Police and street photography

derek · Police and street photography

Saw on the news yesterday a story about a chap who got stopped by the police while he was taking photos in the street. Apparently there's a petition to get the law clarified. Here's a link to a BBC article on the subject. If the link doesn't work, just go to BBC.co.uk, Magazine from the list down the left hand side.

Has anyone on here been stopped by the law whilst taking photos?

Derek

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7351252.stm

flapjack · law

I do agree with the chap who was stopped and I cant understand why they singled him out. I just have a point and shoot camera and I get really mad when people who have stopped me turn a blind eye to those taking photos of the same subject but on mobile phones!! grrrrr

hil26

not been stopped but do admit to being careful where I point the camera.

Was taking photos of my grandson in local park and my wife said that i need to be careful - we had a discussion that went along the lines that I shall take pictures of my grandson in any situation I want, and should anybody object then I shall ........... (you fill in the words).

I also try and obscure backgrounds/people in backgrounds using shallow dof's.

Nobody objected as they were all taking pictures of their little ones.

As the article says, the police have no right to insist that images are removed from the camera - just do not get into noisy heated argument, stay reasonable calm and explain what you are doing.

creators

Our fundamental liberties and freedoms are under threat as never before. I have written to MP's about this on several occasions and have never received an acknowledgement, let alone a reply.

The terrorism threat and the general fearfulness that has entered our society has been manufactured by an ever more intrusive and authoritarian government and a media that has abandoned investigative journalism for sensationalism.

There is no credible evidence to suggest that the modern notion of terrorism is anything more than has ever existed in real terms as it it affects the everyday lives of the average citizen of this or any other country.

9/11 has been used to justify everything that is currently going on to remove our rights and liberties and to promote fear. Throughout the time of the troubles in Ireland, when there was not only a credible threat but several attacks, there was no government or media circus to whip up fear and the threat and the attacks were met with calm and stoicism in this country.

One of the casualties of modern spoon fed media, most especially television, is reason. The constant news feed does not engage with reason, nor allow time to digest and qualify the 'news', just one of many reasons why I do not and will not own a television, as an act of political resistance.

But that resistance must take a more pro-active role in resisting any aspect of social control that is neither legal nor reasonable. The article highlights not just the unreasonable threat to our ability to take photographs sensibly and responsibly, it highlights the contempt and lack of respect that government and the Police have for us, as citizens, who, in the vast majority of cases, simply want to go about our business in a reasonable way. That the exceptions are establishing the threat and the rules to undermine individual liberty is the battle of our times.

derek

I must admit that i would like to try some street photography but don't want to risk being thought of as suspicious.

I don't take photos with other peoples children in them and only of my grandchildren when no other children are about.

I've coached youth football for the past 18 years and i've taken photos of the teams throughout those years up until about 2 years ago. i wouldn't do it now though.

i'm not keen on all the cctv camera either. their only use seems to be to make those street crime programs on tv. they seem to be no use as evidence in any court cases from what i've heard.

creators

A greater, sensitive, Community Police presence and less reliance on covert surveillance might go a long way towards reducing fear and mistrust.

hil26

keith - great words, wouldn't it be great if the great silent majority woke up and said something rather than being walked all over.

creators

Thanks Dave, it worries me that the silent majority will only wake up once it's too late. It feel as if England has lost its backbone.