Photography at School Sports Day
Discussion
I take a bit of photography for my job, in-house, in a commercial environment - not to make financial gain, but mainly for internal documentation and public domain advertising. I have implemented a code of practice whereby I ask subjects for permission to use in the public domain, if required.
Having gone through this process I think I'm familiar with copyright law and ownership, and related sensitivities, plus rights to creative freedom of expression and privacy.
My sister's school have banned parents from taking photos of sports day and the Leaver's Prom (Years 7 to 11). My daughter's school/nursery, and she is aged 4, allowed photography at today's sports day provided they were not to be published on Facebook.
This isn't the first time I've heard of this type of banning incident. Does anyone know the rules that are enforceable by schools, and what is considered when making decisions - copyright, location, public interest, data-protection act, etc.
Having gone through this process I think I'm familiar with copyright law and ownership, and related sensitivities, plus rights to creative freedom of expression and privacy.
My sister's school have banned parents from taking photos of sports day and the Leaver's Prom (Years 7 to 11). My daughter's school/nursery, and she is aged 4, allowed photography at today's sports day provided they were not to be published on Facebook.
This isn't the first time I've heard of this type of banning incident. Does anyone know the rules that are enforceable by schools, and what is considered when making decisions - copyright, location, public interest, data-protection act, etc.
Linger about in the bushes with a 400 or 600 lens? No one would ever notice 
Honestly, not sure about this. Gets on my man boobs though what with having a young kid myself. I want to be able to take photos, and would prefer to do it openly (unlike my recommendation above).
Would be interested to see the outcome of this!
Honestly, not sure about this. Gets on my man boobs though what with having a young kid myself. I want to be able to take photos, and would prefer to do it openly (unlike my recommendation above).
Would be interested to see the outcome of this!
We have a sports day Thursday and I asked this very question.
Not a problem in the slightest, In fact, if you get any decent shots will you share them with the school please.
I did however get shouted at when I pulled at my camera at an indoor play area at a birthday party (The Flying Fortress near Ford). I was told that pictures were banned because "software is available that remove clothes you know".
What a load of absolute crock, and it just goes to confirm there are a) some really stupid people about, and b) stupid people are in a position of authority to make decisions.
I covertly took some images of the MILFS when she wasn't looking If anyone has a link to that software please drop me a pm as I can only view them in jeans and t-shirts currently 
Not a problem in the slightest, In fact, if you get any decent shots will you share them with the school please.
I did however get shouted at when I pulled at my camera at an indoor play area at a birthday party (The Flying Fortress near Ford). I was told that pictures were banned because "software is available that remove clothes you know".
What a load of absolute crock, and it just goes to confirm there are a) some really stupid people about, and b) stupid people are in a position of authority to make decisions.
I covertly took some images of the MILFS when she wasn't looking
If anyone has a link to that software please drop me a pm as I can only view them in jeans and t-shirts currently Similar issue came up last year prompting an all-clear from the Government sidelines.
My own interpretation [of that article] is that for the purposes of being a parent of a child at that (state) school, the school is classified as a public place. Think fee-paying schools are free to set their own rules.
My own interpretation [of that article] is that for the purposes of being a parent of a child at that (state) school, the school is classified as a public place. Think fee-paying schools are free to set their own rules.
AndWhyNot said:
Similar issue came up last year prompting an all-clear from the Government sidelines.
My own interpretation [of that article] is that for the purposes of being a parent of a child at that (state) school, the school is classified as a public place. Think fee-paying schools are free to set their own rules.
Yep, I'm with you there.My own interpretation [of that article] is that for the purposes of being a parent of a child at that (state) school, the school is classified as a public place. Think fee-paying schools are free to set their own rules.
Banning photography of kids at their sports day is rather an Orwellian policy isn't it? If parents are prevented taking photos of their children (and by extension, any adults taking photos of any childen) because they *could* be paedos, then by the same logic:
- Nobody can purchase a group photograph of their child's class for posterity, or get the token pose for a photo in their uniform on their first day. Taking photos of kids are you? Paedo.
- Nobody can own a clothing catalogue that has a kids section. Photos of kids. Fully clothed. All parading around in fancy costumes and stuff. Big no-no. You sicko.
- Nobody can watch ET, The Sixth Sense, Jurassic Park, Star Wars Episode I, Leon, Harry Potter, and countless other films. Can't watch that. There's kids in it. Moving images of kids. Are you a paedo or something?
- If you have a photo of Raphael's Cherubs on your wall, you're obviously a perv because they look like children. How dare you possess such inflammatory material.
- Do not take any photos in a public place. There may be children around. Granted the child is a speck in the background and your wife is in the foreground posing, but that's just a deflection. You're obviously a raving nonce.
- Wife pregnant? Got a print out of the ultrasound have you? Perving at photos of an unborn child I bet. What a depraved paedo you are. You ought to be flogged you sick nonce. I've read about people like you in The Sun.
Thoughtcrime is already here.
- Nobody can purchase a group photograph of their child's class for posterity, or get the token pose for a photo in their uniform on their first day. Taking photos of kids are you? Paedo.
- Nobody can own a clothing catalogue that has a kids section. Photos of kids. Fully clothed. All parading around in fancy costumes and stuff. Big no-no. You sicko.
- Nobody can watch ET, The Sixth Sense, Jurassic Park, Star Wars Episode I, Leon, Harry Potter, and countless other films. Can't watch that. There's kids in it. Moving images of kids. Are you a paedo or something?
- If you have a photo of Raphael's Cherubs on your wall, you're obviously a perv because they look like children. How dare you possess such inflammatory material.
- Do not take any photos in a public place. There may be children around. Granted the child is a speck in the background and your wife is in the foreground posing, but that's just a deflection. You're obviously a raving nonce.
- Wife pregnant? Got a print out of the ultrasound have you? Perving at photos of an unborn child I bet. What a depraved paedo you are. You ought to be flogged you sick nonce. I've read about people like you in The Sun.
Thoughtcrime is already here.
jonnylarge said:
Does anyone know the rules that are enforceable by schools, and what is considered when making decisions - copyright, location, public interest, data-protection act, etc.
The only rules are the stupid and ridiculous rules that each individual school (or the LEA) put in place.There are NO laws stating that it is not allowed.
There is no distinction in law between taking photographs of minors or adults (with the obvious exception of "indecent" images).
Schools and LEA's often try and quote the data protection laws but that has been shot down by the ICO themselves.
They also try and quote privacy laws even though there is no specific privacy law in the UK and at a push they try and quote copyright, which is the most ridiculous one as copyright rests squarely with the photographer.
Bottom line is that if the school bans photography on their premises and you take photographs anyway then they can ask you to stop or have you removed for trespass.
If their sports day takes place in a public park or playing ground then snap away but be prepared to have them call the police though even though you are legally in the right.
tog said:
There was a photo of me in the paper as a baby, back in the early seventies when I won some sort of prize draw, and not only did they print my name but they printed my full address, with house number. I don't think they do that any more!
I'm surprised you're still here and weren't kidnapped by a gang of Paedo's. 'Cos that's what happens when you take photos of kids.
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