of individuals taking photos ... if he had been the only one maybe, but otherwise I don't think he was any more to be singled out than anyone else ... proviso being he's not using a 300mm f2.8 on the end which could give a wrong impression!
 
gramps said:
I'm not so sure, if you re-check the pic there were a number of individuals taking photos ... if he had been the only one maybe, but otherwise I don't think he was any more to be singled out than anyone else ... proviso being he's not using a 300mm f2.8 on the end which could give a wrong impression!
Click to expand...

Exif says 18-200 on a D300. So nothing out of the ordinary. Or has using a Nikon in a public place been made an offence now? Could have a nasty effect on impressionable minds.:D
 
Common sense will only become widespread when those that have it, explain it to the mis-informed, the error of their misgivings. All to often we come across the 'monkey see - monkey do' attitude.

A calm and reasoned discussion would have had both parties happy to enjoy the scene and at least one would have gained an education for free ;)

Phil.
 
Just be firm in the future,he was doing nothing wrong,she was in the wrong,alway try and remain clam.

But I does seem odd,with all the others people taking photos. :(
 
a1ex2001 said:
Personally even though the law upholds your right to do it I would never have pointed a cmaera at that scene unless a relative or close friends child was in it, it's just not worth the grief!
Click to expand...

Sadly, this is how I feel too when out with the camera, especially with the telephoto lens. Unless I'm shooting a match/sporting event then the lens cap goes on if there are any brats\young families around. :(
 
If they didn't want to be photographed there should have been signs saying so.

There a group of kids, dressed up in old time clothing dancing around a maypole in a town center. Some good shots to been had for the photographer enthusiast.
It's only the sick pedos that make situations like this awkward for us the average John Doe.

I have 3 Grandchildren. When I take any of them to a park I'm very careful (and make it obvious) not to get other children in the shot.
The small park in the village is normally quiet so if there is another adult there with there child I just say I'm going to take some pictures of mine but I wont get yours in the photo. Everyone is cool about it.
 
a1ex2001 said:
Personally even though the law upholds your right to do it I would never have pointed a cmaera at that scene unless a relative or close friends child was in it, it's just not worth the grief!
Click to expand...

Bilko said:
I was thinking this.
Click to expand...

Rubbish.

I don't mean to sound harsh but one of the main reasons to take a camera out and about is to document what is going on.

If you are in a public place and are not doing anything else wrong you should inform the person of this. Even if it means getting the police involved. Every time one of these idiots tells a photographer they can't take photos and they stop you are basically saying they are correct.

I am lucky as my local town is pretty cool to walk around, no issues (other than a "look, we might rob him" off a local thug who got not so politely told "try it and die"). The local town crier is always about speaking to photographers and has started collecting local photos for a facebook group.
 
Daverkl said:
It's only the sick pedos that make situations like this awkward for us the average John Doe.
Click to expand...

Does anyone on here really know what a paedophile takes pictures of?

I am genuinely curious to see if it just 'naked' shots or indeed scenes like the above photo, after all educating us about their 'prey' must surely help us take the necessary precautions. We can't just have a blanket black out of taking shots if there are children in the scene.

I am fully aware of what the law is, so no need to go over those points, my Q is 'Do paedophiles actually take these type of shots for their motive'

If the answer is no....it would save a lot of bother at school sports days etc.
 
tiler65 said:
Does anyone on here really know what a paedophile takes pictures of?
Click to expand...

Do I know what they normally take photos of NO, but I did shoot a school cross country event once (after asking and get clearance from ESAA) and was told that the year before a tog was taking photos and EVERY single shot was of a child's bottom.





On to the OP, There are no legal restrictions on taking photos in public nor of taking photos of children at any age.
 
Last edited:
acetone said:
On to the OP, There are no legal restrictions on taking photos in public nor of taking photos of children at any age.
Click to expand...

This

With the exception that there may be a restriction on taking a photo of a specific child if that child is subject to a protection order (usually because they have moved away from an abuser)

Its very unlikely to be anything to do with the case here, but our local school asks us not to take pictures of one specific child for this reason - i'm not sure if its actually a legally enforceable restriction but its the one reason which most reasonable togs would respect
 
big soft moose said:
its the one reason which most reasonable togs would respect
Click to expand...

I think that it should be the case with any photography if questioned in a very reasonable manner not to shoot something. I would stop, after all you probably have got what you wanted before being asked to stop. Would solve a lot of run ins with security guards etc. I don't give two hoots about 'photographers rights' argument as I feel if you act in a dignified and pleasant manner you will never fall foul of having a 'youtube' moment.
 
tiler65 said:
Does anyone on here really know what a paedophile takes pictures of?

I am genuinely curious to see if it just 'naked' shots or indeed scenes like the above photo, after all educating us about their 'prey' must surely help us take the necessary precautions. We can't just have a blanket black out of taking shots if there are children in the scene.

I am fully aware of what the law is, so no need to go over those points, my Q is 'Do paedophiles actually take these type of shots for their motive'

If the answer is no....it would save a lot of bother at school sports days etc.
Click to expand...

The truth is no,saw a program on the tv,in which an senior officer in the Met was talking about the victim of paedophiles who have their photo taken and pass on,it was a very touching program,most of the victim will never get the help they need,because a lot of them are taken in counties where nobody cares about them,most come come from poorer part of the world,and are shot in private.

Most of the photos are very disturbing to see,and a lot of the officer do suffer because of it,this poor chap was nearly in tears,so was I just listening to him.

But society often lookes for easy answers, and blaming one section of society is often the easy answer :(

Also before someone jumps on me,I am not saying this never happen,just in most cases.
 
Last edited:
This is bizarre the way loads of people are blatantly taking photos yet the op was stopped! The longest lens I own is a 50 so hopefully I would not have been challenged but it seems long lens = terrorist/paedophile - crazy!
 
boliston said:
This is bizarre the way loads of people are blatantly taking photos yet the op was stopped! The longest lens I own is a 50 so hopefully I would not have been challenged but it seems long lens = terrorist/paedophile - crazy!
Click to expand...

I have a massive lens.

Sometimes I make it even bigger by adding a TC.

I feel a bit left out that I've never been accused of the above. Maybe mine isn't big enough :(
 
tiler65 said:
Does anyone on here really know what a paedophile takes pictures of?

I am genuinely curious to see if it just 'naked' shots or indeed scenes like the above photo, after all educating us about their 'prey' must surely help us take the necessary precautions. We can't just have a blanket black out of taking shots if there are children in the scene.
Click to expand...

I think that would be one for an expert. My guess, and that's all it is, is yes. They would take photos of a child clothed. A "normal" adult has fantasties of the opposite sex, clothed or not. I guess a paedophile would have the same.


I do agree with what's been said about being polite. A please, a Thank you, and smile goes a long way. (doesn't just apply to photography).

Saying that, when you do come across a jobsworth the above doesn't work.... so politely ignore them :lol:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top