Street Photography in the UK and the Law

I think every photographer should be aware of the UK law with regard to photography in public. 

I thought I should read up on this before embarking deeper into exercises and assignments

DPP -v- Jones (1999): The Court recognised that the public may enjoy a public highway for any reasonable purpose, provided it does not amount to public or private nuisance or obstruct the highway "by unreasonably impeding the primary right of the public to pass and re-pass: within these qualifications there is a public right of peaceful assembly on the highway." 

Its not quite so in other countries so students should read up to understand their rights for the nation and indeed city that they are taking images.

Some public places also have bylaws preventing commercial photography, such as in Trafalgar Square, Parliament Square and some Royal Parks. But if you’re not taking photos for commercial gain or causing an obstruction, you’re unlikely to be restricted.

There are currently no general privacy laws under UK law, but the UK courts must take into account the European Convention on Human Rights, which gives everyone the right to respect for their private and family life. As this is an area of law that has been developing rapidly over the last few years, it is hard to be certain what will constitute an infringement.

Its therefore advisable and sensible to be aware of the people you are taking images and how what you are doing could be misunderstood.

I personally carry a card which has selotaped on it some information about my rights and those of police officers / PCSO should I ever be stopped or asked questions about my photography. I also carry my student card and mini-moo website cards so that in the unlikely event I'm stopped, questioned etc I can explain what I am doing and why and I have identification. I would also be happy to show anyone any images I had taken and would delete any where someone asked me to.

Of course you need to be sensible about taking images and any normal person should be aware of what is reasonable and what is not.

The following link is to an article from DigitalCameraWorld called Photographers Rights: the Ultimate Guide 14/04/2012

http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/04/14/photographers-rights-the-ultimate-guide/1/

I found this a really informative, clear, and helpful article