Taking photographs from a footpath
Discussion
Is there an expectation of privacy if someone takes a photograph from a public footpath?
I've been getting ever increasing threats as a result of taking photo's from a footpath; these pictures look down from the hill into a commercial operation that is breaching a number of planning conditions, health and safety laws etc.
The way I see it the operation in question dominates the landscape, in many ways it would be impossible to take a picture without including their property - even if I did so from within my own home.
Thoughts?
I've been getting ever increasing threats as a result of taking photo's from a footpath; these pictures look down from the hill into a commercial operation that is breaching a number of planning conditions, health and safety laws etc.
The way I see it the operation in question dominates the landscape, in many ways it would be impossible to take a picture without including their property - even if I did so from within my own home.
Thoughts?
Thoughts are you're doing nothing wrong and can continue to do what you're doing.
If they continue the threaten you then contact the company responsible for the operation or the police. I'd suggest not getting into an argument with an ill-informed security guard/site worker over it though. If they get a bit aggro just leave and return another time.
If they continue the threaten you then contact the company responsible for the operation or the police. I'd suggest not getting into an argument with an ill-informed security guard/site worker over it though. If they get a bit aggro just leave and return another time.
Try this classic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjTBYdJwQ4I
Its Just Adz said:
If you were aiming the camera into someone's home, then no, you can't do it.
Looking into a business premises, I'm honestly not 100%.
I would think you're in the clear though.
It depends if theres any more background to it?Looking into a business premises, I'm honestly not 100%.
I would think you're in the clear though.
Is it something like an mod supplier that comes under the official secrets act? Have the police been involved and have a legal order? Are the pictures for commercial use? All things that may prevent an individual in a public place aiming their camera at commercial premises.
Gareth Mallory said:
It depends if theres any more background to it?
Is it something like an mod supplier that comes under the official secrets act? Have the police been involved and have a legal order? Are the pictures for commercial use? All things that may prevent an individual in a public place aiming their camera at commercial premises.
Yes, you're correct.Is it something like an mod supplier that comes under the official secrets act? Have the police been involved and have a legal order? Are the pictures for commercial use? All things that may prevent an individual in a public place aiming their camera at commercial premises.
A lot more context is needed.
It's a huge commercial dairy farm that takes the piss in a number of ways. (Ignores planning restrictions, destroys the roads, big fan of fox and hare hunting with dogs, numerous environmental breaches, some clear animal cruelty, owns a number of similar ventures across the region)
Usual MO is to keep up the pressure until the locals sell up so they can have their land as well.
We're not playing ball though.
Sadly, neither are the council and the local rural crime team try their best but are painfully stretched - in all cases evidence required to support any action more or less has to be gathered by the local residents and this creates tension with the workforce, often leading to threats that are hard to prove.
Not uncommon around here for people who complain too loudly to be on the receiving end of a serious kicking, hence pretty much all of us now have houses dripping with CCTV.
For the record...not a NIMBY, just don't like people ignoring the laws and rules the rest of us obey.
Usual MO is to keep up the pressure until the locals sell up so they can have their land as well.
We're not playing ball though.
Sadly, neither are the council and the local rural crime team try their best but are painfully stretched - in all cases evidence required to support any action more or less has to be gathered by the local residents and this creates tension with the workforce, often leading to threats that are hard to prove.
Not uncommon around here for people who complain too loudly to be on the receiving end of a serious kicking, hence pretty much all of us now have houses dripping with CCTV.
For the record...not a NIMBY, just don't like people ignoring the laws and rules the rest of us obey.
Is it "a public place" though? Plenty of rights of way (ie footpaths and other roads/tracks) cross private land and while there is a public right of way across the land, the ownership remains with the private owner and not some public body like the council, highways agency, crown, etc.
Most of the gormless so caed auditors are doing it to get a reaction and then try and exploit the only law they know anything about by showing it to idiot who might watch it. A lot of them also fly drones which is not only highly dangerous but very unlike simply taking pictures.
I would think it a little odd for sure, but if you are far enough away and on a footpath I suppose you can do what you want,
I would think it a little odd for sure, but if you are far enough away and on a footpath I suppose you can do what you want,
bergclimber34 said:
Most of the gormless so caed auditors are doing it to get a reaction and then try and exploit the only law they know anything about by showing it to idiot who might watch it. A lot of them also fly drones which is not only highly dangerous but very unlike simply taking pictures.
I would think it a little odd for sure, but if you are far enough away and on a footpath I suppose you can do what you want,
I agree - at most we're talking about people taking a few pictures from their mobile phone while on the road or a footpath, no set pattern and certainly not a daily thing.I would think it a little odd for sure, but if you are far enough away and on a footpath I suppose you can do what you want,
paul_c123 said:
Is it "a public place" though? Plenty of rights of way (ie footpaths and other roads/tracks) cross private land and while there is a public right of way across the land, the ownership remains with the private owner and not some public body like the council, highways agency, crown, etc.
A right of way is a public place by definition, because the public have access. But yes, the land could be private.More info here. OP where are you taking phoros from - countgryside or public footpath
https://www.landscapeinstitute.org/blog/photograph...
https://www.landscapeinstitute.org/blog/photograph...
I am sure it is fine in isolation but if you are causing a nuisance or harassing them then I suspect they can take action.
If there are health and safety violations then write to them and the hse. They would see you are a trouble marker and from what you have said I would tend to agree.
If you have reported it and no action taken then I suspect that is where it ends.
If there are health and safety violations then write to them and the hse. They would see you are a trouble marker and from what you have said I would tend to agree.
If you have reported it and no action taken then I suspect that is where it ends.
I suspect the problem isn't so much whether its legal or not; but that if the landowner/commercial operation/farm is sufficiently wealthy, and has sufficient support in the local area, you will make yourself very unpopular in the local area and the council/police/other locals won't really support you because they're all in bed with the landowner, employed by them, or have a business connection in some way or another.
I can almost guess the landowner and area in question!! But then there's probably lots of them!!
I can almost guess the landowner and area in question!! But then there's probably lots of them!!
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