What is it with Parents scowling at photographers?

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boyfalldown said:
no - its not - why can't I take a photo of a parade without being labelled a perv - please explain?

Hugh
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Mothers scowling at someone taking pics of there kids in a parade.. thats what you define as being labled a pervert is it? sorry not in my book.. i cant explain because i dont agree with you...
 
Furtim said:
but there are those on here who believe it is inappropriate for any photographer to capture images of this event, simply because "it's not cool", but without explanation.

It sets a dangerous precedent. Limiting freedom and perpetuating the myth that every bloke with a camera is some form of sexual predator when near children. It's just total boll*cks, and panders to the Daily Mail mentality. The problem is the more people who say this, the more will start to believe it, and pretty soon, given the ridiculously PC culture we live in, there will start to be very real curbs on our freedoms..
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who brought pervert and sexual predetor into all this? .. as far as i am aware the mothers scowled.. the only people mentioning perverts pedos and sex monstors are photographers throwing there toys out tof the pram..

your reading a lot into a mothers scowl :)
 
richpips said:
We don't all have the same thoughts though do we??
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sigh.. we all agree that its ok to photograph children.

but doing what? some draw the line here.. some draw the line there.. my opinion is that we have different lines/levels/boundaries or whatever.. and just because someones lines differ to someone elses shouldnt be a reason to have a go at them..

other than get me crayons out i am stuck trying to explain it :)
 
KIPAX said:
Mothers scowling at someone taking pics of there kids in a parade.. thats what you define as being labled a pervert is it? sorry not in my book.. i cant explain because i dont agree with you...
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come off it :)- & answer the question as I said I never take photos (outside of paid work) of other peoples kids - but I will take a photo of a scene why is that unexceptable?

Cheers

Hugh
 
and just because someones lines differ to someone elses shouldnt be a reason to have a go at them.
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It's a forum, it's a place for debating. I haven't had a go at anyone.

other than get me crayons out i am stuck trying to explain it
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Don't try to be condescending. You're not very good at it.
 
I am so glad i dont include people in my shots, its really not worth the hassle.

Although a grab shot of children playing can be fantastic. I wouldnt mind some parents lets their children run around with nowt on.

The countries gone to the dogs in my opinion, do-gooders have a lot to answer for.
 
KIPAX said:
who brought pervert and sexual predetor into all this? .. as far as i am aware the mothers scowled.. the only people mentioning perverts pedos and sex monstors are photographers throwing there toys out tof the pram..

your reading a lot into a mothers scowl :)
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*sigh* "throwing there (sic) toys out tof (sic) the pram" - it's a debate / discussion / forum - call it what you will, but I hardly thing anyone is guilty of what you suggest.
 
I went over to meet another member of this forum at their work a wee while back and popped down to the staffroom with him, carrying my S5 Pro over my shoulder.

He probably should have warned me that to get to the staff locker room at the sports centre you had to walk through the public changing rooms :whistle:
 
Flash In The Pan said:
I went over to meet another member of this forum at their work a wee while back and popped down to the staffroom with him, carrying my S5 Pro over my shoulder.

He probably should have warned me that to get to the staff locker room at the sports centre you had to walk through the public changing rooms :whistle:
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Ouch :LOL:

I think its ok to photograph kids in a public place so long as there decently dressed, Hell, a lot of it is just apply common sense, as with everything in life.

Despite the fact a lot of society lacks it nowadays, I call is LCSD (Lack of common sense disorder) :LOL:

Eg. Running round with a long lens taking loads of pics of one child is asking for trouble really. However i legaly am still a child so you can have a childs (kinda) point of view :LOL:

One or two photo's i wouldn't mind, however if your blazing away on continuous i would probably feel arkward and come over and ask why your taking so many photos of me :cautious:
 
Tbabe said:
.... bad guys will probably have a p&s or a 500mm lens pointed at the kids when ever they are out....
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Are there 'bad guys' that go around taking pictures of children playing in the park or at the beach? I've never heard of paedophiles being caught in possession of such images, is the whole thing completely manufactured by the media?
 
KIPAX said:
Tell me why you wouldnt barge to the front of the que next time you go to the post office or the bank.. just barge strauight in front of the pensioners and the kids.. straight to the front... its not illegal so why not?

If your answer is bad manners as I suspect it will be... exactly how far away is that from "not cool" as the poster your now getting at said ?
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Oh dear oh dear. You do have a bee in your bonnet don't you.

When did queue jumping enter the arguement. My answer would not be manners. They were there first so they get served first.
 
TriggerHappy said:
Technically, because I'm 19, no one finding me attractive could be classed as a paedophile ;)
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yeah, pedophiles won't have been interested in you for six or seven years or so now. however, you could still be a target for ephebephiles!

dave
 
never understood why people would what to take pictures of other peoples children anyway
 
POAH said:
never understood why people would what to take pictures of other peoples children anyway
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Maybe because generally pictures of kids having fun make great photos?
Does it really if they are your own or other peoples kids if you just want to take good photographs? :shrug:

Personally I have no desire to take such photographs but having recently finished watching 'The Genius of photography' there are absolutely sterling shots from the early to mid 20th century which are just of kids having fun. A lot of these shots are good because it is not the parents taking the photos.
 
After reading through this it saddens me to think that when my two children were growing up (27 & 25 now). there was no such problems with taking pictures at any school event.
The other thing I would like to raise is.. Is this problem only in the UK or is it worldwide.
 
It's sad that the media have managed to put this fear into parents that any man taking pictures of children is going to be furiously masturbating over the images at home.

I'm 28 and I walked to school a mile and a half or so from the age of about six on my own. These days most parents express the most abject horror that anyone could leave their precious to walk past bushes with PAEDOPHILES hidden in them, waiting to snatch them.

What an utter crock of *****. People just swallow it up though. Can't stop the stupidity of the herd.
 
mid_gen said:
Are there 'bad guys' that go around taking pictures of children playing in the park or at the beach? I've never heard of paedophiles being caught in possession of such images, is the whole thing completely manufactured by the media?
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Sadly, there have been cases.

In the village I grew up in, not so long ago we had a guy dress up as a woman and hang round the school gates and parks taking photo's of children. Oddly though, he asked permission. Parents were freaked out because he was in drag. Anyway, he got cuaght, as he got rough with a mother when she said no, and the cops found "incriminating evidince" although it was never made public what that was.

That aside, I can see Kipax's point about peoples different levels of what they feel is acceptable.
However, I personally can't relate to parents who get arsey about other people taking photo's of them when they have entered them in a parade for everyone to stare at. If they don't like the thought of others taking photos of their child, why put them in that situation in the first place?!

Photo's of children playing do make great, happy photo's. As photograhers we need to apply a little common sense too though. Being all defensive, putting barriers up and shouting about our rights will not help our reputation. Softly softly has got to be the best approach here. Talk to those who have reservations, explain yourself. If they still has problems, walk away. No shot (in my opinion) is worth the greif of both you and the subject/subject relations.

*All opinions are my own only, I claim not to be right or wrong! :LOL:*
 
Was interested to hear if there had been any....guess there are some bad eggs out there.

I was at a car show at the weekend and some dad had put his kid into the drivers seat of this enormous drag racer, little kid was just peeping over the steering wheel with a big grin on his face....was a nice shot but I thought twice about taking it. Whatever your views on the matter I think you need to take things into consideration. I certainly feel more comfortable when I'm out shooting with my girlfriend with me as it presumably presents a better impression. I've also half considered printing some professional looking A3 flyers....not to make any money but just as re-assurance to people that I'm taking photos because I like photos, not children.

I'd also delete pictures of children if asked by the parents. However much I know my rights, it's common courtesy.
 
My only known experience with paedophiles has been two of my teachers during my early school years - though I course we didn't realise what they were doing was wrong at the time - just thought teachers feeling little girls bum's was 'funny' I guess (we were about 5 yrs at the time); and later (12 yrs) another spanked all the boys too often for being disruptive, but never the girls :cautious:

My thoughts then - perhaps we should all scowl at male teachers of young children instead :shrug:

A few years back a Policeman hereabouts was found to have child porn on his computer - perhaps we should scowl at male Police officers too

Bad 'apples' are afoot everywhere - but the media couldn't really attack Police & Teachers in the same way could they, much easier to have a pop at hobbiests. Though I must admit that if I were a Perv - the last thing I'd want to do is draw attention to myself with a whopping big camera/lens combo :shrug:

DD
 
mid_gen said:
I've also half considered printing some professional looking A3 flyers....not to make any money but just as re-assurance to people that I'm taking photos because I like photos, not children.
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I like the idea about having some flyers - and maybe some business cards with your contact details on... but an A3 flyer is going to be a bit bulky! How about an A5 one instead?
 
KIPAX said:
and I am trying to explain that its boundaries.. some peoples boundaries stop at kids on the beech.. some dont.. some peopels stop at taking pics of kids full stop.... people in this thread are now having a pop at people who just happen to ahve different boundaries... thats not right imho
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Ah but that is your or their personal boundaries. Since you as everyone else live in society, you cannot impose your boundaries onto the others - keep them tou yourself and don' overstep them if yoo so ****, but don't please impose them to the others. To address the original question that you replied to, it would suffice for the poster to say that it was his personal boundaries he/she cannot step over - that would be an explanation wouldn't it? So your point of people not explaining themselves is mute to me...
 
mid_gen said:
It's sad that the media have managed to put this fear into parents that any man taking pictures of children is going to be furiously masturbating over the images at home.

I'm 28 and I walked to school a mile and a half or so from the age of about six on my own. These days most parents express the most abject horror that anyone could leave their precious to walk past bushes with PAEDOPHILES hidden in them, waiting to snatch them.

What an utter crock of *****. People just swallow it up though. Can't stop the stupidity of the herd.
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Totally agree, I was going to school 25 year ago that was quite far and I needed to take a bus, cross the roads and walk quite some distance but these days sending a child to the school alone like this would probably be considered a blasphemy. Law even says I have to control my child every step til she is 15. This is all sad really, we are getting paranoid...

There is an old Russian saying that translates roughly like this: "if you are afraid of the wolves, don't go to the forest" - I find it is very applicable to nowadays situation with people being paranoid about their kids and "hostile" world around them...
 
KIPAX said:
or a dad with a baseball bat :) thats why you should always carry a little blue laminated card with your rights on.. to repel him :)
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What's one of those then?

And does it repel irate parents with baseball bats?:thinking:
 
DiddyDave said:
Bad 'apples' are afoot everywhere - but the media couldn't really attack Police & Teachers in the same way could they, much easier to have a pop at hobbiests. Though I must admit that if I were a Perv - the last thing I'd want to do is draw attention to myself with a whopping big camera/lens combo :shrug:
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Sad really isn't it. This situation is reminding me of all the cases with togs with the camera and tripod in public places being labelelled as terrorists - it's apparently too difficult for the police/security to have their brains switched on to think that the actual conspirer will act less obviously :(
 
The best place to hide something is out in the open!

The police might be less inclined to think someone is a terrorist if they are taking photos openly, therefore simple answer - ban all photo taking.
 
geminip said:
It upsets me that since she started school at 4 every assembly/play/xmas play the headmaster stands up at the beginning and makes a speech about no photos or video. We then have no photos of these memorable events and a terrible bad quality video with maybe 2 mins of our child for £6 :(
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:( That's a shame.

My sister lives abroad and the nursery she sends her son to takes pics of all the kids on a regular basis which are then posted up on the nursery's website for all to see :)eek: :D). It makes for a nice record of the kids and is a really nice way for relatives overseas to see the progress of their nephews/nieces/grandchildren. Can't see that happening here though!
 
I've read through this post with interest. As a father of a two and a half year old daughter, there are many times when I've wanted to take photos of her, but as it's been at "soft play" type areas where there are lots of other children, I've always been reluctant to walk around with a DSLR in case people thought I was up to no good.

More recently though I've become more confident and have started taking photos in these sort of places, I just make sure that she is the main focus, if there are any other children nearby then I point the camera down and then re-compose when they've gone. Daft and paranoid maybe but not worth a parent bopping me on the nose and asking questions later!

I suspect things will change, looking at most of the posts on this topic, parents aren't too concerned if people take photos of their children, I know I'm not.

Also on a recent trip to Centre Parcs I saw the "no photography" symbol as I walked into the swimming centre and scowled as I'd planned to get some photos of my daughter swimming and playing. However on closer inspection the sign simply stated that photography is banned in the changing area, but allowed in the poolside areas. Well done Centre Parcs for taking a brave stance. There were many parents walking around with cameras - not many as brave as me taking a DSLR near water, but still !!

Anyway, just my thoughts.... sorry if it's a long and ranting post (my first post on Talk Photography!)
 
asm61 said:
The other thing I would like to raise is.. Is this problem only in the UK or is it worldwide.
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I was on holiday in the US recently, and went with my hosts to see their 7 y.o. son having his swimming lesson with other kids in the school's outdoor pool. I happened to have my SLR and 70-200mm with me, and the parents encouraged me to take pictures of his water polo game. I reluctantly agreed. Alot of parents/teachers were there and no-one batted an eyelid, and I got some good shots.

Just one example, I know, but illuminating nonetheless.
 
I don't like being the main subject of a photograph - even more so if it's being taken by a stranger, so how I'd feel about a stranger taking photos of a kid of mine I really don't know. If I was asked, I would probably be OK with it, if the kid agreed but if I spotted someone with a long lens taking photos SPECIFICALLY OF MY CHILD, I would want to know exactly why he/she wanted those photos. Should the child simply be in frame, I don't think it would worry me too much, although I might keep an eye on the photographer.
 
Nod said:
I don't like being the main subject of a photograph - even more so if it's being taken by a stranger, so how I'd feel about a stranger taking photos of a kid of mine I really don't know. If I was asked, I would probably be OK with it, if the kid agreed but if I spotted someone with a long lens taking photos SPECIFICALLY OF MY CHILD, I would want to know exactly why he/she wanted those photos. Should the child simply be in frame, I don't think it would worry me too much, although I might keep an eye on the photographer.
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How could you tell whether your child is just in frame or specifically of your child? Difficult to tell, particularly with a long lens.
 
Not easy, unless the child is the only possible subject. Easy enough to ask the photographer if I could look at their pics though.
 
No one, child or adult, has ever been harmed by having their picture taken. I have children and I don't really care if anyone photographs them (or me).

A photograph is far inferior to being able to actually see the person for real anyway.

I think it's a lot of paranoa blown up out of proportion by the media.




Steve.
 
Nod said:
Not easy, unless the child is the only possible subject. Easy enough to ask the photographer if I could look at their pics though.
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equally easy to say 'no' though - I hate to say this but I probably would - but it does depend how you approached me.

Hugh
 
Nod said:
Easy enough to ask the photographer if I could look at their pics though.
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If it was me, you would have to wait until I processed my film..... But it wouldn't be me as I prefer pictures without people in them.


Steve.
 
boyfalldown said:
equally easy to say 'no' though - I hate to say this but I probably would - but it does depend how you approached me.

Hugh
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I would ask nicely, expressing my concerns if necessary. I think.


ETA To Steve, it's unlikely I would have to ask you to show me your pics since it sounds like you're unlikely to be pointing it at me or (any hypothetical) mine! Like you, I'm not a people photographer, although people do tend to get into my shots.
 
Can someone explain why people have 'concerns'? Im not having a go - I'd like to understand the reasoning.

The nature of my day job means that 99.9% of my clients are men. Every day, I have to listen to them complaining to me that someone somewhere has suggested/hinted/outright accused them of being paedophiles. Not one of them is (as far as I know anyway); they are all decent men and fathers. But the society in which we live is so P**** mad these days that my clients get accused on a daily basis!
 
Steve Smith said:
No one, child or adult, has ever been harmed by having their picture taken. I have children and I don't really care if anyone photographs them (or me).

A photograph is far inferior to being able to actually see the person for real anyway.

I think it's a lot of paranoa blown up out of proportion by the media.




Steve.
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Steve, I tend to agree with your opinion, although the topic has veered off into different areas the fundamental issue of a parent scowling at a tog taking a picture is all down to that parents naivety/stupidity or plain anti social behaviour!

I am also of the opinion that walking around with a DSLR and a lens is tantamount to social terrorism due to the hype in the media but also down to a less educated public. What can I do with a picture of a child in a park, playing at the beach (clothed), playing football etc. etc.? If I was so sad/desparate that I needed to get my kicks from viewing those 'normal' pictures then I could spend a nano second on the internet and get millions of pictures showing all of the aforementioned scenes in glorious technicolour so what is the issue with a picture being taken? (I am asking the question rather than providing a response)

I have 3 kids, they are under 10 and over 10 and yes I will admit that my under 10s don't walk the 3/4 mile back from school probably because I am worried some perv in a van will take them rather than a tog snapping them with his long lens! But again when I was their age I walked/cycled home from school 2 miles away from where I lived, was I safer then or was there just less hype and media frenzy?

The fact remains as Kipax said that togs themselves will probably set their own boundaries, I know, even when out with my own kids, I will actively not snap other peoples kids even if they are playing in the same area and happen to make for a nice shot because I can't be bothered with the grief of some ignorant parent giving me a hard time, if their kids appear in my shots of my kids tough ****.

Equally I happily snap away at kids footie games including shots of other peoples kids when mine arent even on the pitch becuase I enjoy practising my sports photograpjhy skills. I don't ask permission of each parent but as a condition of the league my kids play in you have to ask permission from the other manager to take pictures (again a barmy rule in an overly PC country but if it is a rule then I feel it is only right to check (it only takes a second after all)
 
yet these parents (the ones scowling in the OP topic) are the first to moan when there little princess's school wont allow them to take photo's of there kids at school plays, because of taking photos of the other kids......
 
Nod said:
I would ask nicely, expressing my concerns if necessary. I think.
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I have to be honest - if you approached me however nicely explaining and expressing that concern about my photos you would get told no. Sorry I feel strongly about it though.

For the record, the only time I take photos of other peoples kids is when I'm paid to do so, just because I can't be bothered with the grief, but equally I'm not going to miss a scene, or not take photos of my own because of somebody else's paranoia.

Hugh
 
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