Question

[jane-f]

On another forum i go on someone has been having hassle from the police and nabours (sp),when he's taken pictures, when out on the local field with his family and dogs, he was threatened by a bloke who accused him of taking pictures of his house (which he hadn't)

What i would like to know is when do you need to gain permission from people, i know its common curtasy to ask someone if you want to take there picture,
but, but is it actually illegal if you don't ? and if you take pictures whilst out and in some of your picture someones house is in it in the background,
could the person who owns the house have cause for complaint,
this person is now contemplating never taking his camera out again as he's had too much hassle.

[HarryG]

In a public place, you don't need permission - says harry

[sunsworth]

If you are stood on public land - on the street for example - you have the right to take a photograph of anyone or anything you like provided the photograph itself isn't breaking any law - I'm thinking of pornography here. No one has any right to stop you taking their photograph or a picture of their house. You most certainly do not have to get their permission before you do so. Now sometimes of course it's best to adopt a pragmatic approach, there's no point in getting beaten to a pulp by a group of yobs just because you have the right to photograph them if you think it could get nasty. Common sense is sometimes the best approach.

If you are on private land then all bets are off and the landowner is quite within his or her rights to ask you to stop. That's why places such as the Trafford Centre can ask you to stop or leave if you insist on taking photographs inside.

It's interesting that people who object don't seem to mind having their photograph, and that of their children being taken potentially hundreds of times a day by security cameras and reviewed on a screen by God knows who and God knows where.

[jane-f]

thanks for that ,

its not only security cameras, everyones house is on google earth,
alls you need is a postcode and it will take you directly to the street they live on.

[sunsworth]

Google Earth, I can see my old car parked outside the house. Good job I wasn't round the back getting an all over tan! <grin>

But the thing about Google Earth is that it's more or less a one off snapshot, it's not following you around.

[Ian Austen]

Here's a link to a useful pdf file "Photographers rights in the UK"

http://www.sirimo.co.uk/media/UKPhotographersRights.pdf

[jane-f]

Here's a link to a useful pdf file "Photographers rights in the UK"

http://www.sirimo.co.uk/media/UKPhotographersRights.pdf

Thanks for this Ian,
i think its useful to know where you stand in regards to taking photographs when out
and about in public place's.

jane

[Wendy M]

So....... if I take a photo of someone's front window - or part of their living room, from the outside (on the street) - as long as noone is in the room, that would be ok?

[sunsworth]

Yes that would be ok, whether or not anyone is in the window is irrelevant. However, I think it's always useful to consider the person's reaction. You may be in your rights, but is it worth the hassle if they object?

[bernyM]

The law on photography is quite complex and not altogether clear in all cases. However, as I understand it you can photograph any building from a public place as long as it is not for publication. If you intend to publish it you might need to get the building owner's permission usually using a release form. An exception to this is government or military property where I would advise against any photography whatever.
Interestingly, if you are photographing on private land, (of anything) the owner can prosecute under the laws of trespass but again, there is no actual legislation (to my knowledge) prohibiting photography as such. Also, the owner would have to have posted notices prohibiting photography or explicitly forbidden you to take photographs in order to apply the laws of trespass.
Also, be aware that you could be prosecuted for obstruction whilst photographing in a public place if you are using a tripod.
Note that laws abroad will differ.

[John]

There is no need for a release form for publication. English Heritage published guidlines for photographers for their Images of England project and it was quite clear that from a public place you can photograph anything.

An obvious exception may well be a military subject, but even then not necessarily.