no photography

More than ever before, there is confusion about when one may not or should not take a photograph. There has been discussion in the UK and a petition to prevent legislation about banning taking photographs in public places which has met stiff opposition. My own feeling is that, with discretion, if you are in a public space, and clearly not a security threat, then there should be no problem if you want to take a photograph for private/non-commercial use. Similarly, if you are in a public space, then there will be a possibility of someone taking a photograph, and you may be captured either intentionally or coincidentally.

Outside Tourist Shop in Bergen, Norway

Wellcome Institute London

Adult Shop, Soho, London

National Portrait Gallery, London

With the current ubiquitous nature of mobile phones with cameras, selfie sticks and tablets, it is may be difficult for users to understand why they cannot use their devices. Similarly with so many devices carried and used for a multiplicity of purposes, how can you police it? There has been recent press coverage in the UK of Benedict Cumberpatch being photographed on stage (typically a no-no) whilst acting in a theatre and stating that he wished his audience was more interested in the live performance than the facebook/instagram reverberations. It used to be that if you looked as if you were going to take a photograph in a theatre, the heavy hand of the usher would descend. Now it looks as if the era of anything goes has arrived because it is impossible to do anything else. The best a performer can hope for is not to be distracted by a battery of flashes, and most of the flashes from phones are pretty pointless anyway. Some love it and deliberately pose

There has been some shift from museums and galleries in the UK. The RA did not object to photographs being taken in the Summer exhibition this year. The Tate only seems to make a fuss some of the time during special exhibitions, and National Trust seems to have backed down in some of its properties. I think if you are not using flash and not in anyones way, it is no big deal. However, lighting may be difficult and if you don't plan, results are useless or disappointing at best.

It almost becomes a challenge to see what you can capture before you are stopped in some places where photography is not permitted. A quick in and out with a point and shoot, or pretend to be stupid, or only stop when requested.

I shall continue to explore the limits of possibilities, but on the other hand I am not in the business of offending people for good reason. What I will not condone is destinations where the no photography ruling is purely to try to convince you to buy their own postcards, which may be better, but don't reflect necessarily what you saw.