“Ma’am may permit po ba kayo?” (Ma’am do you have a permit?) “Bawal po kasi pag walang permit.” (It’s not allowed if you don’t have a permit)
These are the same lines we hear every time security guards catch us taking photos in public. Mind you this only happens when I’m using my DSLR. I really do not understand it;
It’s okay to take photos if you’re using a point-and-shoot digital camera or a camera phone. What’s the difference if you’re using a DSLR? It’s still a camera for crying out loud. It’s okay to take photos if you’re taking photos of someone you know, but if you’re just going to take a photo of the area or what-have-you, it’s not allowed. Yeah this totally makes sense! It’s okay to take a photo if you’re a tourist, but if you are by any chance Filipino, you have to present a permit before you click. Define discriminating against one of your own?
Whenever you ask them why it is not allowed, or why they need a permit, they stare at you blankly and just say it’s not allowed. I understand that they’re just doing what they were told to, but what’s so wrong with what we’re doing that it has to be forbidden? It’s not like we’re building a structure in the middle of the road, it’s not like we’re spray-painting on public property, it’s not like we’re disturbing the peace. We’re taking harmless, photographs! They don’t tell a painter to stop painting a picture of a tree in a park right? What’s the difference? Instead of a brush and a canvas we use our cameras.
We’re on public domain, how can you tell us that we can’t take photos of something that is public property? We are the public. All the infrastructures, roads, government buildings, etc belong to the public. I’d understand if we lived in a country where the government subsidizes all the taxes and literally owned everything but as long as we pay our taxes we are entitled to everything the government provides, we technically own what we’re taking photos of. What harm can a photo of the Manila skyline do? What can be so wrong with taking a shot of trail lights under a bridge? Can someone enlighten me?
And they say it’s a free country… yeah right.
To all fellow hobbyists, enthusiasts and street photographers we deserve to have our freedom as well. Let’s fight for this.
Street photography can be risky, LOL… not only will you have to look behind your shoulders to watch out for thugs out to mug you for your equipment but also security guards out to enforce what they were told by their superiors. Enforcing what could simply be some jerks misinterpreting security concerns or worse a whimsical prohibition to give professional and serious amateurs a problem.
Yes, very risky. Especially in a developing country. But there’s always safety in numbers
So we go out in groups. It’s that thing that annoys me. What the hell are we doing that would affect the ‘security’ of the area? Pssh. A lot of poppycock if you ask me.
Photography supposed to be free….. It’s just you’re expressing your love for GOD’s creation…….
True.
Sadly we’re the misunderstood art form.
grrrr i hate guards! parang mga robot! hindi nagiiip…literal!!! grrrr I think they just wanna get more money from us (kung me bayad man ang permits). like the one that happened to me at UP. Bawal na daw kunan si oblation! e hindi naman si oble kinukunan ko…yung mga ulap! I told them…. kelan pa naging bawal kunan ang ulap? LOL
Actually, the guards are just doing what they’re told to. Siyempre tayo din naman eh. Kung trabaho natin yun, at kung yung ang nagpapakain sa pamilya natin wala tayong magagawa kundi sumunod. Honestly I want the people who’s telling these guards na ‘bawal’ to explain why it is ‘bawal’ eh wala din silang explanation. PARANOID lang sila. And bawal na kumuha sa UP?! When did that happen?!
God. STATE University yun! We’re the state! Baliw ba sila?
I have answers for you. Kaso nasa blog ko: http://eltorobumingo.blogspot.com/2012/07/my-bad-experience-with-fb-group-bawal.html#disqus_thread
I’ll read it now