Father Accused

Cason

This is :bigbs Paranoia strikes again.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1035315/Father-branded-pervert--photographing-children-public-park.html

BlueHoseJacket

That is unbelievable, I agree BS.

I see part of the problem though...he using a Nikon:D

RandallPMcMurphy

This freaks me out. As someone who is just getting into photography, i want to go out and photograph everything, but have only shot at my own families BBQ and in my house......and 1 day at the beach, which...I felt like everyone was thinking I was a pervert, even though I was with my fiance and only shooting (or trying to at least) the birds and boats.

Angelo

BlueHoseJacket wrote:

I see part of the problem though...he using a Nikon:D

BANNED!

:lol4 Just kidding :lol4

xris

Is It a Regional Phenomenon?
I'm interested to know if this is happening where you live?

It is an interesting phenomenon. Seems more like group hysteria than civic concern! But what if it spreads, making street photography a dangerous craft?

I've seen a few passing references to this issue, but they are all from the UK? And during my recent visit to Northern England a relative made a point of advising that I not take photos of children in public, citing recent fanaticism. She noted that the schools are being particularly wary of people with cameras.

I wonder, did this develop from repeat problems concerning the unauthorized publication of photos of children, or simply from radical paranoia?

Is it mostly in the UK?

Are there cases of people taking serious issue with street photography in general?

Check out this thread too:http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=99335

RogersDA

The bigger picture for this guy: his name and the word "pervert" are forever tied together due to the wonders of the internet.

geospatial_junkie

Paranoia runs rampant everywhere. These types of parents really need to take some therapy sessions. Maybe the problem isn't the photographer...

What a sad, disgusting article this is. I wonder if a lawsuit may be in the works here....

Angelo

unfortunately this is happening more and more...

my friend Shawn writes about it daily on his blog

http://discarted.wordpress.com/

Photobycate

It is a phenomenon as you say. I was at the beach this weekend walking along the shore watching the little kids having a blast in the water, filling their beach buckets with sand, digging holes and just plain having fun. I wanted so bad to capture some of that joy but held back because I was afraid that the parents would get the wrong idea and get upset at me.

xris wrote:

I'm interested to know if this is happening where you live?

It is an interesting phenomenon. Seems more like group hysteria than civic concern! But what if it spreads, making street photography a dangerous craft?

I've seen a few passing references to this issue, but they are all from the UK? And during my recent visit to Northern England a relative made a point of advising that I not take photos of children in public, citing recent fanaticism. She noted that the schools are being particularly wary of people with cameras.

I wonder, did this develop from repeat problems concerning the unauthorized publication of photos of children, or simply from radical paranoia?

Is it mostly in the UK?

Are there cases of people taking serious issue with street photography in general?

Check out this thread too:http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=99335

geospatial_junkie

I work with someone that has this disease. I was talking with a co-worker about this thread and she pipes in knowing I'm a photographer. Apparently, she can "sympathize" with the parents of the other children because they are the "only" ones with the right to "photograph" them.

"BWAAHAAAHAAAAHAA"....was my response. I tried to patiently explain to her that they were not being sold, they were not the focal point of the photo (the photographer's children were), etc...
She went on to explain to me that she would always kindly ask photographers to not photograph her children if they were with other kids (at least she askes nicely...).

Yes... our society has nurtured fear mongering to another level and we must live with it unfortunately.

xris

Heart of the Problem

geospatial_junkie wrote:

... Apparently, she can "sympathize" with the the parents of the other children because they are the "only" ones with the right to "photograph" them....

This gets to the very heart of a problem I've been trying to solve for some time.

I am of a two minds on this one -- and that, like you, tends to conflict with my photographic drive. I see millions of great 'kid' or 'kid/parent' shots. I'd love to shoot first and ask questions later, but that can easily create problems.

And this is where the "two minds" comes in:

Legally, in most jurisdictions I'm familiar with, it seems you have a right to photograph anyone you want in a public place -- generally as long as you're not damaging their character or using the pix commercially without their consent.

But socially, I don't like it when someone feels they can shoot me without my consent. It just seems culturally ignorant to not at least introduce yourself and tell me why you want to shoot me. Is it really any different than hiding behind a bush and watching me with binoculars?

Wide space between those two attitudes, eh?

What makes it more complex is that a child can legally be represented by an adult guardian. So, seems to me (a parent) that it is the guardian's responsibility to make sure the child is not being taken advantage of or used inappropriately. This responsibility alone is enough to make me bark at an un-announced photographer.

The Problem: I'd like to take some serious StreetPix I can sell on-line. Shoot the 'nice kid' and 'happy child with parent' shots. Approach the parent/guardian after the fact. ID myself and provide a link to the photo's.

Problem is, I'm afraid of creating a bad reaction while trying to shoot.

geospatial_junkie

I don`t think its possible to do good street photography and not angering some people. Once they know what they are doing, they`ll begin to pose.

I think it just goes with the territory unfortunately.

richtersl

This is one of the most absurd things I've ever read.

Those accusers are in some serious need of psychotherapy.

I've done some street photography and haven't had any issues with it. Yet.