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Yarrick on Respectful Photography
9 years ago
So, to add on a Journal 
mouring wrote and from a heated debate I got involved in today, I would like to address two issues and "movements" that plague Volunteer Event Photographers like myself.
One that is founded mostly from Non-Photographers and one that has its roots within Professional photographers. Both of these movements are gaining strength and really aren't solving the "problem". They're just bashing it in the head and not caring about who they affect or hurt in the process so long as they are "happy", which i feel is wrong.
It's really about Respect. That's what this whole thing is about. Knowing where that line in the Sand is, knowing NOT to cross it; but at the same time not being afraid to get more then 3 miles away from the line because you are afraid you might offend someone for just being in eyesight. I feel this Stigma is just as wrong as the people on the other extreme who totally ignore the line and go in head first paparazzi style camera blazing.
Before I start... I will say I respect both Professional Photographers AND a Subject's Right of Refusal. I feel both very much have a place within the realm of being Respectful as a Photographer. People are likely going to jump to conclusions (and probably will even after this disclaimer without reading it) and think that I am some Scab artist stealing bread from peoples mouths while stealing other peoples souls in the process. And THAT is the Image I despise and hate when it gets applied to me, or any other photographer for that matter.
To divide it up; the first issue is the "Costumes are not Consent" and "Ask First" movement. In most situations, the Law sides with the opponents of the Photography part of the movement especially if the photo is taken in a Public area; but that still does not address the reason for the movement nor provide a solution.
The basis of this movement is two fold, one which is "Do not touch/hug/grope without consent" which I can totally get behind. But just like a Bill in the Senate an ugly tack on gets applied which is "Do Not Take Any Photographs Without Getting Verbal Permission of the Subject First" which I have major problems with.
First the way its portrayed. Its portrayed as if taking a photo of someone is the same as groping them, which I am totally not in agreement of. Secondly because it spells the death of "street photography" or Capturing the Moment. And Capturing the Moment is the Biggest reason I think Photography is an Art. If you kill that, you kill half the art of Photography too. Posed shots outside of a studio are often rushed, and thus lack a certain level of storytelling that capturing the moment gets you.
The second movement is within the Photography Community itself, specifically by a lot of Professional and Freelance pro photographers. It also strengthens the point why I have a sour taste for a lot of the attitudes attached to "going pro". And that is "If you are doing Photography of ANY kind for Free, it is Theft from the Professionals"
Photography is a passion for me. It's also a Hobby. But because its a Hobby doesn't make me it any less important to me. Infact in some roundabout way I feel that Hobby Photography fuels my Passion while any Professional/Paid gig detracts from it; even if the underlying work is the same.
I will state the lines here that I do not cross. I'm not a supporter of Paparazzi style photography. I won't chase someone around and do "upskirt" shots. That is very much harassment, and I do not support it.
Nor will I do Photography "for free" for For-Profit Corporations or Private events if its outside my circle of friends and Family. I respect that professionals have a right to make money off these things.
But I also think people should have a little more respect for those who Volunteer as a Photographer (or in general actually) for Non-Profit organizations and not feel that their time is somehow more Valuable then any other Volunteers so they should be paid when the Security Staff, Registration Crew, Event Organizers, ETC are NOT.
I do a lot of Non-Profit work. For Free. As a Volunteer. And I've done it for other things outside of Photography too. Everyone who Volunteers to run something for a Non Profit is not doing it for the money. Most people who volunteering are offering up something they SHOULD be paid for, but are not. They are doing it because they want to see something succeed that would not be able to succeed or be as successful if it had to rely on Paid Employees.
As a Volunteer Photographer for an Organization I have a level of standards that I will not Harass any of the Attendees of the event. I have the right to take Candid shots but if someone specifically blocks their face or approaches me and says "Hey I don't want you to post the photo you took of me" I will be respectful and not share it or delete it.
I will also not step on Professional Photographers toes. If an event has the budget to pay a Photographer I WILL NOT go in after I find this out and say "Hey, I know you are paying this guy but I'll gladly do it for Free".
On the flip side, I ask that Professionals give me a little more respect and understand that I have a right to offer my services for Free to Charitable Non-Profits who cannot afford a professional photographer and would otherwise just be handing off an instant camera or cellphone to a randomly selected general volunteer to "get a few photos with".
So this really is about being respectful, and either extreme really hurts Photographers of all walks of life whether Hobbiest or Pro. Know that there are lines to stay behind to be respectful, but don't hang up your camera because an extremist on the other end says "You are in my way" or "You are Stealing my Soul".
mouring wrote and from a heated debate I got involved in today, I would like to address two issues and "movements" that plague Volunteer Event Photographers like myself. One that is founded mostly from Non-Photographers and one that has its roots within Professional photographers. Both of these movements are gaining strength and really aren't solving the "problem". They're just bashing it in the head and not caring about who they affect or hurt in the process so long as they are "happy", which i feel is wrong.
It's really about Respect. That's what this whole thing is about. Knowing where that line in the Sand is, knowing NOT to cross it; but at the same time not being afraid to get more then 3 miles away from the line because you are afraid you might offend someone for just being in eyesight. I feel this Stigma is just as wrong as the people on the other extreme who totally ignore the line and go in head first paparazzi style camera blazing.
Before I start... I will say I respect both Professional Photographers AND a Subject's Right of Refusal. I feel both very much have a place within the realm of being Respectful as a Photographer. People are likely going to jump to conclusions (and probably will even after this disclaimer without reading it) and think that I am some Scab artist stealing bread from peoples mouths while stealing other peoples souls in the process. And THAT is the Image I despise and hate when it gets applied to me, or any other photographer for that matter.
To divide it up; the first issue is the "Costumes are not Consent" and "Ask First" movement. In most situations, the Law sides with the opponents of the Photography part of the movement especially if the photo is taken in a Public area; but that still does not address the reason for the movement nor provide a solution.
The basis of this movement is two fold, one which is "Do not touch/hug/grope without consent" which I can totally get behind. But just like a Bill in the Senate an ugly tack on gets applied which is "Do Not Take Any Photographs Without Getting Verbal Permission of the Subject First" which I have major problems with.
First the way its portrayed. Its portrayed as if taking a photo of someone is the same as groping them, which I am totally not in agreement of. Secondly because it spells the death of "street photography" or Capturing the Moment. And Capturing the Moment is the Biggest reason I think Photography is an Art. If you kill that, you kill half the art of Photography too. Posed shots outside of a studio are often rushed, and thus lack a certain level of storytelling that capturing the moment gets you.
The second movement is within the Photography Community itself, specifically by a lot of Professional and Freelance pro photographers. It also strengthens the point why I have a sour taste for a lot of the attitudes attached to "going pro". And that is "If you are doing Photography of ANY kind for Free, it is Theft from the Professionals"
Photography is a passion for me. It's also a Hobby. But because its a Hobby doesn't make me it any less important to me. Infact in some roundabout way I feel that Hobby Photography fuels my Passion while any Professional/Paid gig detracts from it; even if the underlying work is the same.
I will state the lines here that I do not cross. I'm not a supporter of Paparazzi style photography. I won't chase someone around and do "upskirt" shots. That is very much harassment, and I do not support it.
Nor will I do Photography "for free" for For-Profit Corporations or Private events if its outside my circle of friends and Family. I respect that professionals have a right to make money off these things.
But I also think people should have a little more respect for those who Volunteer as a Photographer (or in general actually) for Non-Profit organizations and not feel that their time is somehow more Valuable then any other Volunteers so they should be paid when the Security Staff, Registration Crew, Event Organizers, ETC are NOT.
I do a lot of Non-Profit work. For Free. As a Volunteer. And I've done it for other things outside of Photography too. Everyone who Volunteers to run something for a Non Profit is not doing it for the money. Most people who volunteering are offering up something they SHOULD be paid for, but are not. They are doing it because they want to see something succeed that would not be able to succeed or be as successful if it had to rely on Paid Employees.
As a Volunteer Photographer for an Organization I have a level of standards that I will not Harass any of the Attendees of the event. I have the right to take Candid shots but if someone specifically blocks their face or approaches me and says "Hey I don't want you to post the photo you took of me" I will be respectful and not share it or delete it.
I will also not step on Professional Photographers toes. If an event has the budget to pay a Photographer I WILL NOT go in after I find this out and say "Hey, I know you are paying this guy but I'll gladly do it for Free".
On the flip side, I ask that Professionals give me a little more respect and understand that I have a right to offer my services for Free to Charitable Non-Profits who cannot afford a professional photographer and would otherwise just be handing off an instant camera or cellphone to a randomly selected general volunteer to "get a few photos with".
So this really is about being respectful, and either extreme really hurts Photographers of all walks of life whether Hobbiest or Pro. Know that there are lines to stay behind to be respectful, but don't hang up your camera because an extremist on the other end says "You are in my way" or "You are Stealing my Soul".
