When isn't it "polite" to take pictures?

[adrian]

After reading what I started in the kaukau forum, I decided to expand it here.

I sometimes do it. Its "normal" for someone to take a pic with their camera phone, but when I bust out my digital camera (even though its small) I get stares - especially if I forget to turn off the flash.

It's not unusual at all, especially in sit-down restaurants. In fact, many restaurants have a sort of "no photos of the food" policy because of the prolificity of food blogs. Restaurants are worried that a bad photo will mean bad publicity for the restaurant, and the higher-end restaurants just don't like not having control of the images that get out.

They've got a good point, and the truth is that when you're in a building or a place of business, it's generally polite anyway to ask for permission to take photos. Anything you can see from a public space (like, from the street) is beyond anyone else's control, but if you're going to be taking pictures of the interiors of buildings, you really should ask for permission. For food, I usually don't.

I've dined with people (that's you, Lynn!) who were asked not to take pictures and then basically said, "Try and stop me!" And I think most restaurants won't risk the negative vibe by pushing it...if you INSIST on taking pictures, they'll probably act like they don't see it once they've asked you nicely not to.

And then I've seen cameras bring out the better service. I've dined with people who took pictures of absolutely everything (that's you, Ryan!) and receive free drinks, free food, and an interview with the owner!

+ other replies (from this thread)

Where wouldn't you snap a picture? (other than the obvious places - like in the bathroom, down a female's blouse, etc)

[1stwahine]

Re: when isn't it "polite" to take pictures?

HAHAHAHAHA

I just saw Scriv's note about me!

So TRUE!

Yep! Tel me NOT TO...and moa I GOING DO UM!

Why? Badda you? Don't let it!!!

Auntie Lynn

[AbsolutChaos]

Re: when isn't it "polite" to take pictures?

Sometimes people like to take pics when attending a religious function that's not their personal religion (like being invited to an Indian temple and being Christian). Cameras come out. It's very disruptive. No matter how "pretty and colorful" and "exotic" a ceremony may seem because it's not something YOU are used to doesn't mean you have a right to take pics without permission. Arrrggh. Pet peeve o'mine.

Sometimes if I end up snapping pics of medical/education/military professionals in a bar/R-rated place, I have to be careful to not post them or share them with friends because some individuals are worried about their public image.

[Leo Lakio]

Re: when isn't it "polite" to take pictures?

http://www.comics.com/comics/betty/a...-20070311.html

[Glen Miyashiro]

Re: when isn't it "polite" to take pictures?

Sometimes people like to take pics when attending a religious function that's not their personal religion (like being invited to an Indian temple and being Christian). Cameras come out. It's very disruptive. No matter how "pretty and colorful" and "exotic" a ceremony may seem because it's not something YOU are used to doesn't mean you have a right to take pics without permission. Arrrggh. Pet peeve o'mine.

I'm imagining an open-casket Roman Catholic funeral, with some (Buddhist) Japanese tourist snapping "one last photo" of the dearly departed. Eeeek.

Sometimes if I end up snapping pics of medical/education/military professionals in a bar/R-rated place, I have to be careful to not post them or share them with friends because some individuals are worried about their public image.

Taking pictures is one thing. Posting them on the web is quite another.

[Composite 2992]

Re: when isn't it "polite" to take pictures?

At my wife's grandmother's funeral she asked if I could take a few pictures.

I figured I'd be discreet and went off in a corner to get a wide shot.

Then all of her grandmother's immediate relatives started gathering around the casket, cameras came out of nowhere and flashes were going off as if it were the deceased's birthday.

Some cultures have a different opinion about funeral pictures (was a Filipino funeral).

I'm no stranger to taking pictures in unusual situations but this one caught me off guard!

[helen]

Re: when isn't it "polite" to take pictures?

Other places where and when you wouldn't take a picture would be:

• live theatre during a performance
• doctor's waiting room
• while a movie is going on in a theater

[adrian]

Re: when isn't it "polite" to take pictures?

Other places where and when you wouldn't take a picture would be:

• live theatre during a performance
• doctor's waiting room
• while a movie is going on in a theater

shucks. I did 2/3 (and it was with my camera phone)

[blueyecicle]

Re: when isn't it "polite" to take pictures?

Here is a question...is it impolite to take someones picture on the bus...with your camera phone...without permission??
I have had this done to me about 50 times.
I kind of find it rude.
Should I? I mean really?
But I don't know them....maybe I don't want a picture taken.
I have had people ask and usually I oblige.
But shouldnt I have a choice?

[cynsaligia]

Re: when isn't it "polite" to take pictures?

Here is a question...is it impolite to take someones picture on the bus...with your camera phone...without permission??
I have had this done to me about 50 times.
I kind of find it rude.
Should I? I mean really?
But I don't know them....maybe I don't want a picture taken.
I have had people ask and usually I oblige.
But shouldnt I have a choice?

it is more than impolite to take a picture of someone without their permission, my adamant opinion is that it's an invasion or even an assault. you don't know what a person is going to do with that picture of you. i can understand if i am accidentally in the shot, like when i'm at a club or public place and you're taking a pic of your friends and i happen to be somewhere in there. but if you take a pic of me and I'M the subject of the shot, full-face-frontal? nuh-uh. i march over there and ask you to delete it (most times, it's a cell cam or digicam, luckily for me) and tell you why.

i know some might think i'm paranoid (do i fear part of my spirit is taken, along with my image? no.) and maybe even hypocritical, esp since i'm on myspace. but pics you choose to take or allow others to take is very diff from pics taken of you w/o your permission.

[scrivener]

Re: when isn't it "polite" to take pictures?

I think it is impolite to take pictures of people in public spaces, like on a bus or at the beach, but I do it all the time. Most of the time, they don't know. Is a breach in manners truly a breach if the subject of the photo doesn't even know the photo was taken?

If you are in a public place, it is by no means an invasion. I don't blame anyone for feeling this way, since I also LIKE to have control over who has my picture and who doesn't, but to call it assault or an invasion is unfair.

Finding clever ways to get photos of what's reasonably considered private, like the view up a woman's skirt, is certainly an invasion because of that "reasonable expectation of privacy." However, if you're in a public space, I've got the right to take a photo of you, and I probably will.

[blueyecicle]

Re: when isn't it "polite" to take pictures?

If I am in public that's different, but if someone sits right in front of you and just starts taking your picture.

Well, maybe they should just ask me.
It seems a bit personal.

[Kungpao]

Re: when isn't it "polite" to take pictures?

...
Some cultures have a different opinion about funeral pictures (was a Filipino funeral)....

I know you didn't mean to stereotype... but I'm Filipino and would like to politely say that some families have different opinions with regards to some things. There were NO pictures taken at my grandfather's funeral.

Back on topic though... If you feel like you have to sneak around to take the picture... don't take it.

[Kungpao]

Re: when isn't it "polite" to take pictures?

Here is a question...is it impolite to take someones picture on the bus...with your camera phone...without permission??
I have had this done to me about 50 times.
I kind of find it rude.
Should I? I mean really?
But I don't know them....maybe I don't want a picture taken.
I have had people ask and usually I oblige.
But shouldnt I have a choice?

I suppose your awsome pink hair would be the culprit of the picture taking hehe. Yeah they probably should be asking.

[blueyecicle]

Re: When isn't it "polite" to take pictures?

In early American culture it was common practice to take photo's of the dead.
They kept them for generations in loving memory.
I know it's taboo today but look back into some of the southern traditions.