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Archive 2009 · What right do we have to shoot in public?

Future Man
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p.1 #1 · What right do we have to shoot in public?

I was out practicing the video on my new 5DII during my lunch hour today and I ran into an EXTREMELY angry guy. I work on a college campus and was actually kind of shocked someone around the college age would get so mad at being filmed. I was walking behind him and his girl holding hands on a cross walk practicing my focusing on a moving subject and the guy turned around and instantly got in my face about filming him.

I tried to diffuse the situation and tell him I was just practicing on my new camera, but he didn't like that response and went on about needing a permit to shoot in public. I lost my cool and called him a major a-hole for getting so mad. I feel bad for losing my cool, but I was just out by myself getting some b-roll type shots. If I'm ever employed by someone to take photos I wouldn't have gone as far as calling him names. It was a learning process though in that I now know some people REALLY don't like having a camera pointed at them.

What right do we have taking photos/video in public places if what we are doing is strictly for personal/non-profit use?

Nov 09, 2009 at 08:48 PM

EA6B
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p.1 #2 · What right do we have to shoot in public?

Complex subject, but this will get you started...

http://www.krages.com/phoright.htm

Nov 09, 2009 at 09:05 PM

howardm4
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p.1 #3 · What right do we have to shoot in public?

you have a right to shoot in public but the college, if 'private' is in fact private.

you handled it IMO poorly. You didn't consider that he may well have had thoughts of the establishment ('the man') watching him, etc etc etc or anything else. while you may have
had the right to do what you did, you showed little sensitivity for the subject, only your
own desire to play w/ your new toy.

Right or wrong, many people are wary of cameras.

Nov 09, 2009 at 09:08 PM

Future Man
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p.1 #4 · What right do we have to shoot in public?

EA6B wrote:
Complex subject, but this will get you started...

http://www.krages.com/phoright.htm

Interesting read, I wonder if this all applies to video.

Nov 09, 2009 at 09:10 PM

Future Man
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p.1 #5 · What right do we have to shoot in public?

howardm4 wrote:
you have a right to shoot in public but the college, if 'private' is in fact private.

you handled it IMO poorly. You didn't consider that he may well have had thoughts of the establishment ('the man') watching him, etc etc etc or anything else. while you may have
had the right to do what you did, you showed little sensitivity for the subject, only your
own desire to play w/ your new toy.

Right or wrong, many people are wary of cameras.

I agree I handled it poorly but at the same time the guy handled this poorly x10 and started a confrontation when there didn't need to be one.

Also, a 5DII is not a toy.

The university is a public university.

Edited on Nov 09, 2009 at 09:14 PM · View previous versions

Nov 09, 2009 at 09:12 PM

mdude85
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p.1 #6 · What right do we have to shoot in public?

Future Man wrote:
EA6B wrote:
Complex subject, but this will get you started...

http://www.krages.com/phoright.htm

Interesting read, I wonder if this all applies to video.

Normally does apply.

Nov 09, 2009 at 09:12 PM

Avi B
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p.1 #7 · What right do we have to shoot in public?

Future Man wrote:
howardm4 wrote:
you have a right to shoot in public but the college, if 'private' is in fact private.

you handled it IMO poorly. You didn't consider that he may well have had thoughts of the establishment ('the man') watching him, etc etc etc or anything else. while you may have
had the right to do what you did, you showed little sensitivity for the subject, only your
own desire to play w/ your new toy.

Right or wrong, many people are wary of cameras.

I agree I handled it poorly but at the same time the guy handled this poorly x10 and started a confrontation when there didn't need to be one.

Also, a 5DII is not a toy.

The university is a public university.

Well, if he starts it, you should tone it down so that he tones himself down. It works. Trust me. You just have to keep your cool (it's not easy).

Anyway, a lot of people are touchy about having their pictures taken, so maybe ask next time? Or ask some friends so that you can practice on them?

Nov 09, 2009 at 10:13 PM

RobertLynn
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p.1 #8 · What right do we have to shoot in public?

If you're in public, you can take the photo.

Nov 09, 2009 at 11:39 PM

Mike Tuomey
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p.1 #9 · What right do we have to shoot in public?

RobertLynn wrote:
If you're in public, you can take the photo.

and similarly, the subject of your picture-taking can object, even vigorously, to your taking the picture

both subject and photographer have rights. the photog has the right to shoot. the (unwilling) subject has the right to object. if you shoot candidly in public places, you have to recognize that there are some people who will not appreciate what you're doing. some will smile and engage you, some will get angry and berate you. i suspect you know this, so why the indignation?

a more meaningful question might be whether you should take the picture, and under what circumstances.

Nov 10, 2009 at 12:05 AM

Fantagero
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p.1 #10 · What right do we have to shoot in public?

ehmmm whatever right you have, people will react..

just like freedom of speech, you can talk whatever you want, but dont think there wont be consequences.

if i were in your shoes,
i think what i would do
-apologize
-offer him the recording soft copy later on..

win win situation i guess. because you get the opportunity of candid subject but at the same time, probably potential your client when they get married. :P

Nov 10, 2009 at 12:18 AM

Nathan Whitchu
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p.1 #11 · What right do we have to shoot in public?

howardm4 wrote:
you have a right to shoot in public but the college, if 'private' is in fact private.

Even if the college IS public, it may very well be classified as private land. The main distinction is how you USE the image (footage or photo). If you're not using it for anything other then viewing in your own home you are fine (aside from any trespassing laws you could be violating). If it is a newsworthy event and easily seen from public property you are safe using it for editorial purposes. If you are using it for commercial purposes (endorsing a product/place) you need a release. In your case you don't have to worry about any LEGAL action since you're not using the footage for anything. That may not stop the next guy from punching you in the face though.

Nov 10, 2009 at 04:54 AM

RobertLynn
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p.1 #12 · What right do we have to shoot in public?

Mike Tuomey wrote:
RobertLynn wrote:
If you're in public, you can take the photo.

and similarly, the subject of your picture-taking can object, even vigorously, to your taking the picture

both subject and photographer have rights. the photog has the right to shoot. the (unwilling) subject has the right to object. if you shoot candidly in public places, you have to recognize that there are some people who will not appreciate what you're doing. some will smile and engage you, some will get angry and berate you. i suspect you know this, so why the indignation?

a more meaningful question might be whether you should take the picture, and under what circumstances.

I always ask before I take someone's photo, but even still, if you're in public it's to my understanding that you give up your right to privacy by going into a public place.

If someone asked me not to, then I wouldn't (I would make a complete crap paparazzi), but it wouldn't limit me from taking it if I chose to.

If they wanted to "vigorously" object, that's fine so long as theyd on't threaten me. Then we've got a who new series of problems.

Nov 10, 2009 at 05:05 AM

jdben622
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p.1 #13 · What right do we have to shoot in public?

You have the right to take his picture.

He has the right to put his fist in your face.

You have the right to press charges.

Rights, smights.

There was really no reason to be confrontational, particularly when you we just testing a feature of your camera. I mean seriously, would it not have been a lot easier to simply tell the guy, "My bad, I was just testing out my new rig...look, this is how you delete the image" and clear it out in front of him. If you had a specific purpose in life and some clown was preventing you from doing something meaningful, then I'd revert to the linked .pdf file from the 2nd post. What you got into was less about rights and more about a pissing match.

Nov 10, 2009 at 05:13 AM

chez
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p.1 #14 · What right do we have to shoot in public?

Just because you can does not mean you should.

Nov 10, 2009 at 05:24 AM

Kittyk
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p.1 #15 · What right do we have to shoot in public?

learn this from start,

if you are going to use somebody's appearance or enter their life with your work, try to ask them BEFORE.

it doesnt matter you are not law obligated, it is ethics. Difference between papparazzo and photographers/videographers

Nov 10, 2009 at 06:07 AM

Micky Bill
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p.1 #16 · What right do we have to shoot in public?

jdben622 wrote:
.snip.
You have the right to take his picture.

He has the right to put his fist in your face.
.snip.

Part one correct, part two is assault.

Nov 10, 2009 at 07:21 AM

nfoto
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p.1 #17 · What right do we have to shoot in public?

you never know what that particular guy was going through in his life on that particular day. be sensitive.

Nov 10, 2009 at 07:39 AM

jdben622
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p.1 #18 · What right do we have to shoot in public?

Micky Bill wrote:
jdben622 wrote:
.snip.
You have the right to take his picture.

He has the right to put his fist in your face.
.snip.

Part one correct, part two is assault.

Actually, it's battery. The point was that everyone can make a decision to escalate a situation. In this case there was no battle to fight, so why go to war?

Nov 10, 2009 at 07:40 AM

Dudewithoutape
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p.1 #19 · What right do we have to shoot in public?

I would offer to delete anything that they dont want taken of them. Its just respect. We should respect each other's privacy. I guess it is hard when the other person comes out wailing on you though.

Also, I skimmed what was written, but did anyone think maybe he felt uncomfortable because he was doing something wrong or perhaps along the lines of "cheating"?

Nov 10, 2009 at 08:51 AM

sjlocke
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p.1 #20 · What right do we have to shoot in public?

If I was walking around holding hands with my girlfriend and I turned around to discover someone following me around with a big camera like some pervert, I'd get pretty upset too.

Nov 10, 2009 at 11:29 AM

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