Photographers' rights?

RockieRV · 20-04-2008, 08:20 AM

Just read this on the BBC website, and am somewhat stunned.......

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

Phil Smith thought ex-EastEnder Letitia Dean turning on the Christmas lights in Ipswich would make a good snap for his collection.

The 49-year-old started by firing off a few shots of the warm-up act on stage. But before the main attraction showed up, Mr Smith was challenged by a police officer who asked if he had a licence for the camera.

After explaining he didn't need one, he was taken down a side-street for a formal "stop and search", then asked to delete the photos and ordered not take any more. So he slunk home with his camera.
To be pulled out of a crowd is very daunting and I wasn't aware of my rights.

Full story here

656 · 20-04-2008, 08:53 AM

I have a copy of UK Photographers Rights on PDF. If anyone would like a copy, email me vis this site and I will send one to you.

xgx · 20-04-2008, 08:56 AM

Does it include the subject's rights Dave?

moandick · 20-04-2008, 09:40 AM

We all complained about the action of the papparazzi when they were chasing Princess Diana etc., etc., etc - so what is the difference between them and this 'Phil Dean' photographing Letitia Dean without her permission?

It surely is only good manners to ask your subject's permission before taking photographs - unless it has been made blatantly obvious beforehand that permission is not needed.

And the same goes for copying photographs taken by somebody else - it is a flagrant breach of copyright - we have obtained permission from every owner of every photograph we use in the BPG - and that is one of the reasons why we give the BPG away totally free to our members.

Taking other peoples property without their permission is theft - and that includes their photographs

artona · 20-04-2008, 09:47 AM

Hi

How far does it go though. Just by taking a photo to include in your big pitch guide will be illrgal. There is an aerial photo on your front page. Its not reasonable to expect you to ask every caravan owner in case they object. The actress was being paid to be there, why should the public not take a momento

stew

moandick · 20-04-2008, 10:00 AM

Hi Stew

I hear what you say - but like many, many tourist attractions maybe the local Council were trying to recoup some of their investment in hiring Letitia Dean - by selling the ONLY permitted photographs of the event.

At a weddiing (which involved a TV personality) that I was involved with in Arley Hall in Cheshire, the Security Men actually confiscated every single 'visitor' camera on the estate and held onto them until the magazine published the 'paid for' photographs.

I do get seriously annoyed by over zealous Authorities banning parents taking photographs of their children in plays etc., etc., etc. but as you said where do you draw the line.

I recently phoned a site owner to ask his permission to use a 'sunset' photo on his website which I wanted to include on his advert in the BPG - he was utterly stunned as I was the very first person to ask his permission in several years - his photo had even appeared on TV without his permisiion.

I really do consider it exactly the same as if somebody was taking and using my car without my permission.

xgx · 20-04-2008, 10:02 AM

let's focus on people, what rights does Jo Bloggs have to not be photographed?

At a recent event I was asked if I minded being photographed (he was a woodworking mag hack) , no, says I; will I have rights to use the image? No, says he, ### ### says I

Edit It contrasts with another experience where a freelance guy, working for the local paper, took pics and kindly sent me copies and permission to use them

moandick · 20-04-2008, 10:08 AM

Thoroughly agree, Graham - it is your right to say whether or not you agree to being photographed - and the 'shooter' should at least give you some 'pay back' if you agree - maybe that could be a couple of free prints or whatever - or maybe you could ask him for performing rights and a percentage of the royalties.

artona · 20-04-2008, 10:19 AM

Hi

Its a real hornet's web isn't it. Say you owned a campsite and in your advertising used a photograph of a very unusual RV that the owner had spent thousands of pounds renovating, say it was an airstream owned by Elvis Presley. You said the owner fulltimed there and as a result your campsite filled up for the whole year.

If you used the photograph without the owners permission could the owner rightfully claim some of the profit.

I was recently the official photographer at a dance comp and one parent was asked not to take photographers (not on my request). He then said he did not want me taking photographs in case his daughter was in one. I have advised the dance group that in future when they advertise dance comps they must include that there will be a photographer in attendance.

On the subject of the wood working Graham I think the photographer could have reacted a bit better but it is quite an emotional subject. He is there to earn a living and selling you a copy might be on his agenda. Out of interest how would you feel if he bought one of your woodworking bits and then copied it on a lathe or something. Copyright is a complex issue

I work as a photographer and it is getting harder and harder. People think that once they have bought one print off you then they have the right to have it copied for a much lower figure

stew

RockieRV · 20-04-2008, 10:27 AM

Some interesting points here, however, what is surprising is that an individual was apparently singled out when others around him were merrily clicking away.