Photography in public places

Mercia Blackcat · 21st January 2009, 09:06 PM

I don't want to go into details at this point in time but in my local town I was followed by a private security guard or Town Ranger as they are called this luchtime as I took photographs from a public place of buildings that are not sensitive in nature.

I have not encountered this before but when looking into it have found that it is increasingly becomming a problem for street photographers.

It is perfectly legal to photograph buildings and indeed people in a public place. In fact even if you stray onto private land, which I did not, you can only be asked to leave and your photographs do not have to be deleted.

Anyone else come accross this problem? The buildings I was photographing are Victorian and of historical interest but I object to being stalked while I go about my lawful business in a public place.

This website covers the relevant rights of photographers.

http://www.sirimo.co.uk/media/UKPhotographersRights.pdf

ravydavygravy · 21st January 2009, 09:15 PM

I know someone that apprehended for taking photos of some rail construction work.

Mercia Blackcat · 21st January 2009, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ravydavygravy

I know someone that apprehended for taking photos of some rail construction work.

That appears to be a special case but according to the law it would also appear to be only illegal if his intent was to do harm to the state.

What happened? Did he get to retain his photographs?

ravydavygravy · 21st January 2009, 09:54 PM

Aye. He got a letter of apology too.

anewloginapparently · 21st January 2009, 10:01 PM

I know someone who is into development that was taking pictures of a block of flats going up in Manchester when he was physically manhandled and his camera taken off him by security.

LeicesterMackem · 21st January 2009, 10:06 PM

All part of New Labour's authoritarianism:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisf...spotter-arrest

Mercia Blackcat · 21st January 2009, 10:28 PM

The thing is this Town Ranger's uniform was a matching baseball hat and bomber jacket. At first I thought I was being stalked by a fucking charver, popped my camera in me pocket and jumped in a taxi. I am getting on a bit so didn't fancy being mugged.

As I was in the taxi I saw another in the same uniform and asked the taxi driver who they were and he explained they were the new Town Rangers, a Private company. A fucking joke man, they act more suspiciously than any chavs. Wannabe cops I reckon.

This country gets worse by the day.

You shouldn't take pics yet they have CCTV everywhere taking pics of us.

youmademerealise · 21st January 2009, 11:51 PM

Good thread Mercia, and useful links

Texas · 22nd January 2009, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mercia Blackcat

I don't want to go into details at this point in time but in my local town I was followed by a private security guard or Town Ranger as they are called this luchtime as I took photographs from a public place of buildings that are not sensitive in nature.

I have not encountered this before but when looking into it have found that it is increasingly becomming a problem for street photographers.

It is perfectly legal to photograph buildings and indeed people in a public place. In fact even if you stray onto private land, which I did not, you can only be asked to leave and your photographs do not have to be deleted.

Anyone else come accross this problem? The buildings I was photographing are Victorian and of historical interest but I object to being stalked while I go about my lawful business in a public place.

This website covers the relevant rights of photographers.

http://www.sirimo.co.uk/media/UKPhotographersRights.pdf

Are you a swarthy Muslim?

And what town has the audacity to name it's rent-a-cops 'Town rangers'?

supersox · 22nd January 2009, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mercia Blackcat

I don't want to go into details at this point in time but in my local town I was followed by a private security guard or Town Ranger as they are called this luchtime as I took photographs from a public place of buildings that are not sensitive in nature.

I have not encountered this before but when looking into it have found that it is increasingly becomming a problem for street photographers.

It is perfectly legal to photograph buildings and indeed people in a public place. In fact even if you stray onto private land, which I did not, you can only be asked to leave and your photographs do not have to be deleted.

Anyone else come accross this problem? The buildings I was photographing are Victorian and of historical interest but I object to being stalked while I go about my lawful business in a public place.

This website covers the relevant rights of photographers.

http://www.sirimo.co.uk/media/UKPhotographersRights.pdf

dont you have to get them to sign a release form?
and yeah, its a pain in the arse, although if you say you work for the bbc 9 times out of 10 they'll fuck off no questions asked.