Photo etiquette

[jere7my.livejournal.com]

Hi! I had a lovely time at my first Arisia—thanks, everybody! A con report will show up on my journal shortly.

So, I spent most of Arisia with my camera tucked away in my hotel room, because I wasn't sure what the etiquette was for taking pictures at the con, and was shy about asking strangers if I could steal their souls. Now I find this LJ group, and I wish I'd been braver, since everyone is clamoring for pictures of themselves and their friends. :) What should I have done? Is someone who's unfamiliar to Arisians wandering around with a camera likely to be seen as sketchy, or as a valuable resource for future memories?

Comments

[shadesong.livejournal.com]

*shrug* A bunch of people asked to photograph me; I said "No, I don't like to be photographed, but I'm flattered", and they accepted that. As long as you accept a no, I don't find it sketchy. But ask first, and do accept "no".

[zarhooie.livejournal.com]

Ask first, accept no. *shrug* I agree with 'Song. :) I'd have LOVED more pictures of my facepaints.

[dda.livejournal.com]

I would take their camera from them and deleted the picture if it was digital or exposed entire roll of film.

Personally, I think this a very bad thing; as soon as you take their camera, you've crossed a line; destroying a roll of film crosses another line. IMHO, crossing either of those lines is inappropriate for con-goers, in general, and con staff, in particular.

While the Arisia policies (http://2006.arisia.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=92&Itemid=109) talk about photographers, they also talk about common sense and private property.

[supercheesegirl.livejournal.com]

To add on to what others have said--taking pictures of one particular person is different than taking pictures of, say, a crowded dancefloor. I would definitely ask before taking one of a particular person, but I would think taking pics at the drum circle or something would be fine, and then you could post them later for everyone to enjoy.

[donnad.livejournal.com]

Most people I know who are costumers have no problem posing for pictures if you ask first.

Simply hold up the camera and say "Can I take your picture?" If they say no, respect that and don't push. Usually a person in costume doesn't mind having their picture taken.

You might consider asking for an email address or giving them an address where they can reach you for a copy of the pictures.

[heinleinfan.livejournal.com]

Yup, what they said.

Just ask, that's the biggest thing.

I for one think that if you're dressing up cool, creative, from a movie or book, extreme, sexy, revealing, whatever then you are asking for people to look at you and in this video age, that's almost like asking for a picture to be taken and thus, should not get overly huffy or rude if someone just snaps your photo.

But, it's still nice to ask and it's nice to respect a "no".

I think next year for the Naughty Nurses I'm going to set up a Naughty Nurse email and put in on cards for the nurses to hand to folks taking their pictures, in an effort to actually *see* all these pictures being taken.

[dda.livejournal.com]

I believe that press (i.e. people taking pictures for publication) have to register at the Info Desk, get their press ribbon and then do the "get permission" thing from those they are photographing.

Others are pretty much free to take pictures in public areas (e.g. not in the Art Show or during the Masquerade). As others have said, asking permission first and accepting "no," if given, is a very courteous thing to do and courtesy is good.

Here are the official policies (http://2006.arisia.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=92&Itemid=109); note the section at the end.

[c1.livejournal.com]

I've been taking pictures at con for years. Sometimes I ask, sometimes I don't, but rather rely on the person to indicate if it's OK. If you raise your lens in someone's direction, a quickly turned head or a raised hand will tell you well enough to stay your trigger finger. (This is useful practice in places where it's not practical to ask, such as in the drum circle or club dance.)
In all this time, I've never once had a problem with a fan. Most of them are more than happy that you're paying attention to their outfit, dance moves or whatever and may even ask for copies.
But certainly be wary about crossing the line when someone really doesn't want it. Above all, listen to your subject. You don't want a crummy picture of someone's scowl anyway.

[flyingwolf.livejournal.com]

Legally people are fair game in public places. But it's not always polite.

I only took 1 pic at the con & I asked - but haven't always in the past. It's really hard to get candids if you ask first and with a digital camera you can always delete if somone growls at you. Click first, ask permission later works much better when you can delete right away & people trust you enough that they know you will do this. There's also asking permission and then waiting to get a more candid pic - that works too. (sometimes asking doesn't have to be verbal... just be obvious that you have a camera, do some test points and see how people react.)

[doeeyedbunny.livejournal.com]

Hey, can you send me the pictures you took of me in my naughty nurse outfit? That would be much appreciated.

[mneme]

I use a digital camera.

In general, if I'm taking pictures of someone specific, I'll ask, but I don't stress too much -- if someone objects, I can always delete the photos, and most people don't really worry about it much.

As long as you're not obnoxious about it, people will usually not have a problem with you.