I had always understood that the use of a long lens to take a photo of someone in a private place such as their home and without their consent is classed as an invasion of privacy - even if picture is taken from a public place.
But I am unsure if invasion of privacy is actually breaking any law - Lord Justice Glidewell said (1991)"It is well-known that in English law there is no right to privacy, and accordingly there is no right of action for breach of a persons privacy
Wikepedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaye_v_Robertson
Owners of Private property do not normally have the right to prevent someone form taking pictures of their property from the vantage point of a public place.
If you are actually on private property then the owner can impose restrictions including banning any photography.
On the other hand:
Human Rights Act
Article 8: Right to privacy
(1) Everyone has the right for his private and family life, his home and his correspondence.
(2) There shall be no interference by a public authority with the exercise of this right except such as is in accordance with the law and is necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security, public safety or the economic well-being of the country, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.
Part 2 could be seen to offer a wide margin for interpretation by the relevant 'public authorities'
But I am unsure if invasion of privacy is actually breaking any law - Lord Justice Glidewell said (1991)"It is well-known that in English law there is no right to privacy, and accordingly there is no right of action for breach of a persons privacy
Wikepedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaye_v_Robertson
Owners of Private property do not normally have the right to prevent someone form taking pictures of their property from the vantage point of a public place.
If you are actually on private property then the owner can impose restrictions including banning any photography.
On the other hand:
Human Rights Act
Article 8: Right to privacy
(1) Everyone has the right for his private and family life, his home and his correspondence.
(2) There shall be no interference by a public authority with the exercise of this right except such as is in accordance with the law and is necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security, public safety or the economic well-being of the country, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.
Part 2 could be seen to offer a wide margin for interpretation by the relevant 'public authorities'
