david

I wouldn't want our overseas colleagues to get the impression this kind of interference with photographers is happening all the time in the UK. As Areo says it doesn't happen in Scotland. A couple of years ago I spent a very happy morning doing street photography in the centre of Dundee with lots of police patroling around me and they didn't take one bit of notice. But I also do this in England and spend hours in the city centres of Newcastle and Durham, and I've visited cities such as Manchester and Birmingham and I've never once been challenged there. Even in London I spent a couple of hours taking photographs at the Eurostar station of St Pancras on my way to Paris and no officer stopped me.
But I'm not condoning the excessive use of authority because when it does happen its distressing for the photographer concerned. I agree with the previous comments about remaining polite and co-operative with officers who do stop you and ask questions. If you get their backs up it won't help.
david
PS Bear in mind that terrorism does happen and we wouldn't thank our police for failing to act on their suspicions and allowed lives to be lost in an attack.

That is one of the most blatant misuses of police authority so far. Fortunately this journalist has the might of the NUJ and a specialist law firm behind her - there is no way the police can get out of this. I'm sure senior officers at the Met will come down heavily on the offending officers.
What's worrying here is that had this been an amateur photographer or tourist with no official backing or knowledge of their rights how would they cope with this level of harassment?
david

While some PCSO and junior police officers continue to harrass photographers going about their lawful pursuits senior police repeatedly emphasise that there is no law against photography in public places in the UK. The Guardian reports Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner John Yates saying that there is no law against anyone taking pictures of buildings. This message does not seem to be getting through to some of the jobsworths in lower ranks. Perhaps its time for the bosses to start taking disciplinary action against their less enlightened colleagues further down the line.
Our political leaders should also examine the damage this aggressive attitude is having on Britain's tourist industry.
david

Great pictures but I have a question: Where is Donna Nook?
david

I like the stark effect of the trees against the sky, the sharpness of the branches and twigs makes for a graphic image. Tne silhouetted farm animals are good but perhaps would have been stronger if at least one of them was right up on the horizon to create a stronger outline. I like Ralf's darkened sky.
david

For me its the textures of the old wood against the pure blue sky that make this picture.
david

This is a very impressive collection of pictures. The high ISO hasn't caused any unpleasant noise, so you controlled that well, but it helped keep the pictures beautifully sharp - did you use a tripod or are they handheld. If the latter, respect.
david

Real class Ralf. I love the crisply sharp textures in the sand of No. 1 and the simplicity of the sand dunes against that delicious blue sky in No. 2. The inland scenes with the winding roads could be from the Himalayas; its very graphic.
david

I'm more than happy with the meaning of the subject and your expectations Dr Mhuni. I just wish my inspiration would get into gear. Still, plenty of time yet.
david