LCD

A photographer friends of mine expressed his extreme reluctance to photograph people after a woman falsely accused him of photographing her children. He even goes so far as not accepting a request to snap a few photographs of a couple on a vacation trip when they offered their camera to do it. I on the other hand enjoy photography performers at fairs, concerts and other events. I ask permission if I photograph anyone else such as the audience. I haven't had any problems. I was wondering what the thoughts and expereiences are among the the UHH community.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Being out in tourist areas of a tourist city, I regularly have people hand me their phone and ask for a picture. I try my best to give them something worthwhile, working on their pose, and the light, and the background subject. They get at least 10 images, typically more, of slightly different angles, with a suggestion to pick out the one they like best.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

If I'm in a public place anything/anyone is fair game.
--Bob

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

viva paparazzi! The First Amendment lives!

Albeit any legislation designed to control the intrusive activities of paparazzi represents a collision between individual privacy and First Amendment free press rights. Post your query in the Attic for some very interesting thoughts... i.e. Ethics is a very dynamic concept...

Princess of Wales at one time became the most photographed person in the world... although Diana paid a very dear price for her fame... (sheds a tear for a very precious angel who left us way too soon).

Lucian Loc: From Wales, living in Ohio

Thomas 902 said.. "Princess of Wales at one time became the most photographed person in the world... although Diana paid a very dear price for her fame... (sheds a tear for a very precious angle who left us way too soon)."

I believe you meant to say Angel, not angle.

To the OP, I think your friend is possibly a little too sensitive since most people, I would guess, don't have a problem photographing people out in public. I know I don't and as others have said, I even offer to take a photo of a couple, trying to capture themselves with a selfie and improve upon what they were trying to get and offering a few tips for their future photography. Never had a single one complain.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

btw, thank you for your post "40 Photos I Took Of Shelter Dogs So They Could Get Adopted Faster" LCD
Photojournalism and K9 portraiture taken to a very high level of ethical concern...

Maybe it's all about intent?
All the best on your epic photographic journey LCD...

Oh and thank you Lucian for proof reading my post...
Guess the tears in my eyes resulted in not catching that error...

Chadp Loc: Virginia Beach

I take a lot of photos at both of my sons’ basketball and baseball games. I am very reluctant to take photos of their teammates unless I know the parents very well. Their teammates or competitors may be in the photo when I am taking action shots but very rarely the subject. I am usually the oldest parent at a game and the 20 and 30 something parents armed with only cell phones are already suspicious of the old guy with the big camera and lens. There have been times when I get a good shot of a teammate and I think it would be nice to share it with the parents. But some parents can be hyper sensitive on this issue and I would just rather not take a chance on finding those parents. It is too bad that this is where we are in society.

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

I think "street photography" is the hardest to get used to. Regardless of the laws, it is kind of intrusive to snap a photo of someone you do not know or did not ask you to do so.

Jack47 Loc: Ontario

I would NEVER…..FOR ANY REASON photograph anyone in public unless asked. I don’t really care what the law is. It’s a matter of manners.

jlocke Loc: Austin, TX

I'm kind of your polar opposite. My grandson plays Junior hockey, and I take photos of him and as many of his teammates as I can. I try to keep up so that I don't miss anyone. I generally take 80-150 photos per game, and post them on my Flickr account. I've had many of the parents thank me for doing this, as most of the kids are living with billet families and their parents don't get to see them play.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

In a word—-yes. At this point in my life, I avoid controversy—especially with strangers. I don’t want to get shot-literally.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

I do exactly the same at HS wrestling tournaments. As a courtesy at small matches, I introduce myself to the coach if I don’t know him, but at tournaments, it’s a free for all and everyone is shooting. I also post my images for the parents to download (without charge of course).

LCD

For the record, I think my friend is a bit too worried and that keeps him from doing some really exciting photography. There will always be people who will object to almost everything, ascribing base motives to your most mundane activities. I've met those who, for whatever reason, do not like to be photographed (my mother, for example), and try to respect their wishes. Otherwise, I have not had problems.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

I have been fortunate in that I find people ask me to take and post online photos with them in it rather than complain about what is in those photos. The only complaints I've have gotten is if I catch them with an unflattering expression. I'm a senior citizen (as are many of us here) and are rarely in situations with children present.

But once bitten, twice shy.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

I do street photography, but I don't do portraits or set-up people shots as I'm not interested in that. Street photography does sometimes come with hazards. My most interesting street photography event was in Cuba. I was shooting this somewhat strange looking woman, I had a medium range zoom, and she saw me. She had a stick in her hand. All of a sudden she was coming my way with a raised stick in her hand and ready to strike me. I turned and started to walk away very fast in the crowd. Then I felt a very slight strike on my back and I picked up speed and ducked away into the crowd, leaving her behind. It can be risky to do street photography at times but I still do it. Another incident in Cuba was when we were photographing a child in a doorway in a public square, a police officer came over and shooed us away and told her to go inside. In general, if I were to take a child's photo, I would try to hide that I was doing that as parents don't like that at all. But, in the U.S. at least, a photographer can legally take a shot of anyone in a public space or in public view and I like to do this mostly without their knowledge. In other countries I get guidance on the issue of public photos.