Kuwait Bans DSLR Cameras
Nov 23, 2010 | 03:17 PM
#1
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 31,976
From: Minnesota
Kuwait Bans DSLR Cameras
From Gizmodo:
Kuwait Bans DSLR Cameras
Hellbent on banning something after RIM acquiesced to various Arabian nations' BlackBerry threats, Kuwait is believed to have banned the public from using DSLR cameras in public. Members of the press are still allowed to use them, apparently.
According to the Kuwait Times, the ban was processed by the Ministry of Information, Ministry of Social Affairs and Ministry of Finance. There's been no word as to why they've chosen to ban the larger cameras, with compacts and cameraphones still being allowed, supposedly. The ban will affect tourists, too—so if you've got an upcoming holiday or business trip to Kuwait planned, I'd suggest leaving that Canon or Nikon behind just in case they start confiscating them.
Kuwait Bans DSLR Cameras
Hellbent on banning something after RIM acquiesced to various Arabian nations' BlackBerry threats, Kuwait is believed to have banned the public from using DSLR cameras in public. Members of the press are still allowed to use them, apparently.
According to the Kuwait Times, the ban was processed by the Ministry of Information, Ministry of Social Affairs and Ministry of Finance. There's been no word as to why they've chosen to ban the larger cameras, with compacts and cameraphones still being allowed, supposedly. The ban will affect tourists, too—so if you've got an upcoming holiday or business trip to Kuwait planned, I'd suggest leaving that Canon or Nikon behind just in case they start confiscating them.
Nov 23, 2010 | 03:19 PM
#2
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From: Minnesota
Multi ministry camera ban frustrates artists
Follow-up article from the Kuwait Times:
KUWAIT: After the ban three ministries placed on photography, most Kuwaiti youth are a bit confused about what to do with their cameras if they can't use them in public and why such laws were implemented in the first place. The Ministry of Information, Ministry of Social Affairs and Ministry of Finance recently came to the conclusion that photography should be used for journalism purposes only. This has resulted in the ban of Digital Single Lens Reflex Cameras (DSLRs) in public, on the streets and in malls.
What most Kuwaiti photographers have come to wonder is how such a decision could be reached by authorities, especially considering that digital cameras and cell phone cameras have the same abilities. What most people think of photography as a hobby has become a bit misguided due to the fact that the country has so little exposure to art. While using a DSLR, passersby may wonder if the camera is being used for the wrong reasons.
Mohammed Al-Eisa, who picked up photography as a hobby more than 10 years ago, said that he has decided to take photos of animals or still life due to the fact that these subjects don't mind having their picture taken and don't make a scene. "I started facing problems the very first day I bought my camera," Mohammed added.
What often happens is that a big black camera tends to worry people. Taking a picture of a stranger would seem like much less of an issue if you were using a more discreet camera or even a cell phone. Mariam Al-Fodiry said that she has faced similar problems with her hobby and that being a girl doesn't help at all. She said that in some cases it makes the problem even worse. "Switching to abstract and landscape photography was one the options I considered after getting into enough trouble," Mariam said.
Majed Al-Saqer said that sometimes people stop him while he is in his car with his camera, as if he were planning to kill someone with it. He said that he isn't sure what the real problem is, whether it is people taking photos of each other or the size of the camera.
KUWAIT: After the ban three ministries placed on photography, most Kuwaiti youth are a bit confused about what to do with their cameras if they can't use them in public and why such laws were implemented in the first place. The Ministry of Information, Ministry of Social Affairs and Ministry of Finance recently came to the conclusion that photography should be used for journalism purposes only. This has resulted in the ban of Digital Single Lens Reflex Cameras (DSLRs) in public, on the streets and in malls.
What most Kuwaiti photographers have come to wonder is how such a decision could be reached by authorities, especially considering that digital cameras and cell phone cameras have the same abilities. What most people think of photography as a hobby has become a bit misguided due to the fact that the country has so little exposure to art. While using a DSLR, passersby may wonder if the camera is being used for the wrong reasons.
Mohammed Al-Eisa, who picked up photography as a hobby more than 10 years ago, said that he has decided to take photos of animals or still life due to the fact that these subjects don't mind having their picture taken and don't make a scene. "I started facing problems the very first day I bought my camera," Mohammed added.
What often happens is that a big black camera tends to worry people. Taking a picture of a stranger would seem like much less of an issue if you were using a more discreet camera or even a cell phone. Mariam Al-Fodiry said that she has faced similar problems with her hobby and that being a girl doesn't help at all. She said that in some cases it makes the problem even worse. "Switching to abstract and landscape photography was one the options I considered after getting into enough trouble," Mariam said.
Majed Al-Saqer said that sometimes people stop him while he is in his car with his camera, as if he were planning to kill someone with it. He said that he isn't sure what the real problem is, whether it is people taking photos of each other or the size of the camera.
Nov 23, 2010 | 03:35 PM
#7
AMGFanatic
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 15,965
From: MonteCarlo
1: Only military cars and secret service can be painted in matte some matte grey, brown, black and blue.
2: Vehicle identification.
Suppose someone wrapped his car or painted it in matte, he can drive in the desert or low light areas without being noticed as apposed to a normal gloss or metallic car if he is in pursuit.
3: They banned these aftermarket matte paints or wraps because if you commit a crime and you can easily change the paint to a matte wrap its harder to trace the car involved in the crime. Example, a pursuit on a White Dodge that just killed someone crossing a street, you can easily wrap the car and be un-noticeable when you pass by other Police cars.
The only matte cars are allowed are the one's ordered in matte from the factory ie Lamborghini, Bentley etc.
The Ministry of Interior wont change the registration of any car for a matte colour specified in any way unless if its a brand new car that is a matte paint from the factory.
