What tourists need to know about the rules of photography abroad
Before traveling to any country, it is worthwhile to understand the local rules of photography in advance - this will help to avoid trouble.
Tourists should clarify bans on photo and video from guides or local residents. Special attention is required by professional photographic equipment: it often attracts to the traveler increased attention from the security services and the police.
When visiting museums, private display sites, temples and other religious places, be sure to ask permission to shoot. Even if it is possible to take a photo secretly, the tourist can be detected using surveillance cameras and detained at the exit. It is important to pay attention to prohibitive signs and signs – they are not only in religious buildings, but also in a number of public spaces.
Particular caution should be exercised when shooting objects that can be regarded as strategic or of state importance.
It is strictly not recommended to photograph military zones and objects that look similar to them - the consequences can be extremely serious. Before filming people (especially in Muslim countries), you always need their consent. In addition, it is important to ensure that the frame does not accidentally appear prohibited elements, such as flags, royal symbols or signs of government agencies.
What threatens violation of the rules of shooting
Ignoring local norms can result in various sanctions for tourists - from relatively mild to very tough:
fine;
seizure of the camera or telephone;
the requirement to remove the filmed materials;
detention;
In some cases, a prison term.
What is most often forbidden to take pictures or requires special permission
Military installations, bases, border crossings, government buildings, ports and airports, as well as low-flying aircraft, energy and strategic facilities. In Tunisia, buildings with the state flag are banned.
Police, military personnel and people in uniform.
People without consent, especially children and women. This is particularly tightly regulated in Arab and Muslim countries - the ban extends even to occasional footage where a person is caught in a reflection or in the background.
Alien property by which you can identify the owner: car numbers, plates with addresses, documents, tickets, passports.
Separate exhibits in museums and at display facilities.
Some monuments, temples, active religious sites and mausoleums - including if the angle of the shooting can be perceived as disrespectful.
Features of rules in individual countries
Thailand. It is forbidden to photograph objects related to the royal family. Also do not photograph alcohol if the bottle, glass or packaging clearly visible brand, logo or label.
India. You can not point the lens at funerals, places of burning or burial.
Egypt. The authorities prohibit photographing and videotaping of disadvantaged areas, rallies, landfills and any scenes that could damage the image of the country. In addition, believers cannot be photographed during prayer or religious ceremonies.
UAE. It is strictly forbidden to photograph people without their consent. Separately, it should be borne in mind that under special control are shots with women in traditional national clothes and with children. It is also impossible to photograph the places of accidents, fires, fights and any other emergencies.
What can usually be removed without special permits
In most countries, tourists are allowed to photograph:
landscapes, nature, birds and other representatives of fauna;
typical city and country attractions - provided that there are no prohibited objects in the frame;
hotels and restaurants (better without people in the frame);
architectural objects, except government buildings;
temples, museums and cultural sites outside (permission is almost always required to shoot inside).
In order not to face problems while traveling, experts advise not to rely on general ideas about “permitted” and “prohibited”, and before traveling to study the current rules for a particular country – including on the websites of embassies, consulates and specialized tourist resources.
Text and photo:https://www.personalguide.ru/
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