11 replies to this topic

[laliibeans]

I'm not sure how many of you have heard this, but after thinking about it I realised that it was probably worth posting here because of the impact it could have on costume outings.

Basically there's a petition (which I won't post a link to until I'm told it is okay to do so) to stop a proposed law that will ban all photography from public places. I'm personally outraged at the idea of this, and the implications it has overall and I thought that considering that most of the costume related outings happen in public places, and how much we rely on photos as a record of the work we've done, it'll probably have a huge impact if it is passed.

I have the link to the petition if anyone wants to PM me for it, but if it's okay to post here then I'll do so instead.

I hope this topic is okay to post here, I thought it was relevant enough to the ongoing events that the guild holds.

[~Desert Rose~]

im fairly sure they would never be able to pass that law, -but you never know with governments right?!! all i know is -NO ONE can tell ME to stop taking pictures - OR all hell will break loose! mwahahaha!

[Cat M]

I agree that I don't think the law will be passed because of the impact it would have on photographer artists, the ability for people to photograph a birthday party in a park, photos of pretty much everything. The uproar that would arise and the cost of trying to police it would not be worthwhile to any government that wants to stay in for more than one term.

HOWEVER, that said, I think that we do need to be considerate about how and where we take photos when we're out at an event.

My suggestions for photography ettiquette are below:

1) avoid getting strangers in the shot - particularly in clear focus. This just takes a little thought about where to pose the subjects.. I would suggest avoiding getting children in the photo as protection of children is one of the driving forces behind the concept of banning photography in certain places.
2) don't take photographs outside of locations that are 'sensitive' such as government buildings, banks...
3) if you are taking photos on private property or in shops, ask permission first to prevent unpleasantness.

4) If you receive a request to stop photographing on private property (including malls, arcades etc.) stop at once. THIS is the only law about public photography that exists in Australia currently. By law we can take photographs wherever we like of whoever we like until they request that we cease and desist. The people can NOT force you to remove/delete the photos you have already taken, take your camera/film from you or anything like that. However if you intend to use the photographs to advertise anything (even a gallery showing of your street photography) you need to have permission from all individuals in the photo to do so. The following website focuses on NSW photography rights laws but I think you'll find that it's pretty standard across Aus. http://www.4020.net/words/photorights.php

5) be considerate of those around you and the place you are in. If you are at a tea house and the other patrons are enjoying the quiet peace of the atmosphere, jumping around noisily taking photos is not cool.

Those are just my suggestions and what I tend to follow when taking my own photos.

[Toddi]

This is hilarious and completely ridiculous, and I completely agree with you, laliibeans.

Alot of what South Australian Fan Force does revolves around photos, especially when out in public places and we have heaps of people coming up for photos, especially parents WITH their kids to have a photo with you. I've had that happen heaps of time and always oblige and the parents are so grateful. Seeing the looks on the kids faces makes it all worth it.

Plus we also take photos in public to keep records of our costumes. It's the only time we can all be together at the same time.

Where's that petition?? I'll sign NOW!

[Merrick]

It can't be for real, it sounds like a hoax to make people like us go nuts!

It wouldn't be possible to enforce it, let alone pass it.

[Cat M]

wouldn't mind clarifying what I said in my post. I don't mean "avoid taking photos with kids in at all costs!!!". If a parent asks you to take a photo with their kid then all complaint about privacy has been swept aside. I was just making the point that if you can angle a photo to avoid getting people in focus in the shot, particularly children (particularly in photo sensitive places like the beach) then its not a bad idea.

It also makes the photo look better and more composed anyway to not have a clutter of strangers in it.

[Avalon Mists]

I remember there being some hoohar last year, think it might have been NSW, when a school tried banning photos being taken at their swimming carnival (at a public pool IIRC). Of course it was for the protection of the children, but also made it difficult for families capturing memories. Can't remember for sure what happened in the end, think maybe the school relented.
Guess this is an extension of that.

[laliibeans]

It's also following a string of laws (passed in some states and not in others) to do the same in some American cities. It covers things like not being able to use a video recorder for more than five minutes in a 100m radius and not being able to use a camera for more than ten.

I'm not sure how accurate it is, but the petition is really well worded and I'd rather be safe than sorry. A lot of people who've already signed it seem to be very familiar with what it's about. I'm hoping that it will be too ridiculous a notion to pass, but I still wanted to make sure that I could express my utter disgust for the idea.

[fairyprincess]

This issue has been around for years! And surprise surprise! Always around election time and do I need to say APEC!

There are laws in a lot of countries that restrict cameras near government buildings and is in force in some American states.

I do not believe Australian liberty will fall so low and restrict anyone capturing a memory on film.

If not! I WILL SIGN!!!!!

[Silver Moonblaze]

I'd be surprised if something like that passed - it's like the total banning of public smoking. There would be too much of a public outcry for any government to want to enact it, whether it's a good idea or not.

[laliibeans]

For those interested, the link is here:

http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/sig...?ausphoto&1

[ZDMKylie]

That would be so silly if they were to ban photography from public places! Sensitive areas I can understand. Children I can also understand, I've read some scary stories about pedophiles posting information on where to find children and take photos, which is really disturbing!

But to ban photos in public places would be to stop some of the best photography I've seen! And that would be a shame.

Besides I'm going for a photo shoot on the 21st of this month, and that will be in a PUBLIC PLACE, even with a law like that in place I'd like to see them stop me Bwhahahah!