Oh no, not again!
LOOKS LIKE WORD is getting around - watch out for that suspicious-looking character with a camera!
You may recall my last post about MY BRUSH WITH THE LAW which was about my photography hobby and the website of which I am a member.
In that post I wrote about the close brush with the law I had whilst going about my lawful hobby of photographing notable or interesting events in my local area and how I was questioned by the security guards of the facility I was photographing.
Well, it seems as though I'm making a habit of it and developing a reputation for myself as 'that dodgy-looking dude with the camera' 'cos it's happened again!
It went like this: One of my local supermarkets has decided to demolish its petrol station and build a newer, more modern facility. This, of course, is a notable event in the area and one I was bound to record for posterity.
So I duly made my way to the location and started taking a few photographs. After a short while a burly gentleman in a hi-vis vest emerged from the building site and asked why I was taking photographs.
Not having anything to hide I explained what I was up to and provided the gentleman with the business cards I always carry for just such an occasion. Once he realised what it was all about he was quite satisfied (just like the security guard on the last occasion) and actually cracked a joke about me being from the DWP and giving some of the workers a fright!
I understand why some people may feel uncomfortable about themselves or their property being photographed but the law in the UK is quite clear - if it's in a public place or visible from a public place them its OK to take photographs of it. There are some exceptions to this rule but none of the 2000+ photographs I have submitted to the site are in any way questionable.
However, we must all be sensitive when taking photographs in public places. I have been a member of the site for two years and it's only in the past few weeks that I have (twice) been challenged and if I am challenged I will always explain fully why I am taking photographs. I have nothing to hide and honesty is always the best policy.
If you wish to see the photograph which almost got me in trouble (again) then go here ASDA petrol station
Image Credit »
Comments
MegL wrote on October 2, 2018, 6:43 PM
And I don't see anyone working, never mind the "double", LOL.
1VinceSummers wrote on October 2, 2018, 7:18 PM
I'm thinking the U.S. has regulations that are more restrictive.
1lookatdesktop wrote on October 2, 2018, 8:41 PM
It can be a problem at times. There are good reasons security might be tight in certain areas. It's also really good you had those business cards. Can you obtain a special PRESS PASS so you can go take pics in more areas of your interest? Well, just saying.
1VinceSummers wrote on October 3, 2018, 7:05 AM
Once, a desired piece of land was sought for a branch office in England for religious use. However the land needed to be examined by air, yet air-space was off-limits without special permission, which was granted. The land was then photographed by means of a high-quality drone.
1Kasman wrote on October 3, 2018, 1:37 PM
lookatdesktop Since I'm not a member of the Press then a Press pass isn't an option. The website I place these photographs on has a strict 'comply with the law' policy which, since I really don't want to be locked up, I follow rigorously. On both of the recent occasions where I have been challenged I was well within the law and no-one could have stopped me but bluntly pointing this out is the wrong way to handle such a situation. I prefer a straightforward explanation of who I am and why I am taking photographs and this tactic has worked so far.
3Kasman wrote on October 3, 2018, 1:43 PM
Maybe they all ducked when they saw me and my camera!
1Kasman wrote on October 3, 2018, 1:49 PM
Actually no - the law on photography in the US is pretty much the same as the law in the UK.
1Kasman wrote on October 3, 2018, 1:56 PM
VinceSummers I gather that this situation isn't unusual but a polite request to the proper authorities along with a valid reason usually results in permission being granted unless the area in question is a security-sensitive one (don't try it at Langley!)
1MegL wrote on October 3, 2018, 4:04 PM
That's certainly very likely!
cmoneyspinner wrote on October 9, 2018, 11:38 AM
Nice pic! You're a very good photographer.
1Kasman wrote on October 9, 2018, 3:08 PM
Awwww shucks !!!