Not a Pretty Picture at Spock Misses The Point

Not a Pretty Picture

Published by Wing January 18th, 2006 in Everything

par·a·noi·a
n.

1. A psychotic disorder characterized by delusions of persecution with or without grandeur, often strenuously defended with apparent logic and reason.
2. Extreme, irrational distrust of others.

Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

The harassment of photographers is spreading around the world like wild fire. Australia is no exception.

From news.com.au (AAP) - Snappers to defy police ban

I share my photographs on a website called Flickr, as do many other Sydney bloggers. Reports of such harassments, at times involving unwarranted physical violence, are scattered through different discussions. There’s no denying it and in my view there really is no justifying it either. Just by browsing through the endless images from around world and reading the photographers’ descriptions has given me glimpses into other countries and cultures that I wouldn’t have otherwise gotten. We’ve all heard that a picture tells a thousand words. Often times it really is a simple photograph that allows us to express and share thoughts and emotions when words or even actions fall short. This simple and invaluable act of recording, examing, and appreciating the surroundings and life that is afforded by this “freedom” we are so desperately trying to protect should not, and cannot, be stifled for it will surely herald the undoing of this sweater we’ve spent so much time and effort knitting.

Shopping centres are another thing. Those are publicly frequented places, but they’re privately owned. As far as I know the owner has the say as to what is permitted inside. At least in Australia anyway. However if you’re outside of such buildings, it’s fair game because we are in public space. May be that’s one of the reasons why the Australian government is trying to privatise everything.

I have been reading up on photography rights in Oz in preparation of such incidents. It will probably come in handy one day. Here’s a particularly informative page regarding Australian laws on photography.

4020 Φ Photographer’s Rights

Sad. Frustrating. It makes me wonder just what exactly our “leaders” are trying to protect.

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