I understand, Malcom. When I was young, I was never shy or embarrased to just take any pictuers I'd like. Today I have become more considered, thinking about how people may feel. Neverthelsss, photographing is still - and should be - allowed in public places.
In Denmark a photographer photographed a policeman who was standing on a balcony, watching a demonstaration for better housing. The matter ended up in court. The judge said, that it's not allowed to photograph people in a private space, like that balcony. However he/she ended up ruling agains the police, because the policeman could be seen by many other people in the street and could be expected to have the rights (or lack of rights) as if he actually was in a public space. Regards Jens Bladt Arkitekt MAA http://hjem.get2net.dk/bladt -----Oprindelig meddelelse----- Fra: Malcolm Smith [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sendt: 15. august 2005 11:12 Til: [email protected] Emne: RE: The Photographer's Rights Cotty wrote: > On 14/8/05, frank theriault, discombobulated, unleashed: > > >I can only remember one incident when anyone made a comment. > There's a > >fountain in a square downtown that spurts up from ground level. In > >summer, kids are often seen playing in the spray. I was > photographing > >a couple of children frolicking in the water, and a lady > came up to me > >and asked, "Did you get the parents' permission to take > their photos?" > > To which I answered, "I don't need their permission, this > is a public > >space and I have the right to take anyone's photo I want. In any > >event, the parents are over there, they've seen me taking > photos, and > >they didn't say anything, so I suppose they're all right with it." > > > >She scowled and left. > > I have a couple of observations which may be if interest. > > One is that, next time you might consider a slightly less > adversarial reply, even if the questioner is obviously > ignorant of the law. > Sometimes, a friendly and reassuring chat can allay fears and > suspicions, even if not totally satisfying the inquisitor. > For instance, if the old lady had taken your retort badly, > she may have called the police, and that could have been both > embarrassing and unnecessary, not to mention a big > inconvenience for you. There are plenty of places in the > world where undercover police are watching for just such > activity and will readily arrest and detain for several hours > while film is processed and checked, memory cards perused, > and computers and hard drives confiscated and examined in > detail, with property being returned after some days or > weeks. (q.v. Trafalgar Square, London). I have to say I agreed with Frank and would have said much the same thing. I think it's the wrong approach however, but I am sick and tired of taking photographs (where I am after the buildings and not the people anyway) and comments are made. It's easier for me to take them very early in the morning, or make yourself really really obvious - wear a hi-vi tabard - and no one will say a word! Malcolm
