Thomas Kyhn Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 Has anyone here had trouble photographing embassy buildings (in Northern/Western Europe)? I'm sure it's fine with most embassies, but some are probably a bit "sensitive" when it comes to strangers taking pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avpics Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 No trouble in the UK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanDavidson Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 2 hours ago, Avpics said: No trouble in the UK Not quite true I think. The Israel embassy building is, I think, in a “no photography” zone. Not due to the embassy but the area. There is at least one embassy that is on a private road so “technically” one should have permission.... last time I photographed outside the Chinese embassy (and that was a year or two ago) a number of security staff came out and watched but did not obstruct me. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Kyhn Posted May 25, 2019 Author Share Posted May 25, 2019 30 minutes ago, IanDavidson said: last time I photographed outside the Chinese embassy (and that was a year or two ago) a number of security staff came out and watched but did not obstruct me. Interesting. I was considering that; perhaps I should give that a try. I've taken a few photos of the US embassy; they always have guards outside, and it generally appears quite forbidding, so I tried to be quick about it – no tripod and tilt-shift lens – and not get too close. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sb photos Posted May 26, 2019 Share Posted May 26, 2019 15 hours ago, IanDavidson said: Not quite true I think. The Israel embassy building is, I think, in a “no photography” zone. Not due to the embassy but the area. There is at least one embassy that is on a private road so “technically” one should have permission.... last time I photographed outside the Chinese embassy (and that was a year or two ago) a number of security staff came out and watched but did not obstruct me. Recently I photographed a Tibetan demonstration in London that marched to the Chinese embassy. Initially two security personnel were unhappy as I photographed demonstrators in front of the embassy entrance, but they couldn't interfere as I was on the public pavement. Sunday's are a quiet time to shoot embassies for stock, and often many are in the same area, but the lighting may not always be ideal for all. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avpics Posted May 26, 2019 Share Posted May 26, 2019 2 hours ago, sb photos said: Sunday's are a quiet time to shoot embassies for stock, and often many are in the same area, but the lighting may not always be ideal for all. Yes, that may have something to do with it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aphperspective Posted May 26, 2019 Share Posted May 26, 2019 I would have thought taking images of any embassy from a public road would not be an issue. There security might not like it but tough, if they step outside the embassy gates they are on British Sovereign soil. The worse they can do is call the local police who will probhably tell them the same or send round a local policeman to ask what your doing, but he or she won't move you on either. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Baker Posted May 28, 2019 Share Posted May 28, 2019 Smile and make eye contact or even have a quick chat with armed Met Police outside embassies like the US Embassy at Nine Elms and they'll be fine. All they want to know is if you're planning to make real trouble. It breaks the ice and won't make you feel inhibited enough to hurry you. Richard. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meanderingemu Posted May 30, 2019 Share Posted May 30, 2019 i was photographing the Turkish embassy in Zagreb , and was clearly told no by the armed guards. not knowing Croatia's street rule i complied . didn't have problems with other, though most had boring angles. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zxzoomy Posted May 31, 2019 Share Posted May 31, 2019 I wandered down a back alley one evening in central London a few years ago, mused on taking photos of rubbish in a skip but decided against it. This happened to be behind the embassy of an Eastern European country whose name I have forgotten. A guy arrives in a range rover and aggressively tells me I'm a spy. We have a short angry verbal exchange and I depart. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regis Posted June 1, 2019 Share Posted June 1, 2019 Hi there, Looking at this link: https://www.boredpanda.com/embassies-around-the-world/ I would say that it should not be too difficult. Have a good day, Regis 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Kyhn Posted June 2, 2019 Author Share Posted June 2, 2019 On 01/06/2019 at 13:53, Regis said: Looking at this link: https://www.boredpanda.com/embassies-around-the-world/ I would say that it should not be too difficult. Probably true for most of them, but I assume some, such as that of #4 (taken from this page), would require permission. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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