# 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:** 8
**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, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538/141 "2012-11-04T02:42:22Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > Railing without quoting. Thug life. Well I’ve only been doing this message board thing for like two days… I didn’t even know HOW to quote until today, and half the time I still forget to do it. ---
**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, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538/142 "2012-11-04T02:48:48Z")
> [@Troppus](#): > > You know what the beauty part of the internet is? At any moment in time, you can just bail on a discussion when things go pear-shaped and go find something else to talk about. Just back slowly out of thread, maybe while whistling softly and dragging a toe, and just quietly close the door behind you. > > Here’s to fresh starts! _cheers_ Oh, did I intrude on your domain? ---
**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, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538/143 "2012-11-04T02:52:52Z")
> [@drlarson](#): > > Oh, did I intrude on your domain? The lady’s trying to be nice to you, boy. I’m pretty sure you are a boy too, now. One of about 14-ish years. ---
**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, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538/144 "2012-11-04T02:53:48Z")
> [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](#): > > Hit control + F at the same time and that brings up a search box on your browser. Then put in your username. Read anything starting with your username. > > Seriously guy, you’re telling us how tough you are, then check out your conflicting statements pointed out in post #120 and then you admitting you were talking shit. Then you say something about how the person who supposedly called you would like to go someplace where there is no Bill of Rights and then a few minutes you’re railing about liberals and Bill of Rights and Communists lovers. Shortly after that you accuse **Troppus** of calling you when she’s being completely civil to you despite your increasingly odd posting pattern and now you’re pretending this is all normal. Plus on several occasions in this thread you aren’t quoting anyone yet seem to be railing against someone (in one case calling someone a thug?) so it seems like you’re just going off at random. I’d say that’s plenty of examples of bizarre. I’m not going to give you anymore. First of all I was never in the military. This medium is full of actors, and I am one of them. To me this is a place for sounding off if I want to. For using hyperbole. I don’t have to watch everything I say, like I do in my real life. But I’m not advocating harming anyone (beyond simply defending myself in one of those absurd hypothetical situations this thread has generated), unlike some people. ---
**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, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538/145 "2012-11-04T02:57:32Z")
> [@drlarson](#): > > Thank you for that information. But I don’t think I will go to that extreme. I must admit I have never had such a wild series of communications on a message board or anywhere. In fact, I am new to this medium. I’m not used to it. And when, early on in this thread, someone suggested I was creepy for saying that I could think of occasions where I would photograph people in public without their permission… I mean whoever it was, and I can’t even remember, was just so insulting that I felt like defending myself and hitting back at him or her and anyone who took up with that person. Gotcha. It sometimes helps to remember that sometimes posters are referring to the collective “You” rather than you, personally. It’s also good to note that all anyone can respond to are the words in front of them which may or may not represent you as a whole person. It’s tough to reveal your character without revealing your real life identity (which is rarely a good idea). Arguments happen here because there is a diversity of opinions, diversity of cultures, age groups, religious and political affiliation, etc. It’s not personal, and that’s the best part about it: since you aren’t surrounded by hand-picked peers and family members who mirror your views, you actually have a better chance at learning something new. Or, you can barge in raising hell, throwing around sarcastic comments and generally making mayhem. But people tend to respond in kind, so…give what you hope to get. Unless you’re really pissed. If that occurs, get thee to the BBQ Pit and fling shit with the other monkeys. Sometimes that is just what the doc ordered. ---
**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, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538/146 "2012-11-04T02:57:53Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > The lady’s trying to be nice to you, boy. I’m pretty sure you are a boy too, now. One of about 14-ish years. Yes, well, who was trying to be nice when she called this 14-ish boy on the phone to threaten him into silence? ---
**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, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538/147 "2012-11-04T03:02:37Z")
> [@drlarson](#): > > First of all I was never in the military. This medium is full of actors, and I am one of them. To me this is a place for sounding off if I want to. For using hyperbole. I don’t have to watch everything I say, like I do in my real life. But I’m not advocating harming anyone (beyond simply defending myself in one of those absurd hypothetical situations this thread has generated), unlike some people. Let me see if I’ve got this right. Earlier you said you were military trained and now you’re saying you lied about that, you weren’t in the military. Now you’re also saying that you’re an “actor” in this medium which means that you’re playing a part? So basically what you’re saying is that you are sounding off here by saying whatever you need to say whether it’s true or not so you can make your points? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2012, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538/148 "2012-11-04T03:03:15Z")
> [@Rodgers01](#): > > She’s not my superior - we’re peers. The pictures were for fun (someone’s birthday? can’t remember), nothing work-related. > And since the conversation has moved on to the wider question of taking pictures without permission (though that was definitely _not_ the case in my OP), I will say that I would not take anyone’s picture in public without their permission. Only exception is if, say, I’m taking pictures of Time Square and you, a stranger, happen to be in my crowd shot. In that case, well…sorry, but you’re in Time Square. But there’s a big difference between that kind of situation and purposely taking a close-up of an unknown individual without their knowledge or permission. That’s just kind of creepy. Well, as someone who is a photographer who started out in editorial/newspapers, I’m going to disagree about that, but part of the skill of being a good photojournalist or street photographer is figuring out how to handle those sorts of situations. Sometimes you shoot first, ask questions later; sometimes you explain what you’re doing first. A lot (I’d say most) of the greatest photographs taken wouldn’t exist if permission were always explicitly asked for. Anyhow, as to the OP, I say no, you don’t have the right to delete. Also, just so you know, if you really wanted to save those photos, you could have easily undeleted them with a utility, as long as you didn’t shoot anything afterwards and write over them. ---
**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, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538/149 "2012-11-04T03:04:39Z")
> [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](#): > > Let me see if I’ve got this right. Earlier you said you were military trained and now you’re saying you lied about that, you weren’t in the military. Now you’re also saying that you’re an “actor” in this medium which means that you’re playing a part? So basically what you’re saying is that you are sounding off here by saying whatever you need to say whether it’s true or not so you can make your points? Yes but there is an underlying truth that I do defend, and that is the First Amendment. I started on this thread just for the purpose of saying one little thing in defense of it, and then I felt I was attacked unjustly and meanly. ---
**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, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538/150 "2012-11-04T03:05:28Z")
> [@drlarson](#): > > Yes, well, who was trying to be nice when she called this 14-ish boy on the phone to threaten him into silence? Okay, drop this nonsense. It never happened. Or report threats to the police. Or quit going back and forth from refreshingly candid to theorizing conspiracies. Pick an online persona and stick with it. Good luck. Now I’m going to try whistling my way out of this thread. ---
**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, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538/151 "2012-11-04T03:05:41Z")
> [@drlarson](#): > > Yes, well, who was trying to be nice when she called this 14-ish boy on the phone to threaten him into silence? What threats were made? A beating? Getting your camera shoved up your ass? Telling your mommy? What? ---
**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, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538/152 "2012-11-04T03:22:02Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > What threats were made? A beating? Getting your camera shoved up your ass? Telling your mommy? What? No it was more like some breather who calls up and asks, “Have you checked the children?” ---
**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, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538/153 "2012-11-04T03:25:03Z")
I just hope she’s not like that insane astronaut chick who put on a diaper and drove nonstop halfway across the country in order to murder her rival. She was a little overboard. ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2012, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538/154 "2012-11-04T03:50:23Z")
Did you tell any of your friends about this argument you were having here? Maybe one of them made the call. ---
**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, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538/155 "2012-11-04T03:56:38Z")
> [@ZenBeam](#): > > Did you tell any of your friends about this argument you were having here? Maybe one of them made the call. No I never mentioned it to anyone, and I didn’t recognize the voice on the phone. Theoretically practically anyone could have viewed the postings, so who knows who the caller was? Somebody else posted that I probably shouldn’t use an email address that contains my full name. That might have been how she did it. But the only place I know of where my phone number is posted in a profile is on Facebook, and I thought I had my profile locked down there… ---
**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, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538/156 "2012-11-04T04:24:00Z")
> [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](#): > > 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. If you had read and understood my post that you quoted in full, you would see that I AGREE that photographer should refrain from taking photos when asked to do so. I wasn’t speaking to you I was speaking to Troppus who had just said > [@](#): > > 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.** When in fact, if you photography meets two easily met requirements, it does. BTW, photographers being arrested taking photos of “x” does not mean that photographer isn’t covered. It usually means the police are overstepping their bounds. Show me a photographer in Jail, for taking a photo, while in a public area. Not in America. So I wasn’t addressing you with the “fighting ignorance”, which, I don’t know I’ve heard that phrase somewhere… OH it is the motto of this message board! You don’t like that **Sleeps with Butterflies**? You’re in the wrong place. \*\* Now read all of this. I agree that a photographer, when asked, should refrain from taking photos of a person. \*\* I’ve always felt that way. You’re not changing my mind with your brilliant discussion. But you know what? I do have the legal right to take photos in public of anything in public. I’ll just remember to say I’m going to publish them online for my photo community to see. ---
**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, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538/157 "2012-11-04T05:09:52Z")
You still have to demonstrate that your subject is newsworthy, Zebra, if anyone objects. Voyeurism isn’t protected. ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2012, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538/158 "2012-11-04T05:26:35Z")
**TWEEET!** Let’s stop the hijacks now and try to get back to the OP and the debate that was at hand. If anyone has any problems with anyone else, start a new thread, preferably taking it to the BBQ Pit…or starting a new topic if you have a new topic you’d like to debate. > [@drlarson](#): > > I think the evidence strongly suggests that Troppus is the one who just made a threatening phone call to me through a blocked number. She used the same language as Troppus, and no other poster is attacking me. **drlarson** , your posts in this thread have mostly since gone way off the rails. Discontinue the hijacking and talking about things completely irrelevant to the subject at hand. If you’re having any real life problems, strange happenings, or concerns about other posters on this board, then you need to start threads pertaining to them in the proper forums. Stop all accusations and off-topic posts in this thread, however, thanks. Also know that “just talking shit” on this board can constitute as trolling and is against the rules. ---
**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, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538/159 "2012-11-04T05:38:34Z")
> [@Idle\_Thoughts](#): > > **TWEEET!** > > Let’s stop the hijacks now and try to get back to the OP and the debate that was at hand. > If anyone has any problems with anyone else, start a new thread, preferably taking it to the BBQ Pit…or starting a new topic if you have a new topic you’d like to debate. > > **drlarson** , your posts in this thread have mostly since gone way off the rails. Discontinue the hijacking and talking about things completely irrelevant to the subject at hand. > If you’re having any real life problems, strange happenings, or concerns about other posters on this board, then you need to start threads pertaining to them in the proper forums. > Stop all accusations and off-topic posts in this thread, however, thanks. > Also know that “just talking shit” on this board can constitute as trolling and is against the rules. Okay Moderator person. I read you. I am completely new to this, but I will try to conform a little. ---
**Author:** ![azraiel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@azraiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/azraiel)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2012, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538/160 "2012-11-04T06:29:42Z")
> [@Troppus](#): > > **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) Let me fix that for you: “taking photos for ‘her own personal use that she doesn’t intend to publish’ isn’t a protected right _under the press clause of the first amendment_.” Do you have an argument concerning either the photographer’s property right in her original work or in her right to record/document anything she sees in a public space? My breath’s bated. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-delete-pictures-of-yourself-on-someone-elses-camera/639538.md?page=9)