PDA

View Full Version : Rights of a photographer?


Dylanlewis2000
12th of October 2007 (Fri), 09:52
This may sound like a rant… well it is a bit, I’m just a bit confused. Earlier on today I went out taking pictures of my Local village. Passed loads of people some give me the nod and a little smile, but two really upset me. I was taking photos of local shops, something I have been meaning to do, just haven’t had the time to do it, and looking back, over the years there’s only a small handful of images of my town in the “olden days”. So I was just taking photos, when a woman came out of her shop and asked me “what the hell do you think you are doing?”
A bit shocked at this, I was a bit nervous, and just said taking pictures of the village. She then said it’s a security threat and asked me to delete the images, bear in mind, I had taken photos of every other shop in the village, and no one had a bad word to say. I showed her the image and said that I would not delete it as I had done nothing wrong. She then said that the police may get involved, so which I just walked off.
About 10 minutes later, I took a shot of a street. Nothing big or anything, there was one battered up house on there, and a guy came over stopped his car, wound the window down and asked me why did you take a photo of my house. Now this guy looked huge in the seat of his car, so I didn’t really want to give any back chat, as we were not on a main street and there was no one else around. I said I didn’t indent to single out any house and I was just taking photos of the street. H e seemed a bit shifty and sped off at speed.
My question is, why does everyone think I’m up to no good? What rights do I have to photograph? In my eyes I’m not doing anything wrong? Can someone give me any advice please as this really upset me today.

Mike
12th of October 2007 (Fri), 10:18
Here's a good link if you're in the UK: http://www.sirimo.co.uk/ukpr.php

Or in the U.S.A: http://www.krages.com/phoright.htm

Don't worry about what they think. You are well within your rights to take photographs of people/buildings/animals - pretty much anything - as long as they are in public places. I have encountered this before and while it is off putting, just remember that you have done nothing wrong and the police have no power to do anything.

The ignorance of the public can be very annoying on this subject and the one or two high profile stories in recent years have done little to help.

Have a read of the top link on photog's rights and print out and keep a couple of the fact sheets with you. Then you can wave it under the nose of anyone who accosts you in the future.

Don't be putt off!

Dylanlewis2000
12th of October 2007 (Fri), 10:30
Im in the UK, wales to be precise. I have never experienced anything like it! silly people!

S.Horton
12th of October 2007 (Fri), 10:36
I think they're just afraid.