You'd have thought that the disasters that have befallen HBOS and RBS would have made the City Council all the more determined to protect our tourist industry, especially in the run up to the busy Hogmanay season that's so important for the winter economy. Tourism is probably now our biggest single private sector industry. But oh no, there's no innocent activity that escapes the attention of Big Brother:
I have spoken to Mr. John Paul Murphy who is in charge of the Edinburgh Winter Festivals and the German Market falls under his jurisdiction. He has informed me that we will be required to be "accredited" with a pass. Once we are in possession of the pass, we will have unlimited use of the site to take photography. To this end, he has asked me to gather full names of those wishing to attend on Saturday. If you are uncomfortable printing your full name in this forum, I fully understand and in that case, please mail me your full name in order that you may be granted a pass.The German Market takes place in Princes Street Gardens, one of the most photographed places in the UK. But the Council goons now want the names of local photographers so they can be "accredited" to take photographs in a public space in the centre of our capital city.As a sub-note I am not entirely satisfied with this situation and fully intend to delve further into the violation of photographer's rights and will most likely call upon Jacquiline Smith (Home Secretary) and my local MP
One of the bizarre things about the war on photography is the attention paid to SLRs, or "professional cameras" in goonspeak. I'd be astounded if more than one percent of SLRs go to professionals. The vast majority of them are bought by keen amateurs. Normal law-abiding and tax-paying individuals. The people who pay the Council employees' wages. The irony is this: lots of compact cameras that don't seem to worry the camera Gestapo in the the least have longer reaching zoom lenses than are used on most SLRs.
I bet that Damian Green was an amateur photographer and that's really why he was arrested.
2 comments:
Comments made on previous template:
Lars
Christie: "FYI the German Market is not on Public Property it is on Private Land"
Farrer: "Who is the owner of this private land?"
Christie: "Edinburgh City Council are the owner of the land."
Er, come again? Since when has the Cooncil become a private entity?
9 December 2008, 02:15:07 GMT
– Like – Reply
Patrick
FAO James Christie
It isn't the Home Secretary nor your MP you need to contact: police activity and these kind of privacy issues are devolved matters, so you need to contact your MSP.
After I was stopped whilst photographing buildings in London, I asked my MSP to look at the policy of the Scottish Government regarding photographers. (I also complained to my MP, who agreed with my compliant and supported an early day motion in support of photographers.) The reply from the government said that they didn't have a policy, although any single man taking photographs of children in private places would be suspect: from a terrorist to a paedophile in one swift step!
4 December 2008, 09:35:41 GMT
– Like – Reply
David Farrer
OK James, I've got plenty of other things to write about.
In return perhaps you'd agree that this (unlinked) comment from one of your members is hardly appropriate:
...that dude (the blogger bloke) is a crap! He's a pure nobody. So If we wana step on him and squzie hime like a magot - I'm behind the case.
4 December 2008, 07:16:48 GMT
– Like – Reply
Adam Varga
No It's not a joke Bill! It's something much more that that. It is interfering with our long tradition as a well established group of hundreds of photographers behind us.
We understand you point, we just don't think you'r words apropiate to link with out group.
We don't like that kind of behavior. We certanly not aprishiate that!
(if you find wish - you can get contact with me over e-mail)
4 December 2008, 01:16:36 GMT
– Like – Reply
Bill (Scotland)
James Christie: It seems David Farrer has lamely used my words to further his political agenda without my acknowledgment. I do not support David Farrer's political agenda and want nothing more to do with him. I have respectfully asked him to keep his nose out of our photography group's affairs ...
Rather than just quoting you here, if I was really bored I might quote all of your remarkable comments in my own blog - but I can't be bothered. Your remarks seem ideal material for submission to Private Eye for possible inclusion in their Pseuds Corner column though.
4 December 2008, 00:38:37 GMT
– Like – Reply
James Christie
It seems David Farrer has lamely used my words to further his political agenda without my acknowledgment. I do not support David Farrer's political agenda and want nothing more to do with him. I have respectfully asked him to keep his nose out of our photography group's affairs and as a reasonable man, I'm sure he will respect my wishes. David is not a member of our group and the words I wrote were specifically addressed to the members of that group. They were not posted to further an amateur political pundit's views on Edinburgh City Council. I am done with this thread and hope that David will respect my wishes.
James Christie
3 December 2008, 23:55:04 GMT
– Like – Reply
Bill (Scotland)
Adam Varga: It's perfectly normal Internet etiquette to ask somebody to don't quote you agan as well.
Is this a joke? What was quoted was on the web and seems to have been quoted accurately and not out of context. If you don't want to be quoted as having said (or even more glaringly, written) something then you shouldn't say/write it and if you do, then you shouldn't post it on a website where all and sundry can read it.
3 December 2008, 23:21:12 GMT
– Like – Reply
Adam Varga
It's perfectly normal Internet etiquette to ask somebody to don't quote you agan as well.
We all feel you made a mistake when you used the word "Council goons" then left a link regarding our forum.
It is certanly not help out traditional good relation with the authorities.
I hope you understand after all why somebody don't want you to quote him again.
Adam Varga
3 December 2008, 21:44:55 GMT
– Like – Reply
James Christie
Edinburgh City Council are the owner of the land. If you have a complaint, I suggest you take it up with them. As for sending me an e-mail.......none were received! I am formally requesting that you do not quote me again.
James Christie
3 December 2008, 21:05:46 GMT
– Like – Reply
David Farrer
James,
Who is the owner of this private land? I've never noticed any signs saying that the Gardens are private.
It's perfectly normal Internet etiquette to quote what's on a public website as long as one provides a link back to the original post. That's what I did as well as taking the unusual step of sending you an e-mail shortly after posting. And it certainly is my business - I'm a taxpayer.
Tokai,
Perhaps "goon" was a bit beyond my usual terminology. I can only say that the British people are becoming extremely concerned about the relentless attacks on our civil liberties. This is now the subject of worldwide comment and I know that some would-be tourists are refusing to visit this country. Would a typical Edinburgh tourist know that he was meant to collect a pass to be allowed to take photos in the Gardens? I think not.
3 December 2008, 19:41:33 GMT
– Like – Reply
Tokai
Photography in the gardens can be a bit contentious. As a licensed event we have to take care that we have protocols in place to protect the public. While I'm certain most people to not pose a threat, certain individuals do and we have been told by police officers that there have been up to three registered sex offenders on site at one time.
Having said all that it is unbefitting of you to refer to council employees as "goons" when we are trying to protect children.
Obviously any reasonable minded person will not have an issue with collecting a pass while on site in order that they can photograph the iconic images available.
3 December 2008, 14:38:03 GMT
– Like – Reply
James Christie
FYI the German Market is not on Public Property it is on Private Land, per the Lothian and Borders Police force and the Edinburgh City Council. I suggest that when you try to use my words in future you are in charge of all the facts. And if you are going to quote me at least have the decency to alert me to that fact. You have built no bridges between the amateur photographer and Edinburgh City Council. In future, mind your own business!
James Christie
3 December 2008, 14:17:33 GMT
– Like – Reply
jameshigham
I had a 400x telephoto for regular work [maximum handheld] and an 800x on tripod but that had aperture issues. And I was jsut an amateur, as you've most likely gathered.
3 December 2008, 13:39:12 GMT
Post a Comment