Photography is not a crime - SMH Blog

[Paul]

An intersting blog on the perils we face when taking images in the public eye

http://blogs.smh.com.au/photographers/archives/2007/02/photography_is_not_a_crime.html

The second comment from "Aaron" sums up the idiots we face..

[macka]

A good article, Paul, thanks for that.

I have to agree with whoever it was that commented that the fear of photography and photographers is just one part of a culture of fear we live in and experience every day.

As just one small example, there are so many extremely graphic ads on TV now (that there never used to be) designed to instil fear in people not just of smoking, but also skin cancer, car crashes, terrorists...

Remember "Slip, slop, slap"? Now we get see surgeons remove a hunk of skin cancer from someone's back and put in in a jar.

Sure, there are many things out there that can harm you... but I really don't think that being paranoid about all of them is at all healthy, nor is it, in most cases, actually going to keep you safe.

[Reschsmooth]

There are a number of groups of "idiots" out there:

Those who think they do have a right to privacy when in public places.
Those who believe everything the media says about people with cameras being peodophiles or terrorists until proven otherwise.
And those whose first option is to try to reach through your lens to strangle you and then ask you to stop!

Apart from when I am physically threatened, I will stand up for my rights in public and will offer to call the police if someone uses that threat on me.

It is, overall, pretty disturbing that this kind of attitude is so prevalent, but it is a function of the government's overriding policy of selling fear.

P

[Alpha_7]

I've printed out a few copies of the photographer's rights for my camera bag.

[Reschsmooth]

I've printed out a few copies of the photographer's rights for my camera bag.

Unfortunately, I can't download the pdf here at work for some reason, and the zip file is blocked.

[Alpha_7]

I've printed out a few copies of the photographer's rights for my camera bag.

Unfortunately, I can't download the pdf here at work for some reason, and the zip file is blocked.

Try Here

[xorl]

NSW Photo Rights is an excellent resource but it's (understandably) fairly NSW specific. It would be useful to have photo rights documents for the other states as well. A document that is valid in SA would certainly find its way into my camera bag.

Has anyone heard of any photographic associations producing similar documents for other locations?

[bwhinnen]

NSW Photo Rights is an excellent resource but it's (understandably) fairly NSW specific. It would be useful to have photo rights documents for the other states as well. A document that is valid in SA would certainly find its way into my camera bag.

Has anyone heard of any photographic associations producing similar documents for other locations?

This was my concern as well, specially when reading the PDF for the first time last year.

[Reschsmooth]

I've printed out a few copies of the photographer's rights for my camera bag.

Unfortunately, I can't download the pdf here at work for some reason, and the zip file is blocked.

Try Here

You're a champ. Thanks

[BT*ist]

What pisses me off somehow is that if I openly take photos in a public place using an obtrusive 6MP DSLR with a 300mm lens plus hood, people assume the worst. What about people with 3MP mobile phone cameras that are much more easily hidden? And what about P&S cameras that are 8MP or 10MP and much smaller in size? Why do people somehow assume that if I'm up to no good, I'm going to use the most visibly noticeable camera and lens to do my evil deeds?

If I'm going to case a place for a robbery, I'm not going to trawl through a suburb in a hot pink monster truck playing Mexican Fiesta music on the stereo... I'm going to be inconspicuous.

(Thanks for the .pdf link, btw!)

[Vodka]

I've been a lurker around here for a while now. Bought a D80 late last year, although not exactly new to digital photography (fond memories of my first Sony F505V in '01).

I can't say I've experienced any sort of camera rage yet, both in Sydney and in my recent travels, but this trend is worrying.

Was thinking about taking the D80 to the upcoming Easter Show (which I haven't been to for at least 15 years) But with so many kids around, I'm having second thoughts. It's a shame really - would have been great to capture the colours and the atmosphere.

Ben

[Glen]

If I'm going to case a place for a robbery, I'm not going to trawl through a suburb in a hot pink monster truck playing Mexican Fiesta music on the stereo... I'm going to be inconspicuous.

BT, if you do take the monster truck out with some Mexican Fiesta music, can I get a ride?

[bwhinnen]

If I'm going to case a place for a robbery, I'm not going to trawl through a suburb in a hot pink monster truck playing Mexican Fiesta music on the stereo... I'm going to be inconspicuous.

BT, if you do take the monster truck out with some Mexican Fiesta music, can I get a ride?

Even if it's hot pink ?

Although some people will try to blend in by being obvious, which is why I think people feel that must accost photographers.

[Raskill]

Interesting that people who accost or even assault photographers for taking images in a public place state they are 'protecting their rights'...

Slightly ironic really.



At the end of the day, photograph what you want in public. If someone takes exception, tell them to call the Police and while you wait, take some more pics. Like I've said before, there is definetly NO legislation against taking photos in NSW.

[Reschsmooth]

The sad thing is is that photographers (and I am sure there are many other groups out there in a similar situation) are placed in a position where they have to defend themselves against people infringing on our rights.

Granted, if someone politely says they are uncomfortable and asks you to stop, but if someone approaches you in a hostile (verbal or physical) way, screw 'em.

P

[sirhc55]

The sad thing is is that photographers (and I am sure there are many other groups out there in a similar situation) are placed in a position where they have to defend themselves against people infringing on our rights.

Granted, if someone politely says they are uncomfortable and asks you to stop, but if someone approaches you in a hostile (verbal or physical) way, screw 'em.

P

Depends on how big they are

[Raskill]

This is an interesting topic that seems to raise it's ugly head far to often.

I think it might be prudent of me to raise it with the 'legal eagles' at the Sydney Police Centre and see if someone can give advice to 'frontline' Police on the rights of Photogs.

Worth a thought, leave it with me....

[Reschsmooth]

The sad thing is is that photographers (and I am sure there are many other groups out there in a similar situation) are placed in a position where they have to defend themselves against people infringing on our rights.

Granted, if someone politely says they are uncomfortable and asks you to stop, but if someone approaches you in a hostile (verbal or physical) way, screw 'em.

P

Depends on how big they are

Well, I'm pretty big*






* when I say "big", I mean fat, but synonyms are my friend.

P

[sirhc55]

I think that one should follow the example of Dirty Harry. Whip out a .44 magnum and say ”Make my day, punk”

[moz]

if someone approaches you in a hostile (verbal or physical) way, screw 'em.

Doesn' that depend on how cute they are? I mean, some of us have standards.

[Onyx]

You'd only be approached and/or threatened if you looked innocent. If you truly looked like you were upto no good, they'd call the police on you straight away!

I haven't had a bad encounter yet (touch wood), the closest was when I was photographing a friend on a train, and someone in the same carriage got up, spoke her piece about 'setting off' her son with my flash or something, and left to sit elsewhere. Uncontrollable laughter erupted when she left.

[Mr Darcy]

spoke her piece about 'setting off' her son with my flash or something

She may have had a real concern, though she didn't express it very well.
It is well documented that strobe type lighting can trigger many seizures from migraines to Grand-Mal Epilepsy attacks.

[hart]

If I wasn't in a similar physical condition to Reschsmooth, I'd probably wear one of these when street shooting

this is my fav.

[michael_]

what a great read and great resource, no more than a week ago i was accused of being a paedophile for taking shots of my mums god daughter (who i take photos of quite alot) at a swimming pool, i had approached management to begin with before i even started shooting, told them what i was doing gave them my bcard and the manager was fine with it, later on in the day after the shift change came the new manager, he approached me stating i should stop or i will be escorted out because someone said i was taking photos of their daughter near the change rooms, to which i replied 'have a look and see', i also told him to speak to my family who where all shocked, anyway he apologised for the inconvenience then went and spoke to the person who accused me, it ruined my day thats for sure and here is the killer, if i was shooting near the change rooms the staff would have seen me as its in direct view of the change rooms so the parent went to the extent of making up a story to gain attention

[Glen]

Michael_ that is the worrying part, that these people are so scared that they make it up.. Glad you were able to explain it all with little hassle

[michael_]

it is, and on the other hand, taking shots of the same child a few months back at centennial park, i snapped a few of some other kids playing with her, the mothers approached me and asked if they could have a look, they were all so excited by the shots they had a few printed and have contacted me since to take shot exclusively of their kids even passed on my details oto their friends, i really think it comes down to education, these ladies could tell i wasnt a bad person and had sense enough to approach me about it and realise i was doing it for the shots nothing more, its sad when we have to think twice about what we love doing in fear of someone thinking something