Photographer's Rights - BBC article

Interesting read that. Thanks.
 
It's all starting to get silly this isn't it...what's next, apprehending people on guided tours of buildings/places if they look at something in a strange way?!

I suppose an interesting experiment would be to try and take pictures using a DSLR and see how long it takes before someone in "authority" challenges you. Then, revisit the same location with a compact or mobile and see what happens :shrug:
 
Just found the article myself. That bloke should make a proper complaint against that particular officer they have no right to ask you to delete your pictures. Why really do live in a state where the police hide behind anti terror laws at the expense of freedom for the majority.
 
dolomitefan, he did make a complaint, and not only did he receive a written apology, he had a visit from an Inspector who explained that the officer was in the wrong. (The article mentions specifically that he was a Special Constable, but that should have nothing to do with it. If he's on duty, he's a police constable, it seems they were using the 'special' excuse as a kopout).

But is an apology enough? No I don't think it is.

We need to make a stand against this somehow.
 
mattyh said:
:agree: I suggest all going to said places, with the biggest lenses that we own :D
Click to expand...

that sounds like a plan :D


The ironic thing is, whilst the police office/special/jumped-up traffic warden is berating the tog for carrying a proper camera, two dozen low-life with camera phones have just walked by.

I wonder.... Maybe we could set up a situation where someone carrying a DSLR is apprehended and the incident is captured on a mobile phone. The picture from which is submitted, complete with story, to a paper.
 
If I was a terrorist, I would use a small camera and stay inside a car. But I'm not so I use my DSLR and big lens.

I also got stopped in Milton Keynes for taking a picture of a big tree!
 
Mass photography day somewhere very public, sounds good to me.
 
I do worry at times that the attention this issue is currently getting might end up backfiring on us all with laws being introduced that do increase restrictions simply because that's the common belief the police, etc. already hold - it's probably easier & cheaper to write a law that upholds the current (but wrong) actions than it is to try and educate those making the mistakes.

Cynically? Me? :(
 
Pitifully few names on that petition, I'd be more worried about what impression that gives.
 
I didn't sign it. I think gov.uk petitions are a waste of time.

As far as I can see, the individual just needs to know their rights, and stick by them. Don't be intimidated by a hi-vis and a handheld radio. Stand your ground. True, at the extreme end you might get a couple of hours in a Police cell just for photographing a CCTV camera, but who knows, you might enjoy the adventure of it all.

I find it frustrating that we're treated this way, and that hysteria is responsible for oppressing our creativity, but I'm just trying not to get too hung up on it.

It's simple really: if the Police want to arrest you, they will. They'll find some way. But they cannot destroy your photos. If you really want the photos, it's worth the risk.
 
kfridge said:
It's all starting to get silly this isn't it...what's next, apprehending people on guided tours of buildings/places if they look at something in a strange way?!

:lol: :lol:

For England, i would say it would be next :D
Click to expand...
 
I'll dig out my 1200mm Canon to take though I might need a hand it's quite heavy.
 
Do you think these two would be up for the 'meet'?



photographers01vz9.jpg


photographer.jpg
 
Typical. Shortly after the OP put this up I added a comment giving the link to the PCSO video.

They haven't put it on .
 
Flash Mob Photography. 20 people with cameras turn up. All take pics and then scatter. Stay long enough to get noticed and annoy security.

I was stopped the other day outside the Royal Sun Alliance building in Liverpool by their in house security. They asked who I was working for and promptly backed down when I told them it was the company who owned the building. They said a few months ago 4 Asian types took photos and ran off when questioned. So the building manager doesn't like people taking photos of his building. I pointed out that its too late and that if terrorist want photos there are plenty online. I didn't point out to him that I was on public property and he could get bent. I didn't feel the need to create a scene when I was trying to do my job. If I was just there taking photos I would have though.
 
We could all do main city meets on the same day?

Perhaps do it a few different ways, I like Petes idea.:thumbs:

I'd personally like to see the balaclavas half hour where we shuffle around in one tight group, like we're tied together, stopping every ten seconds or so to snap off loads in all directions, then shuffle off again. ... nothing upsetting, mostly amusing I reckon. :D
 
This whole thing cracks me up. On one hand you get collared for taking peoples pictures without their permission, and on the other you get a notice in the post because a Gatso camera took your picture without your permission....

Surely they can only have it one way or the other?

What we should do, is to turn up and everyone takes a picture of someone else, who in turn is taking a picture of someone else, and go along like that - so they would have to ask each person what they are photographing and then go ask that person - like a chain of photographs?
 
Apparently there are over 200 CCTV cams in Liverpool. I don't recall being notified when I went through the tunnel that I was going to be filmed.
 
law enforcement is specifically excluded from all relavent legislation I think you will find
 
This is most amusing, I was once asked to get a permit to shoot .... I am sure the warden didn't know I am from Saudi Arabia otherwise I may have had to spend the night in a cell with flashlights falshing into my face while being questioned! Not that I would mind the experiecnce, not!

That aside, if there is to be a group meet then I am all for it ... would love to see the expression on the police's face when they shuffle me off (for being from Saudi and taking all the pictures) while the rest of the lot get let off with nothing more than a smile :lol:
 
under the data protection act if requested anyone filming you on cctv HAS to give you a copy of the tape with you on it - and they must also block out everyone else's faces for identity reasons. Therefore, by my canny reasoning, you could legally stand on the high street in view of a cctv at all times, during peak shopping hours (you'd have to be brave!), then request a copy of the tapes in which you feature from all the cameras you are on...see them get out of that one, its against the law to refuse. The time it takes them to block out everyone's faces would be a somewhat time consuming but unavoidable exercise.
I believe Dom Joly did something like this, proves a worthy point, if they're going to film you make it a good reason!
 
Mark Thomas has done loads of stuff on Freedom of Information, Data Protection and CCTV including a competition to get the best cctv footage under the DPA (e.g. using secure goverment buildings secuirty cameras and then ask
ing for the footage)
 
shiato storm said:
under the data protection act if requested anyone filming you on cctv HAS to give you a copy of the tape with you on it - and they must also block out everyone else's faces for identity reasons. Therefore, by my canny reasoning, you could legally stand on the high street in view of a cctv at all times, during peak shopping hours (you'd have to be brave!), then request a copy of the tapes in which you feature from all the cameras you are on...see them get out of that one, its against the law to refuse. The time it takes them to block out everyone's faces would be a somewhat time consuming but unavoidable exercise.
I believe Dom Joly did something like this, proves a worthy point, if they're going to film you make it a good reason!
Click to expand...

Of the several requests he put in only one bothered to send a tape and the rest I assume are 'sucking it and see' what happens.
 
Knew I'd find it mentioned in here. ;)

Yeah, we should all turn up for a protest in London. I would attend. :)
 
shiato storm said:
under the data protection act if requested anyone filming you on cctv HAS to give you a copy of the tape with you on it - and they must also block out everyone else's faces for identity reasons. Therefore, by my canny reasoning, you could legally stand on the high street in view of a cctv at all times, during peak shopping hours (you'd have to be brave!), then request a copy of the tapes in which you feature from all the cameras you are on...see them get out of that one, its against the law to refuse. The time it takes them to block out everyone's faces would be a somewhat time consuming but unavoidable exercise.
I believe Dom Joly did something like this, proves a worthy point, if they're going to film you make it a good reason!
Click to expand...


In that case, we should all turn up, dressed the same stand in front of a camera and just mill about, then all request the tape...
 
Secure government buildings are exempt form the requirement to give out footage.

Also - there is a time period in which the data controller has to respond to a request, 40 days I think. When the data (CCTV footage) has been routinely overwritten within this time, there would be nothing to provide. Hence in many instances it is impossible to exercise this right in relation to CCTV!
 
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