Hassle from Security "Guard"

Jelster

Jelster

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Steve
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I went into Uxbridge today to do a few photo's. Nothing major, but there is some fairly modern architecture in place and with the sun & clouds out, I wanted to capture the reflections in the mirror like glass.

I'm standing on the pavement outside "Hertz House" when a guy comes up to me (on the inside of the railings) and says...

"What you doing man?"

Stupid question really, I have have a 350D, 70-300 (extended ) and the battery grip, all in my hand - I thought it was pretty obvious what I was doing, but I was courteous in my reply, saying that I was catching the reflections in the windows etc.

"You can't do that, this is a private building...."

I guess where you can see this is going can't you :suspect:

I explained that as I was on public property, and the building can be viewed from here, there was nothing he could do about it. I would not been quite so blunt but he did have a bit of an attitude. I went on to tell him that the pictures were for my own enjoyment and were not going to be published, so I couldn't see his problem. I even got my phone out and offered to call the police for him; he declined my offer.

So, I guess I wasn't actually wrong saying that he couldn't do anything about it, was I ???

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I think he was right as it is private property you should really ask i think.
The point been although you are on public acces the building wasnt.
I could be wrong but im prety sure im correct.
 
james_death said:
I think he was right as it is private property you should really ask i think.
The point been although you are on public acces the building wasnt.
I could be wrong but im prety sure im correct.
Click to expand...
I feel this is one of the important points that need to be made clear, I feel there is no problem it what Jeister was doing, most likely there was no one to ask in the first instance, had he went into the building to ask he would have then been trespassing, with his photographing equipment over his shoulder would have most likely been considered as a terrorist.

I think this must come into the same category as when paps lean over private property and take pictures of football stars etc, they seem to get a way with it.
Anyway I feel my self running on a bit, so will have to bow to those that are in the know....
 
standing on the pavement
out in the open
(with one or two exceptions)
is public land
you can snap away
even if the pics are of buildings
(with one or two exceptions)
 
Maybe we should get some "Jobsworth" award certificates made up.

When you get one of these wombles hassling you, you can present them with it.

Maybe even get a photo or two of the happy event....
 
buford2.jpg
 
james_death said:
I think he was right as it is private property you should really ask i think.
The point been although you are on public acces the building wasnt.
I could be wrong but im prety sure im correct.
Click to expand...

No, you are incorrect. With the exception of some high security government buildings, you are perfectly entitled to photograph a building from a public area. 99% of buildings are privately owned, so any law preventing you from photographing them would be ridiculous.
 
i think that square thing in london and the royal gardens are some of the few exceptions to photography rule things
 
Thanks for the reply guys...

I did mention that every year 1,000's of people take pictures of the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace but are never arrested :D

I didn't even lean over the fence/railings. And I like the idea of "Jobsworth" certificates..... :thumbs: Have to make some up and keep them in my kit bag :lol:

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Sounds like you handled it well to me:thumbs:
 
Has anyone ever made up a similar photographers rights but in Scottish Law. No -one here know any legal eagles who could advise or possibly put something together. I think there are a few grey areas that are different in English law.
 
Mmmm, its 2004. I need to see if there is an up to date one.
 
key word is PAVEMENT . ie public , not private property.. meaning you can shoot buildings till your blue in the face.

now if you wanted to SELL these images , it gets more complicated..you would then . if theyre the main subject of the photo(clearly identifiable) , probably need a building release signed by the owner. unless theyre for editorial use only, then you may be ok.
now if they just happen to be in the background, but not the actual FEATURE of the shot, then your probably ok.
complicated isnt it.
so basicaly , you were within your rights telling him to ... go away.:clap:
 
Well-handled, I say. Some guards love to pretend to be the Police, and it winds me up. My brother runs a security company, so I've a pretty good idea of what guards can and can't do.
 
I'm yet to be hasseled by a security guard *touch wood*

You were right imo :)
 
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