I was horrified to learn that the British Government are about to propose restrictions on photography in public places which is likely to make street photography and documentary photography against the law.

If you would like to sign a petition against this ludicrous idea follow this link: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Photography

Have just signed it. What will they come up with next!

low-lifes, who in their right mind?

they're just deflecting attention from somewhere else. there is already 35,000 signatures and ages to go so we needn't worry.

why don't they try to make the world a better place? maybe there isn't enough officiousness in that for politicians.

they make my blood boil

Hey, over here in the States they're trying to make it easily possible for big corporations to sue photographers if their product happens to be anywhere in the picture. So you're taking a news shot of a car wreck, and Ford and Chevrolet each sue you for thousands of dollars...successfully!

Eek!

I don't think they've succeeded yet, but taking what's going on over there, it all adds up to scary futures. Pretty soon they'll throw us in the big house for taking pictures of somebody's flowers.

--chris

It is so sad what the world is coming to. Its hard to photograph in alot of places these days and people are turning away instead of giving big cheesy smiles like they used to. I have had a few to many bad encounters over the past year and have gotten discouraged.

Harvey and Bridget have just signed it

Bridget

Just signed the petition, this type of thing is ridiculous.

Nige

The prisons are already full, and they don't seem to prosecute the real criminals... ie the violent ones and drug dealers, so what do they do? They make more laws to punish the nice honest people... I thought that the law regarding squatters' rights was a joke, but this takes the cake!

Just added my name to the petition.... Tony

Right thats it ! please humour me as Im on my soap box now !!!

I'm in my last year of 22 years unblemished service with the Royal Navy, a career I willingly stepped into due to the fact that I used to love everything about this country and what this country stood for, I have taken part in several conflicts around the globe some of which are still unmentionable, I have served the most part of my career in conditions that you wouldnt allow a criminal to live in due to thier human rights.....Now I find the one thing that I really enjoy and relax with is under threat....I ask myself if everyones right to take a photograph is taken away ...what the hell have I been doing for the past 22 years ( yes I know I have been paid and I wasnt press ganged, but what Im talking about here is part of the fabric of life and freedom that others and myself have risked our lives to protect , some have even given thier lives....which now some lilly livered faceless beaurocrat wants to take away...it sickens me )

Im off my soap box now , rant over , Il probably get in trouble for this

I have signed the petition

Harvey

Just signed it......well said H !!!........John

JUST SIGNED IT

Well, i knew it was going to happen sooner or later. They say it is for the safety and dignity of the children, yet i say it is because our Government is failing to stop the paedofiles from roaming our streets. Our Government, the one that is supposed to look after our Country and its people are letting paedofiles out of jail early and in some cases not locking them up at all, the reason for this is simple, we have shop lifters and other petty criminals sitting in the cells.
I used to drive Articulated trucks and was horrified to learn that because one lorry driver (in the UK) had abducted a child, every single lorry driver had been steriotyped as fat, smelly, idiotic child abductors.
If this is passed, we will not be able to walk out the door with our cameras without being lynched.

Harvey, my father served in the Royal Navy in WW2, he was on the HMS Hunter at Narvik. I know he would agree with everything you just said. Well said.

Rob

As an outside observer, it seems likely to me that this is partly due to the Princess Diana thing. Wasn't part of that whole horrible event precipitated by over enthusiastic paparrazi? --Chris

k

Chris
Bridget

I have signed too.
There are now 47,000+ signatures.
Can I suggest that everybody concerned spread the word to other photo sites. The internet is a great tool for spreading the word quickly.
Regards
Don

If this is true, it's scary, but I doubt that an internet poll will have much effect. There's nothing better than a written, personally-addressed letter to your local MP, backed up by a telephone call to his/her office (badger them, you're paying for them!), local newspaper, talk-back radio, etc. Get in touch with local camera/photography shops and organize written petitions. Methinks if our garden gnome of a PM in this Wide Brown Land gets an inkling of this, he'll use it to detract voters from the mess he's been making of this country since he's been in government ... but don't get me going on that!

signed and up to 54,683
i believe there is a number of signitures that has to be achievedto stop the action (ill try and find out how many)

I've just signed. Glad this was brought to my attention. I signed one a couple of weeks ago to prevent them taking the Red Arrows display team away. What's happening to this country?

Hi All,

Its heading the same way down under in Australia.

I have just sought legal advice about my sports photography business and the legal ramifications of taking photos in public places and then making them available for sale on the net.

I can understand that there is the need for control in private places (eg toilets) and over those involved in private activities, but to my understanding if you are in a public place you are in the public domain and available to be photographed.

Yours Nathan.

www.nathanarcher.com.au

JUST SIGNED,ONLY RECENTLY GOT INTO PHOTOGRAPHY DON'T WANT THEM STOPPING ME NOW

Hi
I recently recieved the following email from the government site.
I assume all others who signed the petition also recieved the same.


" E-Petition: response from the Government
The e-petition asking the Prime Minister to "Stop proposed restrictions regarding photography in public places" is on-going. This is a response in advance of the closing date from the Government.

Thank you for signing the petition on the Downing Street website calling for the Prime Minister to stop proposed restrictions on photography in public places.

This petition has already attracted over 60,000 signatures from people who obviously share your concern. Not surprisingly, the idea that the Government might be poised to restrict your ability to take photos has caused some puzzlement and even alarm.

We have therefore decided to respond to this petition before its closing date of August, in order to reassure people.

The Government appreciates that millions of people in this country enjoy photography. So we have checked carefully to see if any Government department was considering any proposal that might possibly lead to the sort of restrictions suggested by this petition. We have been assured this is not the case.

There may be cases where individual schools or other bodies believe it is necessary to have some restrictions on photography, for instance to protect children, but that would be a matter for local decisions.

In fact, Simon Taylor, who started the petition, has since made clear that he was not really referring to Government action or legislation. His main concern appears to be that photographic societies and other organisations may introduce voluntary ID cards for members to help them explain why they are taking photographs. Again, any such scheme would not involve the Government.

We hope this re-assures you and clears up the confusion. "

Maybe these politicians aren't as bad as we think. On the other hand.....

Regards
Don