Unlicensed Photography

In the land of “fish, chips, cup ‘o tea, bad food, worse weather, Mary fucking Poppins…” taking pictures can be a real ordeal, you may find yourself harassed by a bobby if you don’t have your papers, just like Phil Smith. Mr. Smith was in Ipswitch to take pictures of the Christmas lighting celebration and was there early, so he started taking a few shots of the warm up, when he was stopped by the police asking for his camera license.

When he tried to tell the police he didn’t need one he was escorted across a barier, away from the crowds so he could be formally searched on a side street. He was then told to delete the pictures he had already taken, and ordered not to take any more. He was not arrested, but was still hasaled and made to feel that phtography is an unacceotable hobby.

Mr. Smith is not alone in his run in with over zealous cops while out taken pictures, MP Austin Mitchell, an avid photographer has been challenged twice for his public picture taking and is pushing a motion for police to be educated on photographers rights.

Why the relatively recent apprehension toward photogrpahers? The same excuses we hear in the states for more restrictions on our rights, terrorism and pedophilia. These fears are being enhanced by a state propaganda campaign, warning people to look out for suspicious photographers, “loose Irises sink ships” or something like that. This campaign has drawn the attention of activist and artist who have doen some wonderful parodies.

How much more will it take for people to start fighting back?