Photoparanoia

It seems that being in possession of a very nice camera avec nice 10-20 lens one can become the focus of unwanted attention, either that or people are becoming ultra sensitive.

I shall explain myself, today; I decided to go to a nearby town that is just undergoing that dreaded metamorphosis ‘regeneration’. It is a rather gritty and rundown market town at present with a lot of empty shops. Ironically, there happened to be a local social documentary mono exhibition on this week, afterwards, I decided to go into the street and take some shots of the old run down interesting shop fronts and general area.
Within the space of one hour, I was first asked whether I was a visitor, then charged at by a barber from his shop demanding to know why I was taking a photo of his shop, I was kind of including his shop but actually his shop front was only part of the scene I was taking.
After blagging my way out of that situation within 20 mins I was walking back through the main street and was accosted again by a stranger demanding the know why I was taking so many photographs of the town centre, who was I, was I a professional, did I have a website? My polite retort was who was he BTW?!

He did then introduce himself, producing a card saying he was actually an employee of the Regeneration Company that the town was employing and that he would be interested to see some of my images that I had taken if I would like to email him them, for what reason he was not clear.

TBH I have had less hassle taking photos in Russia, Vietnam and Mongolia than what happened today and I am beginning to be concerned that being a photographer out amongst Joe public is not as straight forward as I naively thought. I am sure Francis Frith didn’t have to run the gauntlet so.

Can anyone let me know what the situation is regards to my rights as to what I can and cannot take photos of, or recommend a link to a website that would allow me to be more knowledgeable on this?
I would really like to be more aufait on this so I can be well aware of my rights and of others; I would also be interested to hear of other people’s views/experience on this subject.

Shaken and stirred, Lilly!

the terrified barbers customer

Try taking pics of anything in London these days... and whoa there don't even think about putting up a tripod - who knows what you might mount on it!!!

On a more serious note, the couple of times that I have been stopped by coppers has been OK and they have allowed me to carry on without hinderance. My biggest issues have come from private security firms as I tend to be out at silly times of the morning - on one occassion I asked if they minded if I come into their security office to bring up my website to show that I was only there to take stuff for my own use...

Will

Maybe people are getting fed up with being photographed (speed cameras) and observed (CCTV's) going about their daily routine. They are now using CCTV's for parking offences. It's not paranoia any more, it's a fact of life in the UK All being used in the name of anti-terrorism
Oh no, not another bl**dy camera

Serendipity (Mick)

Great picture - worth the hassle without a doubt!

In the UK you can take a picture in a public place of anything that can be seen from that public place (MOD police take note). I was once stopped for filming, slightly more obvious than taking stills, with four or five people and serious tripod and camera, by the cops in Soho but 'obstruction' was the crime mentioned. There's an interesting article on page 6 of this week's AP. Photographers seem to be becoming a scapegoat or something and I'm sure paedophiles are at the forefront of peoples minds. I wonder if anyone would have bothered if you were taking picures with your phone?

There was an article about the perils of photography in London in February's Photography Monthly. Some things Brigdes, powerstations etc, are now seen as potential terrorist targets and are restricted, but generally you are allowed to photograph anything that is public. That doesn't however include shop windows as they are often copyrighted by the window dressers.

Should you get issued with a notice under the anti-terrorism laws (A very popular thing for the police and their volunteers helpers) to do, then get the name and station of the issuing officer and register a complaint against them.

The alternative is to learn to shoot from the hip.

I usually point out the fact that the same laws that allow them to set up video security camera and capture my image without my consent allow me to do the same. It works both ways. I then point out various clubs and associations I belong to and the approximate number of people I can have setting up protests and boycotts of thier businesses, if they insist on harassing me or violating my rights.
Bottom line and bottom dollar go hand in hand.

This may be a bit out-of-date, for all I know, but it's an interesting read anyway:

www.sirimo.co.uk/media/UKPhotographersRights.pdf

I've had similar experiences - but only a very few times - and all in the last couple of years. I don't quite understand the attitude.

One example: I was photographing the unusual QVC building in London from the public road. A security guard came out and told me that I wasn't allowed to. I tried to explain that I was standing in a public place so he had no right to harrass me. But he seemed to think that I had to have permission first before photographing ANY building, even a private house. I put it down to simple ignorance (though someone in his position should know better).

Anyway, I wrote to the company - and got a nice letter of apology back - saying that of course I was allowed to take photos from a public place and that the security staff would get a talking-to (or words to that effect).

The law may be different for certain government buildings, etc. See the above-mentioned article.

I tell 'em all to proceed with legal action or p%*s off!

http://www.met.police.uk/campaigns/counter_terrorism/ct_camera_2008.pdf

The police's new posters may explain the occurence..

Alarming

I'd be tempted to print off a few dozen copies of that, hi-light the last line, where it says "Let experienced officers decide what action to take." and hand it out to anyone asking what I was doing....

Since I usually carry a cell phone, I might even offer to call the police for them...

That is a very helpful link Pete.

I found that if you actually go to the Sirimo Website and have an hour or two to spare to look through the comments (269 as of this evening) and you will find some useful responses to visitors questions from the author of the guide - Linda Macpherson. If you have a specific question, that hasn't already been answered then you are free to ask - better to be safe than sorry.

Steve

....Thanks for the link.

Interesting comment about security guards there. The guy that hassled me asked me to delete my pics as well. I talked my way out of it, though there is always the concern of physical aggression in any situation like this, generally. Fortunately I was assured by the company in this case that the staff would never use force for anything like this, and that the guard was totally doing the wrong thing anyway.

Its a sad state of affairs, that people seem to instantly think the worst.

Walking round Buckingham with a tripod I was frequenty asked "Why are you taking my picture?" I normally reply politely with "Sorry I wasnt actually taking your picture, I was trying to shoot xxxxxx and you walked in to my shot" , either that or the local hoods yell some abuse which I generally just ignore

but I havent ever had an irate / angry person though.

Where you shooting with a digital or film ?

Regards
PaulM