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Question: Photographers: Is there a line of what's acceptable or unacceptable to photograph!?
I like to capture people candidly, so I never ask them for permission before I take a shot of them (on public property)!. I understand that this is really rude, but I can't ask for permission since I'll lose what I wanted to capture when the subject is totally aware of me!. Generally, is there a rule of what's acceptable to photograph!? For example, would it be awfully rude and disrespectful to just walk up to a homeless person and take a shot!? The purpose of doing this is to document and bring to light the conditions of homeless people in the city, since they are often overlooked and ignored!. But how can I do this without offending the person I am photographing and everyone else around me!?Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
You might learn a lot and broaden your horizens a little if you try approaching your potential subjects FIRST!. It takes a little more of a time commitment, but if you find someone who is willing to talk to you, and also is willing to be in a photograph (there is nothing wrong with offering a little cash or a meal), then you can stick around long enough for them to get back to what they were doing that appealed to you in the first place!.
You are likely to learn more from the experience when you have contact with the subject!. You might find that you have some misconceptions about the homeless!. If homelessness is something that you are passionate about, it can only do you good to get to know some of those affected by it on a personal level!. Www@QuestionHome@Com
As long as you're not using the photographs to humiliate anyone you should be fine!.
I've done this myself and with homeless people!. If you really want to make more of an impact, after you get your candid shot maybe you can try approaching the person you photographed!. Talk to them and build a good repore with them!. Let them know what you're doing and they might want to talk to you and give you some inside scoop!. That way you'll also be more connected to your subject and be able to make better photographs!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Personally I think it's rude to photo anyone without their prior permission!. Obviously to take a pictue of a child is way over the line and could get you in trouble!. If I were homeless the last thing I want is someone taking my picture to help my plight, it would be enough of a shame to bear without you snapping a picture!. If any of those pictures show up published you could be sued!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
the laws on documentary photography are different from place to place, look them up for your country,
you are asking if walking up and snapping a shot in a homeless persons face is rude!? what about purple, pink and orange people!? you work that one out i hope it doent take you to long
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There are laws and precedent that governs this kind of thing!. Basically the law states that in a public place you have no expectation of privacy!.That's why paparazzi make so good a living!. So as long as you're photographing on public property someone who also is on public property, you're good!. You just can't restrict or hinder a persons movement or freedom!. That doesn't mean you can sneak into a bathroom, or dressing room and snap away even if they're public rooms!. Private property is different!. Owners of private property can restrict your photography if they so choose!. But they can't restrict you from photographing their property from a public place!. Basically, with a few restrictions for national security installations, if you can see it from a public place, you can photograph it from a public place!. That includes people too!.the only other restriction is you can't create an unsafe condition by your photography, and you do have to obey a law enforcement officers directions if you're photographing a scene that is being controlled by law enforcement!.
If you're going to use your photography for profit that's different!. You need a model release if you're going to sell your images of people for profit, and you need a property owners release for images of property sold for profit!.
As for the morals of all of this, that's really ends up between you and your conscience!. If you want to photograph a homeless individual, offer them a couple of bucks!. I'm sure they'll be happy to oblige if it gets them something to eat!.
And of course you can't photograph little kids and sell them for kiddie porn either!.
Duh!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
When the person you intend to photograph spots you - and spots you putzing around long enough so that you end up staring at eachother - get permission!. If you're across the street, gesture with your camera and wait for a ridiculous pose!. If you really want the shot, or if you're already in their face, talk to the person!. You can still hope to salvage the situation, have a chat and walk away with a few portraits!. How are your social skills!?
If you'd rather be a better street photographer, learn to be less conspicuous!. Develop a more subtle style, be nonchalant, fast, shoot from the hip, pretend to shoot something else, have your settings ready before you even draw the camera ("F8, focus on infinity, and be there"), perhaps use a smaller camera to get closer or a longer tele-zoom so you don't have to!.!.!.
also, unless you're publishing your work in a book, newspaper or magazine, you're not really using your pictures to draw attention to the plight of the homeless, are you!? A personal webpage - how many hits do you get!? A project for school or college - not good enough!.
There's definitely a line!. You probably are crossing it!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
I sat and thought about your efforts to convince America into thinking homeless people want help!. Most of those that I have talked with would rather we left them alone but there are those that are 'displaced' through no real fault of their own and a helping hand could just be all they need to pull themselves up by the boot strap and get back on their feet again!.
You don't need to ask permission to photograph someone who is homeless but it's nice to provide them with reasonable respect by doing your photographic project at a distance far enough that you are not invading the space they occupy!.
Saying people are suffering 'under our system' is another way of promoting socialism!. I am against having the government of my country taking care of me!.!.!. they already screwed up my retirement by making it mandatory that I pay into a Social Security Account against my will and better judgment!. Now I'm being told they want to 'afford us' better health care!. That's ONLY because they've drained our Social Security and they want to get all the fools to participate in another government scam!.
DON'T FALL FOR IT!.
Do you want them to take more of your hard-earned money so they can borrow from it too!? They tapped my Retirement right out of my paycheck and people like you think!.!.!. 'the system we are under' will take care of us under the new "Obama" regime!.!.!.!. NONSENSE!.
Just remember something: The man who had the dream, Dr!. Martin Luther King, Jr!. WAS A REPUBLICAN!.!.!. he didn't even like Democrats!.
Damn!.!.!. you got me going and now I'm off the photography platform!.
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