“Hey you, delete that photo. You can’t take photos here” said one of the two security guards who approached me this evening at Canary Wharf. Not the Police. Not even a PCSO nor even the para-military security guards you see so much of around the Wharf… but just two guys in yellow jackets, probably guarding a delivery entrance!
So I reply “Yes I can”.
“No, my manager says you can’t. You have to delete that photo”
“Sorry mate, but I can take photos, haven’t you heard the advice given by the Met Police and the Home Secretary? Not only can I take photos, but not even the Police have the right to order a photo deleted..."
“Eh?”
I repeat myself , adding “I suggest you check the law mate”… sarcasm entering my voice now..
“Police rules don’t matter around here”
“What…!! Since when has Canary Wharf become a separate state” Fully on sarcasm mode now.
We repeat ourselves a few times, I’m told this place is a terrorism threat - I reply “Really… So how many terrorists have been caught pretending to be photographers?”
No answer.. I can sense their confidence starting to slip away, sly glances to each other before one of them speaks “Erm… Ok, you don‘t have to delete that photo, but you are not allowed to take photos here”
“I tell you what mate, Not only am I allowed to take a photo of this building, I’m allowed to take your photo too, photos of the Police, photos of just about anything I want”. Acting as if I knew what I was talking about “You’d better go off and check the law”
Not sure how this is going to end up at this point , bit of a stand off as the two guard exchanged glances then (as I hoped) decided maybe I knew what I was talking about and edged away. Not far away though and stood watching me… I was tempted to play a game and hang about a bit winding them up, but decided just in case they became shitty, called the Police or proper security and made life awkward, I’d leave and head home….
So there’s my dalliance with Big Brother!!! What a country!!!!
Not the best picture but it’s more about the story today….Although looking at the sky above the building, maybe it’s more than just a bank!?!?!?!
Hahaha, oh wow, what an encounter. :D Good for you for standing your ground! I have no ideas of photo laws here... I should check them out!
This photo is really cool! Randomly, it looks like something out of a Batman movie. I'm not sure why. But it does look like the building is on fire and the flames are reflecting in the sky!
Nice story, and nice photo.
I was sitting on the train one time just fiddling with my settings one time and accidentally fired off a shot.
And immediately this woman, who was no more than 5 years older than me and just a passenger on the train, is at my side and is telling me I'm not allowed to take photos of other people without their consent.
And I'm just sitting there wondering if I should start a fight or not, and since I was getting off in 3 stops I didn't bother. I just said under my breath "Sure whatever" Then sat the rest of the trip with my camera pointed at her, finger on the trigger and lens cap off.
This is a brilliant shot. Who'd have guessed that Satan's lair is in fact on the roof of Canary Wharf? Explains a lot. Great you stood up for your rights. Power to the people! :)
Agree about the Batman comment...looks straight out of Gotham. They probably would have tackled you here and broken your camera. Good job standing your ground!
Good shot! Yay! Just love your dialogue with security - a man after my own heart - sometimes we have to voice our views to those who think they know everything :)
You radical Andy! Great that you stood up for your rights. This photo makes the place look evil, like the building a bad guy in a movie would be doing his experiments in.
Andy well done pal .. Jump't up little bloody hitlers nothing more annoying than blokes who think because they have a high vis jacket they become bloody robo cop ! :: I think you must have it worse being in London does not seem as bad up north yet ! & why do terrorist need a photo all they have to do is go on google earth ... Well done again for standing your ground & I think the shot fits the story very well
awesome , i loved ur sarcasm lol u did well . Bugger them hero's . I was giggling reading it . Woohoo one for us . Love the shot too . Kinda looks like it has a fire on the roof.
@steveh Too right... give someone a bit of authority and they think their the law... Tho truth be told, not sure if I would have been as lippy if they were police or 'proper' security...
@andycoleborn re your comment about being lippy, if they were police no doubt you would of approached with caution but still challenge them, never the less still in your right mind to take pictures. Unless they generally believe you're engaging in suspect terrorist activities can the ask to look at your pictures. Even then no one can any one delete them (as you already know of course)
@azza_l Cheers Aaron... Checked out your pic as well... ha ha.. so they've recorded your car reg eh... Wonder how many times you have to drive past before it triggers an alert...
I think because they were 2 guys who I could tell lacked confidence as soon as I challenged them, that's why I stood my ground... Yeah, I sort of know my rights but worry if standing up to old bill is really worth it... Reckon they'd just nick me on a jumped up charge then hold me for anight before letting me go... Maybe I should go back another night and take a pic in front of a copper and see what he does....
OMG, that's funny. I would have messed with them a bit, but you probably did the sane thing! A big, fat raspberry as I drove away maybe...eh, well, maybe not...
Beautiful photo and totally worth it.
@andycoleborn Hmmm..I don't think they can, yea if you're mr gobby to them they will prob find something to nick you but as long as your civil, then so be it. But if they told you to be on your way and then you continue to take pics im still not sure what they can actually do, its STILL a public place. ( Unless its a crime scene of course )
@azza_l This is always useful info? http://photographernotaterrorist.org/
Yeah you're right, as long as your polite, police don't really tend to be a problem... It's the jumped up security guards that let power go their heads... (apologies to any security guards out there :-)...)
@andycoleborn I briefly scrolled through the link, will save it and take a proper link. but read last article about riot vans bombarding some poor fellow
Well played Andy for standing up to these guys, it looks like they had no idea why you should or shouldn't take a pic but had just been told that's the way it is. Probably even the suit that decided to tell them that doesn't know why he did. It's a load of cobblers. Maybe they were bored and thought 2 on 1 was a good bet! Little did they know they were dealing with Andy C!
Great you stood your ground. Love this story. The building does look like it is leaking gas or on fire! Nice shot. The guards will have a story to tell at home tonight thanks to you.
Read the comments here and on the thread....you tell a good story andy!! Our 365 hero award this week goes to...........Mr Andy Colborn..yay!! This is a great shot..and all that at the top.....reminds me of that scene in Ghostbusters on the rooftops.....don't say you never saw it!! LOL
What a powerful photo. I agree with others about the look/feel of the building being on fire. I'm proud that you stood up to them. Like you, I've yet to hear of terrorists posing as photographers.
Bravo,Andy! Your country, the real all-for-one and one-for all country, needs more like you. Bullies in uniform are no different, except perhaps in size, to playground bullies.Courage to them is like garlic to vampires!Love the photo,it speaks volumes. And thank you for your comment on my pic.
Very interesting photo and it does look the building is on fire ( maybe signifying what you felt and what they thought is a threat. The story is very well known here because of security alert and edgy people all over.
thanks everyone for your brilliant as always comments - good to get a debate out there....glad you enjoyed my entertaining evening and the pic... thanks again :-)
Good for you for standing up for 365er's everywhere! Cool photo, too. Thought the building was on fire, myself.
A friend of mine started a website called SleepyUrbanite.com consisting of cell-pics of sleeping people on public transportation. She made quite a splash when the controversy began about what kinds of rights she had to photograph people. She was even flown to New York to appear on The Today Show and discuss the implications. Yvonne's website includes a link to a story in USA TOday about who can photograph what in our digital age. http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/andrewkantor/2005-12-29-camera-laws_x.htm
@andycoleborn well well well. Well played fer standing up to them.. i think these semi-private/public spaces are more and more under the guise and glare of 'security' issues..
its mostly a crock o cack.
This photo is really cool! Randomly, it looks like something out of a Batman movie. I'm not sure why. But it does look like the building is on fire and the flames are reflecting in the sky!
I was sitting on the train one time just fiddling with my settings one time and accidentally fired off a shot.
And immediately this woman, who was no more than 5 years older than me and just a passenger on the train, is at my side and is telling me I'm not allowed to take photos of other people without their consent.
And I'm just sitting there wondering if I should start a fight or not, and since I was getting off in 3 stops I didn't bother. I just said under my breath "Sure whatever" Then sat the rest of the trip with my camera pointed at her, finger on the trigger and lens cap off.
Did a bit of sigging and here's the Canary Wharf Security Manager saying photography is permitted... http://www.flickr.com/groups/canarywharf/discuss/72057594125957343/
@artistmichelle Ha Ha.. Citizan Smith eh :-)
@cadair8 Think I would have done the same then grabbed a quick snap just as I got off the train to annoy her...
I've had one run in once this year - here's my brief story, no where near as good as yours mind. http://365project.org/azza_l/365/2010-03-26
I think because they were 2 guys who I could tell lacked confidence as soon as I challenged them, that's why I stood my ground... Yeah, I sort of know my rights but worry if standing up to old bill is really worth it... Reckon they'd just nick me on a jumped up charge then hold me for anight before letting me go... Maybe I should go back another night and take a pic in front of a copper and see what he does....
Beautiful photo and totally worth it.
Yeah you're right, as long as your polite, police don't really tend to be a problem... It's the jumped up security guards that let power go their heads... (apologies to any security guards out there :-)...)
A friend of mine started a website called SleepyUrbanite.com consisting of cell-pics of sleeping people on public transportation. She made quite a splash when the controversy began about what kinds of rights she had to photograph people. She was even flown to New York to appear on The Today Show and discuss the implications. Yvonne's website includes a link to a story in USA TOday about who can photograph what in our digital age. http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/andrewkantor/2005-12-29-camera-laws_x.htm
its mostly a crock o cack.