BajaNomad - Pictures of people you don't know

Pictures of people you don't know

DianaT - 7-26-2008 at 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by danaeb

I'm not a phogographer, but I've always wondered about the ethics of photographing human subjects who are unknown to you. I know these aren't your photos, but just speaking for yourself, do you ask the subject for permission?

I guess this is a general question to all the Nomad photographers, without any bias, just curious.

Dana

Dana,
I hope you don't mind, but I thought this might deserve a thread of its own---it is something I have struggeled with many times. Here are some situations and some of my thoughts,

1, Public event like a parade or performance of some type, no problem

2. Market places taken as tourist travel pictures, I am ok with that, except even then, there are some cultures who really do not want their picture taken. I have a couple we took many years ago in Chichicastenego, Guatemala that John took with a telephoto lens. But one young girl must have spotted him because she had covered her face---felt guilty and disresptful over that one.

3. If I ask permission, especially to photograph children, the mothers usually are very OK and the children love to look at the pictures now that we have digital. Oh, if it is anywhere around where we live in Baja, I print the photos and give them to the mothers----so OK with that.

But, I have skipped so many pictures over the years because I just cannot stick a camera in someone's face----I have seen so many people who just rush right in and click away, expecially in a place where there are people dressed in cultural dress. To me, it feels like, hey, you are a curiosity, or wierd, or different, or a decoration and it can be very rude, IMHO.

To me, it is really situational and not an easy question to answer. However, just the other day while walking in Imperial Beach, some young guys came screaming up in a pick-up truck, put the window down, hollered, and then took several quick pictures of us.

Cannot figure out why they would want pictures of us, but I also know how this little old grey haired lady wanted to respond with some international sign language.

Interested to hear how others feel---sorry to steal your quote, Dana, but I think it is an interesting topic.

Diane

Bajaboy - 7-26-2008 at 01:49 PM

I'm curious as to why people might have an issue with being photographed. I suppose it's polite to ask but why would one object?

Zac

DianaT - 7-26-2008 at 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajaboy
I'm curious as to why people might have an issue with being photographed. I suppose it's polite to ask but why would one object?

Zac

In the case of some people, it is culture. They believe that taking their photo is like stealing their soul.

I felt it was an invasion of my privacy to have some stranger shove a camera at me---really rude. Still wish I had used the sign language.

And I have seen others when traveling look really resentful when a camera is stuck in their face---it is like they are not human, but just another tourist attraction, a thing.

Just how I feel and my observations.

Diane

Diver - 7-26-2008 at 02:45 PM

I will be famous some day and those photos will be worth big money ! :lol:

No pictures without a paid release please ! :lol:

Sharksbaja - 7-26-2008 at 03:09 PM

Oh yeah! People do get carried away and it can be obnoxious to have some stranger take and possess photos of you or your kids.

I guess the main problem would be that of pics that were taken by a friend or acquaintance then posted somewhere on the internet w'o their knowledge..

Of course permission should be asked if you want to post a photo of someone or their home etc. Unless that person has posted same previously.

That would make the pics redundant and nothing new. I've have seen many pics here that were not sanctioned.

It is VERY situational like Diane suggests and consideration and common sense should be addressed.

Russ - 7-26-2008 at 03:15 PM

Diane, I agree with you

On a different thought. Family and friends, that go around snapping away and making a pest of themselves with those little cameras that get in your face, are really bad. Being discrete and thoughtful of your subjects is little to ask but some just go CRAZY with a camera. Oh well, what can be done?

bajajudy - 7-26-2008 at 03:33 PM

Many years ago a friend of mine was doing a photo essay book on a small island in the Caribbean. The ladies of this island were famous for their head coverings. One day my friend saw the perfect lady with one on. The minute she picked up her camera to shoot the shot, that lady snapped her head around. The resulting picture was one of the best in the book. Probably because it said...dont mess with me. It was much more dramatic than a portrait of the lady as it was just the back of her head hurrying away.
My friend never took another photo of a person that she did not ask permission and I follow her lead.

BajaGringo - 7-26-2008 at 03:44 PM

I enjoy photography and through the years I have always felt this question was easily answered by common sense and good manners. When you are out and about in a public place you have essentially given up your right to choose whether or not you may be photographed IMHO. In many parts of the world you are on camera as well just walking down the street.

The fine line is crossed when the person you photograph becomes the sole focus of the photo. At that point I would always ask permission and have never been refused. If the person being photographed is just a minor element in the scene of the picture frame I really never felt it was necessary to ask nor have I ever been confronted.

There is a space between the photographer and subject and the proximity dictates manners as far as my experience has been.

YMMV

Barry A. - 7-26-2008 at 04:07 PM

I am totally with Baja Gringo on this one.

Barry

DianaT - 7-26-2008 at 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaGringo
When you are out and about in a public place you have essentially given up your right to choose whether or not you may be photographed IMHO.

Common sense, yes, but not sure I can totally agree with the part of your statement I quoted. I know how I reacted with a camera suddenly in my face.

Yes, I am sure you use common sense and are not rude, but all too often we see otherwise.

I guess the main areas in which I have a problem is when I know there is a cultural bias against photos and/or when people are really rude. I have seen tourists from all parts of the world that really display the "I Have a Right to Take Your Picture" attitude and at that time, I usually put my camera away.

There are some villages in Guatemala that ban cameras for religious reasons, but if those people leave that village, are they fair game? Also, we met a beautiful young girl in Sulistani, Peru. She had a tattered anthropology book in her hand----and her photo was in it. No more free photos for her---and that is not all that uncommon.

I just can't see it as something with a simple answer. Another example. We were in China Town in San Francisco when a funeral past by---music, parade, colorful and all, but even though they were on a public street, I felt it would be disrespectful---so no pictures.

So while I agree with part of your statement, I still think there are plenty of grey areas.

JMHO
Diane

DianaT - 7-26-2008 at 04:32 PM

Grover,

You do find some good ones! Frankly, I agree with the rant.

Diane

Von - 7-26-2008 at 04:38 PM

So you think your special right? my Mom said I was special then I joined

the military boy was she I wrong, then I got out and my mom said I was

special again till I started to work in the civilian world, boy was she wrong

again! Guys your not special sorry to burst your bubble but thats reality

and be happy :lol:

dont worry :lol:

BajaGringo - 7-26-2008 at 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jdtrotter

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaGringo
When you are out and about in a public place you have essentially given up your right to choose whether or not you may be photographed IMHO.

I agree with you Diane and I probably didn't make my point as well as I should have. Like you. I hate having a camera stuck in my face and I consider that very rude. At the same time if you had to ask everyone's permission to be included in a photo there would be no photos taken ever at Disneyland. To me it's just understanding the space between the camera and the subject and whether or not the person is simply another element in the background or if they are the subject of the photo. When that line is crossed, manners dictates that permission be asked; whether it be 30 inches or 30 feet.

But that's just my general rule I follow and there are exceptions for everything. I think that if one uses good manners and common sense in taking photographs in public you won't have much of a problem...

bajajudy - 7-26-2008 at 05:04 PM

Whst did grover say?

DianaT - 7-26-2008 at 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajajudy
Whst did grover say?

Opps, don't know why he deleted it. It was good, IMHO

Von, guess since I am not feeling well today, I am slower than usual---don't get what you are saying???

Diane

Von - 7-26-2008 at 07:16 PM

Take a picture: its someone elses opinion it doesnt effect your health in any way so get over it!

So we had a rough time in the military who didnt? I understand if your missing a limb you deserve some kind of compesensation, but buddy you can walk have all four limbs!

Dogged out? What Those 2 arms are looking strong from here.

People are never satisfied with what they have so we need someones attention to get what we want.

Why dont we just work at what we need and forget the wants.

Skip_Mac - 7-26-2008 at 11:45 PM

I have had the experience of tourists in the estados unidos sticking video cameras in my face. If it at a distance I care not, if it is close and personal I add some sign language and they usually leave quickly. I feel it is an invasion of my personal space. Some acts may be in public but are NOT staged for any random tourist to take home as a memento ...particularly political acts. If there is any doubt about my subject, I ask, or I move back out of personal space and shoot the crowd (I do not do video...digital stills only).