Voting turnout was early and heavy in my part of the country. I went out with my camera and stopped at a few polling places to document the day. Then went and cast my ballot, camera in hand. I wanted to shoot at the 75 ft line. In CT no campaigning can be done within 75 feet from a polling place. So, a sign is placed at the 75ft line which tends to draw a gaggle of political signs and enthusiastic supporters, of someone.
So, go out and vote, and shoot today! I am off to drop off my film to see what I got.
So, go out and vote, and shoot today! I am off to drop off my film to see what I got.
W
wlewisiii
Guest
We just got back from going. I took my kiev so we could take our usual shot of Momma and John by the polling place sign. I should try to track down all of them, scan them and post them.
William
William
SolaresLarrave
My M5s need red dots!
One word of caution: a journalist got nabbed by the police in FL (I believe), where he was taking photos of the people making a line to vote early. He was taken to jail and emerged saying that "It wasn't Abu Ghraib, but it wasn't pleasant either."
I went with my wife this morning. A rather genteel atmosphere could be sensed.
However, I'm taking a leave of news today. At least, until 9 or 10 PM.
I went with my wife this morning. A rather genteel atmosphere could be sensed.
However, I'm taking a leave of news today. At least, until 9 or 10 PM.
Tune in at 7:30pm eastern time Francisco. Popcorn at 8, beer and late snack at 9:30. Florida will be flipped and flopped back and forth 6 times by 11:00, and at 3:30am both campaigns will declear victory!!! I think we are in for a fun night tonight.
I actually did not take any pictures directly of voters, I focused on the campaign workers, so I guess I was safe. A smile and a few pleasant words always go a long way too, at least out here in the woods of CT.
I actually did not take any pictures directly of voters, I focused on the campaign workers, so I guess I was safe. A smile and a few pleasant words always go a long way too, at least out here in the woods of CT.
Pherdinand
the snow must go on
Yeah, Rover...but with a KIEV ?
bmattock
Veteran
Re: Voting with a camera
I am posting again with some trepidation. Judging from the (lack of) responses I've had here to any of my posts recently, I gather I'm a bit of persona non grata. So be it. I had resolved to stop posting for awhile, but this made me want to post a small warning. Please take this as I intend it as simple advice or a gentle suggestion - not to be a wet rag at a party, or to attack anyone, but just to let people know what is happening and what could happen.
As Francisco said - a photographer was arrested in Florida today and charged with interfering with police for taking pictures of a line of voters waiting outside a polling place. He was not remaining in the 'media tent' where he was expected to remain.
In addition, and I think more importantly - we must consider the effect that our photography may have on those voting.
Voting is like going to confession - it is a deeply personal and private experience. We go, yes, and we're in public for the length of time that we have to stand outside, but that we voted or for whom we voted is NOBODY'S BUSINESS - at least in the USA.
The reason that photographers and other media people are kept at a distance during voting is pretty simple - it can have a chilling effect on voter turnout. People who fear publicity may stay away or leave because they do not want to be photographed or interviewed - and we must not allow that to happen!
In any other public venue, I would agree that when a person goes out in public, they sacrifice some of their privacy - and if you photograph them, oh well - the usual requirements of getting a release if you intend to sell it, and to not holding a recognizable person up to ridicule, etc, hold, but otherwise they are fair game.
But I don't think it is appropriate to take photographs at a funeral or at a polling place. This is a private time - intensely personal. The act of even BEING THERE is difficult for many people, but they are moved by their civic duty to be there. We can't make it more difficult for them or make them feel harassed.
Sorry to be a pain.
Best Regards,
Bill Mattocks
rover said:
I am posting again with some trepidation. Judging from the (lack of) responses I've had here to any of my posts recently, I gather I'm a bit of persona non grata. So be it. I had resolved to stop posting for awhile, but this made me want to post a small warning. Please take this as I intend it as simple advice or a gentle suggestion - not to be a wet rag at a party, or to attack anyone, but just to let people know what is happening and what could happen.
As Francisco said - a photographer was arrested in Florida today and charged with interfering with police for taking pictures of a line of voters waiting outside a polling place. He was not remaining in the 'media tent' where he was expected to remain.
In addition, and I think more importantly - we must consider the effect that our photography may have on those voting.
Voting is like going to confession - it is a deeply personal and private experience. We go, yes, and we're in public for the length of time that we have to stand outside, but that we voted or for whom we voted is NOBODY'S BUSINESS - at least in the USA.
The reason that photographers and other media people are kept at a distance during voting is pretty simple - it can have a chilling effect on voter turnout. People who fear publicity may stay away or leave because they do not want to be photographed or interviewed - and we must not allow that to happen!
In any other public venue, I would agree that when a person goes out in public, they sacrifice some of their privacy - and if you photograph them, oh well - the usual requirements of getting a release if you intend to sell it, and to not holding a recognizable person up to ridicule, etc, hold, but otherwise they are fair game.
But I don't think it is appropriate to take photographs at a funeral or at a polling place. This is a private time - intensely personal. The act of even BEING THERE is difficult for many people, but they are moved by their civic duty to be there. We can't make it more difficult for them or make them feel harassed.
Sorry to be a pain.
Best Regards,
Bill Mattocks
jon_flanders
Well-known
Pherdinand said:Yeah, Rover...but with a KIEV ?
Kiev is in the Ukraine. Today the NY Times reports that the Ukrainian presidential campaign will end in a runoff for the top two candidates. More than 20 ran for the office. As in our election, charges of fraud are being hurled. Still, they will setlle it with a runoff, not a court battle.
Perhaps they have something to teach our Electoral College-addled system about democracy.
I guess I should go out and buy a Kiev............
Jon Flanders
taffer
void
In this case my opinion is more with Bill, I've thought sometimes about taking my camera when we've had elections here but common sense and a quick look to some people's faces decided against it...
Of course you can always take a camera and do one thing or the other depending on how you find the 'battlefield'
Of course you can always take a camera and do one thing or the other depending on how you find the 'battlefield'
peter_n
Veteran
I too was at the local high-school gym where my daughter was voting for the first time. Regrettably I cannot vote because I am not a U.S. citizen. But I stood inside the gym and watched.
I politely asked the policeman there if I could take a picture, and he replied equally politely that I could not, but he allowed me to stand in there with my camera. The place was very peaceful and even though I cannot partake myself, it was wonderful to see the democratic process in action.
Whatever your political affiliation, please make sure you get out and vote today!
I politely asked the policeman there if I could take a picture, and he replied equally politely that I could not, but he allowed me to stand in there with my camera. The place was very peaceful and even though I cannot partake myself, it was wonderful to see the democratic process in action.
Whatever your political affiliation, please make sure you get out and vote today!
Well said Bill. I am sorry that you feel some trepidation regarding posting here. Actually, as you state it, I agree that nothing should be done to negatively effect anyone's willingness to vote.
Again, though I had my camera with me, I stayed outside the "75 Foot Line" and focused my photography on the campaign workers, not the voters. In fact, one of the poll workers inside the school where I voted asked me to take her picture, and I declined.
Again, though I had my camera with me, I stayed outside the "75 Foot Line" and focused my photography on the campaign workers, not the voters. In fact, one of the poll workers inside the school where I voted asked me to take her picture, and I declined.
denishr
アナログ侘・&#
Re: Re: Voting with a camera
Re: Re: Voting with a camera
I don't know about that, Bill...
What gave you that impression? I never noticed any "coldness"... Maybe others will provide more insight...
Re: Re: Voting with a camera
bmattock said:
I don't know about that, Bill...
What gave you that impression? I never noticed any "coldness"... Maybe others will provide more insight...
Pherdinand
the snow must go on
Bill, what are you talking about. Your posts were quite useful, at least the ones I've read in my short time here on RFF. And nobody seemed to have any problems with you -in fact hobody seems to have any problems with anyone here! it's quite a strange place!
FrankS
Registered User
Maybe something happened before I arrived, but like others, I have no idea about any coldness towards Bill M.
DougK
This space left blank
Bill,
Speaking for myself, I have absolutely no issues with your posts. I may not always comment back, but I always read what you have to say and appreciate your forthrightness and candor, whether I agree with you in the end or not.
Oh, and I'm in complete agreement with your point above. I never even considered taking my camera with me today for that very reason. I make no particular secret of my own political beliefes, but I can certainly understand how privately other folks regard their own beliefs. I'm just happy they're taking an active part in the whole process, regardless of who they vote for. Let's not do anything to discourage that
Speaking for myself, I have absolutely no issues with your posts. I may not always comment back, but I always read what you have to say and appreciate your forthrightness and candor, whether I agree with you in the end or not.
Oh, and I'm in complete agreement with your point above. I never even considered taking my camera with me today for that very reason. I make no particular secret of my own political beliefes, but I can certainly understand how privately other folks regard their own beliefs. I'm just happy they're taking an active part in the whole process, regardless of who they vote for. Let's not do anything to discourage that
FrankS
Registered User
I kind of don't understand this privacy issue around taking pictures near polling stations. The privacy aspect only comes into effect in the polling booth not on the way to or from. People at polling stations are only devulging that they are voting, not whom they are voting for, so I don't understand the privacy concern raised.
DougK
This space left blank
Frank, I think it may be a perception about what the purpose of the photographer is rather than the actual privacy issue. It's not been so long since voter intimidation tactics have been used in parts of this country that people have forgotten that it once happened. I can certainly understand where a residual uneasiness might come from.
FrankS
Registered User
But to restate my point, the only fact the photographer is uncovering is that a person has voted. Whom the person has voted for is totally a secret because it was done in private.