Solution to public harassment of photographers?!

Wail

Wail

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Wail
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Today I came across an article in a photography magazine about how we can obtain a “card” that is endorsed by the police to state what our photographer’s rights are. It made reference to the bureau of freelance photographers along the way.

I came home; googled this, and this is what came up: -

http://www.freelanceuk.com/news/2735.shtml


and this is the site for the bureau: -


http://www.thebfp.com/frames.html


Has anyone looked into this? Anyone carries one of these “cards”? Yes, or no, it would be nice to know how this would help resolve the spiralling harassments we’ve been facing.

This said, last weekend I was out in the marina in Swansea (boat show going on) and not a single parent objected to me shooting their kid! I was rather surprised at how welcoming everyone was. The same attitude was displayed in the National Botanical Gardens a couple of weeks ago, when a huge number of kids were performing various dances etc. with multi-national costumes.
 
Wail said:
This said, last weekend I was out in the marina in Swansea (boat show going on) and not a single parent objected to me shooting their kid! I was rather surprised at how welcoming everyone was. The same attitude was displayed in the National Botanical Gardens a couple of weeks ago, when a huge number of kids were performing various dances etc. with multi-national costumes.
Click to expand...

To be honest that is how it happens in most situations still, it is still a very small minority of people that get stopped/questioned/accused.
 
Frankly, I've only had an encounter with a local ranger once. It was last year before the new year and I was in town taking pictures of people shopping when he approached me telling me a whole lot of "inaccurate" information to which I put straight.

He, and I, were very polite to one another and in the end he gave way to my reasoning. Still, though, I felt hugely insulted by the whole ordeal ... but it was a "different" experience.

Still, with the number of such incidents being reported on the rise, I figure it may best be prudent and get something like this to avoid any possible future mishap!?
 
I looked into the BFP last year. Although its seems a very good institution to be connected with , I did'nt see anything that provided members with any ID. If that were so, we might all get greater access to events etc.
 
I know I'll probably be a minority here, but I refuse to 'register' my photography to compensate for the stupidity/lack of training/ignorance of the cops.

It's not my place to do their job for them, our taxes are being paid to entrust them with the powers that they are misusing, I dont see why I should take pre-emptive steps to avoid something that isnt the case (ie they think Im doing something wrong).

Personal rant over :D
 
I'd love to join the NUJ as a student and get a proper press card, but unless I join the uni paper, I'd have to pay full wack, and the convenience of being recognized doesn't outweigh the cost especially as I wouldn't be able to produce enough saleable pics (let alone sell them) enough to make the membership for itself and study and go paddling.
 
Sgt_Major said:
I know I'll probably be a minority here, but I refuse to 'register' my photography to compensate for the stupidity/lack of training/ignorance of the cops.

It's not my place to do their job for them, our taxes are being paid to entrust them with the powers that they are misusing, I dont see why I should take pre-emptive steps to avoid something that isnt the case (ie they think Im doing something wrong).

Personal rant over :D
Click to expand...

Good for you Sgt Major, after all who is going to give the SM **** :nono:

I agree with this stance and wo betide any PC or Community Officer who tangles with my/our rights.

I'll just refer them to you eh?

:rules:

Yours tongue in cheek
jamie:plusone:
 
I agree!
Why should we defend our self's and carry the laws around with us? shouldn't they know them?

It seems a little unfair.
I don't mind when the police come and chat to me on a friendly manner and at some point ask me "any good pics" etc... but only as a normal conversation!

I don't like it when officers come to me and start talking about anti-terrorism laws and privacy violations etc.
Is it not innocent until proved guilty any more????

Phil
 
I get the point that it's up to them to know the law, but they don't!
And while in an ideal world, they wouldn't hassle us, but they do.

If I can do anything (within reason) that raises the awareness of others to my rights to pursue my hobby, then I will do it.
 
Am I being a little dumb in not being able to see the card?
 
In the small image on the first link it is being held up.
 
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