I was going along to “I’m a Photographer, not a Terrorist” in London’s Trafalgar Square tomorrow, but I’ve decided that it’s not the right thing to do…
Now, I’m not saying you shouldn’t go or that you’re fuelling the fire by turning up, but I can’t help but feel that this is only going to make things worse.
Why? Well, I look after a forum and there was a thread about a guy in the U.K. being a bit miffed at being stopped by Police and asked stuff.. Well, the thread went on and people offered opinions etc – and then one of our members, an ex policeman from the US (Or Canada, I can’t recall) offered an opinion… And all of this got me thinking… Why would a cop stop you? He needs to think you’re doing something wrong etc and yes, I know in a lot of cases the Police / Specials / Security Guards that stop us are not quite up with what we’re allowed to photograph and not… But I can’t help thinking that if we were a bit more polite and less stand-offish to start with, that the conversation would last about a minute and then both parties would be on their sweet way…The last time I was stopped and asked what I was doing I was immediately on the attack and was sure as hell that I was in the right!
I Didn't get locked up for taking this photo...
I also think that as a result of all the coverage that this debacle has received, at least here in the UK, has created a heightened sense of “Well, I’m going to go out of my way to prove my point” and this is on the side of both the photographer and the policeman… And we both know where that ends up! with both parties trying to “one up” the other.
So tomorrow with you all turning up in Trafalgar Sq, and power to you, I can’t help but think that it’s just going to step this big back and forth joke up some more and that if we all started treating each other with a bit more old school “human’ness” that we’d get along a lot better…Why don’t we as photographers invite the Police to come to Trafalgar Sq and do a huge portrait shoot and BBQ instead!..
I’ve no reason / proof for my theory other than what’s going on in my head, but the next time I get stopped I’m not going to be a complete tool, I’m going to be a human being and treat the man or woman that stops me with some common decency and see if it gets me anywhere… If I get battoned and locked up for the night, we’ll all know I was wrong… (Unless it’s by one of those “special police women..nudge nudge, wink wink!” )
Sime
Your point of view is based on the ideal of “can’t we all just get along”, which is admirable and right.
I have been stopped on several occasions, no probably more than just a few. The ones where ‘johnny plod’ wombled over and started chatting then asked if he could see my photos, met with a ‘sure, here’.
However the ones where ‘johnny obnoxious plod’, strides at me with arm raised shouting ‘stop that, stop taking photos. I need you name and address!’ This is when I go all rule book and state what is ‘needed’ Swap ‘johnny obnoxious’ for ‘johnny obnoxious cpso plod’ and it all gets heated.
I don’t think any photographer would hold back showing images to someone, anyone that asks. But if someone, anyone demands anything from you, they need a good reason and above all the authority to do so.
Too many recent cases have fallen into the no good reason or no authority, if this type of action isn’t protested against, it grows.
That’s why you should go. Besides, it’s Saturday and the only other thing you have to do is take some pictures in the bath with some new camera phone!
I have to agree with you on this one, Sime. As humans, we instinctively respond in set ways to what we are presented with.
If we’re presented with kindness, we respond with kindness, if we are presented with calm, we remain calm.
If, however, we are presented with indignation, protest or aggression, we will always attempt to defend ourselves, which only sets the stage for escalation from both sides – its just how we’re wired.
Both sides need to act with common courtesy and reason – there would be far less stories from angry photographers who got in situations where both sides were pushed too hard and pushed back too hard.
I’m with you on the BBQ, but I’ll leave you to get the necessary permits, if that’s OK?
Ben
Last year when I was in London I was staying at the Sheraton at Hyde park and my first night there, after taking a ton of photos of the Palace, I was walking back through the park at about 1:00am – I stopped to take a long exposure and had my camera and gorilla pod on a little traffic barrier (short little dome cement things they put up in places) a cop/security guard yelled at me – I turned back and said, I am taking pictures and just kept on going – he didn’t hear what I was saying, evidently and came over to where I was and started asking questions… When I told him what I was doing, and showed him the pictures, he replied – oh I thought you were a drunk taking a piss… we then had a good chat about this and that and he didn’t get mad until he found out I liked Liverpool (I think he was from Everton) anyway –
I agree with you wholeheartedly – we can go along way to promote photography and photographers in general just by being nice – and cooperative.
Thanks for the post. Your thoughts made a lot of sense to me. I’ve found in life it always works out for the better if you reply to someone in a friendly manner, this is no different. I’ve done a bit of street photography around Sydney. Generally things are semi relaxed here. But that doesn’t mean over the years I’ve never been observed by a people or police before. I haven’t had a problem though or even been questioned apart from when I took photos at the airport.
As a a guy who loves portrait photography it makes sense for me to pay close attention to body language. If someone looks like they’d be upset with having their picture taken (or is watching me already) then I wouldn’t attempt to take their photo. It’s just not polite or worth it. If I’ve taken a photo and been noticed, a smile can work wonders.
I don’t have the most positive view of cops–at least not the ones here in the States. But the part about doing a portrait session and BBQ cracked me up. I think you’re definitely going in the right direction here. Increasing the antagonism usually isn’t particularly helpful when we’re trying to make the other side more friendly and open towards us.
You make some excellent points. I have to agree that responding like this is only likely to make matters worse. The BBQ and Portraits idea would actually do much more to easing tensions than any sort of protest. Maybe we should organize an international mutual respect party bringing cops and photographers together.
I agree with Jules above : If I get asked politely etc what I’m doing then I will answer politely. But if they are over-bearing making requests that they have no right to – then I will probably go on the defensive.
As it happens – I’ve not been stopped as yet.
I think the biggest problem is ill informed Police Officers, PSCO’s and security guards. If it’s a public place (and not on the banned list) then we’re allowed to take a photo here.
I wasn’t going to go (just because I’m not keen on mass shoots) – but I know one of the photographers from a high profile case recently – so I’m going to show my support there. If it gets messy I’ll wander off.
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As a journalist and photographer I often have to wander the streets of London looking for something interesting to photograph. I have to say I’ve never been stopped, but as the majority of the comments seem to be edging towards my reaction would be very much based on the approach of the copper. I know my rights et al, but I’ll keep them firmly in my back pocket till I’m challenged. Most of the coppers seem to be reluctant to be overly hands-on, as I think most are just doing as told, but with the perfect outlet in the mag and online to out one that does take it a step too far I’m not too worried if they want to start charging in and waving arms about. On the odd occasions a steward or security guard has done similar I’m normally good at diplomatically arguing the toss with them, but I can see the annoyance involved with photographers being challenged all the time. Hopefully the march will show that a friendly question will always be responded to far more civilly than a hand over the lens…