Photo-a-Day  (Tuesday, 30th August, 2011)

The young lady looks quite pleased with the Harris Hawk pearched on her hand. Nice photo David.

What a cracking shot, very nice indeed

Two nice birds !!!

I was fortunate enough to have this happen to me at Keilder Water. it is a wonderful experience to be so close to such a wonderful creature.

Mal Ref; 29th. It is an offence under the pedaphilia laws to photograph ANY child without parental consent.

Who's the more enthralled, the bird or the spectator?

Stunning pic, beautiful creature.

RH Ref:29th

I fear you are misinformed..

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."

There's nothing stopping you taking pictures of people in public places within reason, but if you start shoving your zoom lens up their nostrils or taking action shots of their every step, there's a chance you might get a clip around the ear from your aggrieved subject or possibly face a legal charge of harassment or breach of the peace.

Harassment is defined as a 'course of conduct' (so it has to happen at least twice) that causes another person 'alarm or distress', but we have to say that the bullying and aggressive antics of the paparazzi would suggest that prosecutions are few and far between.

Photographers are free to use their photographs of people taken in public places as they wish - including for commercial gain.

There are no laws against taking photos of children, but someone taking an unhealthy interest can rightly expect to attract unwelcome attention from the authorities (and quite probably passers by) pretty sharpish.

Be also mindful that if you're taking pictures in areas where dodgy folks, drug dealers and ne'er do wells may be in view, they're unlikely to be pleased with the attention and probably won't be bothered about the niceties of the law in their response.

If someone asks you to stop take pictures of them, it's generally a good idea to do so. That said, we are talking about the LAW here, not what may, or may not 'get someone's back up'

If you still think you are correct, please quote the Act and Section of said law and I would be happy to peruse it having had some 23 years experience within the legal system

Thank you Mal and well said, it makes you afraid to take photos of your own grandkids in a public place with all this controversy. The photo on the 10th was not inappropriate, it was a toddler in a pram within a street scene. Lets have some common sense.

I think Mal has a problem...he's a sad man.

I am amazed. Good points posted about the legalities about photos being taken in public.. Thanks to Mal for your input. Good info.

It is a thread for the posting of Wigan type photos...isn't it?

By the way, David, very good pic of the two birds.....both are lovely..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you for you comments,and other items regarding rules and regulations and law on taking photos,very interesting.

Try sending a photograph of a public place which includes a recognisable face, to any of the Microstck agencies: it will be rejected - I've tried it.

Rob, very useful input from yourself. Says a lot about you.

Four nice pics David, I especially
like the owl. Cheers H.