Professional Landscape Photography vs Lockdown

Considering you're not supposed to travel for your exercise i.e. can't go to the Lake District for a walk, and Landscape Photography is NOT 'essential' in any way, then I'd say yes - it is banned just under the usual 'stay home' advice

Whether any Police would enforce it though is probably up to their own force's remit

Why not decide where you'd like to go and contact that local Police force to ask?

Then let us know how you got on, as I'd like a trip (or 10) before the hills are crowded and skies full of vapour trails again :)

EDIT - I can see where you're coming from with this though...


You should only leave the house for very limited purposes:
  • shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible.
  • one form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle - alone or with members of your household.
  • any medical need, including to donate blood, avoid or escape risk of injury or harm, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person.
  • travelling for work purposes, but only where you cannot work from home.

As obviously landscapers can't work from home

Which it says in this bit too...

Other businesses can remain open and their employees can travel to work, provided they cannot work from home.


I still wonder if local Police might still turn you away - or even ratty locals take offense !!!

Dave
 
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Considering you're not supposed to travel for your exercise i.e. can't go to the Lake District for a walk, and Landscape Photography is NOT 'essential' in any way, then I'd say yes - it is banned just under the usual 'stay home' advice

Loxley Colour (non essential) are re-opening. There are going to be lots of non-essential businesses where people will be travelling to work as they cannot work from home - and none of this is against Government guidelines.

The exercise is incidental.

Was thinking of dropping our local MP an e-mail :)
 
Loxley Colour (non essential) are re-opening. There are going to be lots of non-essential businesses where people will be travelling to work as they cannot work from home - and none of this is against Government guidelines.

The exercise is incidental.

Was thinking of dropping our local MP an e-mail :)

Defo worth clarifying :)

Dave
 
I'd be curious too - as I sell my images and the forecast's are looking good it seems a shame not to take advantage of the contrail free skies.

The fines do appear to be small, its the also being told to p*** off home that'd be the problem :(

If it was just a fine and stay shooting all day then that'd be worth the risk !!!

Dave
 
Loxley Colour (non essential) are re-opening. There are going to be lots of non-essential businesses where people will be travelling to work as they cannot work from home - and none of this is against Government guidelines.

The exercise is incidental.

Was thinking of dropping our local MP an e-mail :)

Yes but there is also an argument that many landscape photographers would have to travel vast distances to complete there work, potentially climb mountains (which could also put them t risk and increase the chance of mountain rescue being required etc).

It seems like a 'loophole' that some could try to exploit IMO.

Especially when if these people traded properly they could either furlough themselves or claim earnings as self employed etc. Even so, can a professional landscaper not focus on building their business online, selling prints etc during this time?

Loxley and many other businesses opening aren't opening premises to customers and probably work on skeleton staffing as well, so reducing their risk.

Looking at the previous guidance, if you walk for much longer than you're driving you can basically go anywhere. So if I was exploiting that loophole I could argue that if I drove an hour to the peak district, but walked for four hours, I'd be well within my rights. However, that's not the right thing to do.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love nothing more than to get out and do landscape photography and I'm sure many others would but you are looking for flaws and loopholes in wording there IMO.
 
The fines do appear to be small, its the also being told to p*** off home that'd be the problem :(

If it was just a fine and stay shooting all day then that'd be worth the risk !!!

Dave

It's important to remember this isn't about you. It's about protecting vulnerable people, essential services and the NHS.

Not about whether you can sneak a day out and that being worth the risk.
 
The fines do appear to be small, its the also being told to p*** off home that'd be the problem :(

If it was just a fine and stay shooting all day then that'd be worth the risk !!!

Dave

I think the risk of being caught in the early morning during the week is very low to nil. The evenings would pose more or a risk of a) getting caught b) coming into contact with someone else.

I am confident with sunrise being before 7am I could get to and from my home to Glencoe without a) getting caught going there - maybe on the way back b) coming into contact with anyone else.

Whether I would chance it though.....

It's important to remember this isn't about you. It's about protecting vulnerable people, essential services and the NHS.

Not about whether you can sneak a day out and that being worth the risk.

There are two sides to the coin - many offices/banks etc remain open and trading - and people come/go from these places - placing a risk. I'd argue a new loan/ISA etc isn't essential yet all the big banks are open for business and their back room staff are working - not all from home either. A lone tog going to and from a beauty spot by car or on foot is much less of a risk.
 
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but you are looking for flaws and loopholes in wording there IMO.

I'm not looking for loopholes persé.

The thought stems from, why I am allowed to travel to work for non-essential business - but I cannot travel to work for myself?

It's just not true that I cannot travel to work for myself, it's a made up rule that I've pieced together from rules regarding leisure activities.
 
I'm not looking for loopholes persé.

The thought stems from, why I am allowed to travel to work for non-essential business - but I cannot travel to work for myself?

It's just not true that I cannot travel to work for myself, it's a made up rule that I've pieced together from rules regarding leisure activities.

Are you a professional landscape photographer? Thought you did commercial, school and weddings?
 
Are you a professional landscape photographer? Thought you did commercial, school and weddings?

I thought I might branch out in my retirement years, seems like a good time to get a start on that !
 
Are you a professional landscape photographer? Thought you did commercial, school and weddings?

I am though - or should I say - I was (along with local real-estate). Although I've now returned to PAYE I still expect some of my income to come from photo sales and great pictures sell.

Many non-essential businesses have their staff in offices/warehouses etc so the question is legitimate.
 
Ok I've written this to my local MP, sorry if it could be more professional i just hope it's clear and concise enough :) and it's sent so no revisions!

Thank you for your previous correspondence,

As I can no longer photograph weddings or for schools, and I cannot claim universal credit or the self-employed grant and have absolutely no income, I've decided to branch out into professional landscape photography.

Now the first question that comes to mind, is that even allowed?

I'm 99% certain it is, though I still find myself e-mailing you for assurance.

Non-customer facing, non-essential businesses are still running and those that did close are beginning re-open again. The Government guidelines say "travelling for work purposes, but only where you cannot work from home." is OK.

I think the 1% comes from people mistaking the activity for leisure. Can I feel confident that I can go about my business without police intervention?
 
That raises several points that need clarifying.

Are you already a professional photographer. Yes or No?
Yes I am

If you are a professional photographer, are you self-employed or do you work for some one?
Self-employed

If you are self-employed why can’t you claim the government payout?
Because in 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 Self-employment accounted for less than 50% of my income, made redundant from PAYE job in late 2018 / early 2019.
2019-2020 SE accounted for 100% of income, but this year doesn't count towards anything


If you work for some one why can’t you be furloughed?
I don't

If you have no income coming in, how does landscape photography solve that issue? Who is going to buy your images and more importantly when?
I will try to sell them online, it's certainly a skill I'm going to need to develop.

But if I apply for any other job I'm going to have to develop skills and do something I'm not used to.
 
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Dan, don’t waste time with your MP.

Contact your local Environmental Health department for it is they who are enforcing the business side of these regulations.

Send them an email and outline what you intend to do and how you will socially distance in this period. The Regs are a bit grey at the mo and lots of loopholes (Hello B&Q). If they agree your case is ok, print out the email and if your stopped when out and about you can show said email to the Police.
 
Another factor to consider is that you won't just become a 'professional' landscape photographer over night. That'll take years of building up.

It looks like you're just trying to find your way around the rules to be honest.
 
The queue for our local big B&Q a crazy....! The whole length of the store.....

But yes, I get where this is coming from. A professional landscape photographer can't really work from home. We were chatting about this last week whilst watching Thomas Heaton etc on YouTube. But could you imagine the backlash they would get!
 
Another factor to consider is that you won't just become a 'professional' landscape photographer over night. That'll take years of building up.

It looks like you're just trying to find your way around the rules to be honest.

It'll take years, so I shouldn't start now? when should I start?

My wife has already taken over paying the bills, she'll support me as I have supported her.

She works for charities though and is getting furloughed by one, so we aren't spending any money outside of food and bills.
 
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Round here the Curtain Twitchers would get you. Closely followed by the Facebook warriors and barrack-room lawyers. :eek:

Same here, in fact i've just seen a post on a local facebook group where someone was complaining that whilst they were out on their 'daily exercise' they saw lots of other people out. They went on to comment that these people should all be staying at home as it is irresponsible, dangerous and selfish for them to be out (!) - you honestly couldn't write that. I replied to that person pointing out that they were being hypocritical at the very least. The facebook warriors are certainly out in force at the moment!
 
Dan, don’t waste time with your MP.

Contact your local Environmental Health department for it is they who are enforcing the business side of these regulations.

Send them an email and outline what you intend to do and how you will socially distance in this period. The Regs are a bit grey at the mo and lots of loopholes (Hello B&Q). If they agree your case is ok, print out the email and if your stopped when out and about you can show said email to the Police.

Thanks I'll do that.

https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/contact

I guess I'll email covid19@adviceni.net
 
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It'll take years, so I shouldn't start now? when should I start?

My wife has already taken over paying the bills, she'll support me as I have supported her.

Because the country is in lockdown, it's not difficult to see that this is not the time to be doing landscape photography. So start after lockdown, we all want to get out and take pictures.

Thousands of people are trying to sell images online so I wouldn't be relying on that as a source of income until you have a large and excellent landscape portfolio.

If you haven't got any income at the moment and need some, it makes much more sense to get a job for example with a supermarket where income is guaranteed in the short term.
 
Loxley Colour (non essential) are re-opening. There are going to be lots of non-essential businesses where people will be travelling to work as they cannot work from home - and none of this is against Government guidelines.

The exercise is incidental.
Was thinking of dropping our local MP an e-mail :)
Why not drop Loxley an email, asking them why they're reopening and how they consider themselves an essential business?
 
Why not drop Loxley an email, asking them why they're reopening and how they consider themselves an essential business?

That's not what the government has said, only customer physically facing non-essential businesses have been asked to close and employees should work from home if possible

There's nothing wrong with what they are doing or the many other companies i suppose are open.
 
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Why not drop Loxley an email, asking them why they're reopening and how they consider themselves an essential business?

Too many people have not got a clue as to the rules ! there was NEVER a directive that none essential businesses should close, in fact it is the exact opposite.
 
Because the country is in lockdown, it's not difficult to see that this is not the time to be doing landscape photography. So start after lockdown, we all want to get out and take pictures.

Thousands of people are trying to sell images online so I wouldn't be relying on that as a source of income until you have a large and excellent landscape portfolio.

If you haven't got any income at the moment and need some, it makes much more sense to get a job for example with a supermarket where income is guaranteed in the short term.

It is important that I should work, it doesn't have to be for lots of money, even if it's low-income it's still a business, there will be a lot of self-investment to start with.

I'll be at a lot less risk of Covid-19 doing this than working at a supermarket or any other business.
 
The original question in this is a quandary I have been having myself. I am a professional landscape photographer. My main income was from my market stall which is completely closed, but I do have comissions and futures products (Calendars, Postcards, Greetings Cards etc) that need new images each year.
I think if the situation is still the same in a month or two I am going to have to head out and get some shots....but get the feeling I am going to get some funny looks and the odd questioning from the police who seems to be out in force at the local beauty spots!
 
It is important that I should work, it doesn't have to be for lots of money, even if it's low-income it's still a business, there will be a lot of self-investment to start with.

I'll be at a lot less risk of Covid-19 doing this than working at a supermarket or any other business.

The thing is, it’s hugely likely that landscape photography would likely be a no-income business for a long time. So surely it’s more advisable to do something that will guarantee income.
 
That's not what the government has said, only customer physically facing non-essential businesses have been asked to close and employees should work from home if possible

There's nothing wrong with what they are doing or the many other companies i suppose are open.
Sorry I misinterpreted
 
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The thing is, it’s hugely likely that landscape photography would likely be a no-income business for a long time. So surely it’s more advisable to do something that will guarantee income.

I just cannot spend the next 6-12 months standing still for no good reason. Whilst an income in general would be great it is not necessary and working at a supermarket would only bring me misery, a minimum wage cannot offset that.

I have applied for a few jobs that I am skilled to do (specialised and rare). I guess even with 15 years experience a career change probably doesn't look great on a CV when they are looking for long term employees as I have heard nothing from them.
 
You can always become cab driver, lots of night work @ busy city centre :)
cab.jpg

Good luck, I hope you succeed, within rules of course, you have much passion & drive. However, keep those puppies with food prior to yourself !!


Oh & never forget that monochrome & nocti = unrivalled :)
 
You can always become cab driver, lots of night work @ busy city centre :)
View attachment 276485

Good luck, I hope you succeed, within rules of course, you have much passion & drive. However, keep those puppies with food prior to yourself !!

Oh & never forget that monochrome & nocti = unrivalled :)

I don't live in London, takes almost an hour by train to get there.

I plan to get the M10 Monochrom, and look at the nocti now and then.. but I do have the 80mm 1.9 on the Hasselblad X1D II and think I can't justify both can i..
 
I just cannot spend the next 6-12 months standing still for no good reason. Whilst an income in general would be great it is not necessary and working at a supermarket would only bring me misery, a minimum wage cannot offset that.

I have applied for a few jobs that I am skilled to do (specialised and rare). I guess even with 15 years experience a career change probably doesn't look great on a CV when they are looking for long term employees as I have heard nothing from them.

I do appreciate it’s a very difficult situation and genuinely sympathise.

My original point was that it’s not sadly not the time for landscape photography. Whatever you decide to do, all the best with it (y)
 
Are you a professional landscape photographer? Thought you did commercial, school and weddings?
I thought I might branch out in my retirement years, seems like a good time to get a start on that !

This statement indicates that you are not currently a professional landscape photographer. Therefore you won't be going to work as one, as that is not what you genuinely are, is it?

It's like me suddenly deciding to be a professional rally driver so I can get in my car and drive miles to a forestry special stage to practice; or a professional mountain guide so I can go on long walks in the hills! Come off it!

I think most of us are tired of lockdown, especially when the sun is shining, but at the moment that's pretty much the only effective thing we've got to stop the spread of this deadly disease. Let's get this straight, like it or not, every time we go out, we risk either contracting or spreading this virus. The more people try and get round that (or decide it shouldn't apply to them) then the longer it will continue.

I'm sorry if you see things differently, but unless people speak out then we'll be stuck with lockdown for far longer, and it will be more rigorously enforced. If you are worried about losing out financially, then I suggest you spend your time looking at the various government payment schemes, rather than writing letters to your MP or taking up the time of your local Environmental Health Department, who just might be rather busy with matters of life and death at the moment.
 
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https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...-others#closing-certain-businesses-and-venues

Looking at the government guidance, non-essential businesses (not on the exclusion list) can remain open and employees can travel to work if they cannot work from home.

I don't see why professional landscape photography would not be allowed.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this?


If I was you you I would continue as normal, I see NOTHING unlawful or in the guidance to suggest otherwise, you are going to work as such your journeys are essential, I have been out and photographed the golf club whilst its in pristine condition and no one is on.
 
This statement indicates that you are not currently a professional landscape photographer. Therefore you won't be going to work as one, as that is not what you genuinely are, is it?

It's like me suddenly deciding to be a professional rally driver so I can get in my car and drive miles to a forestry special stage to practice; or a professional mountain guide so I can go on long walks in the hills! Come off it!

I think most of us are tired of lockdown, especially when the sun is shining, but at the moment that's pretty much the only effective thing we've got to stop the spread of this deadly disease. Let's get this straight, like it or not, every time we go out, we risk either contracting or spreading this virus. The more people try and get round that (or decide it shouldn't apply to them) then the longer it will continue.

I'm sorry if you see things differently, but unless people speak out then we'll be stuck with lockdown for far longer, and it will be more rigorously enforced. If you are worried about losing out financially, then I suggest you spend your time looking at the various government payment schemes, rather than writing letters to your MP or taking up the time of your local Environmental Health Department, who just might be rather busy with matters of life and death at the moment.


If you are a Professional photographer, there is no need to stipulate a discipline.
 
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