Eleanor Jane

Photographers' Rights: Stop and Search

Photographers, listen! Here's something a little bit serious especially for those of you who indulge in a spot of street or urban photography. It's super important to KNOW YOUR RIGHTS when photographing in public spaces (and everywhere else really!). After architectural photographer and former chairman of the Association of Photographers, Grant Smith, was detained by police for photographing a church in Central London last week, the AOP have published some guidelines on your rights when being stopped and searched under Section 44 of the Terrorism Act. Download the A4 sized double sided PDF, print it out and pop it in your pocket next time you're out and about shooting.

The police should not be stopping and searching people for taking photographs. A quote directly from a memo sent to police forced around the country by the Association of Chief Police Officers states, 'There are no powers prohibiting the taking of photographs, film or digital images in a public place.' So there you have it. Obviously  use the information with care, don't take it as a get out of jail free card and as always in life, don't be a dick. But if you are unlucky enough to be accosted by some delusional, sensationalist reader of the Daily Mail it's better to have the law in your pocket than on your back.

(I'm also very pleased that the guide mentions a few other laws including, 'You CAN photograph private property if you are on public property or a public right of way,' which will be very useful to show people that just wont listen!)

Stop and Search – What You Should Know

Your Rights
If you are stopped and searched under Section 44 of the Terrorism Act, you do not have to give your:

‣ Name
‣ Address
‣ Date of Birth
‣ DNA
‣ Reason for being there
‣ Nor do you have to explain where you are going


However, if the police decide that there is reasonable suspicion to arrest you for an offence, you DO have to give your name and address.

• You do not have to comply with any attempt to photograph you, although you cannot flee the scene.
• The Police cannot delete any images on your camera. They can only view them in very limited circumstances.
• If you are driving a vehicle when stopped you must give your name and address.
• Failure to stop or obstructing a police constable acting under Section 44 is a criminal offence.


Police Powers
Under S-44, a police constable in uniform is entitled to:

• Pat you down
• Detain you for the duration of the search
• Remove outer clothing
• Require you to remove any item which they reasonably believe you are wearing to conceal your identity
• Look through your pockets and anything you are carrying
• Seize any article that they reasonably suspect is intended to be used in connection with terrorism.
• Search your vehicle and anyone in it.

What You Should Do
• Insist on a written record of the search
• Make sure it is legible and includes details of the officers’ shoulder number and the reason for the stop.
• Note exactly why they said you were being stopped and searched – this may be more extensive than the reference in the record slip.
• Ask to see the officers’ warrant card and note the number. (This is useful when making a complaint if they have moved stations and their shoulder number changes) 


Note: A Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) may not perform a S44 search without a police officer present.

Once again you can find the full information here.

NEXT TOP MODEL WINNER

You might remember that way back in August I photographed a modelling competition to find a new face for hair salon chain, Burlesque. It seems like forever ago now but after eight weeks of fervent campaigning, emails were counted, votes were tallied and after a few glasses of bubbly and some nibbles at the Smirnoff V Awards, the winner was announced to be the absolutely stunning Nicole Kinnear! I recently got her into my studio to shoot Burlesque's latest collection and despite temperatures being ever so uncomfortably chilly, she was a natural. We worked with the incredible Tamsin Witts-Thomas on make-up which I was super excited about as I'd been enviously watching her Model Mayhem portfolio over the past few months and was eager for an opportunity to collaborate. I can't sing her praises highly enough! Tamsin  is fabulously talented, enthusiastic and it's mesmerising to watch her work. So thank you Nicole, thank you Tamsin and a big thank you to Liz Richmond for retouching the images that went to press. Check out some of the shots below...

 

Christmas Gift Ideas for Photographers

1. Is it possible for a photographic book to be more intoxicating than a David LaChapelle? Heaven to Hell from Taschen is perfect! When I saw my first LaChapelle show at the Barbican on a college trip to London seven years ago I was so enamoured by the giant gaudy prints that covered every patch of wall space, from floor to ceiling, that I literally did not know what was going on. Everyone was enthralled... a huge feat since at that time most of my course were more concerned with smoking, eating toast and seeking out Irish bars.

2. Give the gift of analogue this Christmas! Kodak Elite Chrome, Fuji Reala and Kodak Portra VC are my favourites but any old 35mm is going to be fun. It forever astounds me that most photography students these days have never even used a film camera. Where's the fun and the sense of expectation in that?!

3. Aww. Polaroid Notes are a whimsical set of note cards printed to look just like the real thing.

4. Feeling generous? Alien Bees are too cute to be true! Powerful, lightweight and in a variety of colours from Martian Pink to Alien Green, these nifty little flash heads are available in three power capacities, all of which feature an adjustable f-stop range (from full down to 1/32 of the total power), a built in cooling fan, modelling lamp, slave tripper and a speedy recycling time of only 0.5 seconds.

5. Do you have a friend who is always in a creative flurry; scribbling ideas on old till receipts and sketching shoot plans on their palms? A large Moleskine notebook is my favourite way to keep a track of whatever little clue to what I'm going to do next falls out of my brain. This year I'm going for the perkier red version (yes please little brother!).  

6. Gah, as much as I loathe to recommend Jessops for anything (the photographic specialists indeed! pfft!) I have to say their AA battery chargers are very good value for money, compact enough to be unobtrusive in the most cluttered of camera bags and long lasting. I've had mine since the evil Jessops days ended back in 2005 and it's still going strong! A practical gift!

7. The New Erotic Photography book by Taschen is my ultimate favourite photography book that I own. Some of it's weird, some of it's fabulous. You will LOVE it if you're into that sort of thing... (& whether they admit it or not, most people are!).

8. It wont hold many photos but this camera photo album from FredFlare is sweet all the same and would make an excellent secret santa gift if you're on a budget.

9. A reflector! I ignored the need for one of these for years but since getting into the studio more it's become a lifesaver for bouncing light back into faces and saving tricky shadow situations. Ideal for a photographer just venturing into fashion, wedding or portrait photography. This 32" silver and white one is a good place to start or if you have more cash to splash, go for a full five way reflector.

10. YES PLEASE SANTA YES PLEASE SANTA YES PLEASE! Pictures by Tim Walker is available for what seems to be a totally different price every day on Amazon but worth every single penny and then some more. Tom & I went to listen to Tim give a talk in Cardiff a couple of months ago and it was the single inspiring thing that pulled me out of my photographic slump. Tim is so honest and unpretentious in his work that it's hard not to admire him. He made me realise that I CAN carry on working the way I do, in my style and that I don't need to strive to be something I'm not, that makes me feel uncomfortable, just because it's stylish in photography. It's fine and good to be honest and true and have a specific idea of your own image. He told us to trust our instinct and that sometimes your instinctive gestures may turn into a stodgy mess... but so what?! That's the nature of art. Yes please Santa, I would like this very much.

11. Build Your Own Pinhole Camera Kit from Urban Outfitters. Another easy and affordable secret santa idea.

12. Do you know someone who is venturing into studio photography? Are they feeling a bit lacklustre in their attempts? A small Colorama paper roll backdrop in a colour that really pops will totally put the spark back in their trigger finger! Calumet is the best place to buy one of these. You can get a 1.35m wide backdrop with 11m length to play with for only £36.50 and they offer a next day courier service too. Rose Pink, Sea Blue and Sulphur are all awesome or you can check out the full range here.

13. Are you a secret millionaire? If so, Taschen have just brought out this limited edition of Dennis Hopper photographs taken between 1961-1967 and every book comes with a signed print... I would really like one, please? Thank you!

14. Photojojo - Something about this website confuses me every time I visit and I have no idea why, but it's all kinds of experimental photo fun! The store sell lots of photo gifts for creative minds and this book will teach you how to do all sorts of inventive camera hacks yourself. A good present for mini photographer children I reckon.

15. Ok... so you may not be able to use one of these if you have a digital camera and will have to purchase the less fun infra red version, but there is NOTHING more satisfying in photography than jumping into the frame and squeezing one of these pneumatic cable releases. The thin black wires trailing out of self portraits are so charming. Buy one for your other half and go crazy together shooting smoochy coochy portaits. Love love.

16. Ugh. I HATE camera bags with a passion. Clunky, awkward and heavy, they dig into your shoulder & catch your hair & strain your poor old back. Crumpler are the best of a bad bunch though and they almost look stylish too! This Messenger Boy backpack is waterproof with padded dividers and compartments to keep all your bits & pieces secure. The straps are pretty comfy too - ideal for the sort of photographer who likes to get out and about with all their gear in tow.

17. Umm. It's tacky and slightly hideous... but I think that's the point! Your hipster friend will love it. Or hate it. I don't know... what's cool these days?

18. An off camera flash accessory kit is the cost effective alternative to purchasing a pricey battery pack and lugging it around with your lighting kit for outdoor studio flash fun. If you have one or more of those clever little flash guns with the ability to talk to each other I would highly recommend asking for one of these for Christmas and learning some new lighting skills. They're so versatile you can't afford not to really. It's something I'd really like to make more of an effort with in the new year anyway.

19. Calumet: slightly pricey but they boast a vast product selection, knowledgable staff and fantastic customer service. These are the real photographic specialists! A gift voucher may be the cheat's option but I can assure you that it will be very much appreciated.

20. Get old school inspiration as you book your appointments for 2010 with an Ansel Adams wall calender. I missed the gallery of his work at Yosemite National Park when I was there due to the fact that I was up in the actual mountains taking pictures myself. Which is a shame because his unrivalled skill is something I know I will never be able to achieve in my own work. Beautiful pictures of the natural American landscape taken by the world's most talented environmentalist. Who wouldn't appreciate this gift?!

21. Buy this pack of six mailable photo frames from Photojojo for a friend who lives far away so they can send them right back to you!

22. Anything that saves carrying a hideous ugly tripod around sounds like good news to me. While it may not support your beastly D3 and accompanying battalion of telephotos, this bottle top tripod is more than sufficient for general party shots, days out & about and family snaps.

23. Retro style Blackbird, Fly cameras are irresistible and bizarrely they take 35mm film so anyone should be able to get their head around using one. Something about it is so pleasing...

24. And finally, a photographic declaration of love to world's most beautiful city, Paris Mon Amor.

Jet lagged

Yawn... hello! I'm back from Dubai, cranky, cold and about twenty degrees colder than I was at this time fourty-eight hours ago. Dubai was excellent, if not the complete opposite to what I expected. We camped out on our own in the desert with no-one but a few wailing sand cats for company, went dune bashing in 4x4s, ate afternoon tea at the incredible Sky View bar at the Burj Al Arab, visited the world's tallest building - the Burj Dubai, sailed across the creek in abras, got lost in the city of Deira (the REAL Dubai), haggled in souks, smoked shisha, drank sweet mint tea, paddled in clear blue sea in our underwear (after failing to  buy bathing costumes) and got into all kinds of taxi related mishaps! Whoever knew you could be jet-lagged after travelling back from a place with only a four hour time difference? But I guess we did cross through three time zones. I've spent today attempting to adjust those circadian rhythms on the sofa, catching up on emails, sorting out the souveniers I brought back for friends and trying to get my head around the fact that it's CHRISTMAS in two weeks! I wonder if the advent calenders are reduced yet?