Terrorism is turning into a photographers nightmare

The new anti-terrorism campaign launched by the Metropolitan Police could cause series problems for photographers.

The poster campaign, which was launched last month is asking the public to report any unusual activities, which includes someone using a camera suspiciously to the Anti-Terrorist hot line.

Many professional photographers are worried that this campaign could seriously affect their work and feel that it is nothing more than a problematic, scaremongering crusade.

One ePHOTOzine forum member said: "The potential risk of having the police descend on you for taking photos of a CCTV camera, or perhaps just for being one of ‘those suspicious people' with a camera, is enough to make any innocent person feel at least self-conscious if not downright fearful. The danger is that this could whip up a climate of fear and paranoia, making everyone feel less secure."

"Only a few weeks ago I was photographing a CCTV camera for use in a picture. Can anyone now be in any doubt that this was part of a well thought out plan for a paranoid, and therefore, compliant, society?"

The police are adamant that this campaign is not aimed at photographers, professional or amateur. The posters are there as part of the anti-terrorism campaign and to ensure the public are safe.

But with the ever-increasing number of reports about photographers and police conflicting over where and when pictures can be taken, many photographers are finding the statement hard to believe.

Only this month, the Bureau of Freelance Photographers (BFP) have reported that growing numbers of their members have sought help after facing what they can only regard as harassment by the police.

"Photographers can photograph anything they wish when in a public place, and the police have no power to stop them," said Stewart Gibson from the Bureau of Freelance Photographers.

"We ourselves have begun a campaign in defense of photographers rights, and there is now a great deal of publicity being generated about this issue," said Stewart.

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[CLOSE] coltranekoh

Cole

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Living in the beautiful valleys in Wales. Started doing photography in March 05 when I bought my first DSLR Canon 20D. I am learning new things all the time. Start reading books & mag of photog.: May 2004 Start taking photography seriously: March 05 Start doing Ph...

Posted: 14 Mar 2008 - 13:49

coltranekoh (e2 Member)

This is going to be a nightmare..

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Posted: 14 Mar 2008 - 15:08

Patrick_Moran

Whats wrong with Labour ? i guess what i should have said whats right with them?

Sounds a bit like nazi Germany to me with people encouraged to snitch on each other . its a crap poster any way lol

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[CLOSE] akifalikhan

Akif

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I am new to Photography. By profession i am a medical doctor and have recently moved to Kent from Milton Keynes; which is a bit of a change for me, sceneray wise. I like countrylife, mountains and basically just being free. All criticism is welcome and i believe in m...

Posted: 14 Mar 2008 - 19:35

akifalikhan (e2 Member)

Well just the other day i was trying to take a sunset scene and there is a train track nearby...infact quite some distance away but some security people while passing me stopped and asked me to leave as they said its prohibited to take photos of railway lines. i tried to tell them that i can't even see the lines from where i was and its the sunset which is in focus ..but i had to leave...
it is going to be a nightmare....

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Posted: 16 Mar 2008 - 01:57

vetcameraman

As someone said, '1984' was supposed to be a warning, not an instruction manual.
Anyone been watching 'The Last Enemy' on BBC1 Sunday nights?

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[CLOSE] Britman

Mark Boadey

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Have a leaning towards sports and action and portraits. Since becoming a member on this excellent site I feel I've learned so much and that I can ask question without fear of being belittled by more experiance photographers. I'm a self confessed Motor Sports nut a...

Posted: 17 Mar 2008 - 00:03

Britman (e2 Member)

It's supposed to fight terrorism when in fact it's aiding what the so called terrorist want, and that you and I are living in fear.

At what point will people stop being sheep and wake up. The people to fear are closer to home then they think.

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Posted: 18 Mar 2008 - 09:36

Steve_Atkins

I really like the poster design, I just think they need to make a slight alteration to the message, i suggest...

"Thousands of odd people take photos every day. What if one of them seems normal?"

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