A One-Off, Hopefully

[Mike Farley]

The bad old days when photographers were being hassled by the authorities and private security guards seem to be mainly behind us. In the worst cases people were being tussled to the ground by five or six policeman, or thrown into cells for having the temerity to take photographs in a public place. Several police forces ended up paying compensation for the actions of their officers. To my surprise, this was one of the first issues the current government tackled within a few days of taking office in 2010 and its efforts to resolve the problem have been largely successful.

As this story demonstrates, there are still a few ill informed security staff out there, although thankfully they appear to be the exception nowadays. It remains something about which we should be mindful, especially as the country is facing an increased terrorist threat at present. In this instance, the situation appears to have been resolved amicably and the photographer eventually ended up getting his shot.

http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/la ... hell-37381

[davidc]

Astonishing.

Hull as city of culture 2017? Truly astonishing.

[davidb]

I've only ever been stopped once by security (several years ago) and that was on Cannon Street Station. After looking at what I'd taken the security guard let me carry on. I think he was making sure I wasn't taking shots of the security arrangements.

Cannon Street and several other London termini are the property of Network Rail so I suppose they are entitled to be paranoid. I suppose I should have got permission first or at least made my presence known. (On the same day the station staff at Orpington stopped me photographing the station. I sought out the Station Master and obtained permission to continue. At Lewisham, a major junction, nothing was said as I walked around the platforms taking all the photographs I wanted. You never can tell when you'll be stopped )

[Mike Farley]

Photography is allowed by Network Rail and Southern Railway - I am not sure about the other train operating companies. All they ask is that you do not take shots of the security cameras or identifiable images of their staff unless the subject has given permission.