Follow Jezblog:
I went down to Martin Luther King's Church on Sunday The Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta ......... I was told no photographs over and over by progressively more over zealous security types one who said he was a policeman. I had not taken any photographs but I did have two Cannon 5D mk2's dangling off of on me........ So they were watching me like a hawk....... In the end I was chucked out for taking photographs....... when I had not made a single one or even touched my cameras........
I felt this was not right......... Not in Martin Luther King's Church........ A place dedicated to freedoms and human rights if ever there was one........ So I waited to speak to the pastor. In the end I spoke to Min. Shanon Jones he again told me no photographs were possible without prior permission.... Ordinary folks are not allowed to make photos ever....... and press people only after strict vetting..........
If you read this blog you will know my hatred of permission culture........ were the right to make photographs is totally eroded to a permission only system....... Permission can only be granted after "a full meeting of the board has convened" in 2 weeks time and then only for seven minutes during a time of exceptionally poor light when there is no activity worth photographing.............
I said to the Rev. Jones although it might seem a relatively insignificant freedom to him ....... other people freedoms often seem insignificant to people not interested in them....... the right to make photographs....... the right of press people to see what goes on...... the right of ordinary folks to make pictures as they please without form filling ....... was an important freedom that safe guards other freedoms in society ....... plays a real role in a free society should not just be crushed ........ he said I could apply for permission......... I said I can apply for permission in China or North Korea....... its always up to the authorities as to whether photographs can be made in authoritarian places ......... the freedom to just make real pictures has been crushed.............
The relationship between the important freedoms famously won by people organizing out of this church and the ordinary everyday small freedom just to make a picture for me seem real .......... For a moment the Rev Jones seemed to see it too ........ 'OK you can take some pictures' he said......... of course all the people had gone........ the things I wanted to shoot were over......... but hey....... I don't think I've ever actually argued a person in authority who is saying: 'No photographs' ......... into just accepting that making photographs is an ordinary freedom that should not be denied..........
I don't suppose he will change their policy but I thought for a minute he just might............. maybe I should pop back......... actually take something that reflects the life of the church that I could put on this blog.
This picture above is from an ice cream store I saw in New York....... I suggest photographers and others interested in personal freedom do not frequent it ........ Pinkberry....... ( I think ) I've never been in ............. And I intend not to go in.
Cheers Jez XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
www.jezblog.com
Comment: Name: Website: Email (not visible to others) remember me
More+
.... The photography and slightly mad life of reportage artist Jez Coulson ....