A view of Kuwait City. Captured by Flickr user i.embrace.

The image you see above could have gotten the photographer in serious trouble.

In a bizarre move aimed at protecting safety and privacy, the city of Kuwait has banned all DSLR cameras. In other words, unless you’re an official press photographer, anyone looking to capture street photos in one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world better be extra careful.

Three of Kuwait’s ministries — the Ministry of Information, the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Ministry of Finance — have prohibited the use of DSLR cameras in public places, like on streets or in shopping malls, after deciding photography should be used only for journalistic purposes.

But the strange part is that they haven’t actually banned taking photographs in these places. Instead, they’ve focused solely on DSLRs, or Digital Single Lens Reflex Cameras. That seems really strange, especially in a world where most cell phones can now capture amazing images. And since accredited journalists are in the clear, the ban seems to have a potentially huge effect on one group in particular: tourists.

The ban has left many puzzled by the focus on DSLRs and not other cameras. One explanation: big cameras scare people. Not only do some officials believe that high-quality images can help provide info for terrorists, but some are afraid a bomb can be disguised to look like a hefty DSLR. But until the Kuwaiti government explains the reasons behind its ban, all we can do is speculate.

Of course, the real victim in this is the photography. Kuwait City’s beautiful landscape will now be virtually off-limits to amateur photographers who want to capture images with their DSLRs. What do you think? Are Kuwait’s ministries overreacting, or do they have legitimate reason for concern? Have you ever experienced problems with bringing your camera into public places?