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photomi7ch
24th November 2009, 11:02 AM
Because this is happening more often and there is a lot of disinformation on these matters there maybe a need for a separate section for these injust times that becomes a one stop shop for members to got to if they have a problerm whilist pursuing the lawful right to take pictures.

What do other members think?

It would be nice to have some of the fog cleared so we can live in peace with our hobby/profession.

Just a thought.

Trevor Crone
24th November 2009, 11:22 AM
I have a card printed by the Bureau of Freelance Photographers which says, "Compaign for Photographers Rights - Photography in Public Places". It goes on to say, "There is no law in the United Kingdom preventing a photographer - whether amateur or professional - from taking photographs in a public place. Nor do individuals have a legal right to stop a photographer from photographing them. Thus a photographer is perfectly free to shoot street scenes, landscapes, buildings, people, etc., without breaking any law and with perfect freedom to do so.

This card is issued by the BFP to clarify the situation following a number of incidents in which photographers have been wrongly stopped - by police officers, security guards and other officals - from taking photographs. In one particular case, Suffolk Police were obliged to apologise to a photographer after one of its officers wrongly stopped a photographer from taking pictures in a public place.

Photographers should at all times co-operate with the police and should take particular care to avoid obstruction the police or emergency services

There follows the usual disclaimer for loss or detrimental effects from the use of this card/advice.

One must note that this refers to photography in public places, photography or its attempt on private land, the laws of logic, commen sense, helpfulness and just being nice, do not apply :wag:

Bob
24th November 2009, 03:35 PM
There is a downloadable guide at: http://www.sirimo.co.uk/2009/05/14/uk-photographers-rights-v2/ (they ask nicely not to directly link to the PDF so I won't ;)).

All useful stuff to know.

StanW
24th November 2009, 10:28 PM
We're getting to need something like that, and I know that Pz photogrphers are also.

Sandeha Lynch
25th November 2009, 06:12 AM
The BJP has been running a campaign for clearer guidelines (and better education for the police) for some time. It's still ongoing, of course.

http://www.bjp-online.com/public/showPage.html?page=867292

Interestingly our local council has made an attempt to clarify matters for public events ... http://www.swansea.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=34000

One might wish more would do the same.

Dave miller
25th November 2009, 07:14 AM
The BJP has been running a campaign for clearer guidelines (and better education for the police) for some time. It's still ongoing, of course.

http://www.bjp-online.com/public/showPage.html?page=867292

Interestingly our local council has made an attempt to clarify matters for public events ... http://www.swansea.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=34000

One might wish more would do the same.

Thanks for the Links Sandeha. The BJP site contains further links that are worth following through.
I thought the council notes contradictory with regard to posting photographs on the internet, and I am not aware that an photograph falls within the Data Protection Act, but then I'm not a lawyer.