Hi all photographers.

I want to know frome all photographers who is Renderosity members if any one had the same experience then me regarding taking pictures inside a Cemetery. This morning I walked to and entered Rebecca street Cemetery. I took a few pictures of Trees,Leaves and a Lapwing plover. A lady at the office nearby the entrance spotted me and called me and asked me who gave me permission to take pictures inside the Cemetery.I told her that nobody gave me permission. She then replied and said" You must get permission from head office before taking pictures inside the Cemetery. I apologized and said that I did not know that i needed to get permission from head office.  I did in the past visited the Cemetery by enetering with my vehicle and did not have such problems as experienced this morning. I am just wondering if the same would apply to any one walking into the Cemetery to take pictures of a lost loved one's grave stone.Also what about those people using the Cemetery as a walk through as this is defenitely happening. I saw on previous visits that some of the fences surrounding the Cemetery have Holes in them. In fact while I was there i beleive a lady was using the Cemetery as a walk through.I must say i feel like a criminal. Even worse i work for the company that is in charge of all Cemetery's in pretoria and that is the Metro Council of Pretoria.I was accused of already spying,planning to breaking into houses and the cherry on the cake was this morning that i needed permission to take pictures inside the Cemetery. I feel like just putting my camera away and not taking pictures ever again.Blessed day and week for one and all. God bless. Christo.

In my retirement I work part time for an undertaker so I am in and out of cemeteries all the time. I have never come accross any rule like this and I think that person was out of order.

If its not going to make you dig a hole for yourself tell her that you don't like being put in a grave situation such as this and that she should get a life!!!!

Sorry for the jest, I couldn't help it but whatever you do, do not give up your photagraphy Christo.

Hi Christo, that is a first that I have heard of this.  I have walked through many a cemetery here in South Africa, camera in hand.  A friend of mine even did a model shoot in one!

As Jeff says, I think she was the one out of line - I also took shots in cemetaries in the UK and Ireland.

Do not let one person deter you and your passion!

Clive

Thank you Jayfar and Clive for your feedback.

My wife's boss suggested that I lay a complain with the city council.

As you both say why must i throw away a talent that the good Lord gave to me enjoying photography.

God Bless.

Maybe it would be an idea to ask who ever "head office" is the question and maybe ask where you can actually read the rule that states you need permission.

That way you could at least clarify the situation. I have never heard of such a rule but it seems that these days a lot of stupid pathetic petty rules are being introduced by sad people who have nothing else to do in their lives.

Christo - I agree with Jeff, Clive and ejn! Ask for the rules...

And whatever the outcome - don't let it get to you! You are way bigger than that!

Chin up and keep shooting! :)

I have  taken many photos in cemeteries & have never had anyone question it. But your experience made me curious & I found this interesting article that discusses the topic in detail:

http://www.legalgenealogist.com/blog/2012/10/22/cemetery-photos-permission-required/

It mostly discusses the U.S. & Canada, but there is also some mention of other countries. The gist of it is that cemeteries can legally make "reasonable" rules about what activities to allow on their property - even if the cemetery is a public one. So they can certainly require you to be respectful & non-obtrusive. Not allowing photos at all or requiring prior permission doesn't seem reasonable to me, but my totally unprofessional guess is that they have a right to do that if they choose to be rigid. But I certainly wouldn't let this one negative experience discourage you from taking photos in cemeteries.

Thank you Carin and photosynthesis.

Had a look at the link.

Understanding the situation much better.

God bless.

A very intersting post by photosynthesis and thanks for the info.

Life used to be so simple didnt it, not anymore .

Quote - A very intersting post by photosynthesis and thanks for the info.

Life used to be so simple didnt it, not anymore .

ejn - Indeed!