Mass Photo Gathering
Do you remember the mass photo gathering at Trafalgar Square, London in January? Unfortunately I couldn’t go as I was running photography workshops that day, but a few of The Photo School group did get over to Central London to join in and take some photos.
The Mass Photo Gathering was set up as a way to bring awareness to the way street photographers are being viewed by the police. It follows a series of incidents where
- photographers have been stopped as suspected terrorists
- parents are having to write to the council to get permission to photograph their own children
Supporting Photographers’ Rights
I really enjoyed reading the article in the Sunday Times Magazine this weekend about the Gathering and what the future laws with regards to photography might look like.
If you haven’t yet read it, do it ASAP! Some of it is laughable, especially the Haddock fundamentalism part, but generally, the whole ‘health and safety’ culture which seems to exist to protect organisations yet evades common sense.
Be Confident With Your Camera
The article and advice from my photography friends tell us that:
- Nobody can force us to delete our pics (I’d leave that to your morals)
- It’s best to stay on public ground (and don’t use a tripod if on private ground)
There are no photography laws as such banning photographers from taking photos in public places but be aware that if you fail to cooperate with the police or the person asking you not to take their photo, laws designed to protect us from terrorism, harrassment and trespassing can come into play.
I don’t think photography should be something we have to worry about. For most of us it’s a hobby and should remain a pleasurable, fearless one at that.
What do you think about photography being under threat? Please leave a comment.
