Taking pictures of those subjects who don't want their pictures taken

[zulu42]

Discreetly take a phone snap of him, then show it to him in 6 days... assuming he is still alive. Matter settled.

 

[zulu42]

Seriously, though, if the scenario you've described is indeed accurate, I wonder if that belief may be indicative of a mental illness. It becomes a different conversation.

 

[JonFZ300]

It is interesting that there seems to be no response from people who consider themselves 'street photographers'.
Having a proscriptive opinion about something that doesn't affect the person with the opinion is a bit like a man having a strong opinion on tampons.

If you only wanted the opinions of street photographers, you should have said that in the OP.

 

[The_Traveler]

not only but at least some.

 

[JonFZ300]

I hear you. Sorry about my tone, didn't mean it as gruff as it "sounded."

 

[The_Traveler]

How would one go about getting permission without destroying these pictures?

My position is that I make every decision based on local issues; I don't think or care much about some abstract of respect for general religious or cultural issues.
If I can make a good shot without unduly stirring up the situation at that moment I do.

 

[ClickAddict]

It is interesting that there seems to be no response from people who consider themselves 'street photographers'.
Having a proscriptive opinion about something that doesn't affect the person with the opinion is a bit like a man having a strong opinion on tampons.

Perhaps, but if you consider that my #1 reason for not doing street photography is due to my concern over people's privacy and my unwillingness to shoot unless I an certain of consent, my opinion is not from someone without stake in the game.
The comparison to Men's opinions on Tampons is, in my opinion, a poor one. One can have opinions on subjects without experiencing them. Especially when the question is "what would you do if", or "what are your thoughts on" ... such as the ones posed in this thread. You asked opinions about taking photographs of someone who thinks it would kill him. How many photographers were you expecting to have actually lived through that experience?
(Great thread by the way)

 

[waday]

How would one go about getting permission without destroying these pictures?

Lew, your question started off with one thing, but I feel like it’s evolved quite a bit with the discussion. If you’re talking about a country where photographing in public is legal (and you’re in public), then of course, I’m all for it. Use your rights or lose them.

But if talking about a country that either has laws against photography or extremely conservative views where there could be ramifications to the subject or myself, I would personally hesitate to take photos.

 

[Soocom1]

I still have the feeling that if its a general shot intended not on a singular person, then it may be fine to a point.
But street photography without consent of a singular subject to me is a no no. Thats just me.

As for the tampon thing:
its pads in my house and i use a leatherman to carry them around.
(Violation of the guy code...)

 

[tirediron]

...If I can make a good shot without unduly stirring up the situation at that moment I do.

View attachment 171084

Otherwise, this?

 

[The_Traveler]

...If I can make a good shot without unduly stirring up the situation at that moment I do.

View attachment 171084

Otherwise, this?

I operate exactly as TiredIron emphasizes; I take the photos I can unless the ramifications of what I do are too dire for me or the situation.
I honor personal commitments to individuals but don't respect cultural or religious traditions.
I don't intentionally embarrass people or expose them to ridicule.
Probably the only general rule I have is that I never take pictures of the homeless or destitute who live on the street.
They are vulnerable and I won't steal their problems to inject some emotion into a photo that would otherwise be devoid.

 

[pixmedic]

...If I can make a good shot without unduly stirring up the situation at that moment I do.

View attachment 171084

Otherwise, this?

I operate exactly as TiredIron emphasizes; I take the photos I can unless the ramifications of what I do are too dire for me or the situation.
I honor personal commitments to individuals but don't respect cultural or religious traditions.
I don't intentionally embarrass people or expose them to ridicule.
Probably the only general rule I have is that I never take pictures of the homeless or destitute who live on the street.
They are vulnerable and I won't steal their problems to inject some emotion into a photo that would otherwise be devoid.

do you check with everyone to see what their socio-economic status is before you photograph them?
Or can you tell just by looking at someone?

 

[tirediron]

...If I can make a good shot without unduly stirring up the situation at that moment I do.

View attachment 171084

Otherwise, this?

I operate exactly as TiredIron emphasizes; I take the photos I can unless the ramifications of what I do are too dire for me or the situation.
I honor personal commitments to individuals but don't respect cultural or religious traditions.
I don't intentionally embarrass people or expose them to ridicule.
Probably the only general rule I have is that I never take pictures of the homeless or destitute who live on the street.
They are vulnerable and I won't steal their problems to inject some emotion into a photo that would otherwise be devoid.

Lew, I have great respect for you as a photographer; over the years, you have posted some absolutely stellar documentary images, and I KNOW that you can create really great work. HOWEVER... your quoted statement above, "...if I can make a good shot..." implies that the image you have posted is a good one. Really? An under-exposed, almost detail-less image of people on a commuter train/subway doing nothing of interest is a good image? I don't "shoot street" myself, but I can definitely appreciate the genre when it's done well, and as I've said, you have done it well, but using this to try and bolster your position? Come on... if Billy-Bob Brandnewmember posted that and asked for C&C, it would get the gong in two seconds flat!

You say you "honor personal commitments to individuals but don't respect cultural or religious traditions" WTF? You know as well as I that in many parts of the world, particularly in those which you have travelled a lot cultural & religious traditions transcend the individual. It is a complete contradiction to say that you honour ANY commitment to an individual without respecting their cultural/religious traditions.

You also say you " never take pictures of the homeless or destitute who live on the street" - I can take it from that you verified that everyone in the image mentioned above has a good job and a home to which to return?

I don't know if you're bored and just hoping to stir up a little action on the forum, but to be honest, it really feels like you were hoping for someone to take a really strong stand one way or the other so that you could tell them how wrong they were... As you are doubtless aware, I am a HUGE proponent of ethics in our craft and to hear someone, for whom I have great respect for as a craftsman, say that he doesn't respect the cultural or religious traditions of others... WOW! I may not understand or agree with other's beliefs, but they are just as viable as my lack of belief. I am truly disappointed!

 

[Original katomi]

How would one go about getting permission without destroying these pictures?

Lew, your question started off with one thing, but I feel like it’s evolved quite a bit with the discussion. If you’re talking about a country where photographing in public is legal (and you’re in public), then of course, I’m all for it. Use your rights or lose them.

But if talking about a country that either has laws against photography or extremely conservative views where there could be ramifications to the subject or myself, I would personally hesitate to take photos.

I traveled to Tunis 15 years ago, I found that even though I did not speak their language just holding up the camera and adding a thumbs up/down made my request clear. Some would shake their heads finger wash a no or nod and otherwise that it was ok. sometimes they would do the thumb and forefinger that most people know as money

 

[DarkShadow]

I still take it if i want.I don't ask.