A few days ago I went to Green Island with my new camera to take some pictures and was stopped on the way in. I had already purchased my entry ticket (1KD btw) and as I was walking in they spotted my camera and told me I couldn’t bring it in. I told them I had a camera on my phone as well but they were ok with that, but that I just couldn’t bring my camera in. I was like ok fine, I went back to the ticket window to return my ticket and get a refund, but I guess that would have been too much of a hassle for the guy because he asked me if I just wanted to take pictures? I told him yes so he then let me in with my camera.
I have no idea why they would be anti-photography, Green Island is a desolate place that has nothing going for it other than it being an interesting place to take some photos. So weird.
19 replies on “No Cameras Allowed on Green Island”
This is an outdated practice. Like some concerts where you were not allowed to bring cameras but people happily take snaps & videos with their smartphones, some of which these days are as powerful as most SLR cameras! In places where photography is a strict no no, they will not allow you to take your mobile phone in either. Some concerts in UK now state that anyone who brings a mobile phone will be required to place it in a locked Yondr pouch before entering the auditorium.
What is there to do inside green island. Anything intersting or just walk around?
Just walk around
I haven’t been there since the 90s. Does it still have those cafes and restaurants?
Nope
lol, you’re giving this way too much thought Mark. The guy is both lazy and unaware of the rules, but intimidated from cameras. Actually what I faced once was weirder. I was stopped by a policeman in Souq Mubarkiya when I was walking there with my cousin and our DSLRs hanging around our necks. He asked us why are taking pictures and stuff, then went on telling us it’s prohibited to take photographs in public places without a permit and he should be confiscating our cameras. Gladly though it was at the very end of our photography trip, and we had enough pictures to go back with.
We definitely need clear, transparent rules on what we have the right to photograph or not. It’s pretty unclear here (talking from a legal standpoint). I’ve even asked a number of lawyers here and nobody was able to shed some light on the matter. I even emailed Mark’s collaborate, Fajer, with no reply unfortunately.
In comparison, in the US: you can photograph anywhere that is public access (which includes roads, side walks, police stations, post offices, and other government offices, etc.) Basically the only entities that can prevent you from photography are private businesses and some federal institutions. So nobody, including police, may prevent me from photography or even ask for my ID for it (since you only need to provide ID if you have committed a crime or they suspect you of committing a crime.) Obviously there is no need for a permit since photography is a right covered by the first and fourth amendments of the constitution, not a privilege.
If anyone has any information regarding what the legal standing of photography is in Kuwait, please let me know!
In the States I believe if its in public and you can see it with your eyes then you’re allowed to photograph it and that includes people. If you’re out in a public space then you can’t expect to get privacy.
Exactly! The way it should be.
I received funny looks from the police in the Souk when I was there taking pictures, but they didn’t stop me. Now outside the JACC was a different story, they told me no pictures were allowed from the sidewalk, but if I went across the street from the building I could take as many as I wanted…
mentally unstable regulations…
I was once taking some wrist shots of my watch with my phone, on the top of the Empire State Building (where everyone had a camera out). A security guard came out of no where and asked me if I was associated with the brand and if the photos will be used commercialy, highlighting that I would need to get approvals if so.
Not the same, just thought I’d share the experience. 🙂
nice shot
I faced a similar issue at Marina Crescent few months back. The security guard made me delete all the pictures I had taken there 🙁
Give it a visit on a Friday during October and tell me if you still think its so desolate
I got married in Kuwait about 10 years ago. It was a little weird because it was in an open plan office with both of us leaning over a cubicle while being asked questions about our religions. Anyway, outside the government buildings, we tried to take some photos against a white wall of me, my wife and our two witnesses. No chance. “This is a restricted area and you will be arrested unless you put the camera away”. So much for wedding day memories.
If laws are made using ballz instead of brains , this would happen.
Apparently there is a common belief that by taking the pictures at these sites, you’re going to steal and sell the design to someone else. I was questioned at the Constitution Monument in Al Shaheed about whether I worked for another government or just posting pictures on IG. The guard told me that taking pictures for my company is not allowed. 🤷🏾♂️
Is it the same now?