EC Container 4
Photographers Rights
Photographers Rights
06/07/09 12:01 Filed in: Comment
There was a very good reason I joined the Bureau of Freelance Photographers recently, and that was because of their untiring quest to preserve the rights of photographers who are just going about their business, and trying to earn a living.
Over recent years, the British Parliament has brought in legislation that has severely restricted photographers. In their eyes, anyone that is pointing a camera anywhere in the vicinity of a child is a potential paedophile, and if you are just taking pictures of local landmarks or buildings, you are a potential terrorist.
Over-zealous officials appear to be making their own interpretation of the laws, and have attempted to confiscate cameras and memory cards from individuals, or demand that they delete the pictures. It appears that each time a photographer gets out a tripod in urban areas, they are immediately swooped upon and told to move on.
Unfortunately panoramic photographs (that are used to make up Virtual Tours), are either taken using one-shot lenses, or using “pano-heads”, which need to be mounted on tripods to ensure image stabilisation, and therefore panoramic photographers are potentially more at risk of being approached than others.
It is worth bearing in mind, that a Police Officer (or any other such individual) is actually breaking the law if they damage any of your equipment, and they cannot attempt to confiscate any memory card or camera, or demand that you delete any pictures taken in a public place, without first obtaining a warrant.
If terrorists were reconnoitring a building or somewhere else to do whatever evil they wanted, I’m sure that they wouldn’t be carrying one or more DSLR’s, lenses, and a tripod to do it. They would be a little more covert, probably using the camera built into their phone, so that they could take pics, and be out of there quickly without being spotted.
MP’s in Parliament have recently all been tarred by the same brush over the “expenses row”, however the vast majority of them are innocent. They should bear this in mind, when making strangling legislation, that is essentially stopping us from going about our business, without being repeatedly stopped, and harassed by officialdom.
I for one, feel reassured that I have my BFP blue membership card with me when I am out taking photographs as it proves that I am a legitimate photographer, and makes “officials” somewhat easier to deal with.
Over recent years, the British Parliament has brought in legislation that has severely restricted photographers. In their eyes, anyone that is pointing a camera anywhere in the vicinity of a child is a potential paedophile, and if you are just taking pictures of local landmarks or buildings, you are a potential terrorist.
Over-zealous officials appear to be making their own interpretation of the laws, and have attempted to confiscate cameras and memory cards from individuals, or demand that they delete the pictures. It appears that each time a photographer gets out a tripod in urban areas, they are immediately swooped upon and told to move on.
Unfortunately panoramic photographs (that are used to make up Virtual Tours), are either taken using one-shot lenses, or using “pano-heads”, which need to be mounted on tripods to ensure image stabilisation, and therefore panoramic photographers are potentially more at risk of being approached than others.
It is worth bearing in mind, that a Police Officer (or any other such individual) is actually breaking the law if they damage any of your equipment, and they cannot attempt to confiscate any memory card or camera, or demand that you delete any pictures taken in a public place, without first obtaining a warrant.
If terrorists were reconnoitring a building or somewhere else to do whatever evil they wanted, I’m sure that they wouldn’t be carrying one or more DSLR’s, lenses, and a tripod to do it. They would be a little more covert, probably using the camera built into their phone, so that they could take pics, and be out of there quickly without being spotted.
MP’s in Parliament have recently all been tarred by the same brush over the “expenses row”, however the vast majority of them are innocent. They should bear this in mind, when making strangling legislation, that is essentially stopping us from going about our business, without being repeatedly stopped, and harassed by officialdom.
I for one, feel reassured that I have my BFP blue membership card with me when I am out taking photographs as it proves that I am a legitimate photographer, and makes “officials” somewhat easier to deal with.
EC Container 5