In 2004 ‘Project Griffin’ was launched, encouraging police to enlist the help of private security guards to report suspicious photographers (guardian.co.uk, Thursday 13 May 2010). The Stand Your Ground event exposed the overly-vigilant, under-educated and unaccountable reactions of the private security guard workforce in the City as they attempted to stop photography in public places on the unfounded grounds of supposed ‘anti-terror’, ‘privacy’ and ‘security’ laws.

Why is this important?
Citizens should be allowed to creatively explore, observe and question public places and society without being stopped due to paranoia and fear caused by an increasing nanny state. In recent years, the freedom to take photographs in public places has been wrongly restricted and many people have been misinformed about their rights. We aim to re-educate both photographers and private security firms to remind them of the correct laws so they understand the rights of the street photographer.

6 photographers gathered at the Museum of London and were assigned different buldings in the area to photograph. They were vigilant in sticking to public spaces, clearly avoiding standing in any area that is a privately-run estate. They were be conspicuous in their photography, using a tripod and a full camera kit. They did not break any laws and were not  confrontational with security staff. They continued to attempt to take photographs of their chosen building/vista/street until it became impossible.

Each photographer had a videographer to follow them and capture the confrontations that occured. Footage from the day will be edited into a short film to be shown and debated at the panel discussion 'Why does street photography make us paranoid?'.
 

Many thanks to:

Photographers
Grant Smith
David Hoffman
Toby Smith
Philip Wolmuth
Pennie Quinton
Michael Grieve

Videographers
Stuart York
Anna Galanou
Chris Ogilvie
Leona Chaliha
Liam Ricketts
Tim Bowditch

Film editor
Stuart York

Director/Producer
Hannah White

Assistant prodcuer
Camilla Webster

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  Images © Grant Smith
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  Image © Michael Grieve