Kind of ethical question

[drivin_me_nuts]

I was on the seafront taking pictures at the weekend - portrait shots of strangers and asked a lot of people the vast majority of whom said yes. If you've never done it, it's an entertaining way to spend an afternoon and great if you've had a beer or two. Anyway, several very disabled people came along in electric wheelchairs (and I mean very disabled..) and I almost stopped them to ask if I could take their picture...but I didn't and I felt bad about asking..

so my question for you is would you have stopped and asked if you were doing the same thing?

[RobDickinson]

I dont see why you'd treat them any differently, if your asking other people just ask them, they may enjoy the attention like anyone else, or be shy and refuse.

[KB_S1]

I suppose it may lead to the problem that they think that you wanted to take their picture ONLY.
If there was plenty people close by at the same time and you were asking around it would be fine but if they were slightly isolated it may lead to misunderstanding of your intentions and desire to photograph them. Tricky one.

[stigmundfreud]

ethics dont come into it, you want the shot you take the shot whilst you legally still can. It is nice to ask but I wouldnt boher, 9/10 people wont even think you are taking one of them if you position your body good enough and those that do, just chat to them and explain.

[Pook]

If you want close up individual shots.. just ask. Most people are pretty reasonable. If it's froma distance and you want a candid shot, just do it. If you have a conscience about it, go up to them and tell them you just did and ask if they have a problem with it.

[Famous Graham]

I got a right earful from a bird talking to a homeless guy in Edinburgh the other day - she saw me take a shot of him and accosted me as I walked passed. He was fine about it but she just couldn't help sticking her oar in.

Very much the "I'm going be offended on his behalf" type.

Silly cow.

[TonyHetherington]

Do you lot literally just take photos of people then? I was in Barcelona the other night down on the beach with my camera (early evening, so wasn't loads of people in bikinis or anything)...anyway, i felt very guilty.

[2jamesl]

I wouldn't even consider of taking pictures of total strangers. The final result is usually very unappealing to myself and i wouldn't have the nerve to go up to somebody and say can i take a picture of you. Guess thats just me but i just see it as rude and inconsiderate as i bet half of them just say yes in the kind of situation where you feel you have to.

[Famous Graham]

TonyHetherington said:

Do you lot literally just take photos of people then?

Yup.

I don't do it often and, when I do, 99% of the time it's with my film camera (so quite a small body and discreet shutter). The point for me though is usually capturing people behaving naturally - that's ruined the moment they see the camera.

I have done the odd portrait where I've wanted the subject looking into the camera, but it's rare.

(oh and if I've any thought at all that they've seen me take the shot, I walk straight up to them, say I have and ask if I can use it. If they didn't notice, I sidle off )

Edited by Famous Graham on Tuesday 7th August 16:23

[VxDuncan]

Same here - though I struggle in England. Doesn't bother me abroad for some reason, probably 'cos you just ask by waving the camera, not by talking! I too try and "get a banker" while they are unawares and refine the shot later if needed. I've very rarely had someone refuse a shot, and if they do, that's t. Not worth pushing. Usually long lenses are good, as is wide angle, fast shutter speed shooting from the hip. I guess it's something you have to get used to. Lord know's I've been photographed so many times in Asia for being tall and very, very white I'm knowhere near even!

[mph999]

Do it quite a lot myself, if "challanged" I would explain and offer to delete the photo, though so far this hasn't happened, which is the idea, I don't want people to know, to get the kind of shot I'm after ... - Martin

Edited by mph999 on Wednesday 8th August 01:49

[TonyHetherington]

Blimey, I'm surprised but I really like that candid look so might give it a go! Thanks

[EmmaP]

I always ask people permission wherever possible. If it isn't possible I make it pretty obvious what I am doing so that they can turn their face away if they don't want to get in the picture. I don't think you should have a problem with asking disabled people if you can take their photograph. Most people are quite happy to be photographed.

If you are not going to misrepresent people then you should not feel bad. Awkwardness and self-consciousness diminishes over time.

Edited by EmmaP on Wednesday 8th August 12:55

[TonyHetherington]

EmmaP said:

Most people are quite happy to be photographed.

That's the bit that surprises me. I konw SO many people (mostly girls) who turn away at the merest hint of a camera!

[EmmaP]

TonyHetherington said:

EmmaP said:

Most people are quite happy to be photographed.

That's the bit that surprises me. I konw SO many people (mostly girls) who turn away at the merest hint of a camera!

Actually the only time I ever came up against any protest (and I've been photographing for twenty years) was at a PH ladies meet two years ago. I was totally floored! There is a knack to persuading people to be photographed and putting them at their ease. I think it comes from being ballsy and having a big smile

[drivin_me_nuts]

At the weekeend me and the missue took over 700 portrait and hip shots. Most were so-so but some were really good. Pretty much everyone we asked said yes and the only objections seemed to be more of a mysterious 'I have my reasons...' thy thing than a definate 'no, sodoff!'. What was more interesting was when we sat at a table with a beer and then started taking photos, quite a few people wanted to know what we were doing - not in a bad way, but actually wanted to be in the photos.. Funny, not sure of it was the combination of the beer and the warm weather, but something worked.

[speedychrissie]

ive only done it on a couple of times (eg at festivals) but i havent asked people. normally it is with my 70-300mm lens so the person i am taking the photo of is about 50m away. im not going to walk 50m to be told by a random stranger that i cant take their photo.

far too lazy.