Re: Photography rights ...
Here is the UK version of the photographers' rights: http://www.sirimo.co.uk/2009/05/14/u...ers-rights-v2/
This is broadly similar to the US version apart from the bit about trespass.
Steve.
Re: Photography rights ...
Thanks for that perspectice, Old Crow. If I were asked to summarize the whole issue I would use ony two (2) of your sentence:
"Seems that if you respect the laws that are in place..."
"If you are respectful to other people..."
For me and everyone I know, neither of these has been difficult.
Re: Photography rights ...
Here is Information Bulletin HQ-IB-012-2010 (PDF) for DHS employees and contractors about photography of Federal buildings.
The abridged version:
"Furthermore, it is important to understand that this regulation does not prohibit photography by individuals of the exterior of federally owned or leased facilities from publicly accessible spaces such as streets, sidewalks, parks and plazas."
Re: Photography rights ...
See what happens when everyone is respectful and just wants to share info on a rather important matter without name calling and massive ego attacks.
I hope we can get enough peoples input on this to be able to build a wide spread informed view of the common practices of the rights of photographers.
Keep em coming! Thanks for the great posts so far guys!
Re: Photography rights ...
Oh dear, the reason all of those photographers rights web pages came into existence was because people who were obeying the law and not creating a nuisance were being hassled by people in authority (cops etc.) or people who imagine they have authority (security guards, nosy neighbours etc.). If being polite solved the problem of overzealous people ordering you about when they have no right to then this subject wouldn't have come up in the first place.
Re: Photography rights ...
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Paul Ewins
Oh dear, the reason all of those photographers rights web pages came into existence was because people who were obeying the law and not creating a nuisance were being hassled by people in authority (cops etc.) or people who imagine they have authority (security guards, nosy neighbours etc.). If being polite solved the problem of overzealous people ordering you about when they have no right to then this subject wouldn't have come up in the first place.
Yes there have been people that were doing the right thing that were stopped and questioned by people who were clueless. These are posted mainly for people here in America in the large cities that are not too sure of what is allowed on the transit systems in place.
There have been a string of posts on a few of the photography forums of photographers being arrested for taking photos, which was not the case. The photographers in question were trespassing on private property and were asked to leave. They then acted in very rash and disrespectful ways and subsequently ended up under arrest.
People with a badge, even if its plastic will always question things that they are not familiar to, this is part of life. Being that our photography has become a part of history to most people and the days of large format and tripods in the press and most photography for that matter have faded into something made for books and movies, we will be questioned in both good and bad ways by people. If you can handle the moments of irritation by those people that are uncertain over what we are doing and if it is allowed with respect to them on a basic level, then nothing shall be pressed and the situation will not become heated.
Like I said, this is just intended to inform some people of the basic rules and regulations that are currently in place. I do not make any claims on wether or not we are still going to be approached and questioned by people who feel they have the authority to do so.
Re: Photography rights ...
Quote:
Originally Posted by
OldCrow
I do not make any claims on wether or not we are still going to be approached and questioned by people who feel they have the authority to do so.
I personally think that the number of times this occurs is going to reduce in the future. There have been a few cases of harassment both here and in the US which have received quite a bit of media attention. In all the cases I can remember, the police or security ended up apologising. Here in the UK, police forces have issued guidelines to their officers as it is not good for their public relations for them to be seen hassling people who are doing something lawful.
I think it just needs a few more high profile cases and perhaps a couple of lawsuits and it will all become a thing of the past.
It is also wise to be aware that although you might hear about half a dozen cases of harassment, you don't hear about the millions of cases where someone photographs in public without any incident. People tend not to make posts on websites such as "I was in New York city yesterday and took a photograph of the Empire State Building. I can't believe that no one stopped me to ask what I was doing or threw me in jail. Are they implying that my photography is no good or has no artistic merit?"
Quote:
Originally Posted by
OldCrow
There have been a string of posts on a few of the photography forums of photographers being arrested for taking photos, which was not the case..
That is correct. You can only be arrested on suspicion of carrying out something illegal (or an arrestable offence as it is known here). You don't have to be guilty to be arrested but the officer must have reasonable suspicion.
Steve.
Re: Photography rights ...
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Steve Smith
It is also wise to be aware that although you might hear about half a dozen cases of harassment, you don't hear about the millions of cases where someone photographs in public without any incident. People tend not to make posts on websites such as "I was in New York city yesterday and took a photograph of the Empire State Building. I can't believe that no one stopped me to ask what I was doing or threw me in jail. Are they implying that my photography is no good or has no artistic merit?"
That has been a major part of my thinking. There are a great number of people that would like to wave flags and scream out of the general fear of the worst. Yet we have to take into consideration the devastatingly large number of photos taken every single second world wide. We hear of the cases of the worst, simply because they go very against the grain of the common practices. No one is going to scream about a photographer being approached to be questioned about the type of camera it is, or to have someone express that they simply think its cool to see someone shooting in a different format then digital. That is not news worthy.
We also have to concern ourselves with the large number of false stories that are shifting through the internet, as well as the false claims of wrongful arrest in attempts to sue for financial gains by unscrupulous people. We have to as a whole just try to wade through the annoyance of being approached by the authorities that are unclear on the current laws pertaining to photography in public places, truly public spaces (not private space that is opened to the public to use at the owner discretion.).
We have to understand that raising the issue to a shouting match and stomping our feet as a communal whole is only going to create a delay in allowing public photography to return to the place it was prior to all the seemingly blow out of proportion securities acts that have been invoked since the events a decade ago.
I am not alluding to anyone being a push over when they are in their legal right, but sometimes it is better to turn the other cheek and respect that not everyone is aware of what is right or wrong. No photo is worth the aggravation of being arrested or threatened with arrest.
Re: Photography rights ...
Quote:
Originally Posted by
OldCrow
sometimes it is better to turn the other cheek and respect that not everyone is aware of what is right or wrong. No photo is worth the aggravation of being arrested or threatened with arrest.
Some people are not good at standing up for their rights even if they know they are right - and there is no shame in that as we are all different. It is up to the rest of us to assert our rights on their behalf. Hopefully the message will get through.
Further to my (and your) comments about the number of photographers being hassled compared to the number of photographs taken - I think the same can be said for police officers (and probably security guards). For every ignorant police officer, there are thousands more who do know their jobs and are fair and reasonable.
Steve.