bill Posted April 7, 2008 Author Share #181 Posted April 7, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) Was he an ITN guy Bill? If so thats fair, he is media. You are joking, aren't you, Rob? Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 7, 2008 Posted April 7, 2008 Hi bill, Take a look here Advice to photographers in Uk. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
biglouis Posted April 7, 2008 Share #182 Posted April 7, 2008 Bill, this is very good. I have so far been accosted by aggressive types (not that I was doing 'street' stuff) and jobsworths. What would make it better would be a reference to whatever acts of Parliament (if they exist) that protect photographers. It would then be worth printing this out on 6x4 and keeping it with you as some sort of 'proof' when approached. LousiB Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted April 7, 2008 Share #183 Posted April 7, 2008 I'm on a bit of a roll, letter to the Home Secretary; Dear Mrs Smith, You will be aware of the current advertising campaign alerting the general public ‘If you suspect it report it’. One of the posters/adverts advises us to be suspicious of people taking photographs in public places. As a keen photographer I find this personally offensive. I am also concerned at the number of instances reported of photographers being stopped, questioned, detained, having equipment or materials confiscated or in extreme cases assaulted by Community Support Officers and Police Officers. As I am sure you are aware, photography in public is a perfectly legal activity and one which has a rich tradition within the arts. However, campaigns such as the one I have highlighted are clearly sending a message to people that this is not the case. Austin Mitchell MP recently proposed an Early Day Motion on this very subject (see details enclosed) and I have also taken the matter up with my (acting) MP (again, see enclosed). The EDM does at least help to inform photographers of their rights if confronted in the course of their hobby/profession, and whilst there is no need for any reform of the law - given that none is being broken by legitimate photographers - this is an issue which needs to be addressed. I would be interested to have your comments on the matter, and reassurance that necessary training or re-training for the Police/security officials will be put in place as a matter of priority. Furthermore, to understand the scale of the problem, I would be very interested to know how many actual cases of ‘suspicious’ photographic activity have been reported this year, how many of those instances have resulted in the arrest or detention of a suspect, and how many of those have been brought to successful prosecution for terrorist offences. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted April 7, 2008 Share #184 Posted April 7, 2008 Just occurred to me that I need permission from AP to copy their editorial article to enclose with my letters - e mail sent to the editorial team (in case you're reading Damien!) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
spylaw4 Posted April 8, 2008 Share #185 Posted April 8, 2008 Well done James! It had crossed my mind that the Home Secretary needed to have her ear bent on this, but you beat me to it! Given Andy's post about FIT squads, I think I"ll refer Freelance to this thread and point them to the AP article as well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael-IIIf Posted April 8, 2008 Share #186 Posted April 8, 2008 Furthermore, to understand the scale of the problem, I would be very interested to know how many actual cases of ‘suspicious’ photographic activity have been reported this year, how many of those instances have resulted in the arrest or detention of a suspect, and how many of those have been brought to successful prosecution for terrorist offences. Good work James. We could phrase this question into an official Freedom of Information request. I've never done one before but I know from civil-service friends it's the one form they really fear. I'll have a little trawl on the 'net for the appropriate method of submittal. Michael Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted April 8, 2008 Share #187 Posted April 8, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) Writing to Cabinet Ministers sounds like a good idea in theory. Unfortunately, in practice they will not even read the letter unless you are a constituent of thiers. You have to do everything through your own MP, no matter how useless he or she may be. I know this from experience. I wrote to the Home Secretary (I can't remember which one now, we have had so many) to explain in words of one sylable, why ID cards won't stop terrorism, but got a terse note back from a minion telling me to write to my MP. In turn, he wrote back, telling me that ID cards were so wonderful that they'd solve world hunger, make poverty history, cure AIDs and allow me freedoms I could only dream of. So, no luck there. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted April 8, 2008 Share #188 Posted April 8, 2008 I bet at least one person was shopping for clean underwear... BBC NEWS | England | Staffordshire | Police 'terror' swoop on BBC man Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted April 9, 2008 Share #189 Posted April 9, 2008 AP responded with permission to copy their editorial. Andy - the reason I'm writing to the Home Secretary is because I don't have an MP! As Mrs Smith is ultimately responsible for the police I think that it is only fair that she responds in the absence of an MP, given that Mr Ottaway appears to be passing the buck! Anyone see Roger Hicks article in this weeks AP? Yet another instance....... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted April 9, 2008 Author Share #190 Posted April 9, 2008 AP responded with permission to copy their editorial. Andy - the reason I'm writing to the Home Secretary is because I don't have an MP! As Mrs Smith is ultimately responsible for the police I think that it is only fair that she responds in the absence of an MP, given that Mr Ottaway appears to be passing the buck! Anyone see Roger Hicks article in this weeks AP? Yet another instance....... AP certainly seem to be taking this seriously. I was aware of Roger's experience - he wrote about it on RFF - and he has been quite clear about his views "over there". Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted April 10, 2008 Share #191 Posted April 10, 2008 Well done, James, and here's hoping that the Home Secretary reads and acts on it! (I'm in Rotterdam for a couple of weeks so I can't contribute for the moment.) Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest suilvenman Posted April 10, 2008 Share #192 Posted April 10, 2008 Another vote for the EDM. I must say that my MP, Angus Robertson, was very expeditious in answer to my request for his support: "I sympathise and indeed I too share your concern." Cheers, Ken. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted April 10, 2008 Share #193 Posted April 10, 2008 I saw two real policepersons stop and question a photographer today. He was taking photographs of Tower Bridge and The Tower of London. As were hundreds of tourists. But, I heard the policeman explain to him that they wanted to know why he was taking photographs. So, if you're a man, on your own, in London at a tourist spot, taking a photo that's been taken a billion times before, you CAN expect to be stopped and given a ticket. I have the photos in the M7 - I'll post the evidence when they get processed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert_parker Posted April 11, 2008 Share #194 Posted April 11, 2008 Even carnival animals are getting tricky.... Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ps. M8, 35mm f2 ASPH screw mount, ISO 640, 1/350s Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ps. M8, 35mm f2 ASPH screw mount, ISO 640, 1/350s ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/47106-advice-to-photographers-in-uk/?do=findComment&comment=534355'>More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted April 11, 2008 Share #195 Posted April 11, 2008 I saw two real policepersons stop and question a photographer today. He was taking photographs of Tower Bridge and The Tower of London. As were hundreds of tourists. But, I heard the policeman explain to him that they wanted to know why he was taking photographs. So, if you're a man, on your own, in London at a tourist spot, taking a photo that's been taken a billion times before, you CAN expect to be stopped and given a ticket. I have the photos in the M7 - I'll post the evidence when they get processed. Andy, This is exactly the kind of incident which my (stand in) MP said does not happen! Will you be forwarding details to your friend at the Met etc.? It would have been great to walk up and hand the photographer and officers copies of the EDM! I am going to keep a copy of that with me in future. Robert - the person in the bear suit obvioiusly forgot they were wearing it!! How can you be camera shy when dressed like that?! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted April 11, 2008 Share #196 Posted April 11, 2008 James If I'd had Bill with me () I'd have spoken with the police officers myself after they had left their victim, and asked them why they stopped him, in particular (I will give you one guess as to whether he looked like he came from Iceland, or Southern Italy). Unfortunately, i had to get to a meeting, so didn't have the time to get into a prolonged discussion with them. They were very friendly about it, from what I could see, and the photog wasn't getting upset about it - which maybe he should have done. I'll post the shots tomorrow. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
spylaw4 Posted April 11, 2008 Share #197 Posted April 11, 2008 This has just arrived in my email inbox: Dear Brian Thank you for your e-mail. I very much agree with your concerns, and those expressed in Austin Mitchell's EDM, that there should not be undue interference with the activities of amateur photographers. Clearly there are situations where it is appropriate for the police to act. We have had the experience in London of areas where very young children play, and where they feel relaxed, becoming the focus for the kinds of photography that could be misused. I think amateur photographers do have to be sensitive to the concerns of parents and carers and seek their permission before photographing young children, especially if they are in swimwear or similar. But outside of this circumstance I believe in a society where we should all be free to pursue our interests and hobbies without interference as long as we are not harming others, and i cannot see how concerns about terrorism or other issues should be a factor affecting amateur photography. After the election one of the Mayor's advisers will be happy to raise this with the Metropolitan Police and clarify their advice to officers on this point so that they are clear on this matter. Yours Sincerely Liz Hutchins Ken Livingstone Election Campaign Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted April 12, 2008 Author Share #198 Posted April 12, 2008 Progress...! Press Gazette - Photographers lobby parliament over police curbs First spotted over on the RFF. Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted April 12, 2008 Share #199 Posted April 12, 2008 As promised, gang Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/47106-advice-to-photographers-in-uk/?do=findComment&comment=535542'>More sharing options...
Guest suilvenman Posted April 12, 2008 Share #200 Posted April 12, 2008 Well, all I can say is that this photographer was obviously looking for trouble and deliberately provoking the agents of law enforcement by going around with that indiscreet boxy-looking thing with a lens projecting from it. Any sensible person would take snaps with a matchbox Nokia. Cheers, Ken. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.