OT: Sporting clubs forbid photos of kids

[bmattock]

Some selected quotes - click on the link to read the entire article.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

http://www.sundaytimes.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,7034,17979111%5E421,00.html

Sporting clubs forbid photos of kids
Rosanne Barrett and Brendan O'Malley
30jan06
PARENTS are being banned from taking photos of their children at sporting events in response to growing fears about pedophiles.

Queensland's junior sports clubs are demanding parents get permission from other parents and team officials before photographing children.

And some sporting codes now require professional photographers to hold blue cards before allowing them to work at grand finals.

Queensland Photographic Society past president John Edwards said photography enthusiasts were increasingly self-censoring, choosing not to take "social documentary" pictures of people in public.

A Grandparents and Grandchildren Society spokeswoman said the changes removed a simple pleasure for families.

"These photos are what grandparents live for," she said. "You take that away and you're taking away a lot of enjoyment of life for a lot of people."

 

[harry01562]

So sad that the world has come to this state.....
I have several grandkids, including 3 very involved in sports. I don't always bring a camera, but I do want to have the option......

Harry

 

[CleverName]

That is ridiculous.
I suppose next they will ban parents from looking at the other children while playing. Or why not ban parents entirely. Of course, for the safety of the children you couldn't have any adults officiating the sports either, and coaches would have to go to. In fact, it's probably too dangerous to have children in public at all.


excerpted from the article:
"The policy has been in place for over two years because sometimes we have undesirables hanging around."

Why not just ask the "undesirables" to leave?

 

[nwcanonman]

Of course they'll have to ban cell phones then. Too many of them are cameras too. And of course if they're real perverts, they have mini cams concealed in hats, sports bags or clothing.
Did they think of just punishing and convicting the perv's after they've caught them actually committing a crime??? Ya might as well stay home and wear a blindfold.

 

[darkkavenger]

Yes, this is ridiculous. There are in this world all kind of good-doers who see evil behind every street corner.

I've taken a photo of four kids when I was in Brittany, France this last november. They were playing on the beach, running against the waves and having fun.. their fathers were there. I was near, took a photo of them playing, and they didn't even say anything (or noticed me, I was using a TLR). That photo means a lot for me, it reminds me of a beautiful moment, it was like a sunshine in that rainy november day, during a harsh time for me (my father being treated for a heart attack, lot of work, few bucks, exams to pass, away from home).

I was free in that instant... free to enjoy the sea breeze, the rain on my face, and the laughter of these children that still echoes in my mind and brings comfort when I feel a bit down about my life. Telling myself that when I'll have kids, I want them to have this kind of fun too!

Oh well.. just sharing my opinion on taking photos of kids.. sorry for the long rant!

 

[taffer]

Read somewhere on last issue of Rangefinder mag that sport cards on the child leagues was one of the most raising photo business during the last year, or something like that.

Beware, you may lose image rights over your kids if they take part in a child's league !

 

[Rick Waldroup]

This type of crap is world wide. It is a sick and pathetic over-reaction to a problem. Cameras are evil---ooooh, be careful of the nut with the camera. You know how to stop this? Tell the sports organizations that you will put your kid in another sports authority because of this ridiculous rule. Money talks. If the parents would band together as one entity they could change this. What is unfortunate is that some of these parents will think banning photos is okay as long as it is "protecting the children." Pedophiles are reprehensible and need to be dealt with accordingly, but common sense has to prevail sometimes. Pedophiles have been around forever and always will be. To protect your children, use some common sense and good old fashion parenting skills. I get so tired of reading these kind of stories. It is such a bullshit response to a terrible crime. It is window dressing and nothing more. This is designed to make us all feel safer. Hey, some of our rights are going right down the tube, but by golly, I feel safer, how 'bout you?

 

[Kim Coxon]

There is a proposal to ban digital cameras in the public places in London such as the Parks. Nobody is quite sure how they will enforce it but film cameras will still be allowed!

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

I've grown disenchanted with the whole picture-taking experience.

 

[back alley]

I've grown disenchanted with the whole picture-taking experience.

say it ain't so...

 

[ChrisPlatt]

I'd like to take a few photos of my daughter in swim class
at the local town pool, but sadly it is prohibited. 🙁

I sometimes wonder if having a press pass might help...

"Excelsior, you fathead!"
-Chris-

 

[James Burton]

I've grown disenchanted with the whole picture-taking experience.

Yeah, this happens to me periodically. Usually just after I get hassled particularly badly for carrying a camera. It wears off.

What boggles my mind is B.M. reading news-corp newspapers for Aust. I think that's the 2nd quote recently 🙂

Keep in mind for Queensland though. It used to have a reputation for being ... extremely conservative. In particular FNQ (far north Queensland) was exteme redneck country. I'm not sure if they've fixed their weird parliamentary system yet, used to be a single-house, non-Westminster with a Gerimander system. The effect was that their politics was driven by a minority of conservatives. Not what I call democracy. Brisbane is also the fastest growing city in Aust.

Anyway, 2000km south of there, I take all the pictures of children and young adults I like. I do need to develop a tough skin though.

[ Young Adults Gallery ]

[ Kids Gallery ]


Thanks,
James

 

[peterc]

Hey, some of our rights are going right down the tube, but by golly, I feel safer, how 'bout you?

For some, it won't be safe until we're all confined to our houses and can leave only for specific purposes (clothed from head to toe so that only the eyes show and with our RFID ID card) after supplying authorities with a detailed route map. Hmmm ... sounds familiar somehow. 😀

Peter

 

[Iyidin_Kyeimo]

The stupid thing is, if a paedophile was present, they would quite easily be able to take pictures with a mobile phone or concealed camera. This only hurts the legitimate photographers.

As usual, a stupid knee-jerk law..

A sad sign of the times, I'm afraid :bang:

 

[bmattock]

What boggles my mind is B.M. reading news-corp newspapers for Aust. I think that's the 2nd quote recently 🙂

Google is my friend. They have RSS news feeds and I've written many canned search agents that report back to me automagically - distance is no trouble, news is news. There are subjects that I like to keep current on. Sometimes I think others would like to read about them too, so I post them here. Some people would prefer I not.

When the roof is on fire, I like to know about it, and usually suspect others would too. But to each his or her own.

I used to report on the more interesting-looking photography contests, but every time I did, someone would take me to task and loudly inform everyone what ripoffs contests are. So I quit posting them. I've won some money, guess those weren't ripoffs. You try to be helpful, you get a boot in the snarglies. But so it goes.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[CleverName]

...When the roof is on fire, I like to know about it, and usually suspect others would too.
...You try to be helpful, you get a boot in the snarglies. But so it goes.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

Personally, I've always found your posts informative and entertaining.
And I don't want my boots anywhere near your "snarglies" 😀

 

[bmattock]

I don't want my boots anywhere near your "snarglies" 😀

I don't blame you, I try to avoid 'em myself. Fortunately, with all the weight I've gained, I haven't seen 'em in years. Thank goodness.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[Rick Waldroup]

Bill, you keep right on posting this stuff. All it does is make my blood pressure shoot through the roof, but that is okay. It means I am still alive and still caring about what goes on in this world.

 

[Poptart]

Just ignore the rules. Carry a copy of the Constitution with you. They can't arrest everybody.

 

[bmattock]

Just ignore the rules. Carry a copy of the Constitution with you. They can't arrest everybody.

I used to own a small stack of sharp-edged copies of the Bill of Rights, printed on metal. I carried one to the airport with me each week. The TSA would often find it and confiscate it. I would cry "You're taking away my rights!"

But it got boring and expensive, and nobody got it.

So I bought a bunch of old used shoes from the Salvation Army and everytime I went through airport security, I'd leave one shoe on the conveyor belt. Sometimes I'd hear an eventual announcement - "Would the person who left one shoe at airport security please return to the security gate?"

Well, nobody got that one, either. I thought about leaving rubber realistic-looking body parts, but figured they'd drop a net on me if I continued.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks