Photographers not wanted, it seems

[Goatsmilkuk]

I enjoy using the canal tow path to cycle along most weekends, one of my regular rides is through the Netherton Tunnel which is just about to turn 150 years old.

There is a volunteer run visitor centre at one end of the tunnel with various models, pictures etc of the tunnel through the years, the volunteers are putting on an event for the tunnels birthday, dressing up in period costume having crafts etc from the times the tunnel was opened. I got chatting to one of them and offered to take any photo's they need or want for free and even get them printed for free, which would also mean using my annual leave from work. I was told I needed to speak to the person in charge, so off I went to speak to her.
Soon as I mentioned the word 'camera' she seemed to get defensive. informing me that it's illegal to take pictures of kids ( I mentioned the tunnels birthday and nothing about kids) and everyone there has been police checked etc... she then went on to say that one of the staff would have a digital camera and would take photo's anyway.

I felt a bit awkward to say the least and also a bit angry that because of a few sickos out there,seems anyone (in particular males) with a camera are seen as potential sex offenders!


I have nothing against the visitor centre or the people there, I just feel a little let down by the situation.

Stu

[Ian]

Re: Photographers not wanted, it seems

I enjoy using the canal tow path to cycle along most weekends, one of my regular rides is through the Netherton Tunnel which is just about to turn 150 years old.

There is a volunteer run visitor centre at one end of the tunnel with various models, pictures etc of the tunnel through the years, the volunteers are putting on an event for the tunnels birthday, dressing up in period costume having crafts etc from the times the tunnel was opened. I got chatting to one of them and offered to take any photo's they need or want for free and even get them printed for free, which would also mean using my annual leave from work. I was told I needed to speak to the person in charge, so off I went to speak to her.
Soon as I mentioned the word 'camera' she seemed to get defensive. informing me that it's illegal to take pictures of kids ( I mentioned the tunnels birthday and nothing about kids) and everone there has been police checked etc... she then went on to say that one of the staff would have a digital camera and would take photo's anyway.

I felt a bit awkward to say the least and also a bit angry that because of a few sickos out there,seems anyone (in particular males) with a camera are seen as potentiol sex offenders!


I have nothing against the visitor center or the people there, I just feel a little let down by the situation.

Stu

Stu, that's unacceptable behaviour and if I were you I'd go to someone higher up to seek clarification...

Ian

[Goatsmilkuk]

Re: Photographers not wanted, it seems

It is Ian, I can sort of see it from her point of view, she can only go on what she reads, sees or how she perceives it to be.
I think it's a much broader problem and seems that people who have the potential to come into contact with photographers be them amateur or pro, then they need to be trained/informed or at least be able to give a point of contact for photographers to contact in this type of instance.

I will send a mail to the council or waterways (depending on who owns the building) to get the problem highlighted.

Stu

[Ian]

Re: Photographers not wanted, it seems

It is Ian, I can sort of see it from her point of view, she can only go on what she reads, sees or how she perceives it to be.
I think it's a much broader problem and seems that people who have the potential to come into contact with photographers be them amateur or pro, then they need to be trained/informed or at least be able to give a point of contact for photographers to contact in this type of instance.

I will send a mail to the council or waterways (depending on who owns the building) to get the problem highlighted.

Stu

Well, I'm sorry but I have no sympathy with anyone that behaves in the way you described. As indeed you obviously were, I would have felt quite insulted by those remarks. They amount to a personal assessment that you are a perv. It's quite ridiculous and society needs regain normality and not assume that the 99.9% of the population, who are not a threat to children, that they are.

Yes there are too many kids being abducted and molested, I'm not blind to that, but what proof is there that photographers like us have anything to do with this problem? And what do people who randomly impinge on the natural rights of photographers really expect to gain from their rudeness? Have they really thought it through?

Ian

[Autumn]

Re: Photographers not wanted, it seems

Over the past 2 years, I have been to about 5 re enactments, WWII (2), Mediaeval events, 18C All Our Yesterdays at Clumber Park. All these events around us have been in Stately Homes, Crich Tram Musem and Rowsley Steam Railway.

People dress up appropriately (not me, I'm afraid), but they seem to stand and wait to have their photos taken. They really love it.

Perhaps, if you had just attended Stuart, you would have found the same.

It's a very sorry state.

[Patrick]

Re: Photographers not wanted, it seems

Over the past 2 years, I have been to about 5 re enactments, WWII (2), Mediaeval events, 18C All Our Yesterdays at Clumber Park. All these events around us have been in Stately Homes, Crich Tram Musem and Rowsley Steam Railway.

People dress up appropriately (not me, I'm afraid), but they seem to stand and wait to have their photos taken. They really love it.

Perhaps, if you had just attended Stuart, you would have found the same.

It's a very sorry state.

The whole story is a disgrace and its about time the media in general started a more co-ordinated campaign on behalf of photographers in correcting some of the perceptions. Only AP has sustained any publicity and they are preaching to the converted. The question in the House seams to have been forgotten.
It may be ill advised and not very wise in this day and age to photograph children without the parents consent, but provided its not on private property I don't believe it is illegal as stated by this rather stupid woman.


Patrick

[Mowgli]

Re: Photographers not wanted, it seems

If anyone is interested there is an article in this months (Aug 200 Digital Camera magazine about the legalities of taking pictures in public places, they mention the Bureau of Freelance photographers, who issue their members with cards stating amongst other things "There is no law in the United Kingdom preventing a photographer - whether amateur or professional - from taking photographs in a public place". Personally I just like to be carefull when taking pictures in public, if I see a child in the way of something I want to photograph I make it obvious that I am waiting for he or she to move out of the way before taking the picture. It seems sometimes to gain respect from the parent(s) who sometimes will actually ask their child to move out of the way (though not all are that kind). I agree it is sad that people (mostly men) walking around with a camera are regarded as some kind of weirdo or pedophile but hopefully that is just the attitude of a small portion of the public. Let`s hope that our freedom to take pictures is allowed to continue
Mowgli