Comments on: When is it OK to Take Photos of Strangers? http://blog.epicedits.com/2007/09/06/when-is-it-ok-to-take-photos-of-strangers/ A Photography Resource for the Aspiring Hobbyist Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:53:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Tom Steenhuysen http://blog.epicedits.com/2007/09/06/when-is-it-ok-to-take-photos-of-strangers/#comment-93836 Tom Steenhuysen Sat, 06 Sep 2008 01:41:51 +0000 http://blog.epicedits.com/2007/09/06/when-is-it-ok-to-take-photos-of-strangers/#comment-93836 I once read a long article on this subject and it left me feeling with the following: "just do it" Easier said than done, so here is how I do it now. I try to give something back to the people. After all, in a way they did give you something, so it's only fair. First I tell them my name is Tom Steenhuysen. Then I spell my last name "s-t-double e-h-u-why-s-e-n", and I add: "but just call me Tom" then I say "if you go to my website justcallmetom.com and email me, then I will give you the shots I made for free. The full high-resolutions." Which is what I indeed do. If the shots turn out to be wonderful, I still ask them afterwards if they mind if I use them elsewhere. If not, I still got to make the shot, they still get their images and everybody is happy. And if they don't contact me - no harm done. It's a win-win situation. I also have a business card with my name, website but no phone number on it that explains the same deal. Oh yes, and the added benefit is of course that they may like those shots so much they might need my services or tell their friends and family about me. I must admit, this was not easy at first, but now it has become a practiced speech which makes it easier each time I use it. Hope this gives some courage to some of you. Above all, show a genuine smile from behind the lens! Happy shooting! Tom Steenhuysen - but please: justcallmetom ;) I once read a long article on this subject and it left me feeling with the following: “just do it”
Easier said than done, so here is how I do it now.

I try to give something back to the people. After all, in a way they did give you something, so it’s only fair.

First I tell them my name is Tom Steenhuysen. Then I spell my last name “s-t-double e-h-u-why-s-e-n”, and I add: “but just call me Tom” then I say “if you go to my website justcallmetom.com and email me, then I will give you the shots I made for free. The full high-resolutions.”

Which is what I indeed do. If the shots turn out to be wonderful, I still ask them afterwards if they mind if I use them elsewhere. If not, I still got to make the shot, they still get their images and everybody is happy. And if they don’t contact me - no harm done. It’s a win-win situation.

I also have a business card with my name, website but no phone number on it that explains the same deal.

Oh yes, and the added benefit is of course that they may like those shots so much they might need my services or tell their friends and family about me.

I must admit, this was not easy at first, but now it has become a practiced speech which makes it easier each time I use it.

Hope this gives some courage to some of you. Above all, show a genuine smile from behind the lens!

Happy shooting!
Tom Steenhuysen - but please: justcallmetom ;)

]]> By: Which Photo-Sharing Site Do You Use? | Epic Edits Weblog http://blog.epicedits.com/2007/09/06/when-is-it-ok-to-take-photos-of-strangers/#comment-8142 Which Photo-Sharing Site Do You Use? | Epic Edits Weblog Wed, 19 Sep 2007 06:15:23 +0000 http://blog.epicedits.com/2007/09/06/when-is-it-ok-to-take-photos-of-strangers/#comment-8142 [...] And check the results of last week’s poll on “When is it OK to Take Photos of Strangers?” The majority says that it depends on the situation, there were a few of us who ventured out to say that it’s always OK, and only one said it’s never OK. These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages. [...] [...] And check the results of last week’s poll on “When is it OK to Take Photos of Strangers?” The majority says that it depends on the situation, there were a few of us who ventured out to say that it’s always OK, and only one said it’s never OK. These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages. [...]

]]> By: Brian Auer http://blog.epicedits.com/2007/09/06/when-is-it-ok-to-take-photos-of-strangers/#comment-7262 Brian Auer Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:49:21 +0000 http://blog.epicedits.com/2007/09/06/when-is-it-ok-to-take-photos-of-strangers/#comment-7262 I think a lot of us have a hard time snapping photos of people or asking for permission. You have some great people photos from the fair. Looks like it was a great opportunity to use the camera. I think a lot of us have a hard time snapping photos of people or asking for permission. You have some great people photos from the fair. Looks like it was a great opportunity to use the camera.

]]> By: Gabby http://blog.epicedits.com/2007/09/06/when-is-it-ok-to-take-photos-of-strangers/#comment-7226 Gabby Fri, 07 Sep 2007 09:48:23 +0000 http://blog.epicedits.com/2007/09/06/when-is-it-ok-to-take-photos-of-strangers/#comment-7226 Until recently I have been too shy to take photos of people. The voyeuristic approach of taking without asking seems rude but for me so did going up and asking someone if I could take their photo, I felt it was an invasion of their privacy. I recently spent the weekend in a country town that holds an annual Medieval Fair (seen here on my <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/toledogirl51/page2/" rel="nofollow">Flickr</a>). Eighty percent of the locals and tourists were dressed in medieval clothing. I figured if they were dressed up then they were fair game! I had the best time and shot over 400 photos! I love shooting people and now I have to find a happy medium between asking and not asking. It's true what you read though, a smile and a nod almost always gets a positive response...so far...! Until recently I have been too shy to take photos of people. The voyeuristic approach of taking without asking seems rude but for me so did going up and asking someone if I could take their photo, I felt it was an invasion of their privacy.

I recently spent the weekend in a country town that holds an annual Medieval Fair (seen here on my Flickr). Eighty percent of the locals and tourists were dressed in medieval clothing. I figured if they were dressed up then they were fair game! I had the best time and shot over 400 photos!

I love shooting people and now I have to find a happy medium between asking and not asking. It’s true what you read though, a smile and a nod almost always gets a positive response…so far…!

]]> By: Brian Auer http://blog.epicedits.com/2007/09/06/when-is-it-ok-to-take-photos-of-strangers/#comment-7192 Brian Auer Fri, 07 Sep 2007 04:42:14 +0000 http://blog.epicedits.com/2007/09/06/when-is-it-ok-to-take-photos-of-strangers/#comment-7192 Agreed, the gray areas are the tough ones. That's why many of those gray issues end up in court for a judge to decide on. I do get the impression, though, that when it comes to art, the court generally sides with the artist. Agreed, the gray areas are the tough ones. That’s why many of those gray issues end up in court for a judge to decide on. I do get the impression, though, that when it comes to art, the court generally sides with the artist.

]]> By: Brian Reischl http://blog.epicedits.com/2007/09/06/when-is-it-ok-to-take-photos-of-strangers/#comment-7167 Brian Reischl Fri, 07 Sep 2007 00:02:07 +0000 http://blog.epicedits.com/2007/09/06/when-is-it-ok-to-take-photos-of-strangers/#comment-7167 If someone is in a public place, I think it's fine to take their picture. The real issues (legal and moral) come up when you're trying to decide what to do with it later. If you just check it out and delete it, or make a print for yourself then I don't see how the subject is harmed. If you sell it for porn advertising then you're clearly doing something bad. I guess it's that gray area in the middle that's a problem... If someone is in a public place, I think it’s fine to take their picture. The real issues (legal and moral) come up when you’re trying to decide what to do with it later. If you just check it out and delete it, or make a print for yourself then I don’t see how the subject is harmed. If you sell it for porn advertising then you’re clearly doing something bad.

I guess it’s that gray area in the middle that’s a problem…

]]> By: Brian Auer http://blog.epicedits.com/2007/09/06/when-is-it-ok-to-take-photos-of-strangers/#comment-7144 Brian Auer Thu, 06 Sep 2007 19:35:58 +0000 http://blog.epicedits.com/2007/09/06/when-is-it-ok-to-take-photos-of-strangers/#comment-7144 Perfect point about asking prior to shooting -- you just can't get the same shot unless you're dealing with an experienced model. Perfect point about asking prior to shooting — you just can’t get the same shot unless you’re dealing with an experienced model.

]]> By: Tim Solley http://blog.epicedits.com/2007/09/06/when-is-it-ok-to-take-photos-of-strangers/#comment-7138 Tim Solley Thu, 06 Sep 2007 18:55:04 +0000 http://blog.epicedits.com/2007/09/06/when-is-it-ok-to-take-photos-of-strangers/#comment-7138 In a perfect world, it would be great if I could walk up and ask someone for permission before taking the shot. But the minute I do that, many times that will spoil the shot I wanted because the person is now aware of my presence. In addition, sometimes the fleeting Kodak moment is gone by the time you get permission. So for me it's typically a combination of getting a few images that I really want, then getting permission and snapping off a few more if I need them. In a perfect world, it would be great if I could walk up and ask someone for permission before taking the shot. But the minute I do that, many times that will spoil the shot I wanted because the person is now aware of my presence. In addition, sometimes the fleeting Kodak moment is gone by the time you get permission. So for me it’s typically a combination of getting a few images that I really want, then getting permission and snapping off a few more if I need them.

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