And here we go again, banning photography...

[bwhinnen]

As pointed out to be by Joe (dodge) in todays Courier Mail.

Full article

TRAINSPOTTERS and tourists could be forcibly removed from train stations if they take photographs of "transport infrastructure" because Queensland Rail guidelines may deem it an act of terrorism.

What next?

[Bindii]

And here was just the other day happily standing on the platform at Roma Street Station snapping away... *looks behind my shoulder*...

and who are they kidding... if a terrorist is going to snap shots I hardly think they would draw attention to themselves by standing there with a 'professional looking camera'... (as they quoted).. more like it will be the guy with the mobile phone camera who is the terrorist..

*sigh*...

[photohiker]

What next?

Banning electronic devices on trains because they may upset the navigation systems?

Taking photos is easy to pick on because it is an obvious activity.

It's also futile to ban it, because it is so easy to record images with hidden cameras, not to mention accurately map the area with a GPS track and just walking around.

Michael

[Pehpsi]

Indeed.

Terrorist 1: Quick, I need a picture of that train!
Terrorist 2: Which lens do you require, master?
Terrorist 1: Hand me my 70-200VR f2.8, and this time, please leave the VR set to normal!
Terrorist 2: Yes master, as you wish..

[Justin]

You mean, they would bother? Took about 3 seconds to get... Is that Bindii snapping away down there?



http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?f=q&hl=e ... 3&t=h&z=17


Or check out http://qroti.com/cgi/placeinfo.pl?Name=Roma+Street for absolutely everything you need, incl. photos!

[photohiker]

Justin,

I think Bindii was talking about this station.

Or the OpenStreetmap version here. (This one, you and I can alter by correcting and adding features, unlike the commercial copyrighted version on Google.)

Michael

[Reschsmooth]

Why don't you Brisbanites arrange a meet at a station and cause some public mischief by pulling out your "professional looking" cameras and start firing away! See what kind of response you get?

[Justin]

hahahaha

I am killing myself laughing. I'd make a godawful terrorist, i'll stick to photography and riding my bike!

Who woulda thought

[photohiker]

I wouldn't have picked up the difference myself if I hadn't been there recently. It's got a thumpin great roof over it.

Michael

[Greg B]

We were in Spain last year, and I took a bunch of photos in and around one of the main Madrid stations.

And you might recall that they have actually had terrorist bombings on trains in Madrid, but were they
worried about me taking photos? Of course not.

I think that in Australia (and there are similar regulations in Victoria to those in Queensland, probably
NSW too) there is a combination of wanting to appear to be doing something, regardless of how pointless
it might be, and the desire by some low level officials to exercise their ill gotten power.

[Bindii]

You mean, they would bother? Took about 3 seconds to get... Is that Bindii snapping away down there?

Thats my Sony side dammit!

[Willy wombat]

Seems they have to throw the security gorillas a bananna every now and then to keep them from getting bored.

What a joke.

[zafra52]

As Greg B pointed out

And you might recall that they have actually had terrorist bombings on trains in Madrid, but were they worried about me taking photos?

I was also in Spain taking pictures last year and nobody gave it a second thought, but here in Australia we are starting to share the paranoia, phobias, and prejudice of our big cousin the United States forgetting how liveable and tolerant our society can be. Like some of you have already stated, a terrorist like the spies in the old movies would be more likely to use some kind of simple, freely available, and undetectable gadget; not a cumbersome large camera fitted with a big lens.

Our illustrious leaders and bureaucrats seem oblivious to the fact that terrorist are not born, but made with unfair laws, prejudice and victimisation like in "The Constant Gardener". I think it is time we stop allowing them to violate our individual and civil rights. But again, I am preaching to the converted.

[surenj]

We should have a minimeet to see what would happen if a large group of photogs started snapping away in Central station. I reckon we could get away withit if we made ourselves offical looking badges stating that we are the press or something....

[matt-chops]

Why don't you Brisbanites arrange a meet at a station and cause some public mischief by pulling out your "professional looking" cameras and start firing away! See what kind of response you get?

I'm in. I love mischief.

[Pehpsi]

I don't take pics of planes anymore because they made me feel like shite..

[Grev]

I think the terrorist population in Australia just increased by a few (hundred) folds if every person that takes a photo is a terrorist.

[bwhinnen]

We should have a minimeet to see what would happen if a large group of photogs started snapping away in Central station. I reckon we could get away withit if we made ourselves offical looking badges stating that we are the press or something....

In the article a member of the press was asked to delete photos, so I guess us stating we are press won't really help all that much

[Bindii]

Why don't you Brisbanites arrange a meet at a station and cause some public mischief by pulling out your "professional looking" cameras and start firing away! See what kind of response you get?

I'm in. I love mischief.

Me too..

but only if someone brings food..

[Big Red]

This Link is to a card you can keep with your gear [make a spare copy to give to the person who harrasses you ] but it is American based ...

http://www.krages.com/ThePhotographersRight.pdf

is there anything like this available in Australia ?

[MCWB]

is there anything like this available in Australia ?

For NSW: http://www.4020.net/words/photorights.php#infosheet

[Raskill]

A few have mentioned Madrid, and how, rightly so, the Spanish don't give a hoot if you take photos. But, would you agree about a ban if there WAS a terror attack on rail infrastructure?

Just curious.

Personally, I think this is a joke. No terrorist is going to be using professional looking equipment, and as has been pointed out, there is plenty of images and info on the net anyway. I agree that low/mid level public servants tend to like to be seen to do things, and this is likely such a case.

On government owned infrstructure you'd be right to be pissed at such rules, in privately owned shopping centres, it's their right to make the mot draconian of laws if they wish.

By the way, don't rely on google earth if you are a terrorist. They edit/change/delete etc maps when requested to by governments.

[photohiker]

I think it's a case of the genie is well and truly out of the bottle, and there is no way of putting it back.

Terrorists either are members of the public, or masquerading as same. They can walk around and plan whatever deed they intend to do as they like, and I think in the London attacks, that is exactly what they did. We can't move the traintracks and railway stations, nor can we shield them from the public eyes, hidden cameras and electronics.

Whatever the expected outcome of this silliness, at best it will reduce the noticeable photography, but it wont alter the risk one little bit.

Google Maps/Earth are probably not where terrorists go for their information in any case, and governments would be interested in hiding security infrastructure, not railway stations.

Anyway, they have it all wrong. I watched a DVD the other day that told me that downloading movies funds terrorism, so it's not the photographers they should be chasing.

Michael

[Matt. K]

I believe there are no such laws in NSW and you are free to photograph on railway stations and in trains.

[the foto fanatic]

Queensland Rail has been forced into an embarrassing backdown as a result of the publicity surrounding this story. They have now stated that there is no problem with photography at railway stations. But they do recommend that you contact the stationmaster first.

It never fails to amuse me how, when you give some people a uniform, they turn into little Hitlers.

And, of course, handing out a ticket with a fine attached is bound to prevent any terrorist from committing his heinous acts.

[wazonthehill2]

It certainly surprising what can happen when you pull out a camera
I recently had to attend a one hour meeting in Perth (?!) and was tired and bored on the train back from Sydney to Newcastle, so sitting in the seat taking pictures out the window (along section west of Lake Macquarie). Things to photograph out the window are , tree, hill, fence, creek, like wow.
Then along comes a ticket checker in the train.
Ticket officer "what are you doing sir"
me "going home"
Ticket officer "why do you have a camera"
me "to take photos"
Ticket officer "Why are you taking photos"
me "because I am bored, at least Quantas had in flight movies (travel bag sitting there with Qantas tags on it)
me " here is my ticket"
ticket officer "what are you taking pictures of"
me "trees, hills, stuff, I am bored and I do not think they mind" (long long stare)
Ticket officer moves off down the stairs and meets offsider who had been checking the lower section of the carriage. They then proceeded to have a long discussion (in my ear shot but not sight, of what they should do with me). They did not come back!

[Grev]

Why don't you Brisbanites arrange a meet at a station and cause some public mischief by pulling out your "professional looking" cameras and start firing away! See what kind of response you get?

I'm in. I love mischief.

Me too..

but only if someone brings food..

Let's terrorise together.

[aim54x]

Indeed.

Terrorist 1: Quick, I need a picture of that train!
Terrorist 2: Which lens do you require, master?
Terrorist 1: Hand me my 70-200VR f2.8, and this time, please leave the VR set to normal!
Terrorist 2: Yes master, as you wish..

 LOL!!!

[aim54x]

We should have a minimeet to see what would happen if a large group of photogs started snapping away in Central station. I reckon we could get away withit if we made ourselves offical looking badges stating that we are the press or something....

oh we should so do it!!!

[aim54x]

I believe there are no such laws in NSW and you are free to photograph on railway stations and in trains.

Well i was taking some shots over at Circular Quay station not so long ago, and was told that I was not allowed to, and that I had to go downstairs and get permission from the station master, which I did, but i am not sure if there is legal ground behind this.