The police now regularly intimidate photographers, both professional and hobbyist, sometimes using laws that were never intended to prevent photography.

We are stopped from photographing locations, even though images of these are available on numerous corporate and 'big media' sites (the BBC, Google Street View, even those belonging to architects). Some police officers don't know what the law is regarding photography in a public place, while private security guards believe they have all kinds of powers. Meanwhile we are all recorded hundreds of time each day on cctv...

I propose that one Saturday this summer, as many of us as possible meet with cameras, and we walk around Manchester city centre taking hundreds of photographs and video footage in various predetermined public spots. A photo mob!

Now is the time to fight this. The evidence from the G20 protest has proved to be a huge embarrassment to the government and police and the next thing may be a law that gives the police the legal right to take memory cards, film, video or even cameras.

What form should the protest take? Might it include (optional) fancy dress as famous photographers from different ages (or movies!), banners, photo equipment old and modern, mass photography of the police as well as locations? We could put all the thousands of images on the web somewhere.

If you have links to relevant news stories, articles or info on laws relating to photography please post them. Along with suggestions for photo subjects on the day and any other comments you have.

We need to get a good sized group to show up, so please spread the word.

AIMS
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to raise awareness of the issues in Manchester, online and hopefully in the media. Peaceful protest. A celebration of the camera and photography. To have a fun afternoon. Also to raise awareness of our rights to take pictures and the real legal situation (guidelines from the Association of Chief Inspectors say that anti-terror laws should NOT be used to prevent photography).

PHOTO SUBJECTS
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Anything that we see as we walk around, including each other! But could also include: shopping centres, banks, the town hall, bus and rail stations, cctv cameras(!), police and their vehicles, community support officers, traffic wardens, security guards. Basically anything that can be photographed or filmed from a public place. None of which will be intended to aid terrorists in any way. The intention is for all of us to exercise our legal right to photograph what we choose in a public place. (read less)

The police now regularly intimidate photographers, both professional and hobbyist, sometimes using laws that were never intended to prevent photography.

We are stopped from photographing locations, even though images of these are available on numerous corporate and 'big media' sites (the BBC, Google Street View, even those belonging to architects). Some police officers don't know what the law is regarding photography in a public place, while private security guards believe they have all kinds... (read more)