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One you noticed his lens trained on you it was incumbent upon you to respectfully request that he not photograph you
if that was your wish, instead of what he might have interpreted your playing hard to get. In this day and age with privacy so difficult to maintain you simply can't play it that way, even if your intention was to avoid making a big fuss.
In NY, I conducted wedding rehearsals for my church. Back then there was a HGTV or one of those stations, that followed the bride and groom through the wedding including the rehearsal. Everyone in the church was asked to sign waivers if they did not want to identifiable. I did not and while my voice was heard, my entire figure was blurred. I understand that you feel violated, but as others have stated you really have to know your surroundings and then be pro active if you disagree. Now, if you are still photographed after opting out, that is a different story.
I thought I would ask what is news photographer etiquette and I was wondering
if there are professional standards practiced among photographers in regards
to photographing subjects in public.
I was at an event open to the public a few weeks ago and tonight.
Photographers were present and appeared to be from a local news agency.
I generally don't like to be photographed as that is my general preference,
particularly if I am with my child.
I understand that the news photographer (SLR type camera) is just doing
his job. I sat closer to the back, with pen and pad of paper in hand to take
notes about the event I am attending. The photographer comes around
looking for a shot of various people in the audience. I see him train his
camera straight towards me (I was about 10 feet away). I turn my head and
put the pad closer to my face, blocking my view. He waits, then walks a few steps
away, then points the camera at me again. I turn around clearly not wanting him
to photograph me. He moves a little bit and points his camera at me again.
At this point, I open my laptop computer blocking my face. Eventually, I
move my seat, standing against the wall in the back of the room on the side.
Another time in the past, I was with my toddler child in my arms and a photographer tried to take
a photo us. I turned my back.
So, this left me wondering what one could say to a news photographer or if there
are professional standards about not taking the photo of someone who clearly
doesn't wish to be photographed.
Also where does freedom of the press end and encroachment on privacy begin?
While I understand that attendance at a public event, it shouldn't be a surprise
that one could be photographed, what about the case where someone clearly
indicates he or she doesn't wish to be photographed.
Thank you in advance.
Years ago, I took a day off work around this time of year to do a little day traveling and take photos of fall foliage. I was in a diner around lunchtime and a news photographer came in and was photographing the diner (a legendary one) and people. I was eating and didn't want to be photographed and was told - not so nicely - by the photographer that since I was in a public place he or she (I forget) could photograph me. I grabbed a newspaper from the pile on the counter and put it in front of my face. Another time, I called in sick to work on a very nice summer day (hey, I guess we have all done that) a the TV station came to take photographs. I told the photographer I was supposed to be at work and the photographer was nice about it and excluded me from the film. I, too have seen the notices in big public places (a state fair in Mass. and a casino in CT) that if you enter, you can expect to be filmed.
Years ago, I took a day off work around this time of year to do a little day traveling and take photos of fall foliage. I was in a diner around lunchtime and a news photographer came in and was photographing the diner (a legendary one) and people. I was eating and didn't want to be photographed and was told - not so nicely - by the photographer that since I was in a public place he or she (I forget) could photograph me. I grabbed a newspaper from the pile on the counter and put it in front of my face. Another time, I called in sick to work on a very nice summer day (hey, I guess we have all done that) a the TV station came to take photographs. I told the photographer I was supposed to be at work and the photographer was nice about it and excluded me from the film. I, too have seen the notices in big public places (a state fair in Mass. and a casino in CT) that if you enter, you can expect to be filmed.
Sounds like you encountered one photographer that wasn't professional nor versed in his/her legal responsibilities (on the assumption the diner was a private entity) and another photographer that acted in good faith like the majority in the craft. Not so very different than any other vocation.
BTW - Good for you playing hooky, an activity practiced not nearly enough these days.
[EDIT: Just curious, and I don't want to put you on the spot but you mentioned you were out taking fall foliage photos. When you're grabbing snapshots what guides your etiquette compass if some hapless bystander ends up in your frame? Just taking the room's temperature. Thx.]
I am a hobbyist photographer, and I am going to say it bluntly--when you are in public, you are subject to the POSSIBILITY of being photographed, and it's absolutely nothing to be fearful of, not even where it concerns children. A photographer does NOT have to ask for your permission, at all, never has had to--again, not even where it regards your children. To risk being beyond blunt and being maybe downright ugly, because I shouldn't do that--being fearful of a photograph being taken, even of your children, is being kind of paranoid at some point, although at the same time there's nothing wrong with POLITELY ASKING and/or simply turning around as you did.
If I am being ugly or blunt, forgive me, because I can appreciate how you, the original poster, at least asked nicely, and you didn't create a scene, that's good. I say this because there are those who DO get ugly and create a scene. I've encountered it, people throwing a fit while I was taking "overview" photographs at the lake. I was NOT zooming into a woman's breasts or rear-end or any such thing, or even snapping at them close-by, I was simply taking "overview" shots of the public as I was seeing it. Frankly it was the lake itself I was most interested in, and such photos are totally legal and also totally appropriate as far as I'm concerned.
Even so, even while doing that, even while taking photos of the DUCKS trying to get a "Field and Stream" type of shot, I STILL have had people coming around screaming "pervert!" at me. I can appreciate that you did no such thing as they did. I say all of this not to just commend you for not going that far with it, but also to explain why I may come across a bit abrasive with a "chip on my shoulder" type of response. I'm tired of dealing with paranoia when all I'm trying to do is simply take photos of the general overall scenery around me so as to document the moments of my life for later enjoyment as I get older and "look back" and the like. After awhile, hearing people acting all paranoid about their children and how supposedly a photo of their children is going to cause their child to be abducted by imaginary weirdos or such is just silly at best and annoying harassment at worst. (And again, to be clear, you did no such thing, but I've encountered plenty who do, and to be blunt, I'm at the point where I just don't suffer such foolishness lightly anymore.)
We recently attended a wedding. While I expect such an event to be photographed I could not believe the extend of video/photography there was! As I guest I figured we might be in the background of a few photos during the ceremony or on the dance floor, standing by the cake while it was cut, etc. that the Bride and Groom would view and perhaps include in their wedding album. What we encountered was...the photography team was taking photos and video almost continuously. There were several large screens up including at the entrance of the reception room and around the reception room in several locations. During the event there were continuous photos and videos of the guests on the screens displayed almost as soon as they were shot! There was an after party at a hotel and the photographs continued there as well and were posted on several social media sites. Good thing I was on my best behavior
We recently attended a wedding. While I expect such an event to be photographed I could not believe the extend of video/photography there was! As I guest I figured we might be in the background of a few photos during the ceremony or on the dance floor, standing by the cake while it was cut, etc. that the Bride and Groom would view and perhaps include in their wedding album. What we encountered was...the photography team was taking photos and video almost continuously. There were several large screens up including at the entrance of the reception room and around the reception room in several locations. During the event there were continuous photos and videos of the guests on the screens displayed almost as soon as they were shot! There was an after party at a hotel and the photographs continued there as well and were posted on several social media sites. Good thing I was on my best behavior
nearly every single bride has requested that I walk around the even room and get pictures of all the parties involved. i've had guests refuse to be photographed just to be confronted by the bride and her family later.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ByeByeLW
If I'm taking a candid picture of one or a small group of kids I prefer to inform the parents.
That is.. one of the best ideas one may have.
the innocence and laughter can make for an excellent artistic expression but with all the scum around us these days, one can never be too safe, I suppose. Sad days we live in.
the behavior described in the first post would make me capture the person even more, TBH. If you're "hiding" from me.. you're creating a dramatic images for me, and I will photograph it if it is legal, of course.
The only time I've asked permission to photograph someone when I had a legal right to do so was when I worked for a member of local Easter European community locally, and I got really, really tired of FBI and Police paying me visits to "confirm presence"... :|
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I don't like people taking my photo either
