Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council said it has received complaints from photographers following a statement it issued just over a week ago, and a subsequent article published in Amateur Photographer.

In an email sent to Amateur Photographer this morning, the council’s corporate communications manager Lee-Anne Leyshon said she hopes photographers will not be discouraged from pursuing their hobby.

‘We’re receiving emails from readers from linked pages to your website asking why Merthry Tydfil County Borough Council is banning photography.

‘As your readers are misunderstanding the information on the Amateur Photography (sic) website, please would you clarify this within your article?’

Leyshon adds: ‘The Council is not banning photography, neither is it “anti-photographers” in any way and we already enjoy a productive relationship with various amateur photographers and camera clubs.

‘To clarify what seems to have been misrepresented and misunderstood on this issue, the Council, as a corporate parent takes a sensible approach that is intended to safeguard both the subjects and the photographers.

‘Indeed, this process has regularly enabled amateur photographers to work successfully with the Council at various events, where they have freely shared their photographs afterwards with the Council for promotional purposes, and – in return – the Council has credited the amateur photographer.’

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