# Photographing strangers out in public **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 25, 2014, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photographing-strangers-out-in-public/684564 "2014-03-25T23:45:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2014, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photographing-strangers-out-in-public/684564/101 "2014-03-29T01:49:42Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > So you’re saying it’s OK to engage in dickish behaviour if it’s legal? That’s what they always say, even they they won’t admit it’s dickish behavior. Hiding behind the ‘it’s legal so it’s ok’ thing is par for the course every time this topic comes up. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2014, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photographing-strangers-out-in-public/684564/102 "2014-03-29T01:51:52Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > So you’re saying it’s OK to engage in dickish behaviour if it’s legal? I don’t think anything I do could be conceived as dickish, but I have a personal rule of not denigrating people with my work or showing them at their worst (I avoid shooting homeless/panhandlers/etc for example). ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2014, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photographing-strangers-out-in-public/684564/103 "2014-03-29T01:54:30Z")
> [@Melchior](#): > > I said above his Leica and 24mm would be in pieces if he did that to me. Not because he was taking photos, but because he is an asshole blasting a flash in my eyes and obstructing my path. If he got in my way I would run him over! If he stood by a lamp-post and snapped unobtrusively, no problem. Do you understand the distinction? Nope. They’re both bad. ---
**Author:** ![Melchior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Melchior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melchior)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2014, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photographing-strangers-out-in-public/684564/104 "2014-03-29T01:55:21Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > I don’t think anything I do could be conceived as dickish, but I have a personal rule of not denigrating people with my work or showing them at their worst (I avoid shooting homeless/panhandlers/etc for example). Look up Sebastio Salgado…he’s great! [https://www.google.com/search?q=Sebastiao+Salgado…&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=5Sc2U5DLLLLMsQSWv4DgDQ&ved=0CAYQ\_AUoAQ&biw=1372&bih=776](https://www.google.com/search?q=Sebastiao+Salgado...&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=5Sc2U5DLLLLMsQSWv4DgDQ&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ&biw=1372&bih=776) Do you see the difference? ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2014, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photographing-strangers-out-in-public/684564/105 "2014-03-29T01:55:48Z")
> [@Melchior](#): > > I said above his Leica and 24mm would be in pieces if he did that to me. Not because he was taking photos, but because he is an asshole blasting a flash in my eyes and obstructing my path. If he got in my way I would run him over! If he stood by a lamp-post and snapped unobtrusively, no problem. Do you understand the distinction? One is simply a more extreme example of the other. ---
**Author:** ![Melchior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Melchior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melchior)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2014, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photographing-strangers-out-in-public/684564/106 "2014-03-29T01:57:44Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > Nope. They’re both bad. Sorry, I have to disagree. ---
**Author:** ![Melchior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Melchior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melchior)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2014, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photographing-strangers-out-in-public/684564/107 "2014-03-29T02:01:43Z")
> [@Antinor01](#): > > One is simply a more extreme example of the other. Taking photographs is a legitimate activity. Blocking people’s way or blasting a flash in their eyes in not. ---
**Author:** ![Melchior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Melchior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melchior)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2014, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photographing-strangers-out-in-public/684564/108 "2014-03-29T02:05:59Z")
> [@Antinor01](#): > > One is simply a more extreme example of the other. Here: [http://www.clickinmoms.com/blog/street-photography-and-the-law-7-things-you-need-to-know/](http://www.clickinmoms.com/blog/street-photography-and-the-law-7-things-you-need-to-know/) ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2014, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photographing-strangers-out-in-public/684564/109 "2014-03-29T02:06:24Z")
> [@Melchior](#): > > Taking photographs is a legitimate activity. Blocking people’s way or blasting a flash in their eyes in not. Yes it is. But photographing specific people without their consent (not incidental shots) is behavior I would call dickish. (thanks Martini for that phrasing) ESPECIALLY if you intend to publicize those pictures, such as the online galleries or in actual galleries. I certainly understand that it’s legal, but that doesn’t make it right. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2014, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photographing-strangers-out-in-public/684564/110 "2014-03-29T02:07:28Z")
> [@Melchior](#): > > Here: > > [http://www.clickinmoms.com/blog/street-photography-and-the-law-7-things-you-need-to-know/](http://www.clickinmoms.com/blog/street-photography-and-the-law-7-things-you-need-to-know/) Again, legal doesn’t make it right. ---
**Author:** ![Melchior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Melchior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melchior)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2014, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photographing-strangers-out-in-public/684564/111 "2014-03-29T02:07:52Z")
> [@Antinor01](#): > > Yes it is. But photographing specific people without their consent (not incidental shots) is behavior I would call dickish. (thanks Martini for that phrasing) ESPECIALLY if you intend to publicize those pictures, such as the online galleries or in actual galleries. > > I certainly understand that it’s legal, but that doesn’t make it right. Read the article: [http://www.clickinmoms.com/blog/street-photography-and-the-law-7-things-you-need-to-know/](http://www.clickinmoms.com/blog/street-photography-and-the-law-7-things-you-need-to-know/) ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2014, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photographing-strangers-out-in-public/684564/112 "2014-03-29T02:10:43Z")
> [@Melchior](#): > > Read the article: > > [http://www.clickinmoms.com/blog/street-photography-and-the-law-7-things-you-need-to-know/](http://www.clickinmoms.com/blog/street-photography-and-the-law-7-things-you-need-to-know/) Which part do you think I don’t understand. I’ve read the entire thing twice. The legal aspects are well explained but that doesn’t address anything I’ve said. The only part that comes close is; > [@](#): > > If someone waves you off when you try to photograph him or her, you may be well within your legal rights to take the shot, but ask yourself if it’s worth the verbal or even physical altercation that it may yield. Confrontation aside, I’d always advise being respectful and considerate towards your subjects, and if they express that they’d rather not be photographed, I’d suggest simply moving on. We’re never going to agree, that is pretty clear. You think it’s ok and I think it’s not. People like you will continue doing it and I’ll continue think it’s assholish behavior. ---
**Author:** ![Melchior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Melchior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melchior)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2014, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photographing-strangers-out-in-public/684564/113 "2014-03-29T02:18:15Z")
> [@Antinor01](#): > > Which part do you think I don’t understand. I’ve read the entire thing twice. The legal aspects are well explained but that doesn’t address anything I’ve said. The only part that comes close is; > > We’re never going to agree, that is pretty clear. You think it’s ok and I think it’s not. People like you will continue doing it and I’ll continue think it’s assholish behavior. Taking photos of people in public is not \*in itself \*wrong, impolite, or improper. If you disagree with that you are simply wrong. Thousands of such photos are taken every day. These girls \*asked \*me to take their photo! [https://www.flickr.com/photos/ornello/5884422621/](https://www.flickr.com/photos/ornello/5884422621/) ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2014, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photographing-strangers-out-in-public/684564/114 "2014-03-29T02:21:43Z")
> [@Melchior](#): > > Taking photos of people in public is not \*in itself \*wrong, impolite, or improper. If you disagree with that you are simply wrong. Thousands of such photos are taken every day. These girls \*asked \*me to take their photo! I don’t think anyone has said taking photos of people in public _with their permission_ was wrong, impolite or proper. What people have said is doing it _without_ their permission is wrong, impolite, and improper without a _really_ good reason. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2014, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photographing-strangers-out-in-public/684564/115 "2014-03-29T02:21:56Z")
> [@Melchior](#): > > Taking photos of people in public is not \*in itself \*wrong, impolite, or improper. If you disagree with that you are simply wrong. Thousands of such photos are taken every day. These girls \*asked \*me to take their photo! > > [https://www.flickr.com/photos/ornello/5884422621/](https://www.flickr.com/photos/ornello/5884422621/) So…you had their consent. That is exactly what I’ve said all along is ok. If you want to do it, go for it. BUT HAVE CONSENT. I don’t see a problem with taking general shots of an area or of people that are putting on a public performance. Singers or whatnot. What I take issue with is targeting a specific person without their consent. It’s made even worse when you put it on public display, again without their consent. Legal, sure. Rude, absolutely. ---
**Author:** ![Melchior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Melchior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melchior)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2014, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photographing-strangers-out-in-public/684564/116 "2014-03-29T02:27:21Z")
> [@Antinor01](#): > > So…you had their consent. That is exactly what I’ve said all along is ok. If you want to do it, go for it. BUT HAVE CONSENT. > > I don’t see a problem with taking general shots of an area or of people that are putting on a public performance. Singers or whatnot. What I take issue with is targeting a specific person without their consent. It’s made even worse when you put it on public display, again without their consent. Legal, sure. Rude, absolutely. Not at all. It’s \*how you do it that matters \*and nothing else. If you are in a public place anyone may photograph you. If you don’t like that, don’t go out in public or cover your face. People in a park at a festival are in a public setting. You may photograph them at will and you need not feel bad about it. I did not follow them home or invade their property. I was photographing one of those girls and smiling at her (that always helps). I often make some effort to get people’s acquiescence but not always, and sometimes it is subtle. You don’t need a ‘really good reason’. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2014, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photographing-strangers-out-in-public/684564/117 "2014-03-29T02:29:36Z")
> [@Melchior](#): > > Not at all. It’s \*how you do it that matters \*and nothing else. If you are in a public place anyone may photograph you. If you don’t like that, don’t go out in public. People in a park at a festival are in a public setting. You may photograph them at will and you need not feel bad about it. I did not follow them home or invade their property. Like I said before, we’re not going to agree. I don’t care how you do it. If you specifically target me without my permission, I’m going to think you’re your an asshole. ---
**Author:** ![Melchior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Melchior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melchior)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2014, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photographing-strangers-out-in-public/684564/118 "2014-03-29T02:35:48Z")
> [@Antinor01](#): > > Like I said before, we’re not going to agree. I don’t care how you do it. If you specifically target me without my permission, I’m going to think you’re your an asshole. Well, I can’t please everyone. I can do my best but if you insist upon being offended at my perfectly legal and non-threatening behaviour I don’t know what to say. A number of years ago I was playing tennis on public courts and a photographer for the local newspaper started taking photos of me. I let out a string of explicatives that would melt paint and chased him away. He did not understand that tennis players need to be left alone so they can concentrate. He didn’t know that before. He knew it after. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2014, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photographing-strangers-out-in-public/684564/119 "2014-03-29T02:38:10Z")
> [@Melchior](#): > > Well, I can’t please everyone. I can do my best but if you insist upon being offended at my perfectly legal and non-threatening behaviour I don’t know what to say. I would go so far as to say taking photos of random people in public without their permission _is_ threatening and/or distressing. > [@](#): > > A number of years ago I was playing tennis on public courts and a photographer for the local newspaper started taking photos of me. I let out a string of explicatives that would melt paint and chased him away. He did not understand that tennis players need to be left alone so they can concentrate. He didn’t know that before. He knew it after. How is that any different from taking pics of someone in an equally public place who wanted to be left alone to concentrate on whatever they were thinking about? ---
**Author:** ![Melchior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Melchior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melchior)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2014, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photographing-strangers-out-in-public/684564/120 "2014-03-29T02:39:25Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > I would go so far as to say taking photos of random people in public without their permission _is_ threatening and/or distressing. > > How is that any different from taking pics of someone in an equally public place who wanted to be left alone to concentrate on whatever they were thinking about? It’s different. He was ignorant. I am not. Pros have to put up with it, but I won’t. There is a strict etiquette for people watching tennis that goes along with the etiquette for playing tennis. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photographing-strangers-out-in-public/684564.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photographing-strangers-out-in-public/684564.md?page=7)