farnsworth52 Loc: W. Pa.

Are you a photo journalist,papparazi,reporter,or a photographer. Are you being paid to capture the scene or just there taking your pics. These all have different ethical standards. Apparently yours are at the higher end of the gene pool. The bottom line is will you be able to sleep at night with your decision. You seem to have made a wise and ethical choice.Not all of life's moments need to be recorded;knowing which ones do seperates you from the people that feed on tragedy.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Good choice, one of those moments when the best photograph is the one imprinted on your memory.
--Bob

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

"A month ago" would have put the time of this incident close to Veterans' Day, a particularly sensitive time for anyone who has faced the horror of war and/or seen another person sacrifice his/her own life, particularly if that sacrifice resulted in life for others.

There have been excellent reasons given for taking and not taking the picture; most of those in favor of taking the picture have presented compassionate scenarios. It is encouraging to see that, in the midst of the chaos we face in our current world, good men and women still know the difference between right and wrong. It is even more encouraging to note that, in those grey areas between right and wrong, most people will take the more altruistic path, the path toward kindness and unselfishness.

I would have taken the picture. What I would have done then, I have no idea. I thank God that there are wiser people than I who, had they been there, would have done the right thing; I didn't know until I read this thread what the right thing was. I'm not sure I know now. But I pray that, if I am ever put in that position, I will make the right decision.

wuzfuzzab Loc: Red Deer, Alberta

Well the middle two occupations definitely have no ethics whatsoever.

Rbrylawski Loc: Tampa, FL

I think most of us who were raised with the right values, know in our heart of hearts that if we have to ask ourselves if taking a picture is right or wrong, that in itself likely would give us what we'd need in order to not take a picture of an emotional moment, shared with family members, even if in a public setting.

When I first got into photography, I took pictures with less consideration. I wound up regretting some of the decisions I made and am much more considerate today. The question I ask myself is would it bother me if someone took my picture in a similar situation and if the answer is yes it would bother me, I don't raise my camera to my eye.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Thanks for the response. Almost fifty years ago, I took a picture of a little boy sitting on a curb holding his dog that had just been hit and killed by a car. I was so proud of myself for having taken the photo of this emotional scene that I gave the picture (the whole roll actually) to a local newspaper (now defunct). Because the incident involved a multi-car pileup on a residential street, there were press photographers on the scene; all had missed the little boy, but a photographer for the newspaper took credit for the picture which was published. I had no proof and said nothing. Since that day, I have probably seen versions of that scene shot by other photographers at different times and places.

I am still haunted by that image, but not by the fact that I got no recognition or reimbursement. I am haunted by the fact that I took the picture, that I had invaded that child's private moment of grief. Legally, I may have had every right to do so; morally I had no right to have even thought of taking the shot. If I had ever become a famous photographer, that picture would have marked the beginning of my career. What a glorious addition that print that would have been to my wall of shame!

amehta Loc: Boston

This comment has me thinking about this even more.

First, if I was part of the family, would I pull out a camera and take a picture? Certainly not. Would I want someone else taking a picture? Probably not. If someone did take the picture and came and told me about it, would I want it deleted or kept? That's the second most important question, I think. (The most important question, though even harder, would be to figure out if the actual family would want it kept.) I guess I don't see why the picture would be important to me or my family, but I'd be really curious to hear why someone else would find it important. The other question would be what value would this image have to anyone else?

Now I'm asking from the "what's the point of our pictures?" perspective. Any insights? Thanks.

NoSocks Loc: quonochontaug, rhode island

I think I'm glad I shoot mainly landscapes and grandkids.

Rbrylawski Loc: Tampa, FL

Thank you for sharing that experience. In life we don't get do-overs, but fortunately, we can remember and the chances are that experience has helped mold you as a photographer and has made a positive difference in how you've shot pictures since.

cthahn

It depends what you are going to do with the picture. Lete your conscience b e your guide.

Bobbee

Nice Photo.

tk Loc: Iowa

I didn't stop to read all the posts.

You did the right thing for how you felt. Admiration to you from me.