Luminous Landscape Forum
Equipment & Techniques => Medium Format / Film / Digital Backs – and Large Sensor Photography => Topic started by: Jozef Zajaz on January 29, 2010, 09:02:10 pm
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Hi! Fellow photographers.
I'm going to london this march to expand my portfolio (fashion wise)
Im looking for general tips and ideas. Good agencies, rental places and so on.
How are the rules over there? Are you free to shoot everywhere? Or do you need a permit like the US?
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Hi! Fellow photographers.
I'm going to london this march to expand my portfolio (fashion wise)
Im looking for general tips and ideas. Good agencies, rental places and so on.
How are the rules over there? Are you free to shoot everywhere? Or do you need a permit like the US?
Something to start with (http://photographernotaterrorist.org/)
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Something to start with (http://photographernotaterrorist.org/)
Seriously? Worse than the US?
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Pretty bad, yes.
I was taking HDR shots down the Thames of Battersea power station when I got accosted by two machine-gun toting policemen and asked my life story. I hadn't realised that directly behind me was the HQ of British Military Intelligence... but still, I was asked all my name, details, occupation, address, showed them the shots on the camera back, etc.. Didn't like it much, especially not the fact that they were heavily armed (might not bother you US-types but open display of firearms is both rare and rather threatening here. Airport security police and police at nuclear power installations are about the only ones who have them).
So I feel it is a pretty hostile place for photographers these days. Things which will virtually guarantee you getting stopped are using lights, reflectors or putting down a tripod. The annoying thing is that you are perfectly legally entitled to take the photos, it is just that the police will hassle you. I gather there is a legal challenge being mounted to their powers to do so at present, so hopefully that will improve matters.
:-(
Hywel.
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Pretty bad, yes.
I was taking HDR shots down the Thames of Battersea power station when I got accosted by two machine-gun toting policemen and asked my life story. I hadn't realised that directly behind me was the HQ of British Military Intelligence... but still, I was asked all my name, details, occupation, address, showed them the shots on the camera back, etc.. Didn't like it much, especially not the fact that they were heavily armed (might not bother you US-types but open display of firearms is both rare and rather threatening here. Airport security police and police at nuclear power installations are about the only ones who have them).
So I feel it is a pretty hostile place for photographers these days. Things which will virtually guarantee you getting stopped are using lights, reflectors or putting down a tripod. The annoying thing is that you are perfectly legally entitled to take the photos, it is just that the police will hassle you. I gather there is a legal challenge being mounted to their powers to do so at present, so hopefully that will improve matters.
:-(
Hywel.
Ouch , that sucks.
So legally i'm titled to take photos in the street with lights and tripods? You dont need permits like in the us?
Any places of london i really should stay away from?
Any good rental places?
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Any good rental places?
check out http://peartreephoto.com/ (http://peartreephoto.com/)
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Ouch , that sucks.
So legally i'm titled to take photos in the street with lights and tripods? You dont need permits like in the us?
Any places of london i really should stay away from?
Several UK photographers I know now avoid London completely due to the escalating levels of police harassment.
If you want to set up lights etc you would be advised to contact the relavent borough council first:
http://www.london.gov.uk/london/links.jsp (http://www.london.gov.uk/london/links.jsp)
Check out the guide at the link below:
http://www.sirimo.co.uk/2009/05/14/uk-phot...hers-rights-v2/ (http://www.sirimo.co.uk/2009/05/14/uk-photographers-rights-v2/)
Try Google:
photographers rights
photographers rights in the uk
Check out the latest UK Section 44 harassment stories on the BJP and Amateur Photographer magazine web sites.
http://www.bjp-online.com/ (http://www.bjp-online.com/)
http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/ (http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/)
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Ouch , that sucks.
So legally i'm titled to take photos in the street with lights and tripods? You dont need permits like in the us?
Any places of london i really should stay away from?
Any good rental places?
I believe you are OK so long as you don't cause an obstruction with lights and tripods, except for a few areas (Parliament square, Trafalgar square and the Royal Parks I think you must have a permit for). But check the links other people have posted, as they will have full information. My experience is that taking photos just by myself wandering around was fine, but running a fashion shoot I'd definitely ask permission first even if it was not strictly speaking a legal requirement, as it is just likely to make your life a lot easier! Personally I would go somewhere a bit friendlier to shoot ;-)
Good rental places- ProCentre are good. http://www.procentre.co.uk/ (http://www.procentre.co.uk/)
Good luck!
Hywel.
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I believe you are OK so long as you don't cause an obstruction with lights and tripods, except for a few areas (Parliament square, Trafalgar square and the Royal Parks I think you must have a permit for). But check the links other people have posted, as they will have full information. My experience is that taking photos just by myself wandering around was fine, but running a fashion shoot I'd definitely ask permission first even if it was not strictly speaking a legal requirement, as it is just likely to make your life a lot easier! Personally I would go somewhere a bit friendlier to shoot ;-)
Good rental places- ProCentre are good. http://www.procentre.co.uk/ (http://www.procentre.co.uk/)
Good luck!
Hywel.
Thank you for all the information.
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Hi! Fellow photographers.
I'm going to london this march to expand my portfolio (fashion wise)
Im looking for general tips and ideas. Good agencies, rental places and so on.
How are the rules over there? Are you free to shoot everywhere? Or do you need a permit like the US?
Hi Jozef and congrats on coming to London! I'm sure you'll find it exciting.
In regards to your queries, be aware of Section 44 which others have mentioned. Most importantly recognise that no one can delete your photos without a court order, even the police, so if anyone demands this then stand your ground.
I'm not sure what you want to rent, but some of the main places for purchase/rental are The Pro Centre, Peartree, and Calumet. Most are just east of central London.
I'm not sure where you're shooting, but you'll need to apply logic - it's a busy city with a high threat alert and a lot of rules. If you're planning a shoot in a public location I'd call the local council, explain that you're doing a shoot for personal purposes, and ask if there's anything you need. Depending on the council, they might demand proof of insurance, or they might say go for it (and keep out of peoples' way). If you're aiming for a more touristy place, like London Eye or the Underground, realise that they have their own restrictions and you'll definitely need permission (and may have to pay for permits). For the Underground see http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/corporate/media/lufilmoffice/ (http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/corporate/media/lufilmoffice/).
A friend of mine visited London, did a fashion shoot in Shoreditch, and didn't need anything - the council were fine, the neighbours had a peek at what he was doing and that was it. He did it in a quiet side street on a Sunday and very happy with the result, so have fun!
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For rentals I used to use Teamwork on Foley Street, nicest guys with good prices. http://www.teamworkphoto.com/ (http://www.teamworkphoto.com/)
I was stopped near the river Thames / embankment by 2 policemen and questioned under the 'terrorism' laws which basically state that they can stop whoever they like. They searched my bag, asked for my passport, had me checked out, asked me a load of questions and eventually let me go. They gave me a copy of the paperwork they filled out with the reason for stopping me being - 'Hayman' - Basically I looked like shit. Unshaven, in black clothing with a backpack.
Yes, worse than here.
-N