Public market - permission vs. candid

[Box Man]

Some people in Germany get mad when they see a camera. I thought they should be used to that by the omnipresent smartphones. But no, I got angry calls many times. And the law is on their side, if you dare to publish the image somewhere. If they are shown in a vulnerable situation, that's even a criminal offense.

If what you're saying about German law is true--and I have no doubt that it is--then it's not an ideal place to so street photography. Those who dare really have to be careful not to upset or offend anyone, especially the locals. Best of luck to you!

 

[patrickt]

"Moreover, personal rights are always to be respected."

I'm older than most trees and realize we no longer have personal rights.
I go to a political forum for political nonsense.
How far can you walk without being on a government or commercial video or photograph? There is no concern about privacy from the government. Only from normal, everyday citizens with a camera.

 

[clewis010]

I do street photography a lot and have done in a number of different countries and have never had a problem. I tend not to take specific photos of individuals but rather of street scenes. And I tend to avoid taking shots of children.

 

[RBIV]

.....
How far can you walk without being on a government or commercial video or photograph? There is no concern about privacy from the government. Only from normal, everyday citizens with a camera.

Interesting point. I suppose there's less worry gov't and security type cameras will post on social media sites.

I used to take a lot of street shots, and currently do so now and again, but I don't post any of my modern street stuff on the internet. I have posted some from 25 years ago which I think is actually more interesting now anyway.

So, I'm personally cautious, but you do raise a good point about no real privacy in public spaces.

 

[mga010]

How far can you walk without being on a government or commercial video or photograph?

True enough, sadly. The folks, however, are afraid to see their picture on a public web space or similar. The secret rooms of our services don't move them. We get crazy.

 

[Tom Caldwell]

I do street photography a lot and have done in a number of different countries and have never had a problem. I tend not to take specific photos of individuals but rather of street scenes. And I tend to avoid taking shots of children.

Heck any older person anywhere near a bunch of kids has to watch their reputation - so much angst about protecting kids. Normal people simply dare not take an image of a cute kid. That angst was not there when I was young and kids played together unsupervised in the street and actually walked unaccompanied too and from school.

From an attitude that 99% of people were normal it has changed to only 1%.

Some years ago and in Indonesia and everyone is so relaxed about pictures including those of children.

 

[Poagao]

I take photos of just about everyone, regardless of age, and I've done so in many countries. However, I admit I avoid travel to countries where freedoms are generally on the decline, such as China, Russia and the U.S., not just for photographic reasons but general safety.

 

[Smaug]

I do a bit of both, but am not good at either.

I usually shoot a street photo trying to get candid. Often, the subject will notice and challenge me: "Did you just take my picture!?" "Yes." and I walk away. (people are angry and feel entitled in Chicago) If I ask and they say yes, it doesn't seem natural; doesn't capture the moment. I know it's the polite thing to do, but for me, it defeats the whole point. I should have some cards printed up that spell out the US law of photos taken in public with no reasonable expectation of privacy are OK.

I do find that it is a lot easier when I use my GR III; somehow a point & shoot is not as threatening as a "serious camera". I'm not willing to do it with a phone; it doesn't feel like a serious enough tool for my "mission."

That makes me want to just use my tele-zoom and be a sniper street photographer, but those images .... I don't like the telephoto compression in them, most of the time.

 

[Smaug]

I take photos of just about everyone, regardless of age, and I've done so in many countries. However, I admit I avoid travel to countries where freedoms are generally on the decline, such as China, Russia and the U.S., not just for photographic reasons but general safety.

The problem with the US right now is not that freedoms are on the decline, but that people feel entitled to something they're not entitled to. (willful ignorance) In the bigger cities, police don't have time to deal with fights stemming from this, so you could get beaten up and have your camera smashed and the cops won't care.

 

[clewis010]

I do a bit of both, but am not good at either.

I usually shoot a street photo trying to get candid. Often, the subject will notice and challenge me: "Did you just take my picture!?" "Yes." and I walk away. (people are angry and feel entitled in Chicago) If I ask and they say yes, it doesn't seem natural; doesn't capture the moment. I know it's the polite thing to do, but for me, it defeats the whole point. I should have some cards printed up that spell out the US law of photos taken in public with no reasonable expectation of privacy are OK.

I do find that it is a lot easier when I use my GR III; somehow a point & shoot is not as threatening as a "serious camera". I'm not willing to do it with a phone; it doesn't feel like a serious enough tool for my "mission."

That makes me want to just use my tele-zoom and be a sniper street photographer, but those images .... I don't like the telephoto compression in them, most of the time.

It's funny isn't it? People are taking photos all the time on their phones and nobody bats an eyelid. However, take out a 'proper camera' and they get all weird about it.