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| *SoulEyes Photography>>>Child Photographer |
Photography ethics? |
I am a single man, but have been around children all my life. The area of photography I would like to specialize in is a self titled "essay" called "Everyday life of a child" The problem I have is 1. How to approach parents and ask them if I could photograph their child as they play, do sports or just be themselves" 2. paying the child/or parent for photographing them. Is it always necessary to compansate to take a picture,hoping that it will be published? Other Questions: as a photographer do I have to get permission to photograph someone if I think the picture is "news worthy" 2. Are my First Amendment rights protected if I take a picture and then approached by the person and asked to delete the picture? Can anyone shed light on this subject? All answer are appreciated. PS. No I am not a pervert,I don't want to have s** with the people I photograph, but in today's society how can I convey that to someone I have found interesting enough to put on film Thank you 1. There is no way to approach them other than go to them and ask. I suspect many may disagree, but that's the way its going to be. You can build your confidence buy starting with friends and associates. 2. No, it is not necessary, and may invite trouble if you invite money into the picture. I know some people recommend paying, but I would advise against it. You would pay subjects if they come in to do a studio shoot, but photographing them in their setting, in my opinion, does not mean you pay them. Other: If you're in a public area and not violating any privacy laws, you do not need permission to take pictures. This doesn't mean you won't have a problem if a police officer thinks you're up to no good, which is always why you shouldn't be covert about what you're doing...be out in the open, close to your subjects, to show you're not hiding anything. BUT, BUT, if you take an image of any recognizable person and intend to use it for financial or public use, then written permission is a necessity, lest you potentially get sued. All you need is a simple consent form signed "I, _____ authorize <your name> to use any image taken as they see fit"... the exact wording can be found for searching the net for photo consent forms. 2. You can ask permission before or after, but to avoid ugly confrontations, ask before. If you think that will comprimise the authenticity of the shoot, just spend more time with the subject until they get back to their daily routine without noticing the camera intrusion. I don't know about your first amendment rights - your rights will be waived if encforcement thinks you're up to no good, sometimes unjustly in this day and age. I have heard to many stories of innocent photographers having their cameras confiscated for taking images of high rises for fear they are planning an attck. But like I said above, its within your rights to take images that do not infringe on people's privacy. It is not within your rights to use said image for profit or any other gain without person's permission. If someone insists you delete their picture, you don't have to, but keep the image to yourself. better yet, once again to avoid ill effect, if you can live without the image, delete it out of respect. But its not an obligation. As for your PS - if you're honest and sincere in what you're doing, and approach people in a warm and friendly manner, some people will agree to have their children photographed. Once you have their consent, they are trusting you in your photography. Invite the parents to look at the images if its digital, or offer them a print as a sign of grattitude. And thank them with all your heart :) Whoo! Tricky! 1. Just ask. Tell them what you're up to. 2. Not necessary. But as a pro, you ought to record the identities of those you're shooting. Obtaining their permission is also ideal. You're going to be obtrusive whether you ask for permission or not, so best to ask. Wouldn't hurt to let the local cops know you're shooting, too, so if someone sees you (remember, when the camera comes out, although you may have asked the parents for permission, many, many other people will observe you snapping away at the playground), they won't come down on you like a ton of bricks. I'm sure all of the molesters out there start of with "But I was just..." Newsworthy events are not permission-required. Nor are they "identity required". But most news outlets will want to know that info. (They sell papers/magazines by telling people "Who, what, where, when, and why?") Your 1st Amendment Rights... someone else needs to tackle that one... Hope I'd be able to help...^_^ 1. Just approach them in a casual manner. Friendly terms. No imposition. Just that. 2. My teacher does not really suggest it. WHy? it seems that you're paying someone to pretend. It's just like journalism. If you pay your sources, it's like you're paying them to say the things that you wanted them to say. Then that's like tampering the truth or evidence, not a real candid shot. It's not truth anymore. The other questions: 1. Are you working for public mass media? Is the subject a public figure? If all answers are yes, there is no need for a permission. 2. It would depend really. How important is the picture? How did you get that photo? Will deleting that picture in some way take away the general public's right to know the truth? Because photojournalism is different from other types of photography. If what you have taken is not for public consumption, then the two of you shall better talk it out. If there was an agreement before you took the picture, like you both agreed that the source will have nothing more to do with the picture, then you have the right. But if you just took the picture without even notifying the source, then that is invasion of privacy, and he will have all the right to have it deleted. I read an article in, I think, the telegraph magazine about a man who was strolling on the beach and taking photos. I don't think he was photographing people specifically but someone reported him to the police and it caused him all sorts of hassle and he lost all his film even those from his holiday!! I think he spent some time in a cell and it dented his self-confidence so tread very carefully. With this in mind, I think that it would be a good idea to ask first - perhaps you should have some sort of credentials to show. If you asked me whether you could photograph my children, what would I say? I really don't know to be honest. It would probably depend on the exact circumstances. It would probably be better to stick to children who you know. As for payment, if you are sticking with people you know, maybe a nice copy of said photo might be just the ticket, again would depend on circumstances. Hope this is of help I think the answer lies in talking to the parents. Having a portfolio of some of your photography with you so the parents can see that you are legitimate would help to. If the children are in a public place, you have a perfect right to photograph them - the whole "expectation of privacy" thing takes over. Does government on any level obtain permission from each person they photograph with all of the video cameras now? Of course not because, by the reasonable person standard, one cannot have an expectation of privacy in public. But I would definitely get the parents permission. It might save you an *** kickin' in the long run, and you will need a release if you plan to publish the photos. Hope this reasonable person's point of view helps! :-) |
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