Innocent photographer or terrorist?

Searched - don't think a re-post.

Misplaced fears about terror, privacy and child protection are preventing amateur photographers from enjoying their hobby, say campaigners.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7351252.stm

Worth a read to the end.

[tweetiepooh]

I wonder how folk would react to one of these nowadays.

Shame I can't get one for more modern cameras. Pop a digital SLR with a 1000mm lens or longer onto a similar stock with an electronic trigger. Who needs a tripod?

[Xaccers]

More stupidity from the police!

From what I could read there, uneducated officers. An SPC?

Must admit, I've been twitchy myself about taking photos of our nipper in the park and whatnot with an SLR. You don't know what people will think and I suppose to some extent they have a right to be wary. Instead of worrying about it, I just tend not to anymore which is a bit of a shame, being a keen photographer. Seems people using phone cameras are beyond suspicion sometimes though, despite the quality some of them can produce.

Meh.

[cimt]

Originally Posted by kryogenik

From what I could read there, uneducated officers. An SPC?

Must admit, I've been twitchy myself about taking photos of our nipper in the park and whatnot with an SLR. You don't know what people will think and I suppose to some extent they have a right to be wary. Instead of worrying about it, I just tend not to anymore which is a bit of a shame, being a keen photographer. Seems people using phone cameras are beyond suspicion sometimes though, despite the quality some of them can produce.

Meh.

If you can't even take pictures of your own kids nowadays without people getting suspicious then that shows how bad things are getting...

I mean if a peadophile or someone who liked that stuff were taking pictures, then I'm pretty sure they'd be hidden...

Does that actually work with this thread? Hmm...

Originally Posted by cimt

If you can't even take pictures of your own kids nowadays without people getting suspicious then that shows how bad things are getting...

I mean if a peadophile or someone who liked that stuff were taking pictures, then I'm pretty sure they'd be hidden...

Well, yeah - exactly.
Still, people have this impression (media driven no doubt) that anyone taking an innocent picture near their property/kids is doing so without their consent, when in fact it's not illegal to take pictures in a public place.
This 'copper' asked the photographer if he had a license for goodness sake!

I fully accept there are certain circumstances which may look dodgy though.
I'd have to say if a parent was uncomfortable, I'd tend not to argue the point.
I would certainly not be willing to delete anything though, unless it was clearly not of what I intended to shoot (i.e. my own kid).
Using an SLR with a decent lens on it it can look pro to anyone who's not into photography.
I once asked a couple of parents if I could take photos of my kid on a see-saw as theirs was on the other end. They agreed - and I offered to email them copies and gave them my card - but at the end of the day, I only asked as they were looking me up and down. I don't have to ask anyone's permission. Once I did however, they were nice as you like so no harm done I suppose.
But I mean, what is one supposed to do if they want to take pics of their kids outdoors? Wait until everyone's gone home? Or ask everyone's permission first?
Like I said, it's too much hassle these days & I tend not to bother, which is a shame. Due to circumstances, I've no pics from me growing up playing, I'd like to have as many as possible of my kid.

[AntiSilence]

If I was asked by a parent to stop taking photo's of my own kids (when we have some that is) I would tell them where to go.

As for the police officer, how daft would he feel trying to prosecute someone for not having a license for a camera! And I certainly would not delete anything either.

I remember getting my new Olympus camera in 2002 because I wanted to take lots of photos in and around Manchester while the Commonwealth Games were on. I remember seeing a guy being questioned in Piccadilly Gardens by the police, and one of them was checking the photos he'd been taking. Since then, I have trouble using my camera in public just incase anybody thinks i'm a perv.

I was fine and didn't think nothing of taking photos of the public and their surrounding, I love candid shots of real people getting on with real life, and not putting a face on for the camera. But now, i'm just too paranoid, so haven't taken any pictures for ages. Apart from the odd few with my mobile phone.

Originally Posted by Enuff

I remember getting my new Olympus camera in 2002 because I wanted to take lots of photos in and around Manchester while the Commonwealth Games were on. I remember seeing a guy being questioned in Piccadilly Gardens by the police, and one of them was checking the photos he'd been taking. Since then, I have trouble using my camera in public just incase anybody thinks i'm a perv.

I was fine and didn't think nothing of taking photos of the public and their surrounding, I love candid shots of real people getting on with real life, and not putting a face on for the camera. But now, i'm just too paranoid, so haven't taken any pictures for ages. Apart from the odd few with my mobile phone.

I know how you feel.
I just bought a new zoom and then thought why did I bother!
I mean, there's legally nothing to stop me putting the cam on a tripod in the middle of Market St and shooting away. But paranoia plays a big part - you're not on your own there.

[Xaccers]

I'm sure there's a list of your photographic rights somewhere online, I know many photographers (even professional ones) carry it with them all the time incase some dopey copper gets too big for his boots.
Course, rolling them up and smacking some sense into the copper may be satisfying, but not helpful

[Delta Whiskey]

The only time I got 'noticed' by the Police was when I took photo's of the newly built Police Station. I could see officers looking at me, but no-one came across and tried to stop me. http://www.flickr.com/photos/deltawh...7603656075972/

[peanut]

Originally Posted by Delta Whiskey

The only time I got 'noticed' by the Police was when I took photo's of the newly built Police Station. I could see officers looking at me, but no-one came across and tried to stop me. http://www.flickr.com/photos/deltawh...7603656075972/

Now that is a big speaker attached to that building.

[AntiSilence]

Originally Posted by peanutkp

Now that is a big speaker attached to that building.

30kW RMS by the looks of it!

[Wicked_and_Crazy]

Originally Posted by AntiSilence

30kW RMS by the looks of it!

i dont think much to the disco lights

Originally Posted by Xaccers

I'm sure there's a list of your photographic rights somewhere online, I know many photographers (even professional ones) carry it with them all the time

Same source gave this link if it's the one you mean Xaccers?

http://www.sirimo.co.uk/media/UKPhotographersRights.pdf