Selfie-stick ban: Ran across a number of linked articles on selfie-stick bans, from Disney parks to a pilgrimage in India. Thank heavens. I hope the U.S. National Parks do one soon.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Ran across a number of linked articles on selfie-stick bans, from Disney parks to a pilgrimage in India. Thank heavens. I hope the U.S. National Parks do one soon. The Asian tourists in particular have become a hazard in the more crowded places and I'm sure we'll get reports is them doing stupid things while using them. They annoy me when the block trails and views and swing them around into people.

londonfire Loc: NY to NC

I just came back from Asia and Angkor Wat and it's impossible to get any shots that don't have dozens of people posing for selfies. They form lines waiting to pose at the best locations. At some temples I left my camera in the bag and bought postcards for a buck.

lsimpkins Loc: SE Pennsylvania

The Viking River Cruise we were on this spring had a few dedicated photogs on it plus one person who had to use their cell phone on a selfie stick. Fortunately we were not often on the same excursion, but when we were, it took some effort (and patience) to keep the stick out of my photos.

We will probably go to Disney World in a couple of months and I am very happy that they are leading the charge to limit these things. More than the ruined aesthetics, the potential for injury is very important.

Bobgood1 Loc: Indianapolis, IN

I have never understood this " Selfie." Those kind of people seem to be so caught up in their selves and think the rest of the world is interested in seeing picture of them in various settings. I think it is arrogant. Just my opinion. bb

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

It's a shame that photography is going in this direction. I'm seeing this trend almost everywhere. Anywhere large numbers of people gather, there are large numbers of cell phones taking pictures, either selfie or not.

Quixdraw Loc: x

Maybe Folks that don't actually do very much have to cover by showing where they've been. You know travel as an accomplishment.

Macronaut Loc: Redondo Beach,Ca.

I have two teenaged daughters, so I can understand this selfie thing to some extent.

It's their way of instantly sharing their experiences with all their friends while it's happening on various social medias. However, they did find selfie sticks too inconvenient and cumbersome. Selfie sticks to them are sooo yesterday :wink:

They have also put together some very good video that I was extremely impressed with. Selfies are not inherently bad, just some people lack consideration and/or good judgment.

Erik_H Loc: Denham Springs, Louisiana

I caught my daughter-in-law taking a selfie with her iPhone. I said, "If you have to do it, at least do it right"...

MtnMan Loc: ID

Flyextreme wrote:

Selfies are not inherently bad, just some people lack consideration and/or good judgment.

Yes indeed.

Where allowed tripod users seem to generally be more considerate of others.

blackest Loc: Ireland

jerryc41 wrote:

It's a shame that photography is going in this direction. I'm seeing this trend almost everywhere. Anywhere large numbers of people gather, there are large numbers of cell phones taking pictures, either selfie or not.

I don't think that is fair, a lot of people used to use digital compact camera's and now use cell phones and the quality is probably better than their older camera's. Does it matter if they use a cell phone / camera?

g8rfan1942 Loc: Ormond Beach Fl

I have been taking photographs since I was ten years old (I'm 73 now) and can come up with fewer than 20 photos with me in them , not counting wedding pix. I'm always on the other end of a camera. When I am photographing a beautiful scene the last thing I want to see is my ugly mug in the middle of the shot. Whoever invented the selfie stick should be spanked and sent to bed with no supper :lol:

Macronaut Loc: Redondo Beach,Ca.

blackest wrote:

I don't think that is fair, a lot of people used to use digital compact camera's and now use cell phones and the quality is probably better than their older camera's. Does it matter if they use a cell phone / camera?

True that :thumbup:

I believe the issue here is misuse of "selfie sticks". I get great images with my phone when my camera is at home :wink:

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

I'm not into selfies, but I certainly don't have a problem with other people doing it. As far as the banning... inconsiderate people are the real problem, not the selfie-stick. I've encountered plenty of inconsiderate DSLR (and bridge camera) users in recreational areas - blocking paths, setting up tripods where ever they feel like it, etc. Doesn't mean big cameras ought to be banned from such places. Bans punish everyone.

blackest Loc: Ireland

Flyextreme wrote:

True that :thumbup:

I believe the issue here is misuse of "selfie sticks". I get great images with my phone when my camera is at home :wink:

If you call them a monopod they become quite useful, they can get you some height in crowds. They tend to be set up with 1/4 threads male at the top female at the bottom. Handy for a flash too. They also have a tilt so join 2 of them together and you have an extendable L bracket I've even used a $1 table top tripod as a foot for one of them too. They go down to around 8 - 10". Most of them are too lightweight for a DSLR but usable with a m4/3. I guess thats abusing selfie sticks but they can be useful. I paid around $16 for 2 of them.

Oh quite handy for video too i attached one to the quick release plate of my tripod and my m4/3 to the stick (retracted) and it makes a reasonable camera stabilizer. Made one too from an old tripod leg extended the camera is eye height that is rock solid and i trust that one with the weight of my DSLR.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

blackest wrote:

I don't think that is fair, a lot of people used to use digital compact camera's and now use cell phones and the quality is probably better than their older camera's. Does it matter if they use a cell phone / camera?

The problem is the large number of people taking pictures - hogging the scene. Selfie sticks extend several feet and make the situation worse. If you're ever in a photography situation with a mob of people taking endless pictures of themselves and their friends, you'll know why some people have given up trying to take good pictures at tourist areas.