Would you respect their privacy?

snegron · Aug 13, 2009

I was on another forum discussing celebrities and their cameras, when a thought crossed my mind; If I were to see a famous person in public, would I take pictures of him/her?

I'm not referring to celebrites out in public with the purpose of promoting their new movie or book. I am referring to something like sitting at a restaurant and seeing a famous person eating at the table next to you, or at a shopping mall, supermarket, etc.

I have had the chance of running into a few famous people at small restaurants and stores and I have never taken a picture of them despite the fact that I almost always have a camera with me. For some reason I feel bad for them because I know that they are simply trying to go unnoticed and are probably sick of people shooting pics of their every movement. A few years ago I was at a small restaurant in NYC eating breakfast when I noticed David Letterman sitting two tables away from me. While I had my large DSLR with lens, it stayed strapped to my shoulder. As he walked by me he smiled and I smiled back. I interpreted that smile as a thank you for not ruining his breakfast time!

I think that my thoughts about respecting a person's privacy stem from the fact that I make it a point to never post images of any wedding clients online (I rarely even discuss with anyone whose weddings I shoot in an effort to respect their privacy). Also, I believe that if I were famous (which I am not) I would not like people shooting pics of me while I am trying to go about my normal daily activities.

How do you feel about taking shots of celebrities or famous people?

Krzys · Aug 13, 2009

They are just another person to me and I cant see any merit in taking photos of 'famous' faces (boring!) unless I'm being paid to do so. Wouldn't mind sitting down and having a chat, though I tend to strike up a conversation with those next to me in any cafe/breakfast situation.

Ian Grant · Aug 13, 2009

No differently to photographing anyone else. But it depends on the circumstances some shots are taken knowing that they will be used in papers, publicity etc & others are more private and not for publication. it's about respecting peoples privacy.

I work with some very well known musicians, and they are also friends so I drew up my own dividing line 25-30 years ago. No images at all are released or put on the internet unless shot at a public event, or with full consent.

Ian

Photo Engineer · Aug 13, 2009

I have taken celebrity photos. It has happened more than one time, sometimes with the same person. The second time I encountered one particular celebrity with my camera, knowing he was in the area, I brought pictures from the first encounter and gave them to him. He thanked me, took two of the four, autographed 2 and returned them to me and then spent about 15 minutes talking to me about photography and his work during his break.

I ran into him a third time, literally, and we exchanged greetings. We almost knocked each other down. He was caught by his bodyguards (2) and helped stand upright and he took it with great laughter as we were both not paying attention.

Just people is true for the most part. But, there are exceptions. This particular person had a reputation for being hard to approach and hard to work with, but I found that to be untrue from my perspective.

PE

Mike Wilde · Aug 13, 2009

I would not call them big time celebrities, but a few community theatre groups that I work with also have local (and in the case of Toronto that means national) on air TV talent involved in the same productions.

I do the photography for these productions, and the thing to remember with the 'celebs' is that they are just one of this theatre production company crowd. Everyone else also has 'day' jobs, and we do this for a hobby.

When I am working with this crowd I don't shoot the 'celebs' any differently than anyone else (other than not having to explain as much to them what I want them to do when I am doing their front of house head shots). I think that a few of them come out to audition and get cast as much for being apreciated that they are one of the crowd, as well as being able to artistically express another side of themselves that what they present on air.

perkeleellinen · Aug 13, 2009

I've got no interest in taking photos of people I don't know.

Sirius Glass · Aug 13, 2009

I have lived in Los Angeles for many years and have seen many famous people in the restaurants. These include Dean Martin, James Caan, Columbo, and George Burns. I have always respected their privacy with one exception which I will get to in a minute.

I had just left the restroom and almost bumped into George Burns. He said, "Will you excuse me? I have to go to the bathroom." As I stepped aside, I said, "I never stop or slow down a man going to the bathroom." George laughed shook my hand and thanked me.

The exception was with Alec Baldwin. He, Kim Basinger [his wife], and another man were at dinner at the table next to us eating dinner and obviously talking business. The movie "Malice" had just been released. When Kim got up to go to the bathroom, Alec happened to glance over at me and nodded. I quietly got up, walked over and said, "Please do not take this personally, but if I need to have surgery done, I would really prefer that it be done by someone other than you." Alec and the other man laughed really hard. A few minutes later, he sent a bottle of wine to my table.

I know that these people like attention but they deserve privacy too. My father would take his Mamiyaflex C-330, ask to take a portrait, and then proceed to practically put one or both lenses up their nostrils. I guess that is why I usually will not take portraits.

Steve

Steve Smith · Aug 13, 2009

If they're in public then they have no privacy to respect.

But to answer the question, no. I don't usually take pictures of people and I probably wouldn't recpgnise anyone as being famous anyway!

Steve.

snegron · Aug 13, 2009

Sirius Glass said:
I know that these people like attention but they deserve privacy too. My father would take his Mamiyaflex C-330, ask to take a portrait, and then proceed to practically put one or both lenses up their nostrils. I guess that is why I usually will not take portraits.

Steve

I feel pretty much the same way, but I can't say I have my dad to thank for this!

Several years ago (back in the 80's) I needed a model for some creative experimental (yes, fully dressed) shots I had in mind at the time. A girl who lived in my neighborhood became my model. She loved to sing and she had a great voice. I remember doing a shoot with her one day near an old water fountain on a busy street. I remember telling her that she should enjoy her anonimity because someday she would be too famous to walk aroundtown unnoticed. She was pretty, talented, and had a good business sense; a true recipie for success. She laughed and told me that I was crazy to think that.

She decided to take singing more seriously. A few years later she went up the charts and since then has won several Grammy's.

One day I was at a local shopping center and we ran into each other. As we were remembering old times I reminded her of our conversation from several years earlier. She remembered and we enjoyed the "I told you so" moment. Funny thing is that within 5 minutes of our conversation a few fans spotted her and soon a crowd began to form around her trying to get her picture and autograph. We both laughed as I again reminded her how I was right!

The interesting thing is that I still have a ton of negatives of her from the early days. I promised her I would not share them with anyone and I intend to continue to keep my promise. I won't even say who she is to protect her privacy.

ann · Aug 13, 2009

if "they" were at a public function then i might.
if they are just out enjoying their life than no

i dont believe as does Steve, that being out in public they have no privacy to respect.

Steve Smith · Aug 13, 2009

ann said:
i dont believe as does Steve, that being out in public they have no privacy to respect.

I was only considering the legal aspect which is not disputable. Ethically, it's down to personal opinion.

Steve.

Thomas Bertilsson · Aug 13, 2009

When people talk about celebrities and taking pictures of them I always question the reason to take those pictures.

1. You don't know them.
2. They probably don't want you to.
3. There are already 49 million photographs of that person prior to yours.
4. Are you going to print it, hang it on your wall?

What do you do with a picture of a celebrity? I'm sorry, I just fail to understand it.

On the contrary, if I can photograph a person where they actually interact with me and my camera. I believe it's a lot more interesting results like that. It could be everyday Joe or Jane, or a celebrity. I wouldn't actually have a preference.

- Thomas

snegron · Aug 13, 2009

Thomas Bertilsson said:
When people talk about celebrities and taking pictures of them I always question the reason to take those pictures.

1. You don't know them.
2. They probably don't want you to.
3. There are already 49 million photographs of that person prior to yours.
4. Are you going to print it, hang it on your wall?

What do you do with a picture of a celebrity? I'm sorry, I just fail to understand it.

On the contrary, if I can photograph a person where they actually interact with me and my camera. I believe it's a lot more interesting results like that. It could be everyday Joe or Jane, or a celebrity. I wouldn't actually have a preference.

- Thomas

People shoot pictures of celebrites (or famous people) for the same reason they shoot pictures of the Grand Canyon or other famous landmarks. They are recording their own experience with that famous person or famous place. It could be the excitement, admiration for that person's talent, or a number of other reasons.

BrianShaw · Aug 13, 2009

I couldn't be bothered with photographing celebrities who would rather just be left alone. I leave that to TMZ... they do much better than I would anyway.

Thomas Bertilsson · Aug 13, 2009

Still don't get it. Sorry. I must be wired differently.

snegron said:
People shoot pictures of celebrites (or famous people) for the same reason they shoot pictures of the Grand Canyon or other famous landmarks. They are recording their own experience with that famous person or famous place. It could be the excitement, admiration for that person's talent, or a number of other reasons.

snegron · Aug 13, 2009

BrianShaw said:
I couldn't be bothered with photographing celebrities who would rather just be left alone. I leave that to TMZ... they do much better than I would anyway.

I've watched parts of that show on occasion while waiting for the local news to start. I never cared for it.

David A. Goldfarb · Aug 13, 2009

Celebrity sightings are pretty common in Manhattan, and there's no surer way of marking yourself as a tourist than to snap a photo every time you see someone famous.

Steve Smith · Aug 13, 2009

Thomas Bertilsson said:
1. You don't know them.
2. They probably don't want you to.
3. There are already 49 million photographs of that person prior to yours.
4. Are you going to print it, hang it on your wall?

What do you do with a picture of a celebrity? I'm sorry, I just fail to understand it.

I don't see what being famous has to do with it. You could ask the same questions about photograhing a 'normal' person.

Steve.

Anton Lukoszevieze · Aug 13, 2009

People are a pain to foto, they should be left well alone.

Jeff Kubach · Aug 13, 2009

I was at a St. Patrick's Day Festival here in town a number of years ago. I had a couple of 35mm cameras with me. I saw a somewhat controversial councilwoman at the festival. She gave me the meanest look, so I figure I better move on!

Jeff

lesd · Aug 13, 2009

A friend of mine once saw a prominent member of the British Royal family at a horsey event in the North of England and walking freely about. He approached to ask if he could take his photo and explained that he did not want to intrude on his privacy. The response was 'are you going to take the photo or not?'. The resulting portrait had the most withering look you could imagine.

A second hand story but I thought it worth telling.

Les

Thomas Bertilsson · Aug 13, 2009

True, under those conditions.

But for me a photograph where there is interaction with a willing person is far more interesting. You can tell a story together.
Making photographs of people or famous people without their participation is just not something I would be interested in doing. Because I think about what I would do with the picture afterward, which is nothing. It would be a waste of my time.

That's why I laid out that to me it's irrelevant whether the person in front of the lens is a celebrity, an anonymous person, or a monkey for all I care. If there is no connection or participation - how can that photograph be valuable to you?

Steve Smith said:
I don't see what being famous has to do with it. You could ask the same questions about photograhing a 'normal' person.

Steve.

snegron · Aug 13, 2009

Thomas Bertilsson said:
True, under those conditions.

But for me a photograph where there is interaction with a willing person is far more interesting. You can tell a story together.
Making photographs of people or famous people without their participation is just not something I would be interested in doing. Because I think about what I would do with the picture afterward, which is nothing. It would be a waste of my time.

That's why I laid out that to me it's irrelevant whether the person in front of the lens is a celebrity, an anonymous person, or a monkey for all I care. If there is no connection or participation - how can that photograph be valuable to you?

On the other hand, the participation of the subject being photographed (or his awareness of the fact that he is being photographed) might ruin a candid moment. Celebrity subject or not, this would be a totally different issue. In my particular style of shooting, my best images are those that I capture when my subjects (weddings) are not aware that they are being photographed. Again, a whole other can of worms. I doubt that true street shooters are out hunting celebrities to make their images any stronger. Most celebrities are either shot by the stalkerazzi or by fans with cell phone cameras.

Photo Engineer · Aug 13, 2009

Well, I have found that when you are talking to a famous person, and don't try to fumble out a camera, get an autograph or otherwise seem like a stalkerazzi or papparazzi, they will open up and have a chat with you or just be an ordinary person for the most part.

The only odd case was when the President (JFK) called our photo office at the cape and started chatting with my friend who took the call. I think he had a bad case of brainburn after the call.

PE

archphoto · Aug 13, 2009

The last time I saw celeb's was 1 1/2 years ago in The Hague, The Netherlands, on a hollyday.
Her Majesty the Queen of the Netherlands, and President Lula of Brazil on official business.
Yes I took pictures, with a PS, all I had with me.......

My two countries united, a special feeling.

Peter

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