Shooting in public

[DeLeon]

I went to the municipal skate park sat. afternoon, just to do some shooting. I was approached by a mom and asked to stop photographing her child, and to give her my film. I told her I had no film, and that she was not getting my memory card. She told me that I had no right to photographer her son without her permission...yada yada yada....and to delete the photos of her son.

I politely (as possible) told her that it was a public park adn that I had a right to shoot whatever I wanted and to call the police if thats what she thought she had to do.

How should I have handeld the situation?

[CaptainTom]

I might have tried to explain to her that I was just taking photographs, and that I had no evil reason to take pictures of anyone, and that any pictures I took would not be used for commercial puposes. You explained your rights, and most people don't understand that you generally have the right to photograph people in public. I carry a copy of the photographers rights in my bag, and have given it to people who don't understand.
I also will tell them that I will stop taking picutures of the child since they are sensitive about it.
If they persist in harassing ME, I would call the police on them.

How about carrying an old film canister around with you, and giving it to them ?? It could have one exposed frame that is a close up of photographers rights. Maybe I AM evil....?

[awsilver]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

It could have one exposed frame that is a close up of photographers rights. Maybe I AM evil....?

Haaahaa...I read that the first time as "one exposed frame that is a close up of photographers middle finger" <-- not sure how "rights" translated to that, but thought it was funny either way.

AW

[CaptainTom]

Originally Posted by awsilver

Haaahaa...I read that the first time as "one exposed frame that is a close up of photographers middle finger" <-- not sure how "rights" translated to that, but thought it was funny either way.

AW

I think that would get the point across as well. ROFL

[garyb50]

Interesting article regarding this: http://tinyurl.com/9kbm5

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

You did pretty much what every one else on this board pretty much would have done. One thing is that you can have some business cards made up that lead her off to a website that isn't affiliated with you. Just say that you are a free lance photographer and hand her the card if she wishes to contact you. *just don't mix the cards up with your legit business cards and watch out for her if you plan to go back to the park again.

Just like that dude that was arrested a few weeks back shooting at some event that was released after a few hours. I wonder if he ever sued that department for false arrest?

[snidow]

I think you handled it well, and inviting her to call the police was a good move I think. I plan to carry copies of the photographers rights with me for now on and just hand them a copy of it when they want to push the issue.

[MarekWK]

Originally Posted by garyb50

Interesting article regarding this: http://tinyurl.com/9kbm5

interesting indeed... "if you can see it, you can shoot it" (with a very few restrictions).

[johnastovall]

Carry a few copies of this around and give it to such people in the future.

http://www.krages.com/phoright.htm

[markperez]

What is the photographers rights? Is it a written texas law? If it isn't then really it isn't going to help. Remember that guy at october fest that was arrested and had his name and picture in the media. Well of course it turns out he was totally innocent but the damage was done.

I know this isn't a popular view but I hate the argument that just because someone is out in public we as photographers have a so called right to take their picture. Why should they expect to have their picture taken everytime they walk out the door?

This of course is my opinion and I am not saying anyone here is wrong from their views I just have a different thought then the rest.

[johnastovall]

Originally Posted by markperez

What is the photographers rights? Is it a written texas law? If it isn't then really it isn't going to help. Remember that guy at october fest that was arrested and had his name and picture in the media. Well of course it turns out he was totally innocent but the damage was done.

I know this isn't a popular view but I hate the argument that just because someone is out in public we as photographers have a so called right to take their picture. Why should they expect to have their picture taken everytime they walk out the door?

This of course is my opinion and I am not saying anyone here is wrong from their views I just have a different thought then the rest.

Laws don't confer rights. They restrict them. As for having your picture taken every time you walk out the door, take a look around at all the security cameras.

[Sef Hafez]

That's a good point.... there's always securety cameras.... and no one get's their feathers ruffled because of those.. do they?

[bullsparade]

Deleon.... was it a .45 or a 9mm you were "shooting" with? I know those two calibers always get me in trouble in public. Hunter S. Thompson also had problems shooting in public, he even used more calibers than I others.....

[gabriher]

I think you could have handled it a little better. Now-a-days people are scared when their children get photographed, especially when its a Male. First thing you could have done was looked for the parent and asked them for permission. Thats how you get the respect of people. You should have told her that you would delete the pictures ASAP and that they would not get published anywhere and walked away. I deal with people that dont like to be photographed, so I have to respect their wishes. Yes you are in public park, but taking a photo of a thing is totally different than taking a photo of a human. They react faster. Hope that helps.

[bullsparade]

People's right to privacy is in a private place not a public place. Human non-human it really doesnt matter. We can expect privacy in our homes and when we set up situations to intentionally block ourselves from public view... other than that you are fair game in public.

I do believe courtesy is the best way to fend off any worried parents. Walking up to a group of parents at a skate park or other PUBLIC place and telling them you will be taking pictures and maybe even why, if you feel like it...would at least give them a chance to decide whether to keep their kid skating or sideline him while you shoot.

I realize this isnt the photojournalism catagory but I spent over 5 years as a news videographer for CBS. Dealt with this all the time.... Shooting pictures on private property is even allowed...you will get nailed for tressspassing after you have been warned but they cant take your images you got before the warning. The best was a "massage parlor" we had here on town....it was the uh..."full service" kind. The cops called us at the TV station and gave us a heads up on a raid...so we tagged along...I busted into the rooms with the cops, taping it ALL and I do mean ALL!! It was ten minutes of tape before the manager of the parlor finally got wise and said..I want him (me) off my property. I had all the video I needed and he was in handcuffs... to add fuel to the fire...I stood next to the police car he was in for another thirty minutes shooting through the window at him...it was mean, I know... but he had grabbed at my camera so many times telling me to stop shooting...before he smarted up and exercised his right to kick me out of the "parlor"... and the cops told him there was nothing they could do about it...I was on public property and could shoot anything I wanted.