Photo Etiquitte

[Dana]

Hello All-

What are the general rules when taking photos of strangers? For instance.....if I would like to take a shot of an ice rink with many skaters, is it OK to use it and post it where ever I would like? Or, what if I take a shot of a woman walking down the street......is this OK? Any advice would be appreciated!
Thank You!

[Tinka]

Re: Photo Etiquitte

Hello All-

What are the general rules when taking photos of strangers? For instance.....if I would like to take a shot of an ice rink with many skaters, is it OK to use it and post it where ever I would like? Or, what if I take a shot of a woman walking down the street......is this OK? Any advice would be appreciated!
Thank You!

Hi Dana,
My take on the rules is that you are at liberty to publish/use the images in any way providing they are not taken on private land to which there is no public access, without permission, and that they do not hold the subject up to ridicule or humiliation. It goes a bit deeper than that so perhaps a more knowlegable person/ pro / semi pro on the forums could enlighten us. How about it Ian?

[Archangel]

Re: Photo Etiquitte

Hello All-

What are the general rules when taking photos of strangers? For instance.....if I would like to take a shot of an ice rink with many skaters, is it OK to use it and post it where ever I would like? Or, what if I take a shot of a woman walking down the street......is this OK? Any advice would be appreciated!
Thank You!

Hi Dana,

Usually, where photography is prohibited is sign posted (e.g. military bases) or immediately informed by the relevant authority.
Your right to photograph a woman walking down the street is the same as your right to be able to walk free down the street, which I believe so far, is a free right in all countries.


Regards


George

[lumix]

Re: Photo Etiquitte

Hello All-

What are the general rules when taking photos of strangers? For instance.....if I would like to take a shot of an ice rink with many skaters, is it OK to use it and post it where ever I would like? Or, what if I take a shot of a woman walking down the street......is this OK? Any advice would be appreciated!
Thank You!

Dana I suggest you Google "Photographers Rights" or similar search. Here in the UK I came up with this link http://www.sirimo.co.uk/ukpr.php which is probably a good guide for all photographers. Each country will have there own laws so best check what applies to yours. I'm sure you will find an answer some where on the web.

[Blank Page]

Re: Photo Etiquitte

Hello All-

What are the general rules when taking photos of strangers?....

That's a good point to bring up, something that's been at the back of my mind but never really thought about. In the good old days, photographers often took candid shots of people and published them in magazines and books without the subjects ever being aware of it. That seems to have been acceptable back then, mostly, I think, because they weren't used for commercial purposes, that is, to sell a product. Nowadays the commecial media is more pervasive in our society and people are more privacy conscious, for good reason in some cases and not so good in others.

Each country will have there own laws so best check what applies to yours...

I wonder how the laws of one country stand up in an international forum such as the Internet. Can I take a candid picture of someone in Canada and put it on the DPNow website which, I assume, is registered in the UK but accessible around the world? My non-legal mind is already starting to hurt just thinking about it, so it would be good to get some real info on it.

[lumix]

Re: Photo Etiquitte

That's a good point to bring up, something that's been at the back of my mind but never really thought about. In the good old days, photographers often took candid shots of people and published them in magazines and books without the subjects ever being aware of it. That seems to have been acceptable back then, mostly, I think, because they weren't used for commercial purposes, that is, to sell a product. Nowadays the commecial media is more pervasive in our society and people are more privacy conscious, for good reason in some cases and not so good in others.



I wonder how the laws of one country stand up in an international forum such as the Internet. Can I take a candid picture of someone in Canada and put it on the DPNow website which, I assume, is registered in the UK but accessible around the world? My non-legal mind is already starting to hurt just thinking about it, so it would be good to get some real info on it.

Don't even think about children. The laws changed so much now that sometimes I wounder if photographing your own family could be against the law. Last year my grandsons school refused permission to photograph the school nativity play, on the grounds that all children's parents have to give their permission. What a sad sate we have got ourselves into.

[Pops]

Re: Photo Etiquitte

The 'children' thing should always be at the front of your mind.
If a child, even accompanied by an adult, comes anywhere near me I immediately put the camera away or walk off in the opposite direction.

Sadly this situation is now a minefield of potential trouble and should be avoided at all costs.

[Ian]

Re: Photo Etiquitte

The 'children' thing should always be at the front of your mind.
If a child, even accompanied by an adult, comes anywhere near me I immediately put the camera away or walk off in the opposite direction.

Sadly this situation is now a minefield of potential trouble and should be avoided at all costs.

I think this is a, sadly, understandable attitude, but I think it's not really the best solution. I'm sure some parents would not reject polite requests for permission to photograph their children. As a parent myself, I know I would not have a problem if I was approached in a responsible way.

There are plenty of ways of reassuring parents - show them the picture once it's taken, provide a contact card in case it might be prudent to offer a copy later and to offer some form of identity so they can place some trust in you.

Naturally, I abhor anyone who abuses children, but at the same time why should I let myself be directed by the sad minority? We all love pictures of kids, in the best possible sense of the word in this context, so why should it be practically taboo?

Great photographers often feature great photos of children in public - let's not be too fearful of society losing sight of this.

Ian

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Re: Photo Etiquitte

For myself, going through a process of introducing myself to the parents, getting their permission, showing them the photos, offering them copies, etc., would spoil the mood and spontaneity in most cases and I would just move on (unless it's for a paying job, of course).

Tinka just posted a photo that reminded me of a shot by Alfred Eisendstaedt of about ten children imitating the drum major of a marching ban. It's a classic image of children, but I doubt that he'd be able to do it today, not without tracking down all the parents to get signed release forms. At least a few of the parents would undoubtedly demand payment out of sheer mercenary motivation.

The vast majority of people, including photographers, have no ill intent, but as usual, it's a few bad apples that have spoiled the barrel for everyone.

[Pops]

Re: Photo Etiquitte

I think this is a, sadly, understandable attitude, but I think it's not really the best solution. I'm sure some parents would not reject polite requests for permission to photograph their children. As a parent myself, I know I would not have a problem if I was approached in a responsible way.

There are plenty of ways of reassuring parents - show them the picture once it's taken, provide a contact card in case it might be prudent to offer a copy later and to offer some form of identity so they can place some trust in you.

Naturally, I abhor anyone who abuses children, but at the same time why should I let myself be directed by the sad minority? We all love pictures of kids, in the best possible sense of the word in this context, so why should it be practically taboo?

Great photographers often feature great photos of children in public - let's not be too fearful of society losing sight of this.

Ian

I guess I'm a victim of media hysterics.
Approaching parents for permission may be a part of the job requirement for the professional photographer but being strictly amateur it's a situation I can do without.
The very thought of being accused of improper actions terrifies me and unfortunately it's the sad minority that are most likely to voice an accusation.
They seem to thrive on the publicity it brings them.
I'll leave child photograpy to the professionals.

[Dana]

Re: Photo Etiquitte

I must say I am also a little afraid of being accused of something by terrified parents that isn't above board. I suppose one's good judgement is the best solution in this case. unfortunately for all of the well intentioned men out there, I think as women we have an easier time also because a parent is more likely to trust that our intentions are innocent. Thanks for all of the thoughts....the topic could be debated until the end of time I think!

Thanks again,
Dana