Photographers in Sydney fight for freedom to photograph landmarks

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Photographers dressed in black and white 'criminal' costumes fighting for the freedom to photograph Australian landmarks before the Sydney Opera House. 29/08/10. Australia.

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Sydney Opera House - one of the images controlled by the regulations on photographing landmarks. 29/08/10. Australia.

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More than five hundred commercial and amateur photographers attended a rally in Sydney to protest the increasing restrictions on photographing Australian nature and landmarks. Australia. 29/08/10.

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Part of the assembled photographers with the Sydney Opera House in the background. 29/08/10. Australia.

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A landscape photographer getting his camera ready while showing how he feels about the new regulation. 29/08/10. Australia.

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An artist also protested in support of artistic freedom. 29/08/10. Australia.

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Historic boat enters Campbell's Cove in front of the Sydney Harbour Bridge during the protest. 29/08/10. Australia.

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Protesting in favour of artistic freedom. A lady censors her privates while holding a placard against the restrictions on photographing landmarks. 29/08/10. Australia.

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The police stood by avoiding the hundreds of photographers. This man must have a long memory. 29/08/10. Australia.

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Moving the message among the crowd with the historic Rocks area in the background. 29/08/10. Australia.

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Everybody photographed in each other at the protest.

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Children of protesting photographers show their interest. 29/08/10. Australia.

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A photographer reminding us he is a friend of the environment. 29/08/10. Australia.

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More than five hundred commercial and amateur photographers attended a rally in Sydney to protest the increasing restrictions on photographing Australian nature and landmarks. Australia. 29/08/10.

Led by nationally known landscape photographers, a stunning Sunday morning opposite the Sydney Opera House on the harbour saw hundreds of photographers in a public protest. A rare event for normally solitary professionals, the photographers were drawn to this rally by increasing regulatory and financial interference in the freedom to photograph Australia's stunning natural beauty.

Authorities controlling national parks, beaches, suburban parks, and city precincts like around the Sydney Opera House increasingly demand payment for a permit to photograph the view visible to all. Use a tripod while doing your holiday snaps and you are likely to be accosted by a uniformed law enforcement officer on the assumption you must be professional if you have a tripod.

Arts Freedom Australia, a group lead by Ken Duncan a successful commercial landscape photographer, organised the protest to try to highlight the suffocating regulation of public spaces.

We promote the protection of the environment and Australia yet authorities make it hard and charge us absurd fees was the message from a number photographers.

The t-shirts worn by many of the protesters and placards tapped into another issue close to most serious photographers. Increasing paranoia by law enforcement authorities about terrorism and security and frequent ignorance by many police and officials about the actual law concerning photographing in public places has lead to the harassment of photographers. A popular t-shirt at the rally said it all "I'm a photographer not a criminal".

Submitted by

Alexander Meysztowicz-Howen

Sydney, Australia, Asia

Comments

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Thanks for looking at my

Submitted by Alexander Meysztowicz-Howen on Tue, 31/08/2010 - 02:47.

Thanks for looking at my material and commenting. You are right - there will be more to come.

This was my first article published on Demotix. I try to pay as much attention to the article as the images. Photography was my first love, while my wife may be my second, writing comes a close third!

Some photographers think the image is all. Sometimes it is. A good narrative however draws on both.

Thanks for your interest.

Alex

"demand payment for a permit

Submitted by Wais B on Mon, 30/08/2010 - 17:06.

"demand payment for a permit to photograph the view visible to all"
The ban is shocking and absurd, with a strong campaign photographers can exercise their right and overturn this ludicrous decision. I enjoyed reading your article and photos and I'd imagine that there will be more to come.