Southport and Lancashire Forums

THE Bureau of Freelance Photographers, like other groups including the NUJ have been spotting a large rise in problems photographing people in public. As a response to the rise in complaints from Photographers, the BFP has issued to all its members a Blue Card that is designed to help inform people about the rights the public have and also the rights the photographer has. The BFP's say that:- "As part of our campaign for photographers' rights we have sent all our members a 'Blue Card'. The card is designed to help our members inform the public about the rights photographers have on taking pictures in public. We have done this after getting so many complaints from our members who have informed us about members of the public and the police telling them they could not take pictures in public. We hope that members can now show this card to people like security guards, police officers and other official people who have in resent years have been stopping our members and in some cases ordering members to delete images. So far more than 200MP's have signed an Early Day Motion condemning the police for harassing photographers in public places and want a major initiative to take place to tackle this problem. Even the editor of Amateur Photographer has been on the BBC Breakfast News to highlight this issue. Sadly the longer this situation goes on, the more miss informed the pubic is going to get." I my self have been asked my a member of public why I was taking photographs on Southport beach as according to them they where informed some time back by a police officer that is was now illegal to take photographs on a beach. Lucky for me I had my press ID on me and I was able to inform the person that it was ok to take pictures on the beach, but sadly most of the public do think it is now against the rules to photograph people in public, with out their consent. The card says that:- "There is no law in the United Kingdom preventing a photographer whether amateur or professional from taking photographs in a public place. Nor do individuals have any legal right to stop a photographer from photographing them..." etc. Let us know your views as we are doing a report in the next issue of Southport Reporter.

Also have you ever had any problems in the UK?

So let's get this straight. Anyone can take photos with anyone else in them if they are in a public place? Are there any rules about how they can use them?

I have never had any problems taking photos but I usually wait until there are as few people as possible. I would like to have the right to ask not to be included in a photo in certain circumstances.

It is not a simple as that, there have been cases where people have successfully sued someone for taking their picture; it is well established in law that without the subjects consent it is an assault unless it can be proven, in law, that it is in the public interest. The landmark or test case involved some horses and trainers at Epsom.

The media really needs to get its act together and show a bit of respect for the public, we often see someone in the news stating that they do not wish to make a statement but the news media races after them often obstructing and bombarding them with questions when they are trying to get away, they've made it very clear that they do not want to give an interview but the media thugs still harass them; it is not just a few rogue reporters but the majority of them.

The law is very weak and confused on what the media can do and on the protection of people in the public eye, it is certainly a problem that needs to be addressed but the BFP & NUJ taking the law into their own hands will not help. It will be a very difficult situation to resolve because there are so many conflicting and vested interests.

Any more posts?

I am running the report on it in this weeks issue. Updating the site very soon, so I will put a link to this and see if I get any more feedback.

I think the report will make very interesting reading!

Haven't been able to find the article, when it is ready please could we have a link?

On now. Sorry had to get the Beta Test out the way... Anyway the main site is now fully online. See http://www.southportreporter.com/348/

Has anyone managed to find this article in the on-line newspapers? I've tried in all editions and cannot find anything like it, also tried the search facility but nothing happens, it just sits there.

In this weeks issue under the heading "BFP Campaign For Photographers Rights in Public Places".
http://www.southportreporter.com/348/

Southport Reporter wrote: I do not recall this one, but, from what I have been, told it was not a landmark case that has stopped any type of photography in public.

It was mentioned in many places but one detailed article that I recall was authored by Victor Blackman in the UK Amateur Photographer circa 1963. The racecourse incident had taken place around 1930; it is mentioned in several law reports, I remember finding it in the seventies when researching for some studies that I was undertaking at the time. No case that is recorded will never stop similar events happening again, the law doesn't work that way but it can be used as a precedent during a court case.

Thanks, useful to know. I will look in to this one.

Oh gosh ~ I've been quoted in a news article! Does that make me famous?

Thanks for the link Patrick.

This seems to be most unjust but it's the way the law is at the moment. Was it in Oliver Twist that "The law is an ass, an idiot" appeared?

Photographing thugs 'is assault', police tell householder snapping proof of anti-social behaviour

I wonder where pictures taken on security cameras would fit into this. The law needs to be clarified very clearly on this subject, there is far too much doubt at the moment leaving only the legal profession to reap the benefit.

I have posted this on Yo Liverpool (http://www.yoliverpool.com/) and the reaction has been quite surprising. Thanks for that bit of news Nigel. It makes very worrying reading, but highlights the fact the Police do not know the laws with regards photography in the UK at all!

I have posted this on Yo Liverpool (http://www.yoliverpool.com/) and the reaction has been quite surprising. Thanks for that bit of news Nigel. It makes very worrying reading, but highlights the fact the Police do not know the laws with regards photography in the UK at all! What shocks me is that the report does not point out that he was not braking any laws at all! In fact it can be read as their is a law that stops you...

I've not come across that site before ~ ta.