Kuwait Bans Public Use of dSLRs

Amateur photographers living in Kuwait are dealing with a pretty big issue. The use of dSLR cameras in public has been banned by the Ministry of Information, the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Ministry of Finance. That means no dSLR photography in malls, parks or even on the streets.

Strangely, only dSLRs have been banned. If you've got a cell phone with a camera, or a point-and-shoot, you're still free to do what you like with your camera. dSLRs frighten people, apparently, and a passersby "may wonder if the camera is being used for the wrong reasons."

"Switching to abstract and landscape photography was one of the options I considered after getting into enough trouble," says photographer Mariam Al-Fodiry. Mohammed Al-Eisa ran into issues with the authorities too, stating "I started facing problems the very first day I bought my camera."

Members of the press are still able to use dSLRs as they see fit as the restriction does not apply to them.

You can find out more in an article from the Kuwait Times.