"You cannot take pictures of the shell..."
Discussion
This was the announcment over the tannoy at the petrol station. I was trying to take a picture of my fill up so I could update my fuelly account. I went into the shop to pay for the fuel and the conversation went something like this
Me: "Why?"
Him: "You cannot take pictures in the petrol station, no phones must be used, no cameras"
Me: "Why?"
Him: "If you have a problem you can call Head Office"
At this point I couldn't be bothered engaging the guy in a pointless conversation but it took me back about 10 years to an incident I had in America. I was in a shopping centre watching a fountain where the water appeared to jump through the air from pool to pool. I took my camera out and was promptly ordered by a large security guard (who appeared out of no where) that I was not allowed to take a picture of the fountain. I asked why but he just repeated himself. As it was my first trip and for all I knew this guy was going to snatch my camera off me I put it away.
But I wonder just how this draconian view of photography will develop in the future. I know when I was taking photos at netball games at my partners request, I had a couple of people come up to me and say that I was not allowed as I did not have their permission. I have no children but I hear that photography during sports events at schools is not possible as everyone fears that the parents are paedophiles.
The legality of photography in the UK is somewhat different. If you are in a public place then actually I can take your picture and not only do I not need your permission, but you cannot make me delete it. I'm not sure how this will work at the Shell station but there is certainly nothing to stop me taking a photo from within my car of the petrol pump, or of the Shell logo from the pavement. If the warning was due to the use of mobile phones at a petrol station that is of course rediculous too as no mechanical mechanism is intitiated or are signals sent from an iphone when it takes a photo.
Me: "Why?"
Him: "You cannot take pictures in the petrol station, no phones must be used, no cameras"
Me: "Why?"
Him: "If you have a problem you can call Head Office"
At this point I couldn't be bothered engaging the guy in a pointless conversation but it took me back about 10 years to an incident I had in America. I was in a shopping centre watching a fountain where the water appeared to jump through the air from pool to pool. I took my camera out and was promptly ordered by a large security guard (who appeared out of no where) that I was not allowed to take a picture of the fountain. I asked why but he just repeated himself. As it was my first trip and for all I knew this guy was going to snatch my camera off me I put it away.
But I wonder just how this draconian view of photography will develop in the future. I know when I was taking photos at netball games at my partners request, I had a couple of people come up to me and say that I was not allowed as I did not have their permission. I have no children but I hear that photography during sports events at schools is not possible as everyone fears that the parents are paedophiles.
The legality of photography in the UK is somewhat different. If you are in a public place then actually I can take your picture and not only do I not need your permission, but you cannot make me delete it. I'm not sure how this will work at the Shell station but there is certainly nothing to stop me taking a photo from within my car of the petrol pump, or of the Shell logo from the pavement. If the warning was due to the use of mobile phones at a petrol station that is of course rediculous too as no mechanical mechanism is intitiated or are signals sent from an iphone when it takes a photo.
I was told politely years ago I couldn't take a photo in the food court at Harrods, I think generally commercial premises, like a shop, can have restrictions placed on taking photographs. Not sure how enforceable those restrictions are but probably "terms of use" and different from other public spaces. Similar restrictions at many concerts, where bands have copyright over their image/performance.
The petrol station is private property though. They can make whatever rules they want. Same as the Mall in America. If they don't want you to take pictures on their site then thats up to them.
As for taking pictures in a public place, this is true to a point. I know of numerous people who have been stopped by police in London for taking pics around landmarks with DSLRs. Funny how tourists get away with it with a compact but get out a decent camera and you are automatically a terrorist. Surely terrorists would be descreet and use a phone camera/compact anyway?
backwards view in this country. It is stupid. I don't really see why any parent would think there child attractive enough to make me want to have a jossle over them anyway. They are the problem, not the other parents trying to take photos of their own children. If you dislike it so much, dont let them take part. Keep them locked in a padded room for the rest of their life so no one can see them, or got forbid, take photos of them.
As for taking pictures in a public place, this is true to a point. I know of numerous people who have been stopped by police in London for taking pics around landmarks with DSLRs. Funny how tourists get away with it with a compact but get out a decent camera and you are automatically a terrorist. Surely terrorists would be descreet and use a phone camera/compact anyway?
backwards view in this country. It is stupid. I don't really see why any parent would think there child attractive enough to make me want to have a jossle over them anyway. They are the problem, not the other parents trying to take photos of their own children. If you dislike it so much, dont let them take part. Keep them locked in a padded room for the rest of their life so no one can see them, or got forbid, take photos of them.
I once pulled into an Esso station and stood with the pump in the filler neck waiting for it to be authorised.
And waited.
And waited.
The tannoy sounded, but I couldnt make out what they were saying.
I waited.
After what seemed like an age I went into the shop to enquire, where i was rudely told that until I switched my lights off, I couldnt have any fuel. This seemed ridiculous - it was just the angel eye sidelights on the 5 Series. I explained it was just sidelights but she was having none of it. Apparently I could drive off without paying if my lights were on. I held up my keys and pointed out lights on didn't mean engine running, but she re-iterated that she refused to serve me until I turned my lights off.
So I turned my lights off, and then she authorised the pump.
To this day I remain confused about the whole thing. She seemed convinced I was a risk of a drive-off as my lights were on. I take it she didn't realise cars can drive off with lights off, too.
I've not used that station since.
And waited.
And waited.
The tannoy sounded, but I couldnt make out what they were saying.
I waited.
After what seemed like an age I went into the shop to enquire, where i was rudely told that until I switched my lights off, I couldnt have any fuel. This seemed ridiculous - it was just the angel eye sidelights on the 5 Series. I explained it was just sidelights but she was having none of it. Apparently I could drive off without paying if my lights were on. I held up my keys and pointed out lights on didn't mean engine running, but she re-iterated that she refused to serve me until I turned my lights off.
So I turned my lights off, and then she authorised the pump.
To this day I remain confused about the whole thing. She seemed convinced I was a risk of a drive-off as my lights were on. I take it she didn't realise cars can drive off with lights off, too.
I've not used that station since.
Cemesis said:
I know when I was taking photos at netball games at my partners request, I had a couple of people come up to me and say that I was not allowed as I did not have their permission. I have no children but I hear that photography during sports events at schools is not possible as everyone fears that the parents are paedophiles.
You need to MTFU and tell them to STFU or remove their kid if they have a problem. While ever people pander to them the (non-)problem will only get worse.Fox- said:
To this day I remain confused about the whole thing. She seemed convinced I was a risk of a drive-off as my lights were on. I take it she didn't realise cars can drive off with lights off, too.
I've not used that station since.
Probably something to do with the lights being on preventing the number plate showing up on the CCTV pictures. Which wouldn't apply with sidelights, but I expect she had been told not to authorise if the lights were on, not specifically headlights.I've not used that station since.
calibrax said:
Probably something to do with the lights being on preventing the number plate showing up on the CCTV pictures. Which wouldn't apply with sidelights, but I expect she had been told not to authorise if the lights were on, not specifically headlights.
Well quite, it wasn't as if I was sat there with the Xenons glaring away!Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff