Interesting report in the Australian media today, Neoscan. Maybe he was just tired of feeling like a monkey in a zoo? Having cameras pointed at you all day does strange things to some people (again, I'm not condoning his violent actions here at all and glad he has been charged, just merely wondering what causes him to (re)act in this way to pilgrims/tourists). Maybe someone should let him in on this fact? In a busy place like Santiago I do agree it seems a little over-the-top for a street musician not to let people take a photograph of them, especially since many of those taking a photograph would probably donate afterwards (well, you would hope so at least!). Why push things any further? Whether you agree or not though, at the end of the day it is this piper's prerogative if he wants to let anyone take his photograph or not, no matter how strange his behaviour may seem to most of us. While I don't condone violence, if this musician 'stopped playing and turned his back' it should be fairly obvious to anyone that he didn't want his photograph taken. I wouldn't generally worry too much about it. And yes, the law does get very complicated regarding this everywhere which is the reason most countries have the 'okay in public etc' rule- policing photographs being taken in public is very difficult in this day and age (or any). As stated above, regardless of what laws are in place in a particular country, it is just rude to take a photograph of anyone against their will, legal or not. It is illegal in most cases to actually take a photograph of somebody in public in Spain without their permission (although many performing musicians and performers obviously don't mind this happening in return for a donation). Spain has very strict laws regarding photography in all public spaces. This may be the case in 'most countries' but it is NOT the case in Spain where this incident took place. It is clearly their prerogative how to present themselves as it is the photographers prerogative to capture the image presented. That is not to suggest that one shouldn't be polite or to donate when capturing an image of a noteworthy individual where they are the principal subject of an image, nor does it mean that that individual has to perform, pose or otherwise behave in a way that continues to make the image attractive either. However, my basic take on this is that for individuals, capturing images of their Camino for non-commercial purposes in public places is perfectly legal, and cannot be prevented. Then, as notes, there are the complications of whether someone is newsworthy, increasing restrictions in some country's anti-terrorist laws, etc. Most of that is done without any expectation of commercial reward on the part of the individuals who use these tools to publish their holiday snaps etc. The other great game-changer would be the internet, and the growth of applications that allow us to share almost anything with almost anyone. It certainly has been clear for some time that this applies for commercial use of images, although I know of at least one case in Australia where the individual was unable to prevent use of his image in an advertising campaign. Should he act in such a way again the police will now be able to act promptly against him.Ĭlick to expand.It would be interesting to see how far this has moved. The police had urged my friend to lay the charge as this bagpipe player was well known as being aggressive to pilgrims, none of whom had ever laid a charge, therefore the police were powerless to act against him.īesides receiving a fine and having to pay the costs of the court this man's name is now on the penal register as a vicious, aggressive person. We went immediately to the police and laid a charge of assault which, when it went to court was successful. ![]() When my friend asked him why, the bagpipe player became aggressive, swore at my friend and knocked him to the ground with a vicious punch to the jaw. ![]() The bagpipe player stopped playing and turned his back to my friend. My friend said he would like to take a photo of him. As we approached the steps to go down to the Praza de Obradoiro in front of the cathedral we heard and saw a man dressed traditionally playing the bagpipes. Last week I walked into Santiago with a Spanish man whom I had met whilst walking.
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