Photographer's Rights

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stolzy

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Name
John Stolz
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Hi, i'm new around here and am looking for help developing a website on photographer's rights.
We're all aware of the (apparently increasing) harrassment of photographers going about their lawful business.
i've created a rudimentary site here and I'm looking for help from photographers with legal qualifications to make sure the advice is correct.
Well, what are you waiting for?
 
Anyone else going dizzy.. read this thread that directs me to another thread that directs me back to this thread....oooooer :)

As for the website.. very poor IMHO
 
I think the site is poorly designed. Too many different fonts/styles used - more consistency is needed.

Aside from which, I just don't think there's a need for it. I'm getting quite bored of all these discussions on photographer's rights. Whether we like it or not, security and Police officials are going to often be ignorant of the law, and try and flex some muscles. It's up to the individual to decide whether they are going to stand up for their rights, and to find out the laws for themselves.

I think it's dangerous to present what, on the surface, appears to be a complete guide to our rights when you may well be missing important information out.
 
I agree with the above. Apart from that the website is riddled with spelling errors and bad grammar!
 
I agree with the above. Apart from that the website is riddled with spelling errors and bad grammar!

apologies for double post - forum locked up when I clicked send! :(
 
It's not a great website, but it's got potential, and could be a useful resource for people not used to trolling forums.
 
Although a good idea I think a site such as that could be quite dangerous as is any site that provides legal information. Get it wrong and you could end up paying for it.

If you are keen to continue with the site it needs a good tidy and a uniform appearance. It's a serious topic so it needs a serious look. It would probably be helpful to quote references to each part of information given so that a user can decide for themselves if the information is worth trusting.

I help admin (well, kinda pulled away to a non-exec founder type role hehe) a large sportsbike group and we had an ex-traffic cop that would give advice but he was very very careful and to be honest a lot of the answers didn't give a 100% straight answer and was more a case of; This is the law but you've got to use common sense also.
 
I'll not be taking legal advice from anyone who disseminates legal guidance with spelling mistakes.
 
Some idiot forgot to paste the link in here it is
Sorry for the delay, I've been away.

I'm interested in what fonts people are seeing - in the text of the site there is only one font. In total there are two fonts in the whole site.
So far as the content is concerned, my main purpose in posting here was to get some input from someone with the appropriate qualifications. The current content is based on discussion in various photo forums (including this one).
if you have appropriate qualification/experience maybe you'd like to help out?
 
I'd make sure you get a lawer to check the whole thing out to make sure you don't end up in a legal battle yourself. The last thing you want is people taking you to court for giving them bad advice.
 
Would a notice on the website saying "this should not be considered formal legal advice" prevent that kind of trouble?
 
Too many balls in the air.
I've fixed the link
 
Is there really a need for such a narrow single issue site on this subject, a subcategory on a forum (such as this one ;) ) might put it into a more balanced context. If I'm not mistaken aren't you asking for someone else to effectively do the work for you anyway 'photographers with legal qualifications'?
 
Apologies for the circular link (I copied the post from the 'Introductions" forum here and the link then pointed back to that forum rather than the page.)
Thanks to those who responded, I was hoping for more substantial input, and perhaps some suggestions for how the site could be developed, and thanks to those who did.

To the spelling and grammar pedants, maybe you should have read the initial post which, i think, makes it clear that the site is not finished. It seemed sensible to get the content right before polishing the English. Still if it entertained you, I'm not complaining.

I think there is a need for this information and most other forums where I have canvassed it have agreed. The problem is that there does not appear to be a photographer/solicitor in the UK who is interested enough to make a contribution.

Thanks again for your input.
 
Personally, I get the feeling that you aren't happy with people criticising the site, especially from what you seem to consider "unqualified" people. Whether it's feedback you like or don't like try and look at a more positive side to this thread in that people have actually taken the time to look at it and replied on here.

Would you rather people lie and say it's great when it isn't? If anything they are trying to look out for you by pointing out a pretty important aspect in that you could end up in serious trouble if the advice isn't correct - even a disclaimer may not protect you because you still have a basic responsibility if posting publically accessible information and it would probably be a grey area of which may go against you if you were dragged to court.

Asking qualified solicitors to help for free isn't going to happen. At £250+ (if you are lucky) hourly for advice from a partner why on earth would they spend their valuable time helping someone they don't know and who also may have plans to profit from such a website through the use of advertising or something in the future? Perhaps you could contribute a little more in this site before asking for such a high demand in return?

So far on here you have shown nothing but incompetence, sorry if this is a bit harsh but come on, check your stuff before committing. Also, getting the spelling correct isn't exactly difficult regardless of getting the content right first. That's just an excuse.

On a positive note, seeing as I've obviously woken up on the wrong side of bed hehe if you really are set on continuing with this site then get down to the library or bookstore and search out some legal books on the subject. Read them and make sure you understand them because you would have to interpret the information and not simply copy it as it will be subject to copyright and may also not be in terms that the general public could understand. At the very least this may keep you safe from reprisal and you can also quote where you got the information from to reassure readers.

By the way, you don't come across as being like a Doctor and I personally sense something untrustworthy about you but that's just my opinion and doesn't mean I'm correct.
 
gman said:
Personally, I get the feeling that you aren't happy with people criticising the site, especially from what you seem to consider "unqualified" people. Whether it's feedback you like or don't like try and look at a more positive side to this thread in that people have actually taken the time to look at it and replied on here.

Would you rather people lie and say it's great when it isn't? If anything they are trying to look out for you by pointing out a pretty important aspect in that you could end up in serious trouble if the advice isn't correct - even a disclaimer may not protect you because you still have a basic responsibility if posting publically accessible information and it would probably be a grey area of which may go against you if you were dragged to court.

Asking qualified solicitors to help for free isn't going to happen. At £250+ (if you are lucky) hourly for advice from a partner why on earth would they spend their valuable time helping someone they don't know and who also may have plans to profit from such a website through the use of advertising or something in the future? Perhaps you could contribute a little more in this site before asking for such a high demand in return?

So far on here you have shown nothing but incompetence, sorry if this is a bit harsh but come on, check your stuff before committing. Also, getting the spelling correct isn't exactly difficult regardless of getting the content right first. That's just an excuse.

On a positive note, seeing as I've obviously woken up on the wrong side of bed hehe if you really are set on continuing with this site then get down to the library or bookstore and search out some legal books on the subject. Read them and make sure you understand them because you would have to interpret the information and not simply copy it as it will be subject to copyright and may also not be in terms that the general public could understand. At the very least this may keep you safe from reprisal and you can also quote where you got the information from to reassure readers.

By the way, you don't come across as being like a Doctor and I personally sense something untrustworthy about you but that's just my opinion and doesn't mean I'm correct.
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I don't mind anyone criticising the site, its just that what i was looking for (and have received from some other photo forums and from some on here) was input on the content and some input from a qualified, interested solicitor/photographer. Comment on the fonts and spelling is irrelevant since much of the content will change. I appreciate any input.
Sure if there are no solicitors prepared to help, then so be it, clearly there aren't on here, but I have positive responses from other placers. If they want to know more they could always pm or email me. i have no plans to profit from the site - can't even imagine how I could. I'm not asking for anything from the site, other than some photographers who might think that their right to photograph in public might be something they want to preserve. I don't have the time to be an active member of every photo forum, I just thought this might be something photographers could be interested in. Evidently, in the case of this forum, I was mistaken.

Why would I come across as a doctor?
 
In terms of advice and understanding of the law what will your site offer beyond the excellent UKPR resource that you've already linked to?
 
I'm presuming you are John Stolz as you are stating the website http://www.photographersrights.org.uk is yours (see the copyright at the bottom) and the contact email at the bottom (john.stolz@jsi.co.uk) of your website uses the domain www.jsi.co.uk on which under the contact section in that website site is signed off by Dr John Stolz.
 
I'd hoped to include a news section with people's experiences with police, private security, members of the public etc. Also the UKPR info is good, but rather unspecific IMHO.
 
Take a look at the comments on the UKPR page - hundreds of very specific examples all answered by Linda who has the legal qualifications to do so.
 
gman said:
I'm presuming you are John Stolz as you are stating the website http://www.photographersrights.org.uk is yours (see the copyright at the bottom) and the contact email at the bottom (john.stolz@jsi.co.uk) of your website uses the domain www.jsi.co.uk on which under the contact section in that website site is signed off by Dr John Stolz.
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All correct, but I'm not a doctor. You seem determined to find something underhand here - your cynicism will be disappointed.
I'm surprised you don't have something better to do
 
Don't get me wrong, the UKPR info is good and authoritative, but I find it hard to find the information I need in the comments and answers.
 
So why are you calling yourself Dr John Stolz on the website www.jsi.co.uk?

I've not been on this site very long but one thing I've noticed is that people here are very friendly but they also look out for each other. It's not so much a case of cynicism, more just common sense to be cautious, especially online. I've already offered you positive advice so I was not out "to get you" so to speak.

Why are you using that email address is basically what I'm wondering?
 
gman said:
So why are you calling yourself Dr John Stolz on the website www.jsi.co.uk?
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My professional site, where you found my professional title...and?
gman said:
Why are you using that email address is basically what I'm wondering?
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It's the default in my web-authoring software the easiest for me to poll frequently. Not that I particularly feel the need to offer you an explanation, but you did accuse me of untrustworthyness.
I've changed it now. Happy?
 
Ok, so you've just said you are not a doctor and now you are saying you are? You can't just give yourself a title like that - seriously, I'd reconsider giving out legal advice with photography if this is your style of operating.
 
gman said:
Ok, so you've just said you are not a doctor and now you are saying you are? You can't just give yourself a title like that - seriously, I'd reconsider giving out legal advice with photography if this is your style of operating.
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I never said I was a doctor
 
stolzy said:
where you found my professional title...
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You can't just give yourself a title like this, especially not on a medical related website - it's deception. Seriously, you don't sound like a 53 year old Doctor.

It's been fun but I've got work to do. I think I've heard enough now.
 
gman said:
You can't just give yourself a title like this, especially not on a medical related website - it's deception.
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Actually, it was the University of Southampton who gave me my PhD in 1983.
gman said:
Seriously, you don't sound like a 53 year old Doctor.
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That's because I'm not - as i keep telling you.
You on the other hand sound like the kind of fool who makes unwarranted accusations of untrustworthiness and deception on the basis of a quick skulk around the internet.
The decent thing would be to make an apology for such nonsense, but doubtless you'll just skulk away.
 
So you are a Doctor! I was just asking a few questions. Seriously, what's the harm in that? I've not personally insulted you but just aired a few thoughts and perhaps concerns so there's nothing to apologise for, but you have insulted me in quite a childish manner. Chill for goodness sake!

Besides, I've nothing to hide as my profile shows. I have access to info on certain people, nothing special but can sometimes help.

Perhaps it's time to put this thread back on track?
 
gman said:
So you are a Doctor! I was just asking a few questions. Seriously, what's the harm in that? I've not personally insulted you but just aired a few thoughts and perhaps concerns so there's nothing to apologise for, but you have insulted me in quite a childish manner. Chill for goodness sake!
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I am not a doctor. I have a PhD
Untrustworthy and deception sound like personal insults to me.
Nothing childish, just the facts, who else but a fool would make such accusations on the basis of no information whatsoever.
 
stolzy,
given that you haven't received the response you where looking for..... and are using what is normally a great internet community to simply "pimp" your site....

I would suggest that you call it a day kill the thread.....
 
You entirely misunderstand, I gain no benefit from any visitors to the site, indeed any visitors to the site use my bandwidth allowance, so if anything cost me.
I did this from genuine motives, because I wasn't sure of the legal situation (neither were people on other photo forums to which I contribute) and I thought there might be benefit in sharing it.
I have no clue what you think I might gain from 'pimping' the site.
you seem to be a very cynical lot over here :-)
 
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