This is the score with OCC and myself. After I first covered a ride in 2012, I found my snaps from Flickr were being posted on here. Sometimes with misleading information. I'm a big fan of internet freedom. All of my pictures are Creative Commons (except for the latest Brighton album, which for the first time ever is all rights reserved). The WNBR threads on here have proved to be an invaluable resource for tracking down pics taken by other snappers (I'm always interested to see other people's interpretations of the day). Of course I'm aware that this is primarily a porn site. But so what? Half the people taking part in WNBR Brighton are members here and a good percentage take dubious shots of other riders, usually without permission, usually with iPhones, and the folks with big lenses get the flak. To say nothing of those engaging in overt sexual activity and not making much of a secret of the fact.
As my images were ending up here anyway, for a while I posted some myself, so I at least could give an input as to what was really going on. After one rider from the 2013 Brighton event kicked off, I removed my old account and no longer posted pictures here, though no doubt others do.
There have been some good discussions and very useful information on the various WNBR threads at OCC. I have no intention of not posting here. I frankly couldn't care less what anyone thinks of me. My pictures from the various rides have always been intended to promote the World Naked Bike Rides in a positive manner. I have always been happy for organisers and various media agencies to use my pictures (free of charge, of course), to say nothing of the riders themselves (many of whom I have become friendly with over the years). I have a rule that I won't take a shot of anyone that I wouldn't be happy for them to see. After covering 6 London, 6 Brighton, 3 Canterbury, 1 Hastings and 1 Folkestone ride, there remains only that single person who had any issue with what I'd taken - and only then after the event.
Two or three times people have ridden, regretted it, been a bit worried that their images are out there - and when contacted by them, I was happy to take them down. These people were concerned only that they'd done the ride, not with the actual content of the shots.
I think that if you have a proven track record, you should be able to get some kind of official photographer pass. Been saying this for years. Nothing really ever comes of it. But if you had a badge of some kind, the participants could feel reassured that even if you're taking shots without permission (which is essential if you're going to get anything spontaneous or candid), you're not up to no good.
As per every other year, I will let my pictures from this year's Brighton ride do the talking. We've all seen images of riders looking uncomfortable, unhappy, ill at ease, clearly the subject of unwanted attention. I have always gone out of my way not be one of those people.
End of the day, WNBR is a protest/awareness event. All this snapper paranoia pretty much only happens at the WNBRs. Well, Brighton WNBR. London is very laid back and this year it was particularly so. No permission is required to take shots in a public place so long as you're acting in a lawful manner. I have rarely seen anyone genuinely harassed myself - almost all pervs quickly slink away the moment they're confronted.
2017 Brighton was probably my last. I have no intention of being branded a pervert by clueless idiots who have no understanding of why many of us use telephoto lenses. The Brighton marshals are among the most ill informed and infuriatingly dense people I have ever encountered. I am a perv for standing at The Level not taking pictures with a long lens on a camera by my side. But three guys engaging in mutual masturbation in the painting area while another films it is perfectly fine. And while another guy wanders about with an erection being none too subtle about taking close up genitalia shots with his phone. Etc etc.
It's a shame but there are plenty more events out there where you get no hassle at all. I will always hold the absolutely glorious party that was WNBR Brighton 2014 close to my heart.
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