The Great Taboo!

[Leon]

Gun shows take a very dim view of anyone walking around with a camera.

and vice versa

 

[Don Wallace]

I can't speak for the rest of the world, but in the USA almost ever situation brings discomfort in shooting for various reasons.

Security is the most often cited - the need of the present administration to create a national paranoia in order to justify many policies.

Many will say photography isn't allowed for no reason other than perhaps the fear of being seen somewhere. Oklahoma is a heavily-Baptist/religious locale and it's not like I'm setting up a camera near the back door of a liquor store.

As far as working is concerned, when doing a wedding I make it a point to ask the officiant exactly what they will tolerate and not.

The security threat makes sense up to a point. However, I shoot mainly large format, 4x5 and up, and I really don't understand why someone in security would think I was trying to "sneak" a photo. A guy using an 8x10 with a huge dark cloth is about as subtle as a turd in a punchbowl. I am guessing that terrorists use cellphone cameras.

As for Baptists and liquor stores, I am reminded of a joke. Please, no one take offence. I am Christian and have many good Baptist friends, including the one who told me this joke. It may not translate across cultures, however. You really need to know North American terminology for quantities of liquor. Anyway, here it is: wherever there are four Baptists, you will find a fifth.

 

[Aurum]

Well Ive been told no photography in UK rail stations as I might be a terrorist, harassed by two morons from a homebase store for taking pictures in the car park, ironically I have permission to take photographs on that bit of land! Ive never had a problem in any MacDonalds, though one member of staff was interested in why I was taking a photograph of my Big Mac and fries, I explained about Tillimans "If One Thing Matters Everything Matters" and she said she would look it up. She was going to art school and made a line for me the next time I came in, thought it was very interesting, so i guess they dont think Im going to abuse their burgers. Toys are us dont allow photography but I can understand why, I got kicked out of an Ikea for taking photos thought I would be steeling their designs, funny they have a catalogue. on the whole I have found most people are very nice about me taking photos asking if I want them to move or even apologizing for getting in the way so I dont think its all doom and gloom.

The local primary school where both my kids went (and myself over Koff! 30 years ago, has a project for the kids. Each child gets to take the "School pet" which is a 5" high stuffed dog which comes with its own basket. The idea is that the parents then take photos of the child holding the dog during the weekend to show where they've been and what they've done.
I had no problem using the camera on my Blackberry in Maccy-D's, Tesco (Biggest supermarket chain in the UK for our American cousins), and a Tool factors called Machine Mart!
Nobody batted an eyelid, though the excuse of taking a photo of a grinning 6 year old waving a toy dog is probably good enough to deter the obvious jobsworths, Especially when mum and other sibling are watching and giving directions.

 

[isaacc7]

In Yemen, Saudi, Oman, Afghanistan, etc. They take a very dim view of you taking pictures of the women. That has always struck me as being a little weird since you can't actually see them but the men are hyperprotective of their women. Just don't do it..

Isaac

 

[Ross Chambers]

The Gallipoli mosque in Auburn, Sydney Australia has an annual open day. I was interested to see the inside of a building that I had passed each day for years, and to gain some knowledge of a relatively new culture to Australia. I packed a camera just in case and upon asking was reassured that photographs were more than welcome, including those taken inside the mosque. Perhaps only on an open day, perhaps in a mosque which primarily serves a Turkish, and thus more modern in thought, minority community in a "Western" city.

Of course Islamic art does proscribe the depiction of living beings in art.

Regards - Ross

 

[Curt]

Fort Knox.

 

[Andy K]

Maybe we should have a 'for fun' competition... see who can photograph the most security conscious place without getting arrested?

I thought that next time I drive down to Wales I might take a little detour and try to photograph this place.

 

[Monophoto]

Interesting question, but here's a slightly different 'take' -

the publicity for Filoli says that photographers are welcome, but tripods are forbidden. We visited there yesterday, and when we asked about that policy, we were told that is has recently been changed and that tripods are now allowed.

Interesting because the grounds keepers and docents have not all been told of the change - one of the gardeners told me that I couldn't use my tripod, and was immediately corrected by another staff member.

Perhaps there is movement toward enlightenment?

Or perhaps they believe that there are so few of us left using that antique equipment that it's 'safe' to change the rules that had been blocking us.

 

[gr82bart]

Electric Boat or General Dynamics from the New London harbour promenade, and only if you have 'professional' equipment.

Regards, Art.

 

[Ross Chambers]

There are a new set of posters around Sydney (and I suppose Australia) proclaiming the possible signs of terrorist activities. The last lot highlighted suspect photographers, the new ones don't seem to mention us (suspicious or not). They do mention unexplained deliveries of parcels at strange times of day and night (not from KEH I hope!) and downloading of pages from questionable web sites.

Maybe we're off the hook at last? However don't think of wearing a T-shirt which "annoys" pilgrims to the Catholic World Youth Day in Sydney next week, could cost you $5,500.

Regards - Ross

 

[tac]

I was always told "No Shashin" in japanese shops, large and small.

 

[haris]

The Gallipoli mosque in Auburn, Sydney Australia has an annual open day. I was interested to see the inside of a building that I had passed each day for years, and to gain some knowledge of a relatively new culture to Australia. I packed a camera just in case and upon asking was reassured that photographs were more than welcome, including those taken inside the mosque. Perhaps only on an open day, perhaps in a mosque which primarily serves a Turkish, and thus more modern in thought, minority community in a "Western" city.

Of course Islamic art does proscribe the depiction of living beings in art.

Regards - Ross

About mosque and photography: Depend. Here, in Sarajevo, you can photograph mosques outside, you can go into harem (courtyard) of mosque and photograph anything and anyone there, including women. In fact, here in Sarajevo are many mosques, but only one has that way of life which is interesting. In other you will see people only when go in or out for praying. This one has social life too. And it is oldest and biggest, touristic place, and can be very colorfull. During Ramadan (holly month when muslims fast) whole day untill iftar (lunch) you can see lots of people, men and women, sitting in front of mosque, reading, praying, meditating, socialize. Last year I was there almost every day photographing. No one made me problems. While men are dressed like in any european town, women are really beautifully dressed in traditional urban muslim women dresses, very pretty and proudly dressed. Just be respectfull, and you will be left alone.

You can not go into mosque itself when you want. There are certain hours during the days when mosque is open for visitors and you can photograph inside of mosque during that visit.

What is valid in mosques in one country, is not valid in other countries. that say it has not much with mosques and Islam itself, it is matter of how conservative people in one country are. In liberal country like mine, muslims also are liberal. In conservative country, muslims are conservative too. I think it is same with any religion.

And me too don't understand banning of photography in malls or other shops. If I want to collect info about prices or else for competition, I will simply go there and remember and/or write in notebook.

 

[jolynned]

Has anyone ever photographed an Amish colony? I am moving to upstate NY in a heavily Amish populated area. I read on a tourist website that the Amish request that you do not photograph them, as it is against their religion. I am interested in doing a project of the local Amish but I'm not sure if it would be possible. Ideas? Experiences?

 

[rcoda]

George Tice.

Has anyone ever photographed an Amish colony? I am moving to upstate NY in a heavily Amish populated area. I read on a tourist website that the Amish request that you do not photograph them, as it is against their religion. I am interested in doing a project of the local Amish but I'm not sure if it would be possible. Ideas? Experiences?

 

[Akki14]

As I vaguely recall from my limited experience of going to amish country area in Pennsylvania every summer as a kid, I don't think they are very against it but it does get rather annoying having every hickhillbilly tourist come up to you and your horse & buggy, posing for photos. I'd like to think they've started the rumour it's against their religion to give them some peace and quiet.

 

[arigram]

Has anyone ever photographed an Amish colony? I am moving to upstate NY in a heavily Amish populated area. I read on a tourist website that the Amish request that you do not photograph them, as it is against their religion. I am interested in doing a project of the local Amish but I'm not sure if it would be possible. Ideas? Experiences?

My understanding is that a photographer has to be let inside the circle of a closed (sub)culture of people by living with them for some time, befriending them so finally, on a relationship based on trust and understanding, souls can be captured on film.
Not unlike what Heather said, closed cultures are suspicious of snap-happy tourists and they very much dislike to be bothered by cameras and have their likeness taken for amusement.
It is not just with the Amish, but other photographers that have taken photos of gypsies, prostitutes, gangs, native tribes, religious societies and other closed cultures have done so with patience, understanding, an open mind, desire to learn, friendliness and a great effort.
I have said in the beginning that the easiest method is to snap the photo as covertly as possible and run as fast as you can when chased. Easy, quick but distanced and most often flawed. Cartier-Bresson didn't become famous just for interesting compositions. He excelled in capturing depth and creating complex visual relationships in a blink of an eye. But, the other approach, if you are not that quick and skilled, is the slow, relationship-building one.