How do you tell private from public land?
Discussion
Whilst searching for a new angle on Tower Bridge the other night, came across this lovely setting by a bridge around St. Katherine's docks, very picturesque, barely got the pod out, cam mounted and started snapping before security appeared and told me it was private, I was being monitored and did I have a permit, I cannot use a tripod.
When i asked what is private, he said everything, and flung his arms about. Not wanting to draw attention I packed up and left, but how do you know they are not just saying that, there are no signs, he didn't provide any proof. Its for personal use, so going to the land registry is not viable, what is the general consensus in these situations?
From what I understand I can take a photo of anything providing I am standing on public land, but how do I know its public.
When i asked what is private, he said everything, and flung his arms about. Not wanting to draw attention I packed up and left, but how do you know they are not just saying that, there are no signs, he didn't provide any proof. Its for personal use, so going to the land registry is not viable, what is the general consensus in these situations?
From what I understand I can take a photo of anything providing I am standing on public land, but how do I know its public.
Can't help specifically but people in reflective jackets do let their egos exceed their brains sometimes.
'How do I get a permit?' might have been a good question.
Where's that great Youtube clip where a guy with a camcorder sets up outside a factory, on a public footpath, and keeps filming depsite all the security dweebs throw at him?
'How do I get a permit?' might have been a good question.
Where's that great Youtube clip where a guy with a camcorder sets up outside a factory, on a public footpath, and keeps filming depsite all the security dweebs throw at him?
There are a lot of places around London that are private land, the area by More London (just down from City Hall), County Hall / London Eye and Canary Wharf are just a few that spring to mind. I've taken pictures using a tripod at these locations in the past with out being hassled, but I know others that have been moved on. If you do a google search there is quite a lot of discussion and info on it.
Personally if think there will be an issue, I do a quick recce, I get the camera set up on the tripod with the settings dialed in before quickly moving in setting up the shot and moving on before security strike.
Personally if think there will be an issue, I do a quick recce, I get the camera set up on the tripod with the settings dialed in before quickly moving in setting up the shot and moving on before security strike.
Jetl3on said:
From what I understand I can take a photo of anything providing I am standing on public land, but how do I know its public.
Unless you've crossed some obvious boundry I would turn that around if approached by 'security'. Ask for specifics of ownership and boundries and if there aren't any or in the absence of any satisfactory answer then tell the jobsworth where to get off. They are just members of the public in a second hand uniform.MysteryLemon said:
So what was he doing sitting outside golden wonder for then anyway? Apart from causing a nusience for no apparent reason other than because he could...
Another way of saying that is 'proving a point of law'; and whilst the GW factory with its menopausal old bat has no significance on its own, it's an important point for civil rights. The all-pervasive machine of state is bad enough without paper tigers taking matters into their own hands. It's a kind of vigilantism but for bad reasons.IF you were that close to the water inside the St Katherine's dock area I suspect you were on private land (alongside private water). That area is very picturesque as your pictures show and is populated by masses of office workers and tourists during the week, especially lunchtimes and early evenings for the cafes and bars. I've seen loads of tourists taking snappy snaps without any problem but that's because they're holiday snaps. A guy with gear and kit setting up to take photographs of the boats of the rich and/or famous is a different matter. Personally I'm not surprised you were moved, especially given that their photography policy is in the public domain http://www.skdocks.co.uk/events-filming/
S47 said:
Interesting Video. Wonder why the photographer NEVER called Mr Plod, since he was clearly in the right, why did he put up with the Jobsworths at GW security giving him grief???????
Because that was the entire point I agree one would not normally film like that, so perhaps there had been a previous incident either with him or someone else. I suspect he'd checked the law and gone back for the showdown and ultimate humiliation - which the guards brought entirely on themselves most magnificently.
I was trying the think of a job for which they might be suited, but cannot...
2slo said:
Jetl3on said:
From what I understand I can take a photo of anything providing I am standing on public land, but how do I know its public.
Unless you've crossed some obvious boundry I would turn that around if approached by 'security'. Ask for specifics of ownership and boundries and if there aren't any or in the absence of any satisfactory answer then tell the jobsworth where to get off. They are just members of the public in a second hand uniform.checkmate91 said:
especially given that their photography policy is in the public domain http://www.skdocks.co.uk/events-filming/
Except that doesn't address individuals taking photos for private use.I think the assumption is that tripod = 'pro', hence an assumption that their policy is being breached. Which isn't *entirely* unreasonable because they could be on the receiving end of some BS from some slightly less than honest people who don't want to pay any sort of licence fee to be able to take photos on a commercial basis there.
In any event, photography on private property is a delicate balance - if you try and ban it entirely then you risk creating a bad impression to visitors, but equally you don't want loads of people rocking up with tripods and getting in the way.
Are you sure? It says this:
[i]In certain circumstances, we will consider allowing certain areas within St Katharine Docks to be utilised for either a press launch, event or selected filming and photography projects.
Boasting a tranquil setting with amazing river views of Tower Bridge, Butlers Wharf, City Hall and The Tower of London; St Katharine Docks is a stunning waterside location, and for the right project or partner, offers an ideal backdrop for your brand.
Regrettably, we do not allow student filming/photography or private events in the public access areas of the Estate.[/i]
Now, if I turn up with my set of amateur gear, including tripod and start casing the joint with a view to taking some quality images for my own enjoyment I think they may say (from paragraph 1) I'm endulging in an event, selected filming or a photography project. If I say I'm an amateur they might just say (from paragraph 3) no private events.
Seems quite clear to me and I fully understand and recognise that they'd wish to protect the IP of their landscape and content. As an amateur photographer who happens to work in London a lot, I'm as frustrated as the next guy who wants to capture images of nice places, architecture etc on private property but this place is so obviously private that I'm actually now wondering why we are debating it.
[i]In certain circumstances, we will consider allowing certain areas within St Katharine Docks to be utilised for either a press launch, event or selected filming and photography projects.
Boasting a tranquil setting with amazing river views of Tower Bridge, Butlers Wharf, City Hall and The Tower of London; St Katharine Docks is a stunning waterside location, and for the right project or partner, offers an ideal backdrop for your brand.
Regrettably, we do not allow student filming/photography or private events in the public access areas of the Estate.[/i]
Now, if I turn up with my set of amateur gear, including tripod and start casing the joint with a view to taking some quality images for my own enjoyment I think they may say (from paragraph 1) I'm endulging in an event, selected filming or a photography project. If I say I'm an amateur they might just say (from paragraph 3) no private events.
Seems quite clear to me and I fully understand and recognise that they'd wish to protect the IP of their landscape and content. As an amateur photographer who happens to work in London a lot, I'm as frustrated as the next guy who wants to capture images of nice places, architecture etc on private property but this place is so obviously private that I'm actually now wondering why we are debating it.
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