Monday 24 October 2011

Busy Bee

I've been really busy the last week or so trying desperately to catch up with my Photography and Art work in time for my deadlines! I managed to hand in my books with an almost-completed set of work- although I was missing a few bits I had enough not to incur the wrath of my teachers. Photography has, surprisingly, been a bit of a minefield. The topic is 'Metropolis' so we have to go around and photograph the city, panoramas and things like that. My teacher recommended I go to Canary Wharf and take some shots there, so I headed out at dawn to catch the rising sun. I got some gorgeous pictures, but at one point I was photographing a building (from the other side of the street) when a security guard came bowling out, ordering me to stop and swearing when I challenged his authority. It wasn't worth it so I stashed my camera away and moved on, noticing that from the courtyard next to this building there was a really nice view which I stopped to photograph. This time, I was interrupted by a couple of police officers who again asked me to stop photographing the building, giving me a disbelieving look when I told them I was actually shooting in the opposite direction. I was infuriated- not because I had missed a particularly good opportunity but because I was sure I was completely within my rights to take pictures of whatever I wanted as long as I wasn't on private property. I did a bit of research when I got home and found out that other photographers had been challenged, especially around Canary Wharf, finding an article on the Guardian website that detailed an encounter almost identical to mine.  I know that it's not exactly the worst thing that has happened to anyone ever, but it is an attempt to restrict given rights- and don't take that from me, I actually checked out the law surrounding photography on the Met website. So, straight from the horses mouth.

 I'm going to go back, take photos and when I'm told off this time I'm going to spout my newly learned information and see what they say to that. Rant over.

On a more cheerful note, I have a ton of photos to post so do stay tuned.

x

1 comment:

  1. Hmm sounds a little suspicious. The building was probably a secret drug dealing venue or something lawl. Cic I've uploaded le photos to le web album for you :) Miss youuuu xxxxxxxxxx

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