Taking pictures of People

This should be an interesting question. What is the etiquette if I want to click a picture of a person ,lets say, a stranger that you see in the mall , Should I ask him before (not always feasible, since you do not always want them to pose infront of camera)

OR

just take picture and smile at him (or grin ) , what do you guys normally do? If the guy didn't find out that you clicked, then it's okay, but what if he knew? how do you work without embarrassing yourself?

It is so different than taking pictures of birds, animals or even friends and family.

Jino_ph said:

This should be an interesting question. What is the etiquette if I want to click a picture of a person ,lets say, a stranger that you see in the mall , Should I ask him before (not always feasible, since you do not always want them to pose infront of camera)

OR

just take picture and smile at him (or grin ) , what do you guys normally do? If the guy didn't find out that you clicked, then it's okay, but what if he knew? how do you work without embarrassing yourself?

It is so different than taking pictures of birds, animals or even friends and family.

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Many people believe that you must ask them for permission before taking their photo. Generally, this is not what the law says. Many people will become quite upset if they realize you are taking their photo without their permission. This is even more of an issue if parents suspect you might be taking photos of their children.

In the USA you have the issue that malls are actually private property. The owner has the legal right to prohibit photography while you are on their property. Many malls do have such policies. If you are shooting in a mall, then mall security has the right to stop you from taking photos and/or ejecting you from the property.

In the USA, the fact that you legally took a photo, and own the copyright, does not mean you can do whatever you like with the photo. Generally you need a person's permission in order to use their likeness to promote goods and/or services. If you are an amateur photographer, there might not be an issue in showing off the images online. If you have a photography business, then you might need their permission in order to use their likeness to promote your photography business.

This has been discussed many many many times here previously.

If there is a public event happening at the mall, attracting a big crowd, then you might get away with a few shots. But for the most part shooting in a mall is pretty dicey. I just don't take that chance.

HRC2016 said:

This has been discussed many many many times here previously.

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I don't believe that people out shopping, walking in a park, enjoying a meal, going to work, etc., are out there to be subjects of someone's photography hobby. Most people I know are offended by the idea of some stranger taking their picture. If you want people pictures, stick to your own friends and family, though even they might stop inviting you if you keep pointing a lens at them all the time.

I just walk up and ask. At first it takes effort to gather the courage but it gets easier over time. Most will want to know why and what you're going to do with it. Others will just say yes or no.







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Lance H

Hi

I go out and do street photography all the time in Toronto where I live.

If the person is in any public place you can take there picture and they can do nothing about it.

You just to have to loose all your fear and grow thick skin and take your photo.

You can look at my Flickr link to see the photos I take on the street.

The average person walking around downtown Toronto for say 2 hours will have there image taken 200 to 300 times by all the video camera that are placed around the buildings and places they go inside.

If you don't want your photo taken stay home and off the street.

What was said about malls and the inside of buildings are private and you can be asked not to take photos.

Outside of buildings in public view can be photographed. If someone comes out to say no just remind them you can go on Google and see the same thing.

Brad

Bradrobb said:

Hi

I go out and do street photography all the time in Toronto where I live.

If the person is in any public place you can take there picture and they can do nothing about it.

You just to have to loose all your fear and grow thick skin and take your photo.

You can look at my Flickr link to see the photos I take on the street.

The average person walking around downtown Toronto for say 2 hours will have there image taken 200 to 300 times by all the video camera that are placed around the buildings and places they go inside.

If you don't want your photo taken stay home and off the street.

What was said about malls and the inside of buildings are private and you can be asked not to take photos.

Outside of buildings in public view can be photographed. If someone comes out to say no just remind them you can go on Google and see the same thing.

Brad

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You are correct both in your legal analysis and your logic.

However the legality of a behavior is not always the same as whether or not it's socially acceptable.

As a general rule it's legal to walk by people on the street can call them a**holes. However, society would consider this behavior to be rude, and unacceptable. Such name calling might get you a black eye. You may not be adequately consoled by the knowledge that the person who hit you was legally in the wrong.

Some photographers prefer to avoid confrontations. If you fall into this category you may wish to:

• Ask permission before shooting
• Avoid being noticed
• Make is appear you are photographing something else
• If caught, lie - "I wasn't taking your photo, I just got the lens repaired, and I was taking a test shot of the wall behind you..."

or

• Not take photos of strangers without their permission

The bottom line is that there is no universally good solution. Many people believe they have the legal right to prohibit you from photographing them. They frequently also have the desire to enforce that imagined "right". If they notice you are photographing them without permission, then you may have an ugly confrontation on your hands.

Michael Fryd said:

Bradrobb said:

Hi

I go out and do street photography all the time in Toronto where I live.

If the person is in any public place you can take there picture and they can do nothing about it.

You just to have to loose all your fear and grow thick skin and take your photo.

You can look at my Flickr link to see the photos I take on the street.

The average person walking around downtown Toronto for say 2 hours will have there image taken 200 to 300 times by all the video camera that are placed around the buildings and places they go inside.

If you don't want your photo taken stay home and off the street.

What was said about malls and the inside of buildings are private and you can be asked not to take photos.

Outside of buildings in public view can be photographed. If someone comes out to say no just remind them you can go on Google and see the same thing.

Brad

Click to expand...

You are correct both in your legal analysis and your logic.

However the legality of a behavior is not always the same as whether or not it's socially acceptable.

As a general rule it's legal to walk by people on the street can call them a**holes. However, society would consider this behavior to be rude, and unacceptable. Such name calling might get you a black eye. You may not be adequately consoled by the knowledge that the person who hit you was legally in the wrong.

Some photographers prefer to avoid confrontations. If you fall into this category you may wish to:

• Ask permission before shooting
• Avoid being noticed
• Make is appear you are photographing something else
• If caught, lie - "I wasn't taking your photo, I just got the lens repaired, and I was taking a test shot of the wall behind you..."

or

• Not take photos of strangers without their permission

The bottom line is that there is no universally good solution. Many people believe they have the legal right to prohibit you from photographing them. They frequently also have the desire to enforce that imagined "right". If they notice you are photographing them without permission, then you may have an ugly confrontation on your hands.

Click to expand...

Hi

Replying to your last paragraph.

I have had people flag a police officer down and complain about me taking a photo. I reminded the police I did not break the law and the other person is having the problem not me. I will also refuse to delete the photo if asked to prove my point and let the cop deal with the person.

I have also been on the street and had people cause a scene and the police have stopped and after they see what is going on protected me dealing with the person. One time the cops arrested the person for there actions towards me.

Brad

Bradrobb said:

...

I have had people flag a police officer down and complain about me taking a photo. I reminded the police I did not break the law and the other person is having the problem not me. I will also refuse to delete the photo if asked to prove my point and let the cop deal with the person.

I have also been on the street and had people cause a scene and the police have stopped and after they see what is going on protected me dealing with the person. One time the cops arrested the person for there actions towards me.

...

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I think you were fortunate that the police were around to enforce the law.

I am not suggesting that you are in the right or in the wrong. I am merely pointing out that some photographers would prefer to avoid this sort of conflict.