Pixtus - Photography Forum, Photographers, Photo Tips

Imagebuffet · 07:45 PM

As some of you know, I shoot photo and video snapshots pretty much all day and night. I have several reasons for doing this:

* I like keeping notes of my daily activities
* I like the aid to my memory and extension of my senses
* I like to document how the world changes
* I need to record important events

and so forth.

Among other events that I record, my college class sessions are common. I have been recording my college classes using video, photos and audio files for the last 6 years or so. I like that I am able to capture all those stray comments the professors make that are gone faster than I can write. I like being able to refer to the visual illustrations that my professors display to the class. I like being able to capture my lab experiments for data points that I might miss during the actual lab period.

Normally, my videography does not elicit a response from the other members of my classes. This semester, however, I am suddenly finding myself in confrontations with people regarding the role of photography in public. One professor told me on the 2nd day of class that after that day, I would not be permitted to video record his lectures. A lab partner in another class muttered during a lab that he thought it was creepy that someone would shoot video of lab experiments, and he claimed that it was illegal to photograph people without their permission. Meanwhile, my college has been installing cameras throughout the buildings, aimed at the trafficked areas where students walk.

I've had these types of debates, before, but always online. People who don't even notice that they are video recorded a dozen times a day, in their full view, denounce me loudly when I mention that I shoot video from my car. That has been a difference between online discussions and real world discussions. Now, though, it seems that the online opinions are coming into convergence with face-to-face encounters.

What am I to make of the schizophrenic divide between the reality that people accept and the world they claim exists? Are you disturbed when you notice someone photographing a crowd of people, particularly at an event?

dwilliams35 · 01-30-2011, 01:23 AM

If I knew where the guy watching that video in the Wal-mart was, I'd yell at him too. You're just making it obvious. I'd call it creepy too...

Rson · 01-30-2011, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Imagebuffet

I've had these types of debates, before, but always online. People who don't even notice that they are video recorded a dozen times a day, in their full view, denounce me loudly when I mention that I shoot video from my car.

Yeah a little creepy.

ChristopherCoy · 01-30-2011, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Imagebuffet

People who don't even notice that they are video recorded a dozen times a day, in their full view, denounce me loudly when I mention that I shoot video from my car.

Well don't tell them that you photograph yourself naked in front of fences.... they'll stone you.

Imagebuffet · 01-30-2011, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChristopherCoy

Well don't tell them that you photograph yourself naked in front of fences.... they'll stone you.

That plays off two of the greatest fears of Texans; photography and male nudity. At least Texas didn't go the route of Arkansas, and actually outlaw public nudity! I still don't understand why not.

Texans have quite an imagination. For example, if someone were to suggest that they would like to shoot a photo of pretty women walking up some stairs that are located across the room from him, what would you think of that person and that suggestion? I've seen several people independently give the same answer, which seems really weird (how often can you get the same answer for anything?).

brewercm · 01-30-2011, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Imagebuffet

For example, if someone were to suggest that they wou

ld like to shoot a photo of pretty women walking up some stairs that are located across the room from him, what would you think of that person and that suggestion? I've seen several people independently give the same answer, which seems really weird (how often can you get the same answer for anything?).

First word that comes to mind is pervert. Second thought is thank God he's not my neighbor. Finally, you have to be yanking our chain with these posts. If not please seek professional medical help. I'm not trying to be a smartass, being serious as can be.

Imagebuffet · 01-30-2011, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brewercm

First word that comes to mind is pervert.

Yes, but specifically why would you think that person is a pervert? You have something in mind when you make that statement. It isn't something that would have occurred to me until several people stated it.

Imagebuffet · 01-30-2011, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwilliams35

If I knew where the guy watching that video in the Wal-mart was, I'd yell at him too. You're just making it obvious. I'd call it creepy too...

Over in another thread posted recently on this forum is a photo of a retired astronaut giving a speech to a crowd. The photographer captured some of the members of the crowd in his photo. Do you find that creepy?

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...ican-hero.html

Normal people don't expect photographers to get permission from every person in a crowd who might be in a photo. Many Texans do.

brewercm · 01-30-2011, 05:30 PM

This is based on several of your previous posts, not just this specific one. There's a huge difference between getting pictures of people in a crowd and focusing (pardon the pun) on a specific person. I would have a serious problem if I found out somebody was taking photographs of my daughter without her knowledge or permission. Let's just say it wouldn't be a pretty confrontation.

ChristopherCoy · 01-30-2011, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Imagebuffet

Over in another thread posted recently on this forum is a photo of a retired astronaut giving a speech to a crowd. The photographer captured some of the members of the crowd in his photo. Do you find that creepy?

Um... a noted astronaut, and a creepy guy stalking me in his personal car are two very, VERY different things dude. The fact that you even THINK thats a valid argument creeps me out even more.

Imagebuffet · 01-30-2011, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChristopherCoy

Um... a noted astronaut, and a creepy guy stalking me in his personal car are two very, VERY different things dude. The fact that you even THINK thats a valid argument creeps me out even more.

I specifically mentioned that several people have claimed to me that it is illegal to photograph people without their permission. The context in each instance is when I shoot a photo randomly of a crowd. The mere presence of a camera recording a meeting, even if not pointed at specific participants, is threatening to many people.

ChristopherCoy · 01-30-2011, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Imagebuffet

I specifically mentioned that several people have claimed to me that it is illegal to photograph people without their permission.

It may not be illegal.... but its still creepy.

Imagebuffet · 01-30-2011, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brewercm

This is based on several of your previous posts, not just this specific one. There's a huge difference between getting pictures of people in a crowd and focusing (pardon the pun) on a specific person. I would have a serious problem if I found out somebody was taking photographs of my daughter without her knowledge or permission. Let's just say it wouldn't be a pretty confrontation.

You do realize that happens every week, if not every day, right? Are you going to go pick a fight with every bank, government agency, school, street photographer, police cruiser, TV station, etc.?