Rant: No Photography Allowed?
How many time were you taking some photos with your camera when someone approached you saying "Excuse me, no photography is allowed?".
Today I was having breakfast with my blogger friends in the Avenues, and taking pictures of the dessert display INSIDE the restaurant when the Avenues security guard came to us and said photography is not allowed inside the Avenues! Excuse me?! I complained to the Avenues via Twitter and they immediately apologized and talked to the security guard. Yet it sparked a long talk at the table about this annoying subject: No Photography Allowed.
Sometimes it makes sense: Taking pictures of women in a wedding, taking pictures of a military base, taking pictures of a movie in the cinema, taking pictures of rare objects in a museum that are kept inside controlled conditions and might be hurt by the flash. Other times it totally doesn't make sense!
Sometimes you are taking a picture of what you are eating, minding your own business and lost in your own world, when a waiter approaches you and grilling you about the use of your camera. How is it that I am not take photos of a dish I am about to eat and I am paying for? Now a days a global trend seems to be taking place: No Photography allowed in malls! I was in the Bull Ring mall in Birmingham in December taking a picture of the Xmas decorations -they were lovely- when a security guard not only told me photography is not allowed, he made a public show out of me in front of shoppers when he demanded I hand him over my camera to see what I was taking a picture of and mocking me and insisting even more when I refused. Needless to say my shopping trip was ruined that day and I didn't let it pass without complaint.
I usually "respect" the decision of the place if they state photography is not allowed. But I do not pretend to understand it nor like it. Bottom line is: we are actually doing you a favor by photographing whether we are bloggers or not. Photographs are taken because they are to be shared. Shared with other people because there is something worth showing, worth being liked, and other people would certainly want to check it out themselves. Even if I was just showing it to my friends.
But if you insist that your place is not available for photography, then please state so with a BIG CLEAR SIGN AT ALL ENTRANCES. Plus, if someone is indeed taking photographs approach them gently, discreetly, and politely. There is no need to be aggressive or to make a scene. We live in the age of digital media and social networking, it is only natural to see people photographing y3ni.
And always remember: no one has the right to confiscate your pictures or view them except the authorities. And by authorities I mean the police. When the security guard wanted to take my camera in the Bull Ring, Birmingham I was prepared to call the police myself for him all because of one lousy picture of a snowflake xmas decoration.
Were you ever in a situation where you were told off for taking a photograph? Did your blood boil?
