Police Powers Allows Them To Stop You Photographing Them

Posted on February 17, 2009 | Leave a comment

New “anti-terrorism” measures came in to force yesterday. Alas, the wording is so loose, that it will allow Police to stop you taking pictures of them. This is a huge issue and completely tramples on the freedom of press. Two main issues come forth with this; firstly, if you are covering a demonstration or a riot, the Police can object to you photographing them and you can get arrested. This will put a stop to reporting a situation honestly and properly, and aesthetically will result in pictures of demonstrators with nothing to balance things out with. Secondly, if you’re in a situation where you see a Police officer doing something wrong, you won’t be allowed to photograph them. Its an outrage. Basically, the Police will be able to arrest all photographers in a given situation, ending up in no visual record of what happens.

The big problem is how loosely the wording is on the new measures; its up to individual officers to use their judgement on the scene. In my 20 years on the streets as a news photographer I’ve across many descent, honest and mature Police officers. Sadly I have also come across a fair number of idiots who do not have the mental ability to handle the power, responsibility and importance the job of a Police officer entails.
If we’re at the mercy of the latter kind, which sadly seems to increase by number as years go by, then many news assignments just cannot be covered properly any more.
I urge you to write to your MPs and to the papers objecting these ridiculous new powers. Its ridiculous that a press photographer with a press card can be considered a terrorist. One would assume that a terrorist would probably use a discreet camera phone or a hidden camera and not a couple of pro DSLRs and lenses.

Further Reading:




Leave a comment

Posted in News, Photography, viewpoint

Combat Outpost, Afghanistan

Posted on February 16, 2009 | Leave a comment

John D McHugh’s latest video, Combat Outpost, is now on the Guardian web site.


McHugh goes on to say “This is without doubt the most difficult and dangerous place I have worked so far, but I think the film gives a good insight into the futility of the current strategy in Afghanistan, and the pointless dangers the soldiers are facing every day”. It definitely is a good insight; do check it out.

Leave a comment

Posted in Video

"Nil By Mouth"

Posted on February 15, 2009 | Leave a comment

That was the sign hung by my bedside in hospital. I had to go to hospital by ambulance following severe abdominal pains, and spent most of last week there. I’ve now been discharged and recuperating.

I just wanted to say a word of thanks to those close to me who have popped by, phoned and written.
I also want to apologise for not keeping the blog up to date. There have been a few interesting things, so a couple of things to read up on:
I would strongly urge all photographers to attend the above event, and also to write to their MPs.
I shall try and get up to speed with things and get posting properly soon, but in the meantime, please be patient. Thank you.

Leave a comment

Posted in News

FeRAM and 64Gb SD Cards

Posted on February 10, 2009 | Leave a comment

There’s a lot happening in the world of memory. Sandisk has just disclosed that they are about to start work on mass production of x4 flash chips. This means that it will soon start selling 64Gb SD cards. Whilst for photographic needs 64Gb is overkill, for video its superb news. Lets also hope that this technology is ported to CF cards.

Toshiba on the other hand has announced that its wrk into FeRAM is yielding a huge speed increase in read and write speeds, with speeds up to 1.6Gb per second; this is absolutely huge and will revolutionise SSD hard drives in laptops and desktops. If the technology is ported into memory cards, running out of buffer on your DSLR will be a thing of the past. Also, for video shooters its going to provide great news.

Leave a comment

Posted in Computers and Software, News

Muse Makes Top 10

Posted on February 7, 2009 | Leave a comment

“Muse” makes the top 10 rated movies of “The EOScars” website with a rating of 7.1. Many thanks to all who have voted for it. If you would like to vote for it, kindly give it a star rating here.

Leave a comment

Posted in News, Video

50% Off Magazine Subs

Posted on February 7, 2009 | Leave a comment

A heads up folks on a special offer I just got. 50% off computer magazine subscriptions. In these days of recession, every penny helps, so I thought I’d share the offer.

Leave a comment

Posted in News