I'm off to London on Saturday.....

Aidy

Aidy

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.....and was wondering if there are any photo restrictions around Downing Street, Houses of Parliment and Buckingham Palace or anywhere else you can think of. Don't want to get into trouble do I?????:suspect: :suspect:
 
I haven't heard of any issues other than in the immediate vicinity of the London Eye. Not sure of its status under National Security but then, what does a mere British Subject need to know of such things??? ;)

If you do get into trouble anywhere, if you wouldn't mind letting us know for our trip on Sunday lol

Perhaps you should come on Sunday with us - safety in numbers etc
 
yes, I've not tested it out but apparently the london eye people are incredibly naff about cameras and with no discernible reason, though I do enjoy it when dpreview regularly posts images from there camera tests directly beneath the cabins of the eye... that would be a poke in the, um, eye then...?!
 
London Eye security are ridiculously over-keen - we ran foul of them on the previous London meet. Basically you shouldn't have any problems in most places just with a handheld camera - it's when you get a tripod out you might have problems.

Having said that it IS still possible to get some nice shots - even in low light - you just have to choose "where" quite carefully!
 
If you "sneak up" on the eye from the Westminster end then you stand a chance of getting a few shots off before they come and stop you also. Just get the camera well set up before you start getting the tripod out! Oh - and if they try to tell you that you have to give them either your camera or memory card then tell them to - ahem - "go away" - they're talking bobbins!
 
I went to London last Friday, had a great day out, started at Buck House, St James Park, Horseguards, Downing Street, Big Ben & H o P, then over the bridge to the London eye, no problems taking ALL my kit on the "eye" my large rucksack was left closed and x rayed on the loading ramp, and once on board the eye I was able to use my camera kit hassle free:thumbs: after the eye we made our way to the Millenium Bridge and I was taking photo's all the way along there with no problems at all, I had a 10d with a 16-35 and a 20d with a 100-400 and a borrowed 1DS with a 85 f1.2, so I looked the part and not a word said from any "security staff" I saw them and they looked at me but not a word said either way.

Go and enjoy your day out and if your lucky you'll have a fantastic day like I did, this is the fourth time I have made this trip and never ever been approached. If I was I'd be polite but not overly so, and I'd continue to take my photo's as I doubt (despite the articles I've read saying otherwise) that you would face any form of prosecution (persecution maybe). I'd continue to walk and talk until I was away from their duristriction ?:wave:
 
Thanks everyone, hopefully I'll get some good pics. If I do, I'll post them.

And :welcome: to the forums Agger.:wave: :wave: :wave:
 
Back in Australia, on the OCAU photography forum, there has been some discussion for some time about photographers rights. This thread started me thinking about photographers rights here in the UK. I figured they'd be pretty similar to Australia since we share a similar legal system, but wanted to get a bit more of an accurate picture of things. I found this PDF file after a quick search on google, and it seems pretty good, might be helpful to carry a copy of copies of it around in the camera bag just in case. The one thing it doesn't answer that I thought should be included is about what to do if someone requests a memory card or your camera from you. In australia this is theft (which i assume it is here too) as such a person has no right to request the memory card/camera from you. Even police can only ask for your camera/memory card with a warrant in australia or if you are charged with some offense. Can someone confirm if it is the same deal here in the UK?

Also, the pdf might be useful if someone tries to stop you taking a photo of the London Eye. As far as I know, it is standing in a public place, so there should be no restriction on taking photographs of it (unless it is listed as a prohibited place under the official secrets act, which I would have thought it wasn't). Someone might be able to confirm that the London Eye is indeed standing in a public place, if its not then it seems trespass laws could apply.
 
donerboy said:
Back in Australia, on the OCAU photography forum, there has been some discussion for some time about photographers rights. This thread started me thinking about photographers rights here in the UK. I figured they'd be pretty similar to Australia since we share a similar legal system, but wanted to get a bit more of an accurate picture of things. I found this PDF file after a quick search on google, and it seems pretty good, might be helpful to carry a copy of copies of it around in the camera bag just in case. The one thing it doesn't answer that I thought should be included is about what to do if someone requests a memory card or your camera from you. In australia this is theft (which i assume it is here too) as such a person has no right to request the memory card/camera from you. Even police can only ask for your camera/memory card with a warrant in australia or if you are charged with some offense. Can someone confirm if it is the same deal here in the UK?

Also, the pdf might be useful if someone tries to stop you taking a photo of the London Eye. As far as I know, it is standing in a public place, so there should be no restriction on taking photographs of it (unless it is listed as a prohibited place under the official secrets act, which I would have thought it wasn't). Someone might be able to confirm that the London Eye is indeed standing in a public place, if its not then it seems trespass laws could apply.
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Its also illegal in the UK to either confiscate or attempt to confiscate a memory card, film or photographic device. It constitutes assault.
 
I'm off to London the weekend after this one - can't wait! Didn't realise security round the Eye were that keen, although I've only ever photographed it from across the river...
 
donerboy said:
What rights do the police have as well?
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They can ask you to move along and in extreme cases arrest you for obstucting a public highway. Other than that, nothing
 
Sounds pretty much the same as Australia. Only real differences are the Official Secrets Act(which is to be expected) and the Wildlife stuff, I'm not aware of an equivalent of this in Australia (but there could be, I just don't know about it).
 
You can apply for a pass to photograph the LE.

The guidelines and application can usually be accessed from here, but the site is broken.

The London Eye's press office can be contacted at pressoffice@ba-londoneye.com or by calling 0870 220 2777 (open Monday to Friday).

AP article about photography restrictions at the LE

And a Link to Glo's post from a previous thread on the subject
 
Matt said:
You can apply for a pass to photograph the LE.

The guidelines and application can usually be accessed from here, but the site is broken.

The London Eye's press office can be contacted at pressoffice@ba-londoneye.com or by calling 0870 220 2777 (open Monday to Friday).
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surely that is only required if doing commercial photography?

edit: just read the article, apparently not.
 
donerboy said:
surely that is only required if doing commercial photography?
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You would have thought! Apparently LE get stroppy about photographers with professional LOOKING kit from obstructing the tourist traffic on the land immediately surrounding the platform.

Ironically, according to their policy, an army of P&S enthusists or camera phone enthusiats is fine
 
Even if you're on private land without permission, the Police can only intravene if it's aggravated trespass (i.e. making a niusance, refusing to leave), railway trespass, MOD trespass or if you intend to squat/reside there.

The problem is lots of security guards, and even some Policemen don't seem to know the laws properly. This is alarming. Guards should have SIA badges, and should have been trained and should know what they're allowed to do and not allowed to do. Also it's not acceptable to let a guard dog off the lead to come and get you.

I've just read on another forum someone saying that they were collared at a construction site. The Police were called, and then watched as the security guards confiscated the guys cameras/phones/etc. Clearly something isn't right there. Personally I would refuse to do such a thing, even if they dragged me to a Police car.

Remember, if you don't break a law you should be ok. Trespass isn't a criminal offence, and neither is (in most places) taking a photograph. Interesting point about LE though (of course, local byelaws can prevent photography) - there are venues up here that'll let you photograph performers with a compact, but not an SLR because it 'looks' professional. Even my old Fuji S5000 wasn't allowed!!
 
Matt said:
And a Link to Glo's post from a previous thread on the subject
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might be worth printing that out and keeping in the bag...

Especially notable is this:
London Eye security staff will also not confiscate photographic equipment. The London Eye also has no jurisdiction over photography in the area.
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far be it from me to assume but thats come straight from the horse's mouth that has...
 
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