I'm a rider, organiser and photographer at the naked bike rides. I'd like to have a genuine discussion about photography and the ride. I realise that this thread is primarily about photos, but I'd like to make this one comment here. Then I suggest we move discussion over to another thread.
As I photographer, I get that the law in the UK allows photography in a public space. It also says that it's illegal to harass somebody - my understanding is that taking multiple photos without permission could constitute harassment. But it's not legality I'm really appealing to, but respecting the riders.
Every rider knows they are going to get photographed - that's really not the problem. It's great fun to ride naked down a busy street and see the people watching smile, then reach for their phone to take a quick snap. What's not so fun is the wall of photographers leaving somewhere like the Brighton ride start. Then seeing the photographers run over the park to take yet more photos. It feels like a line has definitely been crossed - and it makes many riders uncomfortable and angry. Especially the young women who are most likely to be targeted by photographers.
Ultimately, I believe excessive photography will kill the rides. That's not what any of us want, so let's make photography and discussion more respectful. Cataloguing women is just creepy, there are so many posts "she rode in Bristol 2015, then Brighton 2016 and 2017". I'm friends with several of the "forum favourites" and I know they are sickened by this behaviour.
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Originally Posted by fdooby
And that there is nothing (I hope) deemed dubious about any of the stuff I take at the Brighton and other rides.
I personally didn't have too much hassle. But a lot of folks did. And the fun party atmosphere was seriously undermined by this constant brainwashing of the riders that they have some kind of legal right to cavort naked in public and not be photographed without their express consent. You have no such grief in London. The organisation of that ride is superb.
Speaking to lots of riders yesterday, it seems that many of them are annoyed by the heavy handed attitude in Brighton.
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Agreed fdooby, there's nothing dubious about the photos you load onto flickr - in fact, they are definitely some of the best ride photos out there
But why do you feel the need to come and post them here?
I reckon probably spoke with more riders than you - many of them are very annoyed by the obsessive photographers. And I assure you the fun party atmosphere of the riders is undermined by excessive photography. Cuts both ways, doesn't it? But yet the riders could have fun and make their point without so many photos - the photographers are dependent on the riders for their fun.
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Originally Posted by hunter_usa2003
I was asked why I was going to take pictures and was accused of being a pornographer
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It's a good question though - why do you take pictures? You seem to be quick to come and post them here - ask yourself what type of forum this is.
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Originally Posted by Pedro the Fisherman
I'm sure she would be horrified to find herself pictured here
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I'm sure you're right Pedro. You know as well as anybody the joy of being around naked young women. We should do all we can to encourage people to feel comfortable to join in on a ride or at a beach in the future.
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Originally Posted by fdooby
But the war against snappers has reached the point now where many people are going to stop covering this ride. I try to keep a civil tongue in my head but was forced to use some strong words today.
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Yes, stronger measures were in place at Brighton. This is going to be a trend. Well known photographers who lack respect have been excluded from rides this year.
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Originally Posted by londondude_01
I did the ride and have to agree - the marshalls and stewards (and the riders, too) were very anti photographer today - much more than ever before.
At the second rest stop, the riders had the police remove a photographer from the area - the first time I've ever seen that.
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Yes, definitely a strong anti-photographer vibe. I have to say I didn't take many photos this year. But I'd prefer the ride continue and get bigger, over taking photos. I think it will get less and less friendly towards photographers, if the current behaviour of photographers continues as is.
There was a big cheer when the police did remove the photographer though!
