Tripod use in London ?

F1.2

F1.2

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A while ago I remember reading post regarding using tripods in London , Photographers being told " You can't use that here "

Have things altered ? or is this still a no go ?
 
I was up there Christmas Eve and there was lots of people using them, I'm unsure if your 'allowed' to but nobody was trying to stop them.
 
You can do what you want as long you don't obstruct a highway or put anyone in danger and even then only the police can take action. As always though, common sense should prevail and you wouldn't want to give photographers a bad name..or have your kit damaged by an over-zealous security guard acting unlawfully.
 
F1.2 said:
A while ago I remember reading post regarding using tripods in London , Photographers being told " You can't use that here "

Have things altered ? or is this still a no go ?
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I walk daily along the southbank, lots of tripods there...I would happily use one anywhere....
 
You can't generally use them in museums/ art galleries...
 
I was told by a security guard type person that you can't use tripods on the Southbank (from Westminster Bridge down past the Eye). I think you'll get away with it as long as it isn't busy.
 
Jelster said:
I was told by a security guard type person that you can't use tripods on the Southbank (from Westminster Bridge down past the Eye). I think you'll get away with it as long as it isn't busy.
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I see them every single day. I work along there somewhere. Perhaps it's a case when people take the Michael and obstruct the path or stay there for a very long time. Plenty of photography going on there and especially Asian wedding photography in their full outfits.
 
dejongj said:
I see them every single day. I work along there somewhere. Perhaps it's a case when people take the Michael and obstruct the path or stay there for a very long time. Plenty of photography going on there and especially Asian wedding photography in their full outfits.
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I was actually carrying my camera on the tripod when I was approached by the guy; the tripod was over my shoulder. As it happens, I was going to Westminster Bridge as there was a particular shot I was after, so it didn't bother me. I just happened to stop to look at the view from my position across the river to the H of P. I've used a tripod there before, but I guess if it's a Friday evening and it's busy you may be asked to either move on or go handheld.
 
Had mine taken off me when I went to Madame Tussaud's. Got given a ticket and it was placed in the security room. On the grounds of h&s. !
 
Thanks for the updates , may take one then
 
The answer is, it depends.

For example, the Royal Parks require a permit for professional photographers. They assume a tripod makes you professional. There's a byelaw in Trafalgar Square preventing their use. Southbank is private land, their property, their rules.
 
There are rules, some more specific than others as ST599 mentions, but essentially if you're in a public place, photographing something public, not being annoying (like getting in the way) and not trying to capture a private matter (e.g. snooping) it's down to common sense. And if you're asked to move on it's probably the best thing to do to keep the peace.

One thing that some don't know is there are often metal items in the pavement, usually the size of coins. The building side of these is private property and people/security guards have every right to move you on from these areas. Sort of like the front garden of a row of terraced houses. The trouble with security guards is they like to extend their territory. And it's probably best just to move on then return again when they're not looking :)
 
From what I understand, the stretch of the Southbank from Westminster past the London Eye is privately owned, and it's the security guys here that mentioned "no tripods", even though it was over my shoulder. I did once have a security guard tell me I couldn't take pictures of a building because it was private property, but I was on public land so I informed him of my rights and carried on. He called the Police who, when they turned up, told him he was wrong.. :)
 
I've used my tripod loads of places I shouldn't have in London. Knowing the exposure in advance I just open up the tripod and place the camera on it using a QRP, grab a couple of frames and off I go, by the time the security guard had switched on I've already got my shots. If challenged I say sorry mate I didn't know and I'm going now !!
 
Guys!! Guys!!

If you're all not happy with security guards treating you like that. Then start using monopods.

You can tell them: "Didn't you learn anything at school? Tri means three, a tripod got three legs, this one I'm using got one leg! Your notices never said anything about monopods being not allowed!"

If it will help makes you feel happier? :-)
 
Major Eazy said:
Guys!! Guys!!

If you're all not happy with security guards treating you like that. Then start using monopods.

You can tell them: "Didn't you learn anything at school? Tri means three, a tripod got three legs, this one I'm using got one leg! Your notices never said anything about monopods being not allowed!"

If it will help makes you feel happier? :-)
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Sadly, no good for use with a big stopper, night scenes or the trying to capture motion (people / buses etc) though !
 
Blank_Canvas said:
Sadly, no good for use with a big stopper, night scenes or the trying to capture motion (people / buses etc) though !
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If it's late at night in London and not a Fri, Sat or Sun then you should be ok. I've stood on the Southbank from the London Eye to Tower Bridge late at night with a tripod and never had anybody approach me at all. (drunks and weirdos not included)
 
grove39 said:
If it's late at night in London and not a Fri, Sat or Sun then you should be ok. I've stood on the Southbank from the London Eye to Tower Bridge late at night with a tripod and never had anybody approach me at all. (drunks and weirdos not included)
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That's all well and good but we're talking monopods here ! As for tripods see my earlier post ;)
 
Just because a place or area is privately owned doesn't mean it cannot also be a public place.Tesco's car parks are privately owned by them and often managed by a third-party parking management company. The public have access to them (for free) which makes them a public place. Twickenham stadium is privately owned by the RFU. The general public may have access via a paid-for ticket and it is therefore a public place. If a privately owned place or area is NOT open to the general public (whether on payment or otherwise) then it is likely to be private place. When a museum or art galley is open to the public it is public place. You can photograph what you like (unless there is a restriction on photography as a condition of entry)
 
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smudgie49 said:
There isn't one. The closest would be Section 137 of the 1980 Highways Act - wilful obstruction of the highway.
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Unlikely to be a Police Officer around to enforce this due to cutbacks in the *City of London Police / Metropolitan Police / BTP (Delete as appropriate depending on London Location)

By the time they do arrive, your images will be in the can !
 
Blank_Canvas said:
Unlikely to be a Police Officer around to enforce this due to cutbacks in the *City of London Police / Metropolitan Police / BTP (Delete as appropriate depending on London Location)

By the time they do arrive, your images will be in the can !
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You'd be very surprised how quickly they turn up when you're near a tourist attraction of some kind, not all of them wear a uniform.
 
grove39 said:
You'd be very surprised how quickly they turn up when you're near a tourist attraction of some kind, not all of them wear a uniform.
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I wouldn't !, you'd be surprised how quickly I can set a camera up on a tripod. Grab a few frames and be on my way. Knowing the speed and aperture prior to is the key thing here !
 
grove39 said:
Bit hard though when 50 people a minute are tripping over it.
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No it's really easy acutely, especially if you have a wingman / winggirl / assistant standing in front of it. Don't take my word for it, try it for yourself !!
 
As far as tripod use in London is concerned, if you're on the Public Highway and not causing an nuisance, obstruction, etc, then like everywhere else in the country there's no law to stop you, BUT...

A lot of areas that you might think are Public are not, Southbank for example, so be alert to you actually being on Private property where you least expect it and therefore subject to their rules.

Also, under counter terrorism laws there are a number of public areas and spaces that are subject to special conditions that might include prohibition or restrictions on the use of cameras, tripods, etc. Parliament Square springs to mind.

There are also other restrictions that you need to consider. Taking photos anywhere on the Underground system requires prior authority.

Message is, think before you get your kit out, ;) and even if you think you're in the right make sure you know/understand the 'small print'.
 
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Obviously, common sense should apply to every aspect of you're life ! jellyfish have been on this planet for 500-700 million years, they don't have brains. There is hope for mankind !
 
Blank_Canvas said:
Obviously, common sense should apply to every aspect of you're life ! jellyfish have been on this planet for 500-700 million years, they don't have brains. There is hope for mankind !
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Not if some photographers in London have anything to do with it. Most i've come across are just pretentious pricks who think they own the world.
 
st599 said:
https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/trafalgar_square_byelaws.pdf
https://www.royalparks.org.uk/park-management/licences-and-permits/filming-in-the-royal-parks#policy
https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/f...-on-the-tube/guide-to-filming-and-photography
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There is NO law that forbids tripod use. The links refer to 1. A byelaw which restricts commercial photography in Trafalgar Square - no mention anywhere about forbidding tripod use. 2. The policy (not law) of the Royal Parks in relation to photography 3. The policy (not law) of the London Underground in relation to photography.

I might have a policy of asking people to remove their shoes when they enter my house. That doesn't make it a law, just my policy which I can enforce by refusing them entry should they not comply.
 
I've been in London multiple times with a RRS Pano gimbal head and never had any trouble at all.

Of course, implement some common sense. E.g, no tripod on a busy walkway and be respectful to the fact a lot of London is private land. But yeah, I've never had a problem and seen plenty others with tripods. London is great city to use a tripod, so enjoy :)
 
London and a camera = chaos! Lol
 
Monopods are good and I have used one comfortably for years. I find it easier than taking my tripod in busy situations.
 
st599 said:
The answer is, it depends.

For example, the Royal Parks require a permit for professional photographers. They assume a tripod makes you professional. There's a byelaw in Trafalgar Square preventing their use. Southbank is private land, their property, their rules.
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smudgie49 said:
There is NO law that forbids tripod use. The links refer to 1. A byelaw which restricts commercial photography in Trafalgar Square - no mention anywhere about forbidding tripod use. 2. The policy (not law) of the Royal Parks in relation to photography 3. The policy (not law) of the London Underground in relation to photography.

I might have a policy of asking people to remove their shoes when they enter my house. That doesn't make it a law, just my policy which I can enforce by refusing them entry should they not comply.
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There is a byelaw forbiding the erection of camera aparatus (ie tripods) on hampstead heath - this is can be enforced by the hampstead heath constabulary - there was a big thread about this a couple of years ago
https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/t...for-using-a-tripod-on-hampstead-heath.581846/
 
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smudgie49 said:
Just because a place or area is privately owned doesn't mean it cannot also be a public place.Tesco's car parks are privately owned by them and often managed by a third-party parking management company. The public have access to them (for free) which makes them a public place. Twickenham stadium is privately owned by the RFU. The general public may have access via a paid-for ticket and it is therefore a public place.
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Nope , this is completely wrong - to qualify as a public place in law the public has to have access by right - tescos (and other examples above) are private places to which the public have permissive access at times and on terms set by the land/property owner ... you do not therefore have the right to take photos there (though you may or may not be permitted to do by the owner or their agents (e.g security guards)
 
smudgie49 said:
Just because a place or area is privately owned doesn't mean it cannot also be a public place.Tesco's car parks are privately owned by them and often managed by a third-party parking management company. The public have access to them (for free) which makes them a public place. Twickenham stadium is privately owned by the RFU. The general public may have access via a paid-for ticket and it is therefore a public place. If a privately owned place or area is NOT open to the general public (whether on payment or otherwise) then it is likely to be private place. When a museum or art galley is open to the public it is public place. You can photograph what you like (unless there is a restriction on photography as a condition of entry)
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Sorry, but this is wrong.
 
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