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Just heard an interesting segment on ABC 702 about the legal position of photographers... They had a solicitor from the Arts Law Centre on to discuss the law as it stands... She confirmed that as long as you are standing in a public place, you can take a photo of whoever or whatever you like... The various laws apply only to the use of that photo.

The situation in private venues is a little more difficult as some bodies (e.g. StateRail ) have the ability to regulate against photography on their property.

Three people rang up to discuss the recent issues about photographing children, over-zealous security guards and discrimination against people with decent cameras because they are perceived to be professional...

FYI: The Arts Law Centre provides free legal advice via the telephone... More information on their website

Interesting John

I was at Nobbys Beach (Newcastle) on Sunday taking beach shots for a photo course I'm doing. I was very careful (paranoid even) of where I pointed my lens and was taking shots of a group of men (20-30 y.o. I'd say) playing beach volleyball. While doing this a young couple walked past and the guy said loud enough for me to hear "you're not supposed to take photos at the beach".

stubbsy
I hope you resisted the urge to tell the guy what you thought of his free advice.
Not sure I could have - people who think they have a right to tell me their views (uninvited) deserve an earful.

Man what a d*ck. I would have turned the camera and pointed it at him. I agree cricketfan, I dont enfore my opinions on anyone else so I hate it when they do it to me.

cricketfan, rokkstar

I didn't even acknowledge the guy - just kept my back to him & went on shooting. What he did was pretty gutless since he didn't have the courage to say it to my face. I didn't even want to indicate I'd heard him to deprive him of as much pleasure as I could.

Stubbsy, if you had continued to keep your back to him, it would have been an idea time to pass wind.

stubbsy,
Where's your index finger?

Birddog114 wrote:stubbsy,
Where's your index finger?

Controlling shutter speed?

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I think that responding in any way other than to calmly inform someone someone like this that they're incorrect is a recipe for disaster. Yes we are in the right. Yes we have a right to take photos.. we also have a responsibility to not act like a pack of arseholes..

Hell.. if nothing else.. if you escalate the situation, you're the one with the gear worth thousands of dollars hanging around your neck. If for no reason than that your gear is fragile, keep things civil when possible..

p.s. I don't think anyone here is an arsehole..
p.p.s. I would've ignored him as well..
p.p.p.s. Thanks for the link!

Ditto to what PlatinumWeaver said.
As satisfying as it might be to retaliate, the thought of having ya lens, camera or flash broken in what might eventuate (sp? - gregb correct please) would soon eliminate that satisfaction.

kipper wrote:Ditto to what PlatinumWeaver said.
As satisfying as it might be to retaliate, the thought of having ya lens, camera or flash broken in what might eventuate (sp? - gregb correct please) would soon eliminate that satisfaction.

Kipper,
Follow these hints and you'll be OK

-Just run! don't fight back!
-Don't go shooting by yourself, get more people with you.
-Always smile and shoot.
-Use wifi or shoot from the car with long zoom lens.
-Show them their photos and ask them say "cheese" again.
-Have a Gitzo monopod G1588 with you all the time.
- Wear a photo vest like a member of SWAT team with the a CB radio and pretend you're on duty.

I like the last one. Should dress all in black, put on a balaclava with 12up docs. Get an imitation gun and holster.

When somebody makes a comment you grab for the holster strap and go "don't make me use it!".

you can add to the belt (vest) coupa small deodorant spray can as imitation of the capsicum spray