Would you respect their privacy?

Ian David · Aug 13, 2009

Like Thomas, I only really take photos these days when there is some purpose in it for me. Either I find the subject interesting, or it evokes a certain response in me, or it means something special to me, or I can imagine hanging it on my wall, etc.

Celebrities generally leave me cold. Most are famous for no particularly worthy reason - often just famous for being famous. So, in my photography, celebrities are just treated the same as ordinary people. Their celebrity does not make them any more photogenic. Obviously many people feel differently, and support a vast economy of crappy magazines and TV shows.

Ian

eddym · 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?

I'm with you, Thomas. My first reaction to the question was, why would I want to take the picture? If something newsworthy happened, then perhaps yes, there might be a sale for the photo, or it could conceivably be historic or important. But to just "collect" a photo of a celeb as I would an autograph has no meaning to me at all.

Steve Smith · Aug 13, 2009

eddym said:
I'm with you, Thomas. My first reaction to the question was, why would I want to take the picture?

I have similar feelings about most street photography.

Steve.

Sirius Glass · Aug 13, 2009

Steve Smith said:
I have similar feelings about most street photography.

Steve.

Finally, I do not feel like I am the only one who is not infatuated with street photography!

Steve

BrianShaw · Aug 14, 2009

Sirius Glass said:
Finally, I do not feel like I am the only one who is not infatuated with street photography!

OMG... you actually thought you were alone? The torment must have been, ummmm, tormentuous. I'm glad you found others like you; I am one too!

DLawson · Aug 14, 2009

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

I avoid saying "privacy" in these things, as that word gets weighed down with baggage from legal debates. Being a product of the '70s, I'd say that I respect their space.

But I prefer not to shoot people anyway. I also doubt I'd recognize many current celebrities.

Would you respect their privacy?

Ian David

eddym

Steve Smith

Sirius Glass

BrianShaw

DLawson

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency