Street Photography unethical?

BainDarret · Jul 2, 2016

I saw this in the Toronto Star today:

https://www.thestar.com/life/2016/0...not-necessarily-right-ethically-speaking.html

The author seems to equate street photography with D Trump's racism, residential schools and the Internment of the Japanese in WWII. Seems a little over the top to me.

BrianShaw · Jul 2, 2016

What is TTC?

This guy has too much distraction in the article to form a coherent thesis. But at least Frank got his 15 minutes of fame. I'm proud of you Frank!

BrianShaw · Jul 2, 2016

P.S. The author and article does not deserve the hits. I'm sorry I clicked the link. It helps dignify such nonsense with an aire of legitimacy.

BrianShaw · Jul 2, 2016

Had the author chose to use the word "creepy" I'd be a lot more forgiving.

BainDarret · Jul 2, 2016

TTC = Toronto Transit Commission (or Take The Car ;-} ).

Thomas Bertilsson · Jul 2, 2016

That's the worst crap journalism I've seen on the topic, and sensationalist at that, hoping someone will find it because of the Dunald Crumb reference.
It's because of garbage journalism like this that photographers get incorrectly threatened by civilians, security guards, and even police - because laws of countries regarding photography in public are misappropriated and misrepresented like this. Makes me so mad.

pdeeh · Jul 2, 2016

storm, allow me to introduce you to my friend teacup.

Richard S. (rich815) · Jul 2, 2016

My grandfather always said the world has more horse's asses than horses. That guy proves it.

Chan Tran · Jul 2, 2016

I don't think it's unethical but I don't take pictures of those who don't want me to.

skorpiius · Jul 2, 2016

His previous article: https://www.thestar.com/life/2016/0...nes-picture-in-public-ethically-speaking.html

skorpiius · Jul 2, 2016

" He was busy on his cellphone when I noticed his phone camera had us directly in its sights. I could actually see the screen with us in it"
How is that even possible?

bvy · Jul 2, 2016

Nobody cares about your photography, and nobody cares about your ethics either.

faberryman · Jul 2, 2016

I was walking along a major street in San Francisco recently and saw a hose and piece of plywood on the sidewalk arranged in a graphically interesting manner so I took a photo of it. As I was walking away I overheard an obviously disgusted workman complaining that I hadn't even asked permission to take the photo. I guess I am just not sensitive enough to others' feelings. The hose is probably in therapy now.

Jim Jones · Jul 2, 2016

Chan Tran said:
I don't think it's unethical but I don't take pictures of those who don't want me to.

Yes, indeed. Good manners and consideration of others are more important than getting by with whatever one can.

Ko.Fe. · Jul 2, 2016

Most unethical news paper I ever seen. They just have female journalist committed suicide for reasons related to jobs ethics in this red star shi##ole.
Author is typical left wing charlatan, who has no clue about photography rules and regulations in Canada and on TTC in particular.

Here is good summary for photography in Canada. Common sense is still here:
http://ambientlight.ca/laws/overview/what-can-i-photograph/

MattKing · Jul 2, 2016

I'm going to agree with part of the writer's thesis.

It is important to differentiate between that which is legally permissible, and that which is morally and ethically acceptable.

And it is always valid to question what we consider to be acceptable.

But I fail to see what might be unacceptable about taking a cell phone picture of people using the subway system, unless there is something unusual about the circumstances.

Gerald C Koch · Jul 2, 2016

Whether street photography is legal varies from country to country. This can also apply not only to people but also their home and their animals. But that is beside the point it is a courtesy to first ask a person's permission. If you are unwilling to do that either give up street photography or be prepared for some ugly moments.

Ricardo Miranda · Jul 2, 2016

Gerald C Koch said:
But that is beside the point it is a courtesy to first ask a person's permission. If you are unwilling to do that either give up street photography or be prepared for some ugly moments.

Tell me one thing dear Gerald, have you ever done "street photography"?

gone · Jul 2, 2016

Trust me, if Bresson had asked people's permission before he took his photographs, he would have died an unknown man.

Why ask their permission? It's not like I'm robbing people of their souls (and yes, I would bow to the culture of the Hopi Indian if I were on their land, but I'm not), I'm just snapping a pic. If someone doesn't like it, you know what? Tough. Life is full of things that I don't like, and yet I deal w/ them. It's called being a grown up, not being a little child. I don't ask others to conform to my world view, and I am not much interested in theirs. Besides, any photographer that is having trouble w/ this is not cut out for street photography and shouldn't do it. There's a way to become "invisible", fade into the background, smile, use the right camera (TLR usually) and no issues.

Gerald C Koch · Jul 3, 2016

Ricardo Miranda said:
Tell me one thing dear Gerald, have you ever done "street photography"?

No I have absolutely no interest in it. According to the media there have been some nasty confrontations from parents who think that photos are being taken of their children. This has lead in some cases to violence.

Gerald C Koch · Jul 3, 2016

momus said:
Trust me, if Bresson had asked people's permission before he took his photographs, he would have died an unknown man.

If HCB were alive today he would be in trouble with the law in some countries. Google has been sued several times for taking photographs of people's houses.

Ricardo Miranda · Jul 3, 2016

Gerald C Koch said:
No I have absolutely no interest in it. According to the media there have been some nasty confrontations from parents who think that photos are being taken of their children. This has lead in some cases to violence.

Yes, there have been cases of overzealous people behaving disgracefully.
That's why I don't do "happy families", but I also don't do "Sports".
I wouldn't know a thing about taken photographs of say Football, so I don't give an opinion of what I don't know.

calebarchie · Jul 3, 2016

Yawn.

Gerald C Koch · Jul 3, 2016

Ricardo Miranda said:
Yes, there have been cases of overzealous people behaving disgracefully.
That's why I don't do "happy families", but I also don't do "Sports".
I wouldn't know a thing about taken photographs of say Football, so I don't give an opinion of what I don't know.

Just because someone doesn't do street photography does not mean that they cannot comment on politeness and civil behavior. I do not wish my photograph taken and respect that others may think the same. While the courts have ruled that street photography is legal here in the US under the First Amendment. It has also ruled that none of the rights enumerated in the Bill of Rights is absolute. To quote Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. "The right to swing your arm ends at your neighbor's nose." For example your photography cannot interfere with police or medical personnel performing their jobs.

jvo · Jul 3, 2016

faberryman said:
I was walking along a major street in San Francisco recently and saw a hose and piece of plywood on the sidewalk arranged in a graphically interesting manner so I took a photo of it. As I was walking away I overheard an obviously disgusted workman complaining that I hadn't even asked permission to take the photo. I guess I am just not sensitive enough to others' feelings. The hose is probably in therapy now.

huh, another insensitive photographer! you neglected the traumatized piece of plywood!!!!!

Street Photography unethical?

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