Ban on Street Photography Proposed by UK Government

 On-Line Direct-to-PM Petition Signing Against Permit System

UK Citizens Only!

The UK Government is about to propose restrictions on photography  in public

places which could make street photography and documentary photography

against the law. These proposed changes to the law could result in

photographers having to apply for ID cards in order to take  pictures in

public places.

The consequences of these proposed restrictions to the fields of  documentary

and street photography could be hugely damaging, potentially wiping  out an

entire area of photographic practice and certainly provoking suspicion

around people simply carrying out their profession or hobby.

The petition websites says, there are a number of moves promoting the requirement of 'ID' cards to allow photographers to operate in a public place.

It is a fundamental right of a UK citizen to use a camera in a public place, indeed there is no right to privacy when in a public place.

These moves have developed from paranoia and only promote suspicion towards genuine people following their hobby or profession.

If you are a UK citizen, to add your signature to the petition against the introduction of permits go to the PETITION WEBSITE

 The full background story from the photographer who originated the petition is in the magazine Amateur Photographer

The photograph of the pigeons being fed was taken by Phillip Greenspun and comes from his Photographers Guide to London. None of the London photographs he includes in the guide requirted a permit.