We seem to have covered the photography of buses on here ad absurdum. Now, in stark contrast to other PTEs, last week came news that Greater Manchester PTE almost appears to welcome enthusiast photographers to its bus stations. Perhaps this is because the chair of the GMITA is something of one himself.
It seems that some enthusiasts have left GM’s bus stations having been warned about their use of a camera.
Of course, enthusiasts should always be sensible, no matter their location. GMPTE will expect enthusiasts to consider their own and other people’s health & safety. So long as this doesn’t mean the sort of over draconian compliance through which they are expected to jump at Centro PTE’s bus stations.
The news to take from GMPTE is that enthusiasts are welcomed. Add this to Stagecoach North East’s recent statements on photography and there may at last be a thaw for those who wish to record our bus industry.
Meanwhile, you may recall the driver incident during my live reporting aroud National Express West Midlands 11C, last November. I’m pleased to report that a NXWM manager upon reading the blog has apologised for the incident, offering to investigate. Said the area manager at Acock’s Green, “When enthusiasts are photographing vehicles we would always ask that they are sensitive to the privacy of our employees, but obviously this doesn't preclude photos being taken.” Fair enough, then.
Sunday, 7 February 2010
A Softer Approach
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3 comments:
Is it just me, or does the NXWM request that photographers respect drivers' privacy seem an odd request?
No Metroman it isn't just you. The response from NXWM is ludicrous. I have no idea how a photographer can possibly be "sensitive" to the feelings of a bus driver. It is impossible for any such awareness to be in place - other than if the driver waves and smiles or else provides the more common single or double digit indicator.
NXWM are trying to "have their cake and eat it". Their position is such that if drivers moan they can say "well we did ask photograhers to be sensitive" while at the same time having to accept there is nothing they can actually do to stop a photograph being taken in a public place.
It's about time they stepped off the fence and simply set a standard that they expect their staff to comply with - one of polite and safe behaviour and for the drivers to not react to being photographed accidentally. Other operators can do this so why not *all* operators and PTEs / ITAs? After all it is the *bus* that is being snapped, not them. It's hardly a difficult concept is it?
I also thought the statement about respecting drivers' privacy rather strange as well, but, on reflection, I presume that it means (for example) that you should not publish the photo and identify the driver in any caption - at least, not without express permission from the driver involved.
Obviously, most of the time the photographer won't have any idea who the driver is, and he/she will not be recognisable, so the question probably doesn't arise most of the time. However, there are exceptions, and there are (again, by way of an example) photos which have been published on Flickr where the driver is named in the captions.
There may be other possibilities, but I cannot think of any at the moment; I would imagine that the rather vague statement from NXWM was designed to cover any such possibilities.
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