Why is it when I go out and about with nothing more than a camera am I followed, distrusted and approached as if I am a criminal?


I went to a local shopping centre today with my wife and son, as normal I took my camera with me, my son went with my wife down a set of escalators I stood at the top waiting for him to come up and took the lens cap off to take his picture, as soon as I did I was approached by a "jobsworth" and told I could not take any pictures in the centre, I ask why and was told I could be a threat, I told him to go away, he did, I still took the shot.

A short while later we were on our way home, going through the mall my son was blowing bubbles from a set we had bought him, I took my camera out and followed him to take a few pictures, as we approached the lift I was once again approached by another "jobsworth"

It did not go down well:

"Sir, you are not allowed to take pictures, put your camera away"

"I'm going, so I suggest you go away too"

"You have been asked by one of my colleagues not to take pictures so put your camera away"

"No"

"You are not allowed to take pictures in here"

"I don't care, go away"

"If you carry on you will be asked to leave"

"ask away, then go away"

"Sir you will be asked to leave"

"Why don't you piss off and clean your mall and do something useful"

"We will take your camera off you"

"Try it"

I am taking images, I am not a terrorist, I am not a spy, I am not committing any crime, I am causing no harm or grief to anyone.

If I take a portrait of someone I don't know I have the manners to ask first, I even tell them how to get hold of me so if they want a copy they get one free of charge.

In the UK to police do not have the right to take your camera or delete any image you have taken without a court order, if they do its theft.

Know your rights wherever you live and no matter what do not be trod on for doing nothing more that fulfilling your desire for art.

If we allow people like this to rule the way we live, the way we behave then we have lost.

Be an artist and refuse to lose, at any price.