# Do you have a right to delete pictures of yourself on someone else's camera? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 1, 2012, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538 "2012-11-01T06:36:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Troppus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a587f6/32.png) [@Troppus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troppus)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2012, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538/101 "2012-11-03T10:39:03Z")
> [@drlarson](#): > > Well of course. I totally agree with you. What do you think I’m some kind of pervert?! I’ve got standards just like you. You always run to the furthest extreme in order to try and win an argument. Jesus! I don’t know you. Have you considered how you would feel if you were at the zoo with your child or your little brother or sister and noticed a stranger with a camera trained on the child? Would you be totally cool with that? Or how about the guy I caught at the first high school football game of the year pretending to photograph the game, the band, and cheerleaders while snapping downshirt photos of women sitting in the bleachers below him? Totally legal, the women had no idea, and since it was a warm September day, many women were sporting tank tops and other low cut apparel, so I guess you feel they were asking for it, and since they were blissfully unaware that a stranger was creeping around above them, he wasn’t hurting anybody, right? If you can’t imagine a scenario where a total stranger snapping photos of you or your family members without your consent in a non-newsworthy situation, then keep on stalking strangers at the zoo. Eventually someone in real life will ask you to cut it out because it makes them uncomfortable for legitimate reasons. ---
**Author:** ![Troppus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a587f6/32.png) [@Troppus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troppus)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2012, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538/102 "2012-11-03T11:03:37Z")
> [@drlarson](#): > > Well obviously both sides of this argument are going too far. How often do you see creepy photographers taking pictures of children playing in a park? Jesus get a grip! I haven’t encountered that, but I have it on good authority that someone enjoys taking pictures of strangers at a zoo. ---
**Author:** ![theLuckyWalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3ab097/32.png) [@theLuckyWalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/theLuckyWalker)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2012, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538/103 "2012-11-03T15:28:15Z")
Oh of course I totally agree there are boundaries that should be respected. However, at any sports event you are likely to find photographers shooting not only the players but also the spectators. It’s part of the scene, and the reactions of fans is sometimes just as interesting as what’s happening on the field. This is just common sense stuff. And by the way, I just checked on Wikipedia and “upskirt” photography IS illegal even in public because women have a reasonable expectation of privacy in that regard, so let’s not get confused and go off on radical tangents just to win points in an argument, okay? ---
**Author:** ![theLuckyWalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3ab097/32.png) [@theLuckyWalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/theLuckyWalker)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2012, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538/104 "2012-11-03T15:34:01Z")
Well, I was at the elephant exhibit, and there was a big crowd. I was shooting the elephants and people were jostling for a view. Some people got in my shot, and then I got interested in the expressions and reactions of the visitors, and some of the things they were saying about the elephants. I thought that was almost as interesting as the elephants themselves. Their impatience, their reactions to the smell of elephant dung, their letdown over the physical appearance of the animals. But some people were extremely excited to see the elephants and that was also interesting. So I don’t think there was anything weird or abnormal about wanting to record the reactions of visitors to the zoo looking at elephants, and I take offense to people here irresponsibly attempting to label me in some highly negative manner. If you had been there you would have seen that it was normal activity and it didn’t bother anyone. ---
**Author:** ![theLuckyWalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3ab097/32.png) [@theLuckyWalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/theLuckyWalker)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2012, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538/105 "2012-11-03T15:37:21Z")
> [@Troppus](#): > > Because you might share those pics on FB, Flickr, Picasa, or any number of online or print publications. And while you might have no nefarious intentions, those who do might download, print, or share the pics of my little girl. And if I ever found catch astranger taking pictures of my cute kid in a bathing suit, bending over to feed the baby goats at the petting zoo, or playing at the pool, I’m going to alert everyone in the vicinity to the intrusion and probably ask management to remove the intruder. > > TLDR: because I don’t want some creeper taking photos of my kid. Of course. That would be unacceptable. I’m not talking about THAT kind of photography. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2012, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538/106 "2012-11-03T17:20:29Z")
> [@drlarson](#): > > Of course. That would be unacceptable. I’m not talking about THAT kind of photography. Nobody is, except for **Troppus**. ---
**Author:** ![Troppus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a587f6/32.png) [@Troppus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troppus)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2012, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538/107 "2012-11-03T17:50:27Z")
> [@drlarson](#): > > Of course. That would be unacceptable. I’m not talking about THAT kind of photography. Giving you an example of why a stranger might be uncomfortable with your lens trained on them. Is it that difficult to place yourself in the shoes of your subjects? ---
**Author:** ![theLuckyWalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3ab097/32.png) [@theLuckyWalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/theLuckyWalker)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2012, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538/108 "2012-11-03T23:23:29Z")
> [@Troppus](#): > > Giving you an example of why a stranger might be uncomfortable with your lens trained on them. Is it that difficult to place yourself in the shoes of your subjects? Yes of course I can. But you are over the top my friend. There is no reason to jump to disgusting conclusions. I have never photographed anyone who objected, in spite of my vocal advocacy on behalf of the First Amendment. ---
**Author:** ![Troppus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a587f6/32.png) [@Troppus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troppus)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2012, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538/109 "2012-11-03T23:34:13Z")
> [@drlarson](#): > > Yes of course I can. But you are over the top my friend. There is no reason to jump to disgusting conclusions. I have never photographed anyone who objected, in spite of my vocal advocacy on behalf of the First Amendment. Since I’ve been unable to convince you why someone might object to a stranger taking photos without first obtaining permission, I’m going to drop this hijack. If anyone catches your lens trained on them and voices a complaint, just assume it’s me. But don’t respond with a First Amendment defense, because photography isn’t covered by that one. ---
**Author:** ![theLuckyWalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3ab097/32.png) [@theLuckyWalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/theLuckyWalker)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2012, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538/110 "2012-11-03T23:53:41Z")
Well, there are exceptions, but particularly as long as the photographs I am taking ARE for public consumption and not for my personal use, I have first amendment protections for taking pictures in public. > **[First Amendment under attack](https://darkroom.baltimoresun.com/2012/08/first-amendment-under-attack/)** > > \
\1 photo Public spaces are fair game for photographers – a right protected under the First Amendment as free speech. But... There are many websites that agree with the link I just pasted. I’m not even much of a photographer at all Troppus. I certainly don’t wish to piss anybody off. This is just a forum for sounding off! In my real life, I am a professional person who is normal in every way. I was just recently struck by the fact that under the law you don’t actually have to go around and ask everybody in view for permission to film, so I thought it would be cool to take man-on-the-street video. It’s not even a fully-baked plan. Just an idea. I am not trying to harm anyone or make them feel violated. Don’t worry: if you are hiding from America’s Most Wanted, I will agree not to take your picture! I mean, I wouldn’t want to be murdered by some fugitive for threatening to expose him to John Walsh hahaha! (I’m just kidding… Don’t be so uptight!) ---
**Author:** ![Troppus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a587f6/32.png) [@Troppus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troppus)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2012, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538/111 "2012-11-04T00:40:26Z")
> [@drlarson](#): > > And some people on this thread have no sense of decency or justice, because it is unjust to imply that another poster is some kind of pervert just for quoting the law! > [@drlarson](#): > > Don’t worry: if you are hiding from America’s Most Wanted, I will agree not to take your picture! I mean, I wouldn’t want to be muy some fugitive for threatening to expose him to John Walsh hahaha! (I’m just kidding… Don’t be so uptight!) Well I never! It is unjust to imply that another poster who doesn’t want strangers to photograph her in non newsworthy venues without asking permission is some kind of fugitive just for quoting my preferences about capturing my image! ---
**Author:** ![theLuckyWalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3ab097/32.png) [@theLuckyWalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/theLuckyWalker)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2012, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538/112 "2012-11-04T00:47:16Z")
> [@Troppus](#): > > Well I never! It is unjust to imply that another poster who doesn’t want strangers to photograph her in non newsworthy venues without asking permission is some kind of fugitive just for quoting my preferences about capturing my image! Oh my apologies! For some reason I thought you were a guy sticking his chest out at me. And I promise not to aim my camera directly at you without asking for permission. Unless I am shooting at an outdoor concert and you are in my field of view while I am photographing the band. Unless you are a Hopi Indian and I am at the Oraibi reservation it would be totally weird and inappropriate for you to tell me hey! don’t take my picture! ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2012, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538/113 "2012-11-04T00:50:14Z")
> [@Troppus](#): > > Since I’ve been unable to convince you why someone might object to a stranger taking photos without first obtaining permission, I’m going to drop this hijack. If anyone catches your lens trained on them and voices a complaint, just assume it’s me. But don’t respond with a First Amendment defense, because photography isn’t covered by that one. This hijack is the thread and we’re trying to fight your ignorance. It is, in fact, a first amendment issue. Photographers are covered by the 1st Amendment. As long as they and their subject are in public. That is a fact that you need to learn. Only then will the hijack end. Yes! Some people don’t like having their photograph take for a variety of reasons. Yes! If someone requests to not have their photo or a photo of their child take, the photographer should comply out of courtesy. Most of them will do that. It is not courtesy to attack the photographer either physically or calling them a pedophile without any other evidence than they are photographing a child. But, in public, it is perfectly legal to take those photographs. ---
**Author:** ![Troppus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a587f6/32.png) [@Troppus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troppus)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2012, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538/114 "2012-11-04T01:01:35Z")
> [@drlarson](#): > > Oh my apologies! For some reason I thought you were a guy sticking his chest out at me. And I promise not to aim my camera directly at you without asking for permission. Unless I am shooting at an outdoor concert and you are in my field of view while I am photographing the band. Unless you are a Hopi Indian and I am at the Oraibi reservation it would be totally weird and inappropriate for you to tell me hey! don’t take my picture! Yah I’m totally yanking your chain. I am female, but that’s irrelevant to this discussion as I’m totally unafraid to confront a stranger in public and say “Cut it out.” I am pretty careful with my own and my daughter’s online presence, and prefer to control our images (inasmuch as I am able) for the sake of my job, her safety, and our privacy. I don’t think you’re stealing souls; I think you’re being a nuisance “because it’s legal”. Now if you ask permission and offer a quick explanation of your project, (school project, art, news, whatever) I will be much more likely to leave you to your work. Pan a crowd: no biggie. Zoom in on my cute kid: expect me to call attention to what you are doing. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2012, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538/115 "2012-11-04T01:04:12Z")
Yeah. We know it’s legal. Why don’t you go ahead and tell us again anyway, though, despite the fact that nobody disputes it. What I am saying is that if I have specifically asked you not to take my picture and you insist on doing it anyway, you are an asshole and I am going to treat you as such. ---
**Author:** ![Troppus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a587f6/32.png) [@Troppus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troppus)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2012, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538/116 "2012-11-04T01:13:10Z")
**Zebra** , taking photos for “her own personal use that she doesn’t intend to publish” isn’t a protected right. [http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/photography-the-first-amendment](http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/photography-the-first-amendment) ---
**Author:** ![theLuckyWalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3ab097/32.png) [@theLuckyWalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/theLuckyWalker)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2012, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538/117 "2012-11-04T01:20:47Z")
When did I ever say I was taking your picture, specifically you, and I refuse to ask your permission? ---
**Author:** ![theLuckyWalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3ab097/32.png) [@theLuckyWalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/theLuckyWalker)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2012, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538/118 "2012-11-04T01:22:22Z")
Right Troppus, so I will just say I am making videos for YouTube. That short-circuits that argument. ---
**Author:** ![Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleeps_With_Butterflies)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2012, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538/119 "2012-11-04T01:23:20Z")
> [@Zebra](#): > > This hijack is the thread and we’re trying to fight your ignorance. > > It is, in fact, a first amendment issue. Photographers are covered by the 1st Amendment. As long as they and their subject are in public.\*\* That is a fact that you need to learn. Only then will the hijack end. \*\* > > Yes! Some people don’t like having their photograph take for a variety of reasons. > > Yes! If someone requests to not have their photo or a photo of their child take, the photographer should comply out of courtesy. Most of them will do that. It is not courtesy to attack the photographer either physically or calling them a pedophile without any other evidence than they are photographing a child. > > But, in public, it is perfectly legal to take those photographs. Kudos to you for trotting out that old tired “we’re here to fight your ignorance!” Here they come to save the dayyyyyyy! Hilarious. The part I bolded above couldn’t sound more sanctimonious, smug, and obnoxious if you tried. It’s like you’re channeling some kind of bad movie dialogue where you’re some kind of hero instead of someone yapping on a messageboard. Also, please stop exaggerating what most people in this thread are saying to make some point that most people here already agree with. Only one or two people said anything about violence and most people here are acknowledging that it is legal to take photographs so why on earth are you going on about that some more? Seriously, your last sentence has been beaten to death and back but here you are acting as if you’re laying down some sweet, sweet knowledge for all of us not in the know. So let’s try again: Most.people.here.already.said.they.know.you.can.take.pictures.in.public.according.to.the.law. I believe what some are trying to say (I know that was my point earlier) is that regardless of your “right” to do so, if someone expresses discomfort with the idea of having their picture taken one would hope the photographer would honor the request of said person instead of going with “IT IS MY RIGHT TO DO SO!” That’s all. For those who have indicated that they would, in fact, not take the picture or delete the picture if already taken then that’s awesome. For everyone else we KNOW it’s your right to do so, hopefully I’ve said that enough times so nobody else has to swoop in with their fighting ignorance cape to tell us again for the eleventy billionth time. ---
**Author:** ![Troppus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a587f6/32.png) [@Troppus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troppus)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2012, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538/120 "2012-11-04T01:39:08Z")
> [@drlarson](#): > > Well maybe the very fact that you don’t want to be photographed is a reason to take your picture. > [@drlarson](#): > > When did I ever say I was taking your picture, specifically you, and I refuse to ask your permission? I believe you stated your intentions pretty clearly upthread. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538.md?page=7)