I recently bought a new digital camera and have been practicing in order to be able to master exposure, shutter speed, aperture, etc. For today’s lesson I went down to the beach. Most of my shots were of birds (trying to capture them in flight, taking off, landing, etc.) and pets along the boardwalk.
At one point, however, there were a group of people who were playing ball on the beach. None were wearing anything particularly revealing… it was just a group of friends playing. Figuring it was a good chance to capture some “action” shots, I began shooting some pictures of them.
After a while, one of them came over and asked that I stop taking pictures. Not wanting to offend, I complied with their request.
However, that got me thinking… it is considered rude to take pictures of strangers (when they have not explicitly said not to, of course)? Or is there a limit (one or two pix are okay, but too many would be rude)? Is there some sort of guideline? I certainly don’t want to be rude, but, on the other hand, I want to photograph more than simply my family and friends.
It’s really kind of creepy and I would definitely wonder *why *you felt you needed to take pictures of me and my friends. I mean, there’s been discussions all over the boards about the legality, and I don’t think I could stop you, but at the very least I’d eventually quit my game and walk away from the weird creepy pervert.
Just my two cents. I’m female, btw, I’m sure that contributes.
That specific circumstance is not so bad, but it is kinda weird. Perhaps you should tell them WHY you want to take the picture and then ask for there permission.
Of course taking picture of individual people is always sketchy.
I would find it a bit odd if I was in public and a stranger took a photo that was unquestionably of me. If he took a bunch, I would find it more odd. Exception: If I was in a touristy-type area or near something which might be photo-worthy (like architecture), and I could justify it by thinking you were shooting past me, then it wouldn’t be as strange.
Aside: This is actually what I had the biggest problem with in my photojournalism class. I felt entirely too uncomfortable taking pictures of strangers in public, then approaching them to take their name and information (even though I had the explanation that I was in photojournalism class and this town has TWO daily newspapers and at least one photojournalism class each semester, and the town’s not that big, so folks are probably used to it). I got over it, at least enough to finish the class. Never had anyone confront me about it though.
On preview: There’s really no discussion about legality – if they’re in a public place, the act of you taking the photos is unquestionably legal. Publishing is where you would run into any problems (and then not always).
Odd, maybe, but under most circumstances I would say it is not rude. It makes some feel uncomfortable, but some people are flattered - sometimes even hamming it up.
I like to take photos of interesting people when I travel to complement the interesting buildings and landmarks. If I’m being unobtrusive, I see no problem - I usually use a long lens. If a photographer went up to one person and goes all paparazzi on them - yeah, that’s rude. A snap or two - meh.
FYI and FWIW, I carry a copy of The Photographer’s Right for the so-far-hypothetical time I simply must have that shot but someone protests. In a case like you describe I wouldn’t invoke it. But I’ve taken pics post-9/11 of the Ambassador Bridge (linking Detroit MI to Windsor ON) and had it in my camera bag just in case some security conscious someone had a problem with me scoping out an international traderoute.
It’s very situational. For example, riding in the Swan Boats in the Boston Public Gardens, you’re almost always going to be in some stranger’s picture. But that’s one end of the spectrum, and working down from there, it gets dicier and dicier. On the beach, if you took a panoramic view that happened to include some strangers, it probably would not be an issue. But zeroing in on one group of people, and taking more than one picture – well, I think most of us would agree that’s intrusive, and a little risky as well.
To act as the chorus, it really depends on the situation. Definitely dont take pictures of Amish people though. While they may not think you’re stealing their soul, it’s definitely very rude.
If you find the person at all sexually attractive, that’s a good sign you should not be contemplating snapping their picture - unless you’ve got the crust to tell them so.
Personally, I enjoy having my pic taken even though I’m arguably not very photogenic so I would not care much if some random photographer was taking photos on a scenic location and happened to snap one or two of me, but I would probably find it weird if the photographer seemed to be paying special attention to me (or the group I was with). It might seem like you were spying on them or something.
If you really want to be able to take pics of other folks without controversy, I’d bet if you posted an ad on your local Craig’s list you could find some bored folks who would think it was fun to meet up with you at the beach or whatever and do some modeling for you (might meet some weirdos that way too, but at least it seems a little less likely to lead to trouble than snapping pics of someone without their consent).
I wouldn’t care, but then I’m a very amateur photographer myself (very!) and I work on the assumption that if I’m in public they have every right to do so.
An aside: a while back my husband and I were out taking scenic views of Boston and this very extroverted guy bounced up and said “Hey, you can take my picture!” and I did, and he bounced off again without leaving contact info or anything so I could get the photo to him. I love that photo, he has such a great expression on his face.
Well, as someone who is interested in photography, and in the history of street and documentary photography, i don’t think it’s rude or creepy at all. If you’re in a public place, you’re fair game.
That said, however, some people can get irrationally paranoid about this sort of thing, and some might even get violent, so prudence suggests that you should evaluate each particular situation and decide whether your right to take the pictures is worth asserting in the face of hostile subjects. The assholes might not have a legal leg to stand on, but that’s not much consolation when you’re nursing a broken camera or a broken nose.
In that situation, I would have just said that I had a new camera and was breaking it in. Show them some of the shots.
When I do take photos of people in public, I do try to be not noticed by them while I’m doing it. It usually makes a better photo, or at least the sort of photo I like.
My apologies, BABYMAC, but we do not allow posters under the age of thirteen. Please, come back next year. We won’t count this against your guest membership.
Sorry for the hijack, but reading that article got a little piece of dust in my eye. What a terrible thing to have happen to what seems to have been such a cool guy =(
The perp seems to have gotten the idea that deadly force, not “HEY, QUIT SNAPPIN!”, is the proper response to an unexpected shutterbug. Perhaps a devotee of Sean Penn gone a little wrong - more likely, though, a likkered-up musclehead looking for someone to hurt.
Just like looking at someone is ok, but staring is rude, there are limits to taking pictures of people on public places. A quick snap is fine, getting in their faces or staying there for too long is rude with or without the camera, I think
I’ve always adhered to a one-picture-per-person rule, like the girl in Shortbus. She was offensive about it, but I think if you’re nonchalant and you don’t sneak around like you’re trying to get away with something most people would be cool with it, right? I mean, I’d like to think I would be.
so I would not care much if some random photographer was taking photos on a scenic location and happened to snap one or two of me, but I would probably find it weird if the photographer seemed to be paying special attention to me (or the group I was with). It might seem like you were spying on them or something.