Pervert photographs children in public park

[CaptainTom]

I've had people at weddings ask not to be photographed. I quickly and politely tell them that I have a lot of photos to take that night and it will have to be their responsibility to stay out from in front of my camera.
I've had people at gatherings actually line up with the other people and then after the shot , tell me they can't have their picture published. I tell them that since they did not warn me ahead of time, I could not guarantee anything except I would try to respect their wishes. Generally these kind of requests come from people who are not where they are supposed to be, or not with who they are supposed to be with, and once in a while they are women who are trying to keep their ex'es from knowing their whereabouts.

[kenw]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

Generally these kind of requests come from people who are not where they are supposed to be, or not with who they are supposed to be with, and once in a while they are women who are trying to keep their ex'es from knowing their whereabouts.

"I can sell you a print for $10, or i can delete your pic for $25....cash only."

[dlanter]

Just wanted to jump in and share a recent experience.
A couple of months ago after getting a new lens I wanted to go out and get some test shots with it. I passed girls soccer game and thought that would be a good test shoot. After shooting no more than half a dozen frames, a woman approached and asked which kid was mine. When I told her that I didn't have any kids there she turned and yelled to someone "this guys likes taking pictures of little girls". I didn't wait for any responses, just picked up my stuff and left.
On the way home, I got really angry about it. I changed shirts, put on a cap and took my wife with me back to that same soccer field. I probably took at least 40 or 50 shots this time before that exact same lady approached again. This time she said that if I happened to have gotten any pictures of her daughter she would like to have a copy. I turned to her, took off my cap and told her I don't sell childrens pictures to strangers. As her jaw was dropping to the ground, I turned and left. I got the test shots I wanted and a little revenge at the same time.

[SaSha]

Originally Posted by dlanter

Just wanted to jump in and share a recent experience.
A couple of months ago after getting a new lens I wanted to go out and get some test shots with it. I passed girls soccer game and thought that would be a good test shoot. After shooting no more than half a dozen frames, a woman approached and asked which kid was mine. When I told her that I didn't have any kids there she turned and yelled to someone "this guys likes taking pictures of little girls". I didn't wait for any responses, just picked up my stuff and left.
On the way home, I got really angry about it. I changed shirts, put on a cap and took my wife with me back to that same soccer field. I probably took at least 40 or 50 shots this time before that exact same lady approached again. This time she said that if I happened to have gotten any pictures of her daughter she would like to have a copy. I turned to her, took off my cap and told her I don't sell childrens pictures to strangers. As her jaw was dropping to the ground, I turned and left. I got the test shots I wanted and a little revenge at the same time.

Classic

[lucian]

Originally posted by adam75south: people can be idiots. i'm always confused about stuff like this. the same parents would be fine with their kids being in the newspaper with name and all.

I wonder how many of these people post their whole lives in personal web sites and blogs?

I've gotten some strange looks when I took pictures of my grandsons at the park though I was not approached by any one. But it is most uncomfortable to have folks watching your every move.

I wonder if watch in the same manner. I am very protective of my grandsons.

[ggeen]

Originally Posted by LanceHaynie

Gah I hope not!! I can only imagine if she/he runs into a photographer that carries (legally)

I do, and often. I was working a 24hr event a few weeks back and you won't catch me out there unprotected. But legally means following all the laws. In some places one just cannot carry.

[ggeen]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

With all of this bad feelings and distrust regarding photographers, what is it that we can do to turn the tide ? Does there need to be an organization started to actively promote the good things about photography and photographers ? Do we need to band together and contact all the government agencies and campaign against prejudice and mis-conception ?

What should be done ? What can be done ?

We could call it the PU, photographer's union.

-G