Objection to being photographed

[candidrachel]

I have been a keen photographer for a number of years and have never had anyone object to me taking photos so the other day I came across a man making/selling really pretty wooden statues and ornaments for the RSPB. They were displayed on a stall. There were many tourists milling around with cameras so I thought I'd take a new pics while I was there.

The stall holder approached me and said "Any particular reason??" I said "Pardon?" and he wanted to know why I was taking pics . I said just for me and he said that it would have been nice to have been asked first as I wouldn't like it if he took a pic of me but I said I'd be flattered (as its normally me behind the camera and not in front!). The long and short of it all was he was really rude and made me feel like a criminal.

I told my husband all about it and he said "Look love, the man's an arse move on!".

Gee I have been a keen amateur for over 30 years and this kind of thing has never happened before. For the rest of the day I was really nervous of taking any more pics

Has this kind of thing ever happened to anyone else?

[Decran]

Not to me..................yet but there's always a concious thought that someone might get stroppy. There are some miserable people around.

[Woody]

Yes a lot of people have a misguided view of public photography. I played golf with a senior surf club official on Saturday and the subject of photography on beaches came up. As far as he was concerned his club would not allow any photography of people on his beach. In Australia beaches are public places and are owned by the community. Our laws allow photography in public places without too many restrictions. However lifesavers and surf club officials do have some powers to ask objectional people to leave the beach.
My response was "let them try"

Cheers,

John W.

[jhud81]

On Monday, I visited the Imperial War Museum in London and decided to take a few photos of people (most of them unaware of my presence!) as I like to view folks in their natural state - no poses or exaggerated facial expressions. Those that did notice I had the lens pointed directly at them couldn't have cared less. This was London after all. Anything goes!

If somebody did approach me in a 'rude' manner, I would probably agree with them but tell them to lighten up. Yes it might be rude but I'm not really harming anyone so c'est la vie!

As for your situation, I immediately put myself in his shoes and thought, Jesus, I think I'd be pissed off too if I'd been making wooden statues all day long.

I suppose you could say you've been fortunate if this has been the only occurrence in 30 years.

[Essy]

Originally Posted by candidrachel

The stall holder approached me and said "Any particular reason??" I said "Pardon?" and he wanted to know why I was taking pics

My first thought is that you probably looked too 'professional' and not just an average tourist...which actually would be a compliment to you. I can see how it would rattle you though.

[frg]

I've had it happen to me once , more often than not its dirty looks that i get... what i've noticed is it happens when i use the dSLR with a big lens, when i bring out the point and shoot nobody seems to mind

[wulf]

If you are taking pictures of an artists work they may be concerned that you are stealing the design concepts. For someone who makes a living by producing objects to sell, I can see that might be a legitimate concern.

Wulf

[jhud81]

Originally Posted by wulf

If you are taking pictures of an artists work they may be concerned that you are stealing the design concepts. For someone who makes a living by producing objects to sell, I can see that might be a legitimate concern.

Wulf

If he was developing a cure for illness or some groundbreaking electronic device, I could understand that. But wooden statues the Chinese are already copying?

He works for/at an RSPB event. His statues are probably no more than hobby skills for extra charity donations.

I might be coming across a bit of an arsehole saying that but I still think the man has overreacted in this instance.

[Sime]

Originally Posted by wulf

If you are taking pictures of an artists work they may be concerned that you are stealing the design concepts. For someone who makes a living by producing objects to sell, I can see that might be a legitimate concern.

Wulf

This is what I would have said, too...

Some people don't realise it's just for fun and that not everyone with a camera is trying to steal your stuff...

or were yoU! mwa ha haaaaa

[candidrachel]

Thanks for the replies. I'm glad I'm not the only one who gets dirty looks whenever I get the dslr out with big lens, speedlite and stofen omnibounce.

I took some pics the other day of my little nephew kissing his mum on the beach. It wasn't dodgy or anything. It was just cute. I turned round and saw this elderly couple staring in horror Me and my sister had fits of giggles over it.

*Sigh* we live in such a suspicious society whever happened to innocent until proven guilty?