Public Commons

Part of Photography Policy

From: Jutta Mason
To: Malcolm Bromley , Kelvin Seow ,<akoropes@toronto.ca>, Kevin Bowser , Mayssan Shuja-Uddin , Sarah Cormier
Date: Fri, 28 May 2010

At the May 19 2010 follow-up rink meeting, Malcolm suggested that if we don't like the existing photography policy, we should outline something we think is better. Here goes:

The existing language of the 2009/2010 Artificial ice Rink Manual, re photography, suits very well. (Pp. 17-18, excerpts below in blue.) It reads as a guideline, not a policy. We think there is no need for a special (non-media) photography policy. So far we have not come across any posted "no photography" policy in parks in other cities.

The "no cameras in washrooms" rule already exists separately, with its own signage. No need to repeat it.

Turning young rink or wading pool staff into photography police who stop parents (and friends) from taking photos, leads to unintended bad effects at the rinks and playgrounds. The teens who get to have power over adults in this way are distracted from making positive efforts toward the skaters in winter and the playground users in summer.

Open parks facilities like wading pools and outdoor rinks should be regarded the same way as "events open to the public" below. No permission needed. If there is a concern about the motives of a stranger taking intrusive photos, that can be addressed as part of the regular staff responsibilities. Two helpful excerpts in blue:

P.17: media – film permission has to be given and “model release forms” signed except when covering “an event that is open to the public” or when media are invited by private permit holders.
P. 18: “Parents/Relatives Taking Photos or Videos: Parks, Forestry and recreation’s media policy does not apply to parents, guardians, or relatives taking photos or videos of program participants. However, staff have the right to ask persons using video recorders or cameras which participants they are photographing, and to encourage parents to concentrate on their own children.”

No photographs in change rooms except those where only footwear is changed (e.g. most common change areas in rink houses and ski hills. No photographs in washrooms.