privacy issues

[panfocusrio]

I recently took pictures at my nephew's soccer game, but I didn't just focus on him. I think I got some decent shots of the other kids playing, and I was wondering, if I'd be able to put some of them up on my portfolio. I didn't speak with any of the guardians about it, maybe I should have. But I didn't. So I'm iffy about using those photos for my portolio unless I get their written permission, I guess. As you can probably tell, this is my first time shooting sports and other kids. I will also admit my portfolio is in a beginner's building process so while I am picky about what "decent" shots go on, I also include the ones that I personally like.

What's your take on it?

[CheaperKings]

Well, you don't have kids. But, think of it as if you did. Would you want pics of your kids up on some strangers website? If it was me, personally, you should hope I never find you...

[windrider86]

If they are out in public it's fair game. Altho I may agree somewhat with CheaperKings, they are still in public.
I work for a newspaper so my take may be a bit different. I post photos of kids all the time in the paper and they are posted on my web site as well.
Something you may want to consider in the future is to carry business cards with you and when you see a parent of a child you are shooting, give them a card, explain what you are doing and you may even get a sale out of the deal.

[MrJones]

is this a legal question or a moral question? the answer will change accordingly..
I know that in some coutries you're not allowed to take photos of kids under a certain age, but you can take a photo of a group of kids, in a public place ofcourse.
as for morality - what ever your heart tells you.

[NicoleScraps]

Originally Posted by MrJones

is this a legal question or a moral question? the answer will change accordingly..

Yes, this is what it comes down to. I know that as a photographer, a person has the right to do whatever they want with any photo that they take. But I just cannot get past the "how would I feel about this" aspect. If someone took photos of my kids in a public place (such as a sporting event), well yeah, they can legally do what they want. But I would be shocked and upset to see their images posted on some random person's website.
So basically, I always let people around me know what I am doing and I ALWAYS ask their permission. I don't really care what the law is.

[CheaperKings]

Public place? Fair game? So, all the child molestors need to do is show up at a game with a camera? Seriously?

[Woody]

Under British law (Great Britain US Canada Austraila NZ etc) no one has the right to privacy when in public view. There are exceptions such as photographing up ladies skirts and poking your camera through a window, but in general terms fair game to take photos of people in public. There has been dozens of posts on this over the past two years.

I generally use maners over legal issues. I also photo my grand kids sporting events and tell the coach or manager first and offer some pics on a CD. I also ask if I can take a photo of strangers, just by acknowledging them first, perhaps just mouthing the request and showing them my camera. I rearly get a knock back.

Cheers,

John W

[darkangel]

my son played on a baseball team last year and i took bookoo pictures, but never posted them on my web page just those of my son, mostly because i know as a mother how it would feel if someone posted a picture of my son on the web without my knowledge. we were at a game and one of the other team coaches was asking our coach what i was doing and he told him that i was thre taking pictures for the team, the man was not happy but could not really argue and i assured him that nothing would ever reach the web and that as soon as i gave the parents of our team a picture i deleted them from the memory card and harddrive. some parents i dont think would care, but then again, i would want someone to inform me first and ask my permission, though the pictrues of my son, even if other team members happen to be in the picture, i would post on my family web site, just for family. but if you are shooting in a public area at a public event, well they are just "stand ins". sorry im rambling people, but from a parents perspective, ask first, and inform them of why you are taking pictures, they may or may not mind.

[CheaperKings]

Perhaps I may have jumped the gun a little. Here's an explanation; I'm at a sporting event. My son is playing. A guy with a camera comes up and says "may I take photos of your child?" If he passes my STRICK screening, then, maybe. If he looks like some weirdo, I am going to hurt him...and probably take his camera if it's better than mine.

[RLucas]

I don't have any kids of my own, so I don't know how I would feel about it myself. I do know from experience ( that I used to be a kid), that wack jobs are out there, but not as prevalent as people make them out to be. I am on the fence where this is concerned, but I do think we are getting a little too overprotective in other areas. i.e. antibacterial soap, and people thinking everything needs to be as sterile as possible. I think that is more af a detrement than anything else. Antibodies can't work if there is nothing to attack. I think a lot of it has to do with hype, and the availablility of instant information that we didn't have 20 years ago. We live in a fear based era, and it doesn't seem to be getting any better.
Enough of my rambling and on to your question.
If you feel uneasy at all about this, you have already answered your own question. I think deep down, you want or need to ask permission. From a law standpoint, they are fair game, but from your moral compass, you have another stone to turn.