The Kuwaiti Ministry of Information, Ministry of Social Affairs and Ministry of Finance have banned the use of digital SLRs in public places such as streets and shopping malls, according to Kuwait Times.
The ban, which comes after the Kuwaiti government introduces new stringent rules on communication, will affect all amateur photographers, as well as most professional photographers - unless they use their DSLRs for journalism purposes, says Kuwait Times.
Point-and-shoot cameras as well as camera phones can still be used, says the government.
"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."
The Kuwait Times.
