Ken Duncan is organising a Sydney rally at 10.00am on Sunday August 29th at Campbells Cove to raise awareness about the eroding rights of photographers in Australia.
Read the Press Release below…
14 April 2010 PHOTOGRAPHERS TO PROTEST ATTACKS ON FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
Australian photographers are losing their rights to freedom of expression. And it doesn‟t matter whether they are full-time professional, part-time or strictly amateur, as every person who has a camera can be threatened with unjust laws and regulations.
“We must be the only country in the world where you could get a criminal record for taking a picture of a rock,” said Ken Duncan, the Chairman of Arts Freedom Australia.
“And because of this shameful situation, I am asking photographers and other concerned citizens to protest against the undemocratic regulations which now restrict film-making and photography in many of our public places,” Mr Duncan added.
To this end, Arts Freedom Australia (AFA) will hold a rally near Campbells Cove on Sydney Harbour on Sunday, August 29th between 10am and 12 noon to reinforce its message. “We need to make the Australian public aware of this threat to our freedoms,” Mr Duncan said.
“Because I am sure that they will support our campaign.” Founded in 2004, Arts Freedom Australia is an umbrella body representing Australia‟s major photographic associations as well as many individual photographers. AFA was formed because of an industry-wide concern about government policies that were turning Australia into a land of “forbidden horizons”.
AFA has recently completed a comparative study of legislation and policies imposed on photographers and film-makers within Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States of America. “The result of this study demonstrates that the rights of Australian photographers and film-makers are being seriously affected by a myriad of rules and regulations that impose prohibitive restrictions, high fees, and bureaucratic application protocols,” Mr Duncan said.
“What we should have in this country are simple rules – like they have in America‟s national parks – which allow photography to be carried out in all places where the public can go.” Mr Duncan began his career as a landscape photographer more than thirty years ago at a time when access to beaches, national parks and other public lands was not an issue. “I was very lucky that I began my photographic career at a time when there were much greater freedoms than there are today,” Mr Duncan said. “But I want the young photographers of today and those who will succeed them in the decades to come to enjoy those same freedoms that I once had.”
Mr Duncan cites the photographic restrictions at Uluru, the “photographic licences‟ required in the national parks of New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority Regulation 2006 and the onerous Use of Public Open Space regulations of Sydney‟s Waverley Council as attacks on freedom of expression.
“Australia has been a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights since 1980 and one of the articles of the ICCPR states that everyone has the right to freedom of expression and the right to impart information and ideas of all kinds whether it‟s in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media,” Mr Duncan said.
“However the bureaucrats who have drafted the new regulations restricting photography have clearly forgotten that”. Mr Duncan said that landscape photographers such as Olegas Truchanas and Peter Dombrovskis helped to instil a pro-conservation mindset amongst Australia‟s people, while other photographers such as Max Dupain had produced iconic images that would be treasured for many decades to come. But he said that unless the draconian laws that were currently in place were not rolled back that all types of photography would be affected and that our society as a whole would be diminished as a result.
For more information or to arrange interviews, call Stephanie Wilson on (02) 4307 8402 or email swilson@kenduncan.com.
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Only Government workers should be allowed to own cameras and taxpayers should pay more taxes so that the Government workers can buy more camera equipment! dpreview.com
I strongly support this rally and will be joining you all.
I’ll be coming up from Canberra for the day.
[...] Ken Duncan, it will take place from 10am at Campbell Cove in Sydney. Find more information on the Arts Freedom Australia [...]
There’s a Rally organised in Melbourne too…Parliament house steps.. Cnr Spring and Bourke Streets at 10am Sunday.
Thanks, Ken, for organising this rally.
I was there today, and hope that your efforts have made a difference.
Hopefully we’ll see some national TV news coverage tonight.
This from Yahoo 7 News…
“Hundreds of photographers have gathered on the Sydney Harbour foreshore to rally against laws which prevent them from taking pictures of Australian landmarks without a permit.
Australian landscape photographer Ken Duncan says the laws imposed by all levels of government are inconsistent and unnecessary.
He says some of the country’s most iconic landmarks are now off limits to commercial photographers unless they have a permit which can often cost them hundreds of dollars.
He says it is un-Australian.
“Australians are ‘G’day mate, how ya going?’ not ‘What are you doing with that camera?’,” he said.
He has joined a crowd of protesters at Campbell’s Cove on Sydney Harbour calling for a nationally consistent set of laws which allow artists to take pictures without bureaucratic restraint.
In an act of defiance the crowd has been taking protographs of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
He says the Federal Opposition has promised to review current permit arrangements if elected.”
And this from NineMSN…
“Sydney’s two most iconic landmarks have formed backdrops to hundreds of photographers protesting against laws that require them to have permits to do their work.
As many as 1000 commercial photographers from all over Australia positioned themselves at Campbells Cove, behind Sydney’s Overseas Passenger Terminal, on Sunday morning, to take part in the protest.
With the Harbour Bridge and Opera House in the background, they carried banners emblazoned with words including “Artists have rights to sell their work,” and “Capture the moment, not the photographer”.
Landscape photographer Ken Duncan said the permits were destroying passion.
“It’s not just the cost of photographic permits, it’s the logistics of getting a permit … ” he said.
He expressed concerns up-and-coming photographers would be put off by the red tape attached to getting permits, and would consequently give up pursuing their creative dreams.
He also said the tourism industry was missing out on the special skills of professional photographers.
“It’s a free advert for our country,” he said in relation to photographs of iconic Australian landmarks posted on the internet.
Permit costs vary, depending on the time of day, location, and number of crew involved, Arts Federation Australia spokeswoman Renee Dandy told AAP.
The Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, for example, requires commercial photographers to pay a minimum $150 per session if more than 10 crew are involved.
No fee is charged if there is less than 10 crew.
The $150 fee does not include $65 an hour for a site coordinator, along with another $65 an hour for security, and an additional $65 an hour for cleaning, with each service being provided for a minimum four hours.
Wedding and portrait photographer Graham Monro said the permit fees were unfair, given many photographers pursued their craft for love, rather than money.
“Many (photographers) are no where near as affluent or well paid as many people believe,” he said.
“Many lose money … there are so many expenses, including travel expenses, accommodation and the cost of permits.
“When you take all that into account, it’s questionable whether they make any money at all.”"
I stand with these people and agree that this is regulations gone mad…And forces those for us that can not afford the fees…To break the law..As Australia is supposed to be a free country..When we are doing things that are good and wholesome with moral integity..What will you do with an artist that paints from a postcard or a magazine..a beautiful painting of one of these icons..This is Gods open space for His creation to enjoy..And savour the moments with a camera…when we are inspired to do so..As creativity is inspired.About capturing the moment..and the mood…NOT GOVERNED ..How awful it would be if we dont have such beautiful photos to admire and reflect on..And exchange good feelings through them…YOU WOULD CRASH THIS THROUGH YOUR REGULATIONS..
If I had a way to travel down there to join in…I would. Artists rights are being trampled on throughout all the former democratic countries in the world it seems. I’m from the USA, and myself (along with my wife) have been reported to, and questioned by the police for talking pictures in a public park, miles from any sensitive area, of autumn colors (we have few licensing requirements and none needed where I was) . It looked suspicious to whoever called the police. The police were very cordial and apologetic, but many of my friends haven’t had such nice experiences. Good luck to all, and hope you raise awareness.