This is to all of the people downtown that give me dirty looks or don’t return my smiles or just glare at me because I’m out taking photos with my SLR. Why do you have to be such unfriendly jerks? Why are people only rude when I have my camera out? A camera with a big lens is nothing to be afraid of.
I’m a photographer! It’s what I do. I like making pretty pictures. It’s fun, it’s a catharsis. I’m not a pervert, or terrorist, or peeping tom, or anything else other than a dude walking around the city taking photos of interesting places, people and things. I don’t get it. When did photography become such a thing to be hated by the general population? Or is downtown just full of stuck up jerks?
— unhappy photog
This article appears in Sep 3-9, 2009.
Its strange you get this reaction, since facebook and myspace has come about, everyone have a camera or a cellphone taking pictures of friends things and places.
Maybe the big lense makes them feel “zeroed in on” directly, (if theres such a feeling) .. lol. Just my thought.
I too have felt the animosity from random people throughout town from taking photographs with a film SLR. I think most people are just curious.
In any event, this is usually why I don’t take any photos of people. Too much fucking drama for something I can legally do on public space.
I had a project in my photography class at NSCAD that required we ask strangers to be photographed. Fucking hated it.
Too bad. If it’s places or things, or even events where photographers are expected. Then I don’t see the problem. But back in the day people asked permission to take someone’s photo. Now they don’t. Now it’s like, you’re in a public place so everyone can own an image of you in that public place. Maybe so. But that doesn’t mean I have to like it.
I wouldn’t like you taking my pic because I don’t know what you’re going to do with the pics. sell them? post them on your damn blog, facebook, or flickr? jerk off to them? Also, if you’re taking pics with kids in them people get extra cautious. I would crack your skull if you took a pic of my nephew. This is what perverts do.
Stop pretending that taking photos of people is completely harmless. It allows you to ‘stare’ at someone without their fuckin’ permission.
How do you know the OB doesn’t ask people’s permission?
If he’s asking permission (which he didn’t mention in the bitch), then that’s fine. But I agree that you shouldn’t just take pictures of random people without asking. It’s rude and an invasion of privacy.
I don’t know. I’m torn. My boyfriend shoots with an SLR too, and some of my favourite pictures of his are of complete strangers, just doing their thing. If he had asked their permission, they wouldn’t be in their natural state, and that’s what photographs so beautifully.
Then again, it is an invasion of privacy.
But, sometimes it’s easier to beg for forgiveness than to ask for permission.
“Shoot” first, ask questions later?
We’re entitled to decide if we want to participate or not. Hard to get candid shots that way, I know, but your presumption that we all want to be your best subject is completely wrong.
So, pardon me, but I do not wish to be the voluntary subject of your pleasure. People pay me good money to pose *wink* You’re no exception.
Okay, fine, the OB is me. I should have been more clear, but I’ve never taken a photo of a person without asking their permission unless it was by accident (ie; they walked in front of the frame while I was taking the picture.) I feel the same way about getting my picture taken without my permission, so believe me I understand. That’s not what the bitch was about, really. Even if I’m just walking around with the thing in my hand often times I can feel the animosity just seething out of people. It’s seems like there’s just a general bad attitude towards photographers.
And it’s not to say that I agree with it, I just like to argue: legally unless you have a reasonable expectation of privacy (bathroom, locker room, your house, etc) anything or anybody can be photographed if it’s in view from a publicly accessible spot. You have no recourse, unfortunately, if someone wants to snap photos of you while you’re out and about (that’s how paparazzi can get away with it so easily.)
I agree with GoToHell, Nevermind and Kay. I would find some random person photographing me in a public place creepy and somewhat threatening. I don’t care if you’re using a SLR or your cell phone, your pretension and artistic aspriations don’t mean anything to me and do not excuse your creepy behaviour. If you want to shoot portraits, get some volunteers or ask permission first.
I think people tend to associate SLR cameras (digital or film) as being for professionals only, so they instantly become suspicious of your intentions.
Either that, or some people have such an inflated sense of self importance that they assume you must be there to take pictures of them and that makes them nervous for whatever reason. 😉
I don’t think photographers are trying to shoot a portrait, Jai. Candid public shots are just that – candid. People doing normal everyday things: tying their shoes, drinking coffee, talking, laughing. It’s not like these guys hunker down and aim the camera directly at the person and hold it there until they get the perfect shot. It’s a quick snap. You wouldn’t even know it happened.
Speaking of which, is photographing people in public actually an invasion of privacy? Can action be taken by the “subject” if they find themselves in a picture that they didn’t consent to?
I wonder if the animosity is because people are apprehensive, even unconsciously, that you will begin snapping their photo –
And I think people are just a little uncomfortable with someone walking up, making an image of them, and then walking away with it – to do who knows what with the image.
Bastard Fish – when I was in photo class I made a project for myself which was to photograph people in the street, after asking them if it was ok. It sucked ass – not only was I too shy to approach many people, but the people I did approach usually said no. I ended up doing a different project. I’d hate to have that be compulsory 😛
“Speaking of which, is photographing people in public actually an invasion of privacy? Can action be taken by the ‘subject’ if they find themselves in a picture that they didn’t consent to?”
By Canadian law, no. It’s perfectly legal in a public space.
That doesn’t mean a photographer can harass anyone, but generally if you’re in public space you can expect to be captured in photographs or video without repercussions for said photographer.
Only legal action can be taken further if the photographer uses the images or videos to portray the individual in a ‘falsely” slanderous way. By that I mean if you photograph someone beating a child, it’s not illegal, but if you photograph someone in a way that looks like the person is beating a child, but isn’t, it is illegal.
And GoToHell, Jai and everyone else acting like a reactionary idiot in here can take their self-important bullshit and stuff it up their ass. The OP isn’t taking his camera and deliberately shooting photos of you, dipshits.
Like he said above, “Even if I’m just walking around with the thing in my hand often times I can feel the animosity just seething out of people. “
How many times in your life has anyone deliberately taken your photograph without your permission in a public space?
I thought so…
@ Mole Rat… I totally agree. A few people in my class did that, and somehow got it done. I think it takes a certain type of outgoing personality, some trait I don’t have.
Well said, BF.
This is no worse than the news and their B roll footage. I’m sure they don’t get permission from the thousands of people they shoot daily before they shoot them.
I mean news cameras will film the asses and guts of fat people and broadcast that and no one seems to get up in arms over it….so what’s the big deal with a few candid shots?
If you’re in a public place, then what’s the problem? I know I’ve taken pics of people inadvertantly while out places, and I’ve been in a few without permission. Unless, someone is aiming directly at you, while taking multiples of just you, then it shouldn’t be a problem. Maybe they’re afraid of being on the internet being caught doing something they weren’t supposed to be doing, or somewhere they weren’t supposed to be.
NSCAD people, did you also do the drawings of random people? I’ve been the subject of them a couple of times when they go to the food court at Scotia Square, Always felt kind of awkward being drawn like that while just sitting there drinking my coffee. Wish I’d had the guts to go up to them and ask to see the drawings.
I didn’t have to draw random people… though maybe I will later on. NSCAD students will be more than happy to show you their drawings too.
Drew random people a lot for gesture practice.
My boyfriend did that a lot. He was pretty subtle about it…he’d stop if they noticed.
“”Also, if you’re taking pics with kids in them people get extra cautious. I would crack your skull if you took a pic of my nephew. This is what perverts do. “”
Haha, good ole “internet bravado”..crack a skull there, “kick your ass there”….lmao
Although the scowling and unhappy faces of Haligonians are not a subject that interests me in the least…just reading shite like this makes me want to go out and snap away….and that includes you, your fat wife and your grease-stained ice-creamed-mouth little nephews and neices as well…
The fucking paranoia by today’s Fox News-watching parents would be laughable, if it wasn’t so sad…””Stranger danger…STRANGER DANGER!!”… what a joke…
“That’s what perverts do…” Says who? You? Hilarious…
Until media outlets found they could sell more ad space by scaring the hell out of people with stories of old men in rain coats with cameras at the hockey rink being “perverts”…what did we call these photographers? Oh, I remember,…hockey fans.
Now parents have themselves so wound up in “fear”, they miss the REAL dangers – estranged spouses, relatives and Catholic Priests…
I’m enjoying travelling in China right now. No one gives a shit if you take a picture of them, or videotape them. Giggling Chinese girls run up to take pictures of us and with us. It’s fantastic. I wish it were like this back in NS…
Fish, you said “How many times in your life has anyone deliberately taken your photograph without your permission in a public space? I thought so…” What? How could anybody be expected to know if their photo has been taken when permission is not sought? Do we wait until said photo is posted on the internet to find out? Not very respectful but legal(?) so, maybe that’s why people aren’t happy when a camera’s in their face, eh? (it’s legal for me to blow smoke in your face on the street too)
It seems to never occur to fancy-camera wielding people some of their subjects would like to take that camera and put it where the sun don’t shine… in public or not.
What I mean by deliberately, is someone taking a photo where they can get close enough to get a clear shot of your face… or if a photographer is using you as a subject in their photograph.
I mean, say you’re just browsing facebook randomly and you happen to find a picture of yourself on a street in the distance, or in a crowd, would that bother you? I agree there is a certain level of privacy a photographer should respect, like don’t take photographs of people as a subject without them knowing… but you can’t expect a photographer to ask permission to every person on a public space.
People can get upset about it if they want, but it’s usually misguided. Photographers don’t make thousands of dollars selling those photographs, they don’t paste them all over the internet (usually). More often then not they’re deleted or stored on some hard driver forever.
If they didn’t notice a photographer take their photograph in the first place, chances are that photograph isn’t too revealing about who they are. Unless the photographer used a zoom lens and pointed it through a car window… there isn’t anything to worry about.
I’m not saying there aren’t the rare bad apples… but for whatever reason there is an animosity against photographers that is usually not well placed. The worst you can imagine is a fear that’s been greatly exaggerated by our overly protective society.
Until you have my consent form filled out & an amount of cash decided on for my image, point your camera somewhere else. What makes you think that you can just shove your damn lens up my ass or where ever you like to put it, without consent ?
You want to take photo’s have some respect…seems that’s what you want from strangers, but you have none yourself.
Bastard Fish – “By Canadian law, no. It’s perfectly legal in a public space.”
This is true and it’s ALWAYS a good idea to have release forms on hand. I have been a photographer for going on ten years now. I have spoken with individuals in the government regarding privacy in Canada just to cover my ass. As said before it’s what is done with the images that can pose a problem.
“Only legal action can be taken further if the photographer uses the images or videos to portray the individual in a ‘falsely” slanderous way. By that I mean if you photograph someone beating a child, it’s not illegal, but if you photograph someone in a way that looks like the person is beating a child, but isn’t, it is illegal.”
Not true. It does not matter whether it’s “in a ‘falsely” slanderous way” or not. Without permission from the individual who you have captured with your camera you CANNOT publish their image anywhere INCLUDING the internet. It’s a stretch but what if the person(s) were in some sort of witness protection program or someone hiding from their abusive spouse, etc.?
The laws are different when it comes to editorial usage.
Mr_McNasty,
If that is the case, then what about your right to take photographs? If the person is in public, how can they demand privacy? During news broadcasts, do you think the camera crew gets release forms from everyone appearing in the news film?
If you are going to publish the work, then yes, you should get release forms. However, taking the actual photograph does not require any permission from the subject.
When people are in public (sidewalk, playground, etc..), then they should not expect any form of privacy and threatening or demanding a photographer to not photograph someone is not an order that the photographer is expected to follow. If you (the photographer) is threatened, call the police and tell them that you are being threatened by someone.
For those too lazy to read the entire thing (http://www.ambientlight.ca/laws.php#You_ar…), here’s a snippet:
Federal Law
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
The Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees basic rights and freedoms for all Canadians. However, the Charter only dictates the government’s role (ie: the police can’t stop you from taking photos, just because they feel like it). The charter does not:
* Relieve you of breaking other laws
* Relieve you of breaking civil law (you vs. another person or company)
* Dictate what you are allowed to do on someone else’s property
You are guaranteed the right to express yourself through photography, and you have the freedom to publish the photos you take. Unless you are arrested, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees your right to take photographs of anything you want, as well as publish them.
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, 2.b):
freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication;
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, 7.:
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice.
No interference from Police
The Police can not interfere with your lawful enjoyment of property. They can not search you, detain you, nor imprison you without legal reason.
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms:
7. Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice.
8. Everyone has the right to be secure against unreasonable search or seizure.
9. Everyone has the right not to be arbitrarily detained or imprisoned.
Reasonable Expectation of Privacy
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms also says that every Canadian is guaranteed a reasonable expectation of privacy. This protects your privacy against unreasonable search, and seizure of your property by the government. See Criminal Voyeurism, and Provincial Privacy Acts for the laws that protect your privacy, and the privacy of those whom you are taking photos of.
onlythetruth – I NEVER said that you need permission “taking the actual photograph”. You have every right to take the photograph. People can say to you: “DON’T TAKE MY PICTURE!” (i.e. “demand privacy”) until they’re blue in the face. It’s perfectly fine to “shoot” this person. To avoid any physical confrontation, you may want to respect their wishes. Stay safe.
However, your rights are limited by what you decide to do with the image(s) (i.e. if and when you decide to publish your photography). You could get a poster made of this person and put it up in your house. You can’t display it in a public area. That is, “in your house” does not mean in your bedroom or living room window where it can be seen by the general public. Cover your ass. If you decide to publish an image that contains an identifiable person, get a signed release form. It’s not a difficult thing to do.
“If the person is in public, how can they demand privacy?”
It is legal to take the photographs. People cannot say a damn thing. Problems arise when they are used (i.e. published) inappropriately and/or without permission.
“During news broadcasts, do you think the camera crew gets release forms from everyone appearing in the news film?”
That’s editorial usage and it’s a whole other ball of wax.
I suggest you reread my post. Much of your post is merely reiterating what I said.
“””During news broadcasts, do you think the camera crew gets release forms from everyone appearing in the news film?”””
We’ve all seen documentaries etc where people’s faces are blurred out. I assume it was because they didn’t sign the consent?
At any rate, I am one of those annoying fucks that when he sees a news crew doing a “man on the street” or location report…I have to drop what I’m doing and run over and monkey around behind the newscaster, in the shot, like an idiot…the more stupid and goofy the better…
That too, is my right. I can stand behind the subject and act like a moron, and I often do.
They were doing a local news “bit” in front of the liquor store in Tantallon last winter, and when I came out they were just interviewing the first “subject” with the store as a back drop. I had my parka on and I buttoned it up crookedly and proceeded to shuffle along very slowly “in the shot”, stopping occasionally to hack and cough my lungs out, whilst muttering. My rum was in a paper bag, and I waved that around as well.
After a few minutes of this, they moved their camera…which is also their right…
Geesh Frosty, you always have a funny story about what you “did” in almost every thread.
Gluing down coins for bums, ruining TV shots, skateboarding without a helmet, a trail of left behinds from London to Panama, torturing CSrs and Toll booth workers.
Wow, I’m amazed that you have time for this board.
Geesh Matthew, I was trying to figure out why the quotes around the word “did”….and then I took a few minutes to look at YOUR recent contributions to this board, and it all made sense, lol –
“”Don’t get sucked into (frosTy’s) lame post.””
“”Man Frosty, you are one dedicated troll.””
“” He can ask the police to arrest you, something I’m sure (fRosTy’s) far too familiar with.”” (He can, they won’t, and I’m not 🙂 )
“”Frosty crosses the bridge into the land of total dickery.”” (It’s fRosTy)
“”Welcome to “SUCKER SHOWCASE” with your host baD mR fRosTy!”” (More like it)
“”I think BMF ….is a poor wayward /b/tard.””
LOL, with what appears to a growing (and slightly creepy) obsession with ole fRosTy, I wonder how YOU have time for YOUR input to this forum…especially one as consistantly well written and witty as yours…
….a “troll”? LMAO. Wow, that one took me by surprise! He called me a “troll”!
What is it, 1997?
Welcome to the internets Matthew…hilarious.
😉
Frosty, I appreciate a good troll like you, just be careful not to have too many “did that” stories.
Frosty – While calling someone a troll is hardly 1997 (what, do they have a new name for them now?) I have to say you are starting to grow on me just ever so slightly.
Well Matthew, I’ve had a pretty boring life compared to many others, and so I’ll probably run out of “did that” stories any day now…not to worry mate!
In the meantime, it would be interesting to hear you post something other than the usual ad hominum attacks and one-liners….you’re gonna end up like those two old guys in the balcony on the Muppet Show!
I did kinda like the “land of dickery” concept though, as long as I can be the king…
I think it was the story about ruining the news “bit,” heh
Ha, PK, wouldn’t it suck to one day recognise your own fat ass on TV as they talk about obesity pandemics? I would think that would be the last straw before going on a diet.
You think it’s awkward using an SLR in the streets? Try wandering around town with full sound gear on and a boom pole, now thats’s when you get looks.
I hate having my picture taken without warning. I get uncomfortable when someone’s just snapping away at me, so I want to leave – except I’m in public and shouldn’t have to, and then I get resentful because of it. So I’m mad at the photographer and myself because this is stupid.
well i didnt take the time to read all the comment above me but i will just say
i am a fire performer and i am often down town spinning at victoria park and i love when people come and take pictures i met two very awesome photographers on the weekend and i just want to say keep up the good work because even tho there are many people out there who dont like pictures there are just as many people out there who will injoy them
keep up the good work
Wow this got long fast. My turn. 🙂 Ok i’m a huge candid photographer. 70% of my photos are candid shots of my friends at parties and the bar. i have to agree, on one end. i get some of the dirtiest looks when i carry my nikon SLR around with me. i love the thing, but get some bad looks. if i’m carrying my little cannon point and shoot noone gives a rats ass, and i could be there snapping hundreds of photos with that and not a noise comes from it(not that i do, just saying) and i have taken some candid shots of men, women, even some nice family shots. and if i don’t have promession before i take the shot, i’ll walk over to the group or person and explain who i am, what i’m doing. show them the photo i have taken. i even get there information so i can e-mail then the photos. and 90% of the time when i approch people i get “WOW, what an amazing shot.” there is the odd person who puts up a fit, and i delete the photo. but that is just me. i have hundreds of photos of my friends with who know’s in the background. people must understand that most of us using a SLR can make everyone in the background blurry. and when i’m in public i do so. i’ve had people approch me demanding to see the photos i have taken. stating they were in the back ground. and they were, but guess what. i used the settings on my camera to make sure they were blured out, my friends are crystal clear and the trees or what ever i was wanting to make a little clear was clear in the back ground. so just cause you see someone pointing a SLR in your derction, done mean crap. i’d be more worried about the point and shoots, cause i can’t do half the crap i can with my SLR. well people thats my rant (YES i know i suck at spelling, punctuation and gramer.)
A little late to the threat Cyprus, but you raised an excellent point.
OK, who wants to go on a photo shoot in a public area??
well someone read it 🙂