# Is It Rude To Take Pictures Of Strangers? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 28, 2007, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-take-pictures-of-strangers/405812 "2007-05-28T19:07:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Evil\_One](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/45deac/32.png) [@Evil\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_One)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2007, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-take-pictures-of-strangers/405812/41 "2007-06-01T16:08:06Z")
[QUOTE=mhendo] But i must say, the idea that you would specifically put someone on the news just because they got angry with you, when the story was not about them as an individual, doesn’t say much for your sense of news values. It’s this sort of “visuals over substance” attitude that is so much of what’s wrong with the modern news media. [/QUOTE] The shots were chosen for composition as it related to the script and for artistic value. Lets say I tilt the camera toward the sun to get the “shadow effect” of the iris closing down as people walked between the camera and the sun. I get the perfect shot. Then one of the people turns and starts giving me a hard time. I’m not an instant ass. I try to be polite. But I’m not going to give up a great shot because some airhead thinks I’m “teh stalker!” instead of a professional. As to the attitude, here is the way many news photographers think, but will not admit. By the time you have shot fatal accidents, funerals, fires and all other manner of events, you become desensitized. I viewed the people around me as part of the environment. A fencepost doesn’t bitch when you take its picture and neither should they. Put simply, don’t come up to me and perform for the camera, don’t bitch when I point the camera at you, don’t complain about a news story you saw last week. Just go about your business, let me shoot you and then move on to my next assignment. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2007, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-take-pictures-of-strangers/405812/42 "2007-06-01T16:30:00Z")
I took this one of an awesome little dude I saw in Grant Park. [http://new.photos.yahoo.com/karlen1956/photo/294928804408610691/0](http://new.photos.yahoo.com/karlen1956/photo/294928804408610691/0) His parents were a little weirded out for about a second, but as soon as I oooh’d and aaah’d over him, they chilled out. However, I am a woman and am probably much less threatening than a strange man with a camera is. Hey…it’s a public place and it’s your right to photograph anything you want. People who get bent out of shape need to get over themselves. ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2007, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-take-pictures-of-strangers/405812/43 "2007-06-01T16:39:07Z")
[Here’s my cute child picture.](http://www.flickr.com/photos/75905404@N00/524146843/) He was standing in front of a stage, in a public park, in front of several hundred people, including at least 6 photographers, while the state governor was on stage giving a speech. I have no idea where his parents were, though they were probably somewhere in the crowd, but he was in a pretty public place, and I didn’t see any reason to ask permission. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2007, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-take-pictures-of-strangers/405812/44 "2007-06-01T16:46:29Z")
[QUOTE=Kalhoun] Hey…it’s a public place and it’s your right to photograph anything you want. People who get bent out of shape need to get over themselves. [/QUOTE] Attitudes like this are part of why I don’t like going out in public when I don’t have to. It’s also why I never pursued a music career, I wouldn’t be able to handle people invading my life just because it was legal for them to do so with a camera. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2007, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-take-pictures-of-strangers/405812/45 "2007-06-01T17:08:54Z")
[QUOTE=Antinor01] Attitudes like this are part of why I don’t like going out in public when I don’t have to. It’s also why I never pursued a music career, I wouldn’t be able to handle people invading my life just because it was legal for them to do so with a camera. [/QUOTE] Invading in YOUR life? How do you figure? They’re not hurting you. They’re not even speaking to you, are they? ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2007, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-take-pictures-of-strangers/405812/46 "2007-06-01T17:15:32Z")
[QUOTE=Kalhoun] Invading in YOUR life? How do you figure? They’re not hurting you. They’re not even speaking to you, are they? [/QUOTE] It’s my face, my body, my life. They are using my image for their own purpose. I consider that an invasion. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2007, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-take-pictures-of-strangers/405812/47 "2007-06-01T18:28:40Z")
[Google (View) Zooms In Too Close for Some](http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/01/technology/01private.html?ei=5065&en=036c99c5b879bfb5&ex=1181275200&partner=MYWAY&pagewanted=print) (NYT: may require free registration. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2007, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-take-pictures-of-strangers/405812/48 "2007-06-01T18:43:51Z")
[QUOTE=Antinor01] It’s my face, my body, my life. They are using my image for their own purpose. I consider that an invasion. [/QUOTE] Anyone who looks at you, sells you something, or interacts with you in any way at all is using you for their own purpose. I don’t get what your problem is. That’s why it’s called _interaction._ ---
**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:** [June 1, 2007, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-take-pictures-of-strangers/405812/49 "2007-06-01T18:51:56Z")
I used to be a newspaper and wire photographer. Basically, to echo a lot of posters, it’s situational. If I’m going to be taking pictures of somebody for an extended period of time, I might snap a couple of quick ones, approach the subject, explain who I am and what I’m doing, and go back to photographing. If I’m at a rally or other news event, it should be pretty obvious to all attending that they will be photographed, so I’ll just snap away and ask for caption information where necessary. For work-related stuff, often it was snap first, ask questions later. For my own personal work, I always ask first if I feel that the person I’m photographing may be put off or creeped out. If someone asks me not to take their picture (in a non-news context), I don’t. It’s just a picture. Who gives a damn. There’s always another picture around the corner. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2007, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-take-pictures-of-strangers/405812/50 "2007-06-01T18:54:50Z")
[QUOTE=Kalhoun] Anyone who looks at you, sells you something, or interacts with you in any way at all is using you for their own purpose. I don’t get what your problem is. That’s why it’s called _interaction._ [/QUOTE] Except it isn’t interaction. Other interactions such as selling me something or having a conversation with me offer a benefit to both parties and also leaves a way for me to leave the interaction. Photographing me without my consent and using that photograph for any purpose, from putting it on a website to placing it on the evening news, is hardly interactive. That is where it crosses the line to being invasive. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2007, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-take-pictures-of-strangers/405812/51 "2007-06-01T18:57:55Z")
[QUOTE=Antinor01] Except it isn’t interaction. Other interactions such as selling me something or having a conversation with me offer a benefit to both parties and also leaves a way for me to leave the interaction. Photographing me without my consent and using that photograph for any purpose, from putting it on a website to placing it on the evening news, is hardly interactive. That is where it crosses the line to being invasive. [/QUOTE] What if they have it hanging on their wall at home? Or in their wallet? Or in an album? (Not that I think putting it on the web is invasive. I just want to know where you draw the arbitrary line of invasiveness.) ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2007, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-take-pictures-of-strangers/405812/52 "2007-06-01T19:07:12Z")
[QUOTE=Kalhoun] What if they have it hanging on their wall at home? Or in their wallet? Or in an album? (Not that I think putting it on the web is invasive. I just want to know where you draw the arbitrary line of invasiveness.) [/QUOTE] Those were meant to be examples as cited by others in this thread and not a complete catalog, the ‘any purpose’ part covers everything else. I find the photographing me without my consent to be the invasion, the further usage of that unconsented to photo is only an extension of the violation. (good grief, do people actually photograph strangers and carry the picture in their wallet?? That sounds uber-creepy and stalkerish to me) I do understand that not everyone feels this way and that in the course of my life it will probably happen. That doesn’t mean I have to like it and when asked my opinion I will give it. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2007, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-take-pictures-of-strangers/405812/53 "2007-06-01T19:10:44Z")
[QUOTE=Antinor01] Those were meant to be examples as cited by others in this thread and not a complete catalog, the ‘any purpose’ part covers everything else. I find the photographing me without my consent to be the invasion, the further usage of that unconsented to photo is only an extension of the violation. (good grief, do people actually photograph strangers and carry the picture in their wallet?? That sounds uber-creepy and stalkerish to me) I do understand that not everyone feels this way and that in the course of my life it will probably happen. That doesn’t mean I have to like it and when asked my opinion I will give it. [/QUOTE] I don’t know what people do with their photographs. I share my photos of strangers with others and I guess I just don’t understand what about it makes you feel violated. ---
**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:** [June 1, 2007, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-take-pictures-of-strangers/405812/54 "2007-06-01T19:13:39Z")
[QUOTE=Antinor01] Except it isn’t interaction. Other interactions such as selling me something or having a conversation with me offer a benefit to both parties and also leaves a way for me to leave the interaction. Photographing me without my consent and using that photograph for any purpose, from putting it on a website to placing it on the evening news, is hardly interactive. That is where it crosses the line to being invasive. [/QUOTE] Legally, photographers are not allowed to use your photograph without your consent for _any_ purpose. For editorial purposes, yes (and there are even some caveats to that, involving minors and the such). For commercial purposes, absolutely not. To sell as stock, nope. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2007, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-take-pictures-of-strangers/405812/55 "2007-06-01T19:20:40Z")
[QUOTE=pulykamell] Legally, photographers are not allowed to use your photograph without your consent for _any_ purpose. For editorial purposes, yes (and there are even some caveats to that, involving minors and the such). For commercial purposes, absolutely not. To sell as stock, nope. [/QUOTE] Cite? ---
**Author:** ![Nature\_s\_Call](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nature_s_call/32/19006_2.png) [@Nature\_s\_Call](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nature_s_Call)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2007, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-take-pictures-of-strangers/405812/56 "2007-06-01T19:38:33Z")
A photographer taking a picture of your face for their purpose is very, very similar to a salesman using your ears and attention for their purposes. Yes, a photo is permanent, one may argue, but your ears and your attention are a greater direct cost to you. Neither is an invasion. Now, I get why being the subject of a stranger’s shutter bug is uncomfortable. What are the photographer’s motives? Not knowing invites one to fear the worst. The taking of the picture, in and of itself, is not the issue - it’s knowingly putting someone in that uncomfortable position that’s rude. But what is the worst that can happen if a stranger takes my picture? They publish it. Happens all the time in newspapers with no adverse affect. He puts it on his web site? So what - where’s the harm? Now, if it’s accompanied with a libelous write up, or if the photo is altered in a way that compromises my reputation, well I can consider a law suit. But short of that, where’s the actual (not perceived) harm? Is it _really_ an invasion of any kind? ---
**Author:** ![Nature\_s\_Call](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nature_s_call/32/19006_2.png) [@Nature\_s\_Call](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nature_s_Call)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2007, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-take-pictures-of-strangers/405812/57 "2007-06-01T19:44:36Z")
[QUOTE=pulykamell] Legally, photographers are not allowed to use your photograph without your consent for _any_ purpose. For editorial purposes, yes (and there are even some caveats to that, involving minors and the such). For commercial purposes, absolutely not. To sell as stock, nope. [/QUOTE] Anti-cite: [The Photographer’s Right](http://www.krages.com/phoright.htm) > [@Bert P. Krages](#): > > Despite misconceptions to the contrary, the following subjects can almost always be photographed lawfully from public places: > [ul] > [li]accident and fire scenes[/li][li]children[/li][li]celebrities[/li][li]bridges and other infrastructure[/li][li]residential and commercial buildings[/li][li]industrial facilities and public utilities[/li][li]transportation facilities (e.g., airports)[/li][li]Superfund sites[/li][li]criminal activities[/li][li]law enforcement officers[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2007, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-take-pictures-of-strangers/405812/58 "2007-06-01T19:45:03Z")
[QUOTE=Kalhoun] I don’t know what people do with their photographs. I share my photos of strangers with others and I guess I just don’t understand what about it makes you feel violated. [/QUOTE] It’s hard to describe really. I’m a fairly private person overall and it feels like an invasion of my space. I would liken it to a stranger sitting and staring at me or obviously listening in on my conversations. That person isn’t actively causing me harm either but it feels invasive. They are coming into my life uninvited and I don’t care for that. ---
**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:** [June 1, 2007, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-take-pictures-of-strangers/405812/59 "2007-06-01T19:45:15Z")
[QUOTE=Kalhoun] Cite? [/QUOTE] On reread, I think my stess of “any” may be confusing. I mean that they can’t just take and _use_ your picture for any reason they want. There’s specific usages, such as commercial use, that require model releases. I can’t just take a picture of you in the street and use it in a nationwide advertising campaign for Hagen-Dazs without your permission. ---
**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:** [June 1, 2007, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-take-pictures-of-strangers/405812/60 "2007-06-01T19:46:53Z")
[QUOTE=Nature’s Call] Anti-cite: [The Photographer’s Right](http://www.krages.com/phoright.htm) [/QUOTE] I am not disputing that. I’m disputing how the photographs can be used. > [@](#): > > Legally, photographers are not allowed to **use** your photograph without your consent for any purpose. Where it says “any,” substitute “just any” to understand what I was trying to convey. Your cite only indicates what is lawful to photograph. Having the legal right to photograph something and how that photograph can be legally used are two different issues. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-take-pictures-of-strangers/405812.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-rude-to-take-pictures-of-strangers/405812.md?page=4)