Male and SLR = Predator?

sorry to go off topic rohan but I gott to say I am addicted to vegemite

And so is my boy! Australians mostly scare foreigners by slathering it thick on toast, because that's funny to watch... But in moderation with melted butter on toast, it's one of life's simple pleasures (like photography... Nice segue, huh)
 
it is the truth.. the tradition is different in every culture...

I know if an aged european came here and was smiling harmlessly at a little kid at a park , people would take that as a threat

I wasn't disagreeing with you.... And it's not just "aged" people.

I've been asked not to take pictures as I walked by a wading pool full of kids with my camera slung around my chest, dangling by my side.

When these things happen, I understand why it's disheartening.
 
There is no logic or reason behind this type of thinking.

If a man were some sort of pervert, kidnapper or child molester, would he draw attention to himself by going to a public place that is full of people and begin photographing children?? No. He would lurk in the shadows, hoping not to be seen so he could do his dirty work unnoticed.

It seems to me that people's aggression toward photographers is more about wielding power over another person (forcing someone else to obey their demands) than it is about "safety " as some attempt to claim.

If I went up to a person painting with watercolors in a park where children were playing and demanded to know who they were, what they were painting for, who they were painting, whether or not they had permission to paint the people in their painting and what they were planning on doing with the painting, I would be assumed to be either some sort of nut job or a common bully or simply an asshole.

Yet somehow some people feel justified in engaging in this type of obnoxious behavior if the artist has a camera rather than a watercolor set and an easel.

It makes no sense.
 
And so is my boy! Australians mostly scare foreigners by slathering it thick on toast, because that's funny to watch... But in moderation with melted butter on toast, it's one of life's simple pleasures (like photography... Nice segue, huh)

hi rohankent,

I first started spreading vegemite on my bread in the morning to replace my morning vitamin b pills , and I have to say it has worked extremely well!
 
North American paranoia perhaps?

...and I'm not saying that in jest. It just seems that the places I've been to in Europe and Asia are much more open to having childrens' photos taken.

I've heard that they have laws in France and Germany that prevent photographers from using candids of anyone without their express permission. Isn't this more restrictive that the standard used in all three North American countries?

To Rohankent, your action was the one I'd have done as well - stop taking pictures and stop stop your patronage of the facility. I'd also be tempted to write a letter to the management or owner that you have dropped them as a customer due to the arbitrary action of an employee (I wouldn't say who - if they're gonna do anything, they'll ask. In reality, I'd just move on, cause I'm lazy like that.)
 
I'm in Australia

Little Texas you mean?:D
No , seriously you and I both live in countries that take far too much `culture' and ideals from others. We had a major child abuse scandal here 25 years ago, madness it was and all drivel from `another' country.

Me?, I would have said " I got 2 words for you lady and one of them is off.
Far too much pandering to these imbalanced people living their lives full of government sponsored fear.If they cannot think for themselves they deserve no respect.
 
Seriously? Someone told you you were taking too many photos of your son? I would have have just continued on. But that's me.

I photograph a lot of strangers kids and every so often I get that weird reaction. It's annoying, and a bit insulting. But people have every right to be concerned so I understand. But if someone made a mention about me photographing my own kid. That's a line.
 
I can't believe you all don't see the difference. A "mother" around her offspring in an energetic setting like a soccer game, equestrian event, and especially a swimming event is genetically predisposed to be proactively protective and is capable of become a stark raving lunatic at the drop of a hat. It is just biology. Now what does a man do who has the impression that a photographer is zooming in on his daughter's swim suit just a little bit to much? Think about it...yeah it is BS but it is easy to understand really.
 
I've heard that they have laws in France and Germany that prevent photographers from using candids of anyone without their express permission. Isn't this more restrictive that the standard used in all three North American countries?

To Rohankent, your action was the one I'd have done as well - stop taking pictures and stop stop your patronage of the facility. I'd also be tempted to write a letter to the management or owner that you have dropped them as a customer due to the arbitrary action of an employee (I wouldn't say who - if they're gonna do anything, they'll ask. In reality, I'd just move on, cause I'm lazy like that.)

They don't at least not in Germany. The thing is called Recht aufs Bild, and only states that you may not use a photograph that might be embarrasing to the photographed person (exception persons of public interest = politicians, famous actors,etc..). Furthermore you may not use the photo for commercial purpose unless you receive permission from the photographed person, exception art and news, model release ring a bell.

Dominik
 
Never ever let some manager stop you from photographing your son!
If you're photographing other peoples kids, well, maybe she can ask you not to (?), but your own kid? Never!
 
To OP - you should have told them that you were scouting kids for a McDonald's or some such ad but now you will have to find some other lucky kid to become famous ;)
 
Furthermore you may not use the photo for commercial purpose unless you receive permission from the photographed person, exception art and news, model release ring a bell.

Potential embarrassment is irrelevant. Even if the image is flattering, you may not publish it without permission, unless the content is newsworthy or art. On the other hand, you may take (and store) as many pictures of strangers as you like as long as doing so does not violate the subject's privacy.
 
Potential embarrassment is irrelevant. Even if the image is flattering, you may not publish it without permission, unless the content is newsworthy or art. On the other hand, you may take (and store) as many pictures of strangers as you like as long as doing so does not violate the subject's privacy.
The fun bit here though is defining both 'newsworthy' and 'art'.

Cheers,

R.
 
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