Opinions please - swords in shots

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nib1980

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Neil
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Hi All

I've been asked to do a location shoot for a model, who wants to do a ninja theme.

I already have a series of katanas and other swords (personal collection and all de-edged)

I know these can be deemed as offensive weapons.

If I took one out on a shoot (in some woods away from most people), whats the worst that can happen? or am i just asking for trouble?

Would it be worth phoning the police to ask advice or tell them my intentions?

or shouls i op for some photoshopping?

many thanks

Neil
 
The PS required would be a big job surely?

I would as a first option speak to the local police, the worst that could happen is a "dont dare or so19 will be over to shoot you" :lol: Then you can look into the less favourable alternatives.

Nick
 
One thing to be wary of is some bloke coming along walking a dog, noticing some girl with a katana, running away and calling the police...

Even if you have notified them, it would probably be a case of the left arm doesnt know what the right foot is doing, and you could still get surrounded...
 
nib1980,

Absolutely asking for trouble, especially in our heightened times of security whether your intentions are honourable or not.

Is this model "female"? Your in the woods just setting up and someone sees you with an attractive lady, holding a katana - put two and two together and ring the police. CRAZY DINO got in before me!!!

As quick as you like they'll be Police, Police Dogs and possibly a Helicopter in a flash the way things are at the moment. If they can pull someone over in their car for a kid holding a plastic gun. What do you think they're gonna do when they hear of, or see you :suspect:

IMHO - Its definitely a no go :nono:

You would need to do something like this in a Studio, pile of leaves, some major shrubs, for the foreground :lol:, White background and yes some PP to add your woods in after

Have a look at this
http://www.itsnotagame.org/download/legislation.pdf
 
Is there a farmer or someone with a large garden with trees you could ask permission of to shoot on their property? Being a member of a re-enactment society I have a card I carry around which at least lends some weight as to why I have a sword(blunt) in my possesion. Still looked a bit dodgy when someone ran into the back of my car and I opened the boot to check the damage thus revealing my sword, shield and chain mail :lol::lol:
 
God, we really are living in a police state, aren't we? :-(
 
I take LARP photos, and you should see the looks my OH gets from carrying a 6'6" 4' wide bloodthirster axe (made of foam and latex - points for those who get the reference) around!

I'd recommend asking the police - although LARP weapons can look real from a distance & I've never heard of any problems with those... Real weapons look even more real & may well cause problems!
 
Trouble looking for somewhere to happen.
Definately ask the police and if they advise against I'd take their advice.
 
Tell the Police *in writing*, explain that you have the landowners permission (because you do don't you...), that the weapons are legal for you to own/use and give them the time and date of the shoot.

Maybe add that if some of their folks would like to come along and watch, please do.

Don't:

1) Hope that nobody will notice
2) Use land without the owners permission
3) Use public/council owned property unless you want to drown in a sea of red tape
 
I wouldn't notify anyone. Just go and do it, and if you do attract any trouble you'll be in a fine position to make the authorities - once again - look stupid. Then you get the press involved, who'll write a big article about how the police are wasting taxpayers' money harrassing the innocent when the real criminals are getting away with murder! Lol...
 
Unfortunately Carrie, the "wasting the tax payers money" bit will be the bit where they take you away in cuffs and hold you for several hours before letting you go.

I do a fair bit of stuff that involves the use of (legally held and used) weapons and you have to be up front and open about what you are doing, because hiding away just raises suspicion...

The press won't help you either - their story angle will be "sword nutter arrested in woods by police"
 
ignore all this crap about letting police know etc.

Just take your photos-as you said away in the woods. Only a prick would get frightened. It's basic common sense to work out what is going on if I came across this situation-especially a bloke with a camera in hand and a model.

Jeez. Some people.

Too claim you're gonna be cuffed is just bull and scare-mongering. If the police do come along, a quick explanation from yourself and the model in question will easily sort it out.
 
I'd love to see how your insurance would cover a public shoot with offensive weapons :(

Why not steer more towards Kendo, still classed as offensive weapons but not so lethal ;)
 
:bonk: I suppose the one thing this thread proves is that no one really knows the best course of action, or rather, what the actual legal requirement, if any, is. This country is so stranggled by its own beaurocracy and paranoia that its own citizens have lost track of what they can and can't do.
 
No, people do know what do - if you work in such environments regularly then you are aware...

Anyway, don't let the fact that people have offered advice based on experience get in the way.
 
onikami said:
ignore all this crap about letting police know etc.

Just take your photos-as you said away in the woods. Only a prick would get frightened. It's basic common sense to work out what is going on if I came across this situation-especially a bloke with a camera in hand and a model.

Jeez. Some people.

Too claim you're gonna be cuffed is just bull and scare-mongering. If the police do come along, a quick explanation from yourself and the model in question will easily sort it out.
Click to expand...

Well said!
 
The simple thing to do is take a tripod and set your camera up on it before you reveal the katana or weapon of choice. With your camera on view it is obvious what is taking place. It also gives you somewhere to put your camera between shots if you want to change weapons/setups.
From experience you will find that the police will ask you what you are doing before they decide what to do you will not find the red dot of the marksman. (unless you do it in the middle of Gatwick airport of course)
 
Rod,

It simply depends on who discovers you and how they are feeling at the time. There are no written rules that "authorities" operate under, its just spin the bottle as to what the reaction is.

Why take it to chance?
 
i would do my very best to make sure there is no chance of me being arrested for what I was doing, so not telling anyone who has the authority to arrest you, i personally think, is just silly. You may not need to but play it safe and nothing can go wrong, better safe than sorry! :)
 
I have a props cupboard that looks like an armoury. If you have land owners permission then go for it. If it is a public area forest woodland. Be careful. All ways box up swords and knives. Guns replica/model kit form? If you get stopped and you have a boot full you can still be in deep doo doo.

We do shoots like this all the time. Women with weapons. It looks better if you have an assistant and stylist to help out. a team of people always looks better.

One on one in the woods can look to some a bit dodgy.
 
Courtesy-call to the police giving them your contact details - then if anyone does report you they're aware of it to begin with and can inform the caller that it's all above-board.
A written-letter would be even better.

It's not a question of being afraid of the consequences, it's a case of doing a proper Risk-Assessment and proper preparation for a shoot.
How's the model going to feel if you both get banged-up for two hours while it all gets sorted? How is your reputation as a photographer going to look?
If you want to be treated professionally, then act professionally...
 
^^ as arkady says, contact the local police first. Go to the station, speak to a PC and explain what you want to do. Take their name and number so if any one does call the police on you then you can pass the PC's details on.

it shouldn't be a problem if you do the above.
 
No, that shows you exactly what the problem is - "A member of the public called the police after spotting a man walking down the street with what appeared to be a rifle over his shoulder"

The police knew about the location of the party, but some moron walking to the party was outside of the scope of the warning.

So obey the guidance given earlier - tell them where you are going to be waving your swords around and on the way to and from the location, keep the bloody things covered up!

Is it really so hard?
 
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