[OSM-talk] [OSM-dev] The Mapper's Plight

[Dave]

On 1/25/07, Raphaël Jacquot <sxpert at sxpert.org> wrote:
>
> Nick Whitelegg wrote:
> >
> >
> >> "No photography please sir"
> >> "Oh, I'm just taking a picture of the station sign"
> >> "You're not allowed to take pictures of South West Trains property
> >> without permission"
> >> "I'm standing on a public pavement, I think you're probably wrong"
> >> "You can call SWT Head Office to check if you like"
> >
> > This can't be serious can it? Getting done for taking photos of a
> station??? Sounds like something from Cold War Russia....
> >
> > Nick
>
> no, that's call "september 11 bullshit"


More to do with over enthusiastic enforcement of SWT policy. Lots of people
don't like you taking pictures on private property... if you've ever tried
to take a photo in an inside shopping centre you'll realise this. None of
the security people who ask you to desist can ever actually give a reason
beyond "it's policy".
In the case of SWT the official explanation is public safety, as using
flashes, or tripods on platforms may cause issues of dazzling drivers or
obstructing routes. There's actually bylaws in the UK which prohibit
photography on much of the railway without permission, and have been for
many many years. And for those coming to London, it should be pointed out
that it is illegal to take photos on any London Underground property... for
no apparent reason other than I think they charge for it... and "terrorism".
The dude who challeged me in Wandsworth was a SWT station guard who was
directing people to rail replacement bus services... he obviously wasn't
used to being on a public pavement, and I guarantee that SWT training does
not extend to the finer points of accepted photography law in England. I got
the distinct impression he considered me a naive wayward youth to whom he
would represent an authority figure... I can't remember the exact words he
was using, but I'm fairly sure "young man" came into it fairly early on.

Luckily taking photos of street signs is definitely completely legal, and
there's nothing anything anybody can do to stop you. I wouldn't get into any
arguments about it with the police though, especially if you've been mapping
the location of litter bins :-/
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