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Monash and ANU Researchers to Study Restrictions on Photography in Public
In the past decade, the proliferation of digital cameras and camera phones and the ease of distribution over the Internet have created anxieties and controversies, leading to bans on photography in many swimming pools, shopping centres and train stations. Researchers from Monash University and the Australian National University are preparing a study of these contemporary photography restrictions. We are concerned that the current climate of suspicion will adversely impact on photographers, and are calling on camera clubs to join us in defending photographers' rights.
There have already been a number of high profile cases of photographers being hassled, questioned and prevented from taking photos: In 2006, a Geelong Camera Club member was visited by police, after taking photos of a Shell oil refinery, and warned to tell club members to stay away from "sensitive areas." Later that year, photographer Rex Dupain had his camera confiscated and was questioned for 25 minutes by police on Bondi Beach as he tried to recreate famous beach photographs taken by his father, Max Dupain. In the same year, Melbourne's Southgate tourist complex posted signs forbidding photography. The following day, an amateur photographer, and Grandmother, was stopped by security guards and told to stop taking photos "because of the terrorism overseas."
- Do you have a similar story? If so, we want to hear from you!
- Have you been questioned while taking photographs in public?
- Have you been warned not to photograph particular locations?
- Have you been asked to delete photos or had film confiscated?
- Have you been told that taking photos in a public place was against the law?
What to send us:
- Stories about your own experience of contemporary photography restrictions (One page max!)
- One photo that illustrates your story: perhaps a photo you were questioned or harassed while taking, a photo you were asked to delete, or one you took in a place where photography restrictions are in force.
The study is being conducted by Monash University's Anne Marsh, Melissa Miles and Daniel Palmer, along with colleagues from the Australian National University. Associate Professor Anne Marsh has written extensively on Australian photography and will present the keynote address at the FotoFreo Conference this year. Dr Melissa Miles is a Research Associate in the Department of Theory of Art & Design, Monash University and has published many essays on photography in academic journals and the Australian arts press. Dr Daniel Palmer, Lecturer in the Theory of Art & Design at Monash University, was formerly Curator of Projects at the Centre for Contemporary Photography and has published widely in the area of Australian photography, including the books Photogenic (2005) and Twelve: Contemporary Australian Photo-Artists (2008).
We would like to develop a database of case studies, which will inform the research and lead to an exhibition and to the production of an international book. We are seeking examples of the way in which the contemporary culture of suspicion may be impinging on photographers' abilities to take photos in public and leading to harassment of photographers. We are concerned that photography restrictions hold the potential to transform the way we experience public space and to prevent us from forming a historical record of our public life.
The research will further the goals of camera clubs, by helping to provide an environment conducive to taking photographs in public. The research will analyse the relevant laws, and will lead to the development of a code of ethics to provide security to photographers. We also envisage that the study will involve opportunities for camera club members to exhibit their photographs, as part of an endeavour to map the changing nature of public space through the photographic record.
We hope that you will join us in this study, in order to help us ensure that public photography is not jeopardized by the current climate of anxiety. We would appreciate if you would forward this letter to your members.
All case studies should be sent to
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Please include:
- Your name
- Your contact details (email and phone)
- Your camera club affiliation
- One scanned photo
- Your story of photography restrictions (Max 1 page!).
Please don't hesitate to contact us if you would like more information on the project.
Yours sincerely,
Anne Marsh, Melissa Miles and Daniel Palmer (Monash University).
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