Join Now
Join ePHOTOzine, the friendliest photography community.
Upload photos, chat with photographers, win prizes and much more for free!
| Category: | Industry News |
Incident with police puts man off photography - A photographer who took pictures of a child vandalising woodland was questioned by police.
Add Comment
Jargon Buster: Off
A 69-year-old man was questioned by the police after a neighbour reported that he had taken pictures of a child damaging woodland near his house.The whole thing's really put me off taking pictures though. I used to take a camera everywhere with me but I don't do this anymore.”
Explore More
Comments
It is I believe not illegal to take pictures of anyone in a public place including children; due to intense paranoia suffered by the UK in general it is unwise however to point your camera in the direction of children.
I'm happy that we haven't instituted that kind of restrictions in the USA. Privacy Laws are good, however I find it disturbing that you are not allowed to take photos of somebody, regardless of age, who would be vandalizing private property.
So Mr Masseys answer to the issue, Is to lay down, Give in, Give up photography, No wonder the paranoid brigade are taking control.
Why is he not taking this matter further, Why is he not demanding some legal action be taken against the vandals, Hell ! He's even got photographic evidence to prove his case.
The most likely scenario is that he can't be bothered, Or just wants a quiet life, ( don't we all ) However the only way to win a battle is, Unfortunately to fight......!
Its ridiculous that Mr Massey has been treated this way, when all he was trying to do was prevent a REAL crime.
Also in the article, if the boy is supposed to be in the care of a childminder, she couldn't have been doing a very good job!
This country is mad!
Rob
Even if Mr Massey didnt take the officers shoulder numbers at the time of their visit, by contacting the Professional Standards Department at the force headquaters they will easily be able to trace the officers involved.
If I'd received the call from the 'child minder' I would have advised her exactly what the law was. However we dont have any idea what slant, if any, she put on the original report
'You are reminded that, under UK law, there are no restrictions on taking photographs in a public place or on photography of individuals, whether they are adults or minors. There is no right to privacy in a public place, although photographers are of course subject to the usual libel laws in the same way as any other citizen and should observe them. Equipment or film may not be confiscated, or images deleted by any person or officer unless a warrant for such action is issued. Any attempt without a warrant is considered assault under UK law.
Quote:
I was at my local camera club the other night and we were given this to download from the guest speaker's web site. Well worth having a copy on you alongside your camera
Jenni Alexander
I heard a comment whilst taking photographs at an easter weekend event. It was along the lines of
"I'd be really annoyed if a photograph of me turned up in next months magazine or the newspaper. You can't just go around photographing what you want, you need permission"
I kept my mouth shut. But it is worrying that the person even felt the need to make such a comment. The really sad thing though is that I wasn't even surprised to hear this.
Do they honestly think all of the celebs, royals, footballers etc give permission to be photographed? No, but they still buy OK magazine.
Welcome to the mad-house. Not only does the little scumbag get away with vandalism but even at such a young age he knows how to play the system to his advantage.
I know this is a photography forum but nothing makes my blood boil more than the persistent trampling of decent people by oiks that know had to lead the looney liberal left by their noses.
Rant over
What is the world coming to when you cant take pictures without feeling that you have done something wrong, or be-littled about it , Yes there is some nasty people on this earth but you cant tag everyone in the same boat , this country is so paranoid about things people need to take a step back, To me it is just silly, I wanted to take some pictures of our children a few weeks ago when we where camping in the play area, but i said to the other half i dont want too as people mite think i am a perv, its such a tricky situation taking a picture these days you have to be so careful,. Its about time something was done about it!!.
It won't be too long now that taking pictures at carnivals will be frowned upon.
Do we need the written/verbal permission from the parents of beauty queens?
2009, just a bit later than 1984 but George got it right.
Print the pictures of the child damaging the tree and send them to the local Authority that Issues the lady in question with her licence to childmind along with a statement telling them about the incident of vandalism this lady in question allows the children she is licensed to "care" for to get up to without her supervision.
What goes around comes around !
Quote: He's even got photographic evidence to prove his case
Not really, the child was leaving the scene.
Had a few run in`s myself with the authorities 
A classic was when my daughter was approached by a PCSO and local newspaper tog/reporter asking her if they could take her picture too use in a local newspaper Story.
She was of the understanding the story had something to do with the local Park and improvements.
We were pretty shocked when the story appeared along with her picture with her full name printed bellow, on a story on under age
drinking
There were two other young girls photographed with here, the youngest about 11 and no parental consent had been given or sort for.
We ended up passing this on to the Press Complaints Commission and its now in the archives on line.
Caused us and a daughters a lot of upset and stress at the time, being seen as unfit parents and all that in our small town.
Seems there`s rules for them and rules for us 
Quote: ePHOTOzine contacted the National Police Improvement Agency about the incident and we are currently waiting for their response
Lol, never herd of them, they really do need to get them selves sorted out.
i have been approached by a community bobby while out taking pictures in the street. after a brief conversation he left me to get on.. but does any one know if a PCSO has the right to stop and question anyone at all. i may be wrong so please see fit to set the record straight but the PCSO do not carry warrant cards and only have the same powers as a member of the general public ie citizens arrest. is this right?
Adrian
Quote: but does any one know if a PCSO has the right to stop and question anyone at all. i may be wrong so please see fit to set the record straight but the PCSO do not carry warrant cards and only have the same powers as a member of the general public ie citizens arrest. is this right?
Adrian
PSCO Powers
This is just another example of looking after the criminal rather than the victim. It is time our Home Secretary cleaned up the act. The police should have thanked the photographer and asked for a copy of the vandals picture to press charges of criminal damage.
I am a neighbourhood watch co-ordinator and would take pictures of any act I witnessed and expect action to be taken.
I take my camera everywhere with me and an event like this would NOT put me off taking pictures, however` one would think that anyone with any common sense would NOT take pictures of Children.
Sadly` the recent bad press that came along concerning young children has left the whole World thinking that Anyone with a camera MUST be Child sex offenders !, most Adults over-react to any camera these days and even the humble Bobby has been known to claim memory cards and turf happy snappers out of public area`s for no GOOD reason.
The whole World has become Paranoid .... and yet GOOGLE still have the freedom of Every City in the world ? .. what a strange Joke it has all become.
Well if you have the dosh and the strength carry a couple of Nikons ie one over each shoulder and a nice Leica m8-2, with 24 on your chest and mothers will come to you begging for you to take thier little darlings snaps and e-mail them on to them.
Its happened loads and loads of times to me in fact I was once asked to go into a childrens playground by parents wanting me to take pictures.
'Stand up and be seen'.......The 'evil ones' are those that do not want to be seen.
Add a Comment
ePHOTOzine, the web's friendliest photography community.
Upload photos, chat with photographers, win prizes and much more.
