Photographers' rights
This part of our site is NOT giving legal advice, but will provide links to other websites that seem to give helpful information. It is not intended to be comprehensive, but just an ad hoc selection as we spot them. We do not vouch for the accuracy of information and advice given on these other sites, but will only include ones which we think have some credibility.
Clearly if you have an important issue regarding your rights, there is no substitute for specific legal advice from a professional.
In November 2010 Amateur Photographer magazine published a story about the Information Commissioner's Office commenting on photography, specifically about publishing photos containing members of the public and the relevance of the Data Protection Act. Do have a look to see the CIO's stance, especially if you've been told by someone that you can't take a certain picture because of Data Protection Act rules.
In August 2010, the Club received from KCPA a copy of further guidance issued by the Association of Chief Police Officers regarding photographers. In summary, it reminded “officers and staff that they should not prevent anyone from taking photographs in public” but see the letter for more detail. As you will see from the sections below, this general message has been communicated a number of times over the last year.
In April 2010, reinforcing guidelines were published on the Metropolitan Police website about photography in public places. It confirmed that members of the public do not need a permit to photograph in public places and police have no power to stop them per se. Officers do not have the power to delete digital images or destroy film at any point during a search should one be carried out.
Reference and lobbying
UK Photographers Rights This site has a useful pdf format downloadable guide to photographers' rights (now in Version 2). But do read the caveats on the site about its being a guide, not a definitive manual.
PhotoRights.org - range of information about photographers' rights to take photographs, on a site maintained by Editorial Photographers UK Ltd.
In October 2011 the British Security Industry Association published their guidance about 'photography and hostile reconnaissance', including what private security guards can and cannot do regarding photographers. It is great to see that it advises security personnel that “The vast majority of individuals taking photographs are doing so for entirely innocent purposes, and the fact that an individual is taking a photograph does not in itself indicate hostile reconnaissance or other suspicious behaviour. ”
Pro Imaging Targeted at professional photographers, but has a useful guide to (all) photographers' rights on, for example, copyright, when entering commercial photo competitions; has lists of current competitions that have passed or failed their 'Bill of Rights' relating to fair terms and conditions.
© is for Copyright - a layman's guide to copyright for photographers, by Sal Shuel, former Administrator of the British Association of Picture Libraries and Agencies.
Copyright Action for photographers and photograph users - range of information about copyright, on a site maintained by Editorial Photographers UK Ltd.
July 2009: The British Journal of Photography is starting a campaign “to counter the rising paranoia that targets every photographer who shoot images in public places”. The campaign includes a visual petition on Flickr. You can read the article on the BJP website, and also see their ‘not-a-crime website’.
Austin Mitchell has tabled (7 December 2009) another Early Day Motion in Parliament about the rights of photographers. Austin Mitchell is a keen amateur photographer as well as an MP, and this is the second EDM he has tabled on the topic so he cannot feel that the situation has improved since his last one in March 2008.
I'm a Photographer, Not a Terrorist! is another campaign to defend photography.
Street Photographers Rights in Australia - rights of photographers in Australia.
US: The Photographer's Right A similar role to the UK rights site above which may be useful if travelling to the US.
News
There has been a raft of recent news stories about the issues - including in national newspapers - too many to mention sensibly. The links below are to two weekly photo magazines that follow the subject.
British Journal of Photography carries many stories.
Amateur Photographer magazine also regularly carries articles on the topic.
Other relevant material
PhotoLegal: A UK podcast about Photography and the Law; you can listen to the recording on the site or download the MP3 file to listen on a player.
