What's The Etiquette of Taking Pictures of Strangers?

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kris40k

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Feb 12, 2015
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MarsAtlas said:
I live in New Jersey, the only state in the United States where you can't pump your own gas. We hire gas station attendants to sit out by the pumps and do it for you[footnote]Its a law that helps prevent fires and encourages employment of unskilled youths.[/footnote] Most people aren't used to gas station attendants so some tourists actually take pictures of them, all because they've never encounter the phenomenon before. Likewise, when folks from New Jersey leave the state they're often helpless at the pump because they don't know how to pump their own gas.
Actually, Oregon is like that as well. I about clobbered the gas station attendent the first time I got a fill-up in the state because he was running to the door (in the rain) while I was starting to get out to pump my gas. I live right across the border from Oregon in Washington now(where we pump our own gas) and my girlfriend is from Oregon. She was, in fact, useless at pumping gas for a short time and I occasionally still meet a confused Oregonian at the pump in Washington. :)
 

FPLOON

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Jul 10, 2013
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Well, you don't try to sell the pics, first off... If you're going to, replace all the strangers with cartoon characters...

Other than that, if you're caught and they tell you to destroy your camera [phone], then just delete the damn pic... It's not worth it...
 

Dizchu

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Sep 23, 2014
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It depends on the distance, whether they're facing towards the camera, whether they're identifiable, whether they give consent and where the photo is being taken. I think you'll need some degree of discretion to figure out what's appropriate, but all of these factors come into play.

However there is another factor, and that's if the person in the photo forfeits the right to be photographed. For example if they're engaging in criminal activity, are wanted by the police, are the police engaging in unethical behaviour or are part of a significant historical moment (granted, the last one can't really be determined until after the fact).
 

kris40k

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Feb 12, 2015
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MarsAtlas said:
Didn't Oregon just make it legal to pump your own gas? I heard something like that in the news recently. I know there's some places outside of Jersey and Oregon that has gas station attendants but its rather rare since its not considered a worthwhile use of funds.
Actually, you are half-right. I looked into it[footnote]http://katu.com/news/local/drivers-in-rural-oregon-will-pump-their-own-gas-starting-jan-1[/footnote] and it looks like they just put a law into effect that in smaller, rural counties (<40,000 pop.) people can now pump their own gas. Just went into effect the end of December. Larger population counties still need attendants.
 

SecondPrize

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Mar 12, 2012
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KissingSunlight said:
I've mentioned a few times in the past that I work in a tourist area. Which means that people are taking pictures around me all the time. Every once in a while, I see someone aiming a phone or camera at me and take a picture. If I was wearing a colorful costume or work uniform, I could understand why that would happen. However, I work at a small business with no dress code policy. So, I feel that they are violating my privacy. Even though, I am in a public space. I do find it creepy when people do that. I know with new technology comes new rules. Am I wrong to feel that people who take pictures of me without asking are being jerks? What is the etiquette of taking pictures of strangers?
You don't have any right to preventing your image from being recorded if the photographer is in a public place. You would have to sign a release if they wanted to sell the photo. Look, if you happen to make a good photo at the moment, I'm going to take the picture as long as I'm standing in a public place. If you don't want that try either scowling, moving a bit or doing a cheesy photo pose. You're probably not wrong, btw, but if you're dealing with actual photojournalists we are people who are willing to take photos victims at accident scenes to get the right image so your discomfort isn't going to check us any.
 

Dragonbums

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May 9, 2013
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The general rule is that if the focus of your picture is an object, other person (who gave you permission.) or environment that happens to have people in it than most will be just fine being a sort of casualty of the photograph.

However once you go into more personal territory that's when you have to ask.

In general tabloid tier shit you see on the newsstands are for all intents and purposes illegal because you are talking a picture of someone- often times in their absolute worse or at a really bad in-between motion and slapping it on widely public publications to be gawked, made fun of, or admired.

Also, no matter how sexy you think a women is- you don't get to make creepy panty/breast shots of her as well. Gosh remember that fucking debate? Insane.

Basically- Ask for permission.
 

Amir Kondori

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Apr 11, 2013
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Dragonbums said:
The general rule is that if the focus of your picture is an object, other person (who gave you permission.) or environment that happens to have people in it than most will be just fine being a sort of casualty of the photograph.

However once you go into more personal territory that's when you have to ask.

In general tabloid tier shit you see on the newsstands are for all intents and purposes illegal because you are talking a picture of someone- often times in their absolute worse or at a really bad in-between motion and slapping it on widely public publications to be gawked, made fun of, or admired.

Also, no matter how sexy you think a women is- you don't get to make creepy panty/breast shots of her as well. Gosh remember that fucking debate? Insane.

Basically- Ask for permission.
In the US there is nothing illegal about it. If you are in public you can be photographed. The only things that are illegal are things like upskirt photos, the reasoning being that people have a "reasonable expectation of privacy" for things under their clothes.

There is lots of case law regarding pictures taken in public and it still remains one of the most misunderstood areas of law, with lots of members of the public thinking they have to consent to photos in public. If you are in public I can come right up to you and snap a pic. If you follow you around you can make a case for harassment but you would have to bring a case and a judge would have to grant a protective order, and a few pics won't rise to the standard necessary.

If you are in public you can be photographed. You can ask people not to but ultimately if you try and physically stop them YOU are the person who will get into trouble if the police get involved.
 

Amir Kondori

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Apr 11, 2013
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Corey Schaff said:
Depends, but usually you can take pictures of people or film without their permission so long as they're on public property. Or they're not on their own property, and that property doesn't have any rules about filming.

Cops will usually even take your side if the person you're filming makes a big enough deal over it and you have a good enough reason to film them, such as you were involved in an accident with them <_<.

One small clarification, it is as long as the photographer is on public property. I can record your property and you on your property as long as I do so from public property.
 

Eddie the head

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Feb 22, 2012
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I wouldn't do it without someone's permission, but I don't think that means people need your permission. I think it's a bit weird, but I don't think my personal point of view will apply in every situation or for everybody. So I would say don't do it, but don't get mad if other people do it to you. Nobody is obligated to treat you in the way you might like to be treated.
 

DementedSheep

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I love how every time something like this comes up people defend it based on legality. Like you need the law to explicitly point out when you're being a jackass by charging you with something.
 

sky14kemea

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Jun 26, 2008
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Don't do it. Just don't.

If you're taking a picture of a famous landmark and there's people in the way, because dang son those places are always crowded, then fine. If you're taking a picture of a person themselves, no. Stop. Put the camera away.

What need would you have to take a picture of a stranger unless it was for it to be posted on the internet for some reason? Sure, sometimes it's for nice reasons, and as long as you've asked the person first, you're okay. But half the pictures taken of strangers are to mock them behind their backs.

I don't care about the legality of it. If you're taking a picture of me and won't tell me why, I'm gonna dislike you. There's no need for it.
 

Prepper247

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Dec 15, 2015
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I think as long as it's in a public place where privacy is usually not there, you're out of luck. I hate this about today's society with all the smart phones. Makes me stay indoors more.
 

EvilMuffin094

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Nov 25, 2008
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Some of the most influential/beautiful photographs of people were taken without their consent, so I think it's hard for photographers to ask for permission before snapping a photo of someone else. It is kind of rude, but looking at it from a photographer's point of view, when you're always trying to get a better shot than the last, It's almost worth it. I always ask for permission after I take a photo of somebody, and that's only if they seem bothered. If they didn't want their photo taken, then i'll delete in front of them, but if they don't mind, then I'll keep it! I started doing this after all my street photography shots starting looking stale and set up.