Good letter, Bob; and I think you are well within your right to complain. This type of BS and behaviour coming from a photographer makes it doubly appalling.
Let us know the outcome, please. —M. \/\/o/\/\ --> http://WorldOfMiserere.com http://EnticingTheLight.com A Quest for Photographic Enlightenment On 10 July 2011 13:17, Bob W <p...@web-options.com> wrote: > I had a bit of a to-do earlier today. It really made my blood boil, so I've > sent the letter below to the manager of the market, cc:ed to the local paper > and the British Journal of Photography. > > I won't be pushed around (literally!) by people, especially self-righteous > busybodies. > > I'll let you know the outcome, if there is one. And I'll post the offending > photograph later. > > Grumpy > >> >> Dear Sir or Madam, >> >> Earlier today (10 July 2011) one of your stallholders, who identified >> himself as a photographer, assaulted me while I was taking photographs >> in Greenwich Market. >> >> The incident began when he took hold of my arm and demanded to know if >> I had asked permission of the person whose photograph I'd just taken. I >> told him that I don't need permission to take photographs in public >> places. He then claimed that he could arrest me, so I invited him to do >> so. He took my arm again, pulling vigorously to try and move me along. >> I told him to take his hands of me, and that continuing to detain me >> was itself assault. Despite this, he held on to me until I freed >> myself. After an exchange of words we parted company and I went about >> my lawful activity. >> >> This is not the first time that a stallholder has tried to stop me >> taking pictures, although it is the first time that one of them has >> laid hands on me. >> >> Please would you make clear to all of your stallholders that >> photography in public places is a legal activity. For the avoidance of >> doubt, here is the link to a page about it on the Metropolitan Police >> website: http://www.met.police.uk/about/photography.htm. >> >> Please also ask your stallholders to acquaint themselves with the law >> as it applies to so-called citizen's arrest. In short, any attempt to >> stop someone going about their lawful activities is itself illegal and >> may be assault. If this happens to me again in Greenwich Market I will >> press charges. >> >> This is not just a matter of law, it is also a matter of commercial >> good sense for the stallholders. The incident today caused a scene. >> Greenwich Market is a significant attractor of tourists and income to >> the borough, to Greenwich Market and to the traders. Tourists and >> locals alike enjoy taking photographs. If your stallholders take it >> upon themselves to try and stop people taking photographs, then both >> tourists & locals will stop coming, and we will all be worse off for >> it. > > > > -- > PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List > PDML@pdml.net > http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net > to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow > the directions. > -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
