Do you think it's ok to take pictures of interesting people in public places?

[Elkski]

With the advancement of the quality of these cellphones like the Apple 14 and Samsung s21&22 ultras it's easy to take pictures across the pool, store, street or restaurant, on the BTS or sidewalk.     .6 power wide angle to 10x optical zoom.  The quality is amazing.   I know it's not illegal to take pictures in public places but I'm just wondering what some of you think.  I don't plan to do anything nefarious with these pictures it's just one catagory of pictures I collect.  1 other category are footprints.  

 

[kokesaat]

I like shoe photos......shoes outside of a primary school, shoes outside an eye clinic, shoes outside a temple.  Shoes tell stories.

As for taking photos of people in public, I'm not shy about asking if I can take someone's photo......I've never had anyone turn me down.

 

[richard_smith237]

Obviously the polite thing to do is to ask someone if you can take their photo, and if they say no problem, then no problem. 

 

We used to get young girls come up and ask if they could have their photo take with our Son (when he was young (i.e. 1-3 yrs)... we didn’t mind, the girls were usually polite and might even ask if they could hold him etc...

 

 

What does get up my nose are those tools who think its their right to film / photo anyone and everyone and claim its public so they are within their rights... then of corse there are the idiots who claim to be the ‘rights activists’ who go to potentially sensitive areas and film and photo the area to deliberately trigger and get into an argument with those working there....  utter tools.

 

But of course, you are not doing any of that... so sure, its perfectly fine and respectful if you ask permission. 

 

[NativeBob]

back old days during Chinese New Year Eve we were at Yowarat about early evening - means dark yet lotsa lights. My kid (about 5 than) dressed in that red chinese clothes and looked super cute. Suddenly some honky dude popped up from nowhere with huge full frame camera. He didn't even say "Hello, whatever..." just aimed his Nikon/Canon to my kid. In front of me.

<something happened than>

<something happened than>

When we came home I felt kinda sorry for that arrogant individual and his lenses. Slight bite of guilt.

[KhunLA]

As long as it's not photos of me ????

 

Depends, if done discreetly or if you ask, and more importantly, what one does with the photo.  I usually look away, if a camera is pointed in my direction.

 

Saying that, I've taken many photos of people, though usually not of their face (as main subject) and or posted such anywhere.

 

Probably taken a few, and as complimentary as they may be, the subject may object to me posting.

 

 

People make good subjects:

 

 

 

[LS24]

15 minutes ago, NativeBob said:

Suddenly some honky dude popped up from nowhere with huge full frame camera. He didn't even say "Hello, whatever..." just aimed his Nikon/Canon to my kid. In front of me.

 

 

Would you have reacted differently if someone was holding a phone up? It seems you had great concern about the equipment being used.

[LS24]

Depends on the type of image you are looking to capture.

If someone sees me taking photos when I am looking for a candid street shot or I like the way the light falls on their profile or hair or whatever and they look away or seem hesitant in any way, I apologize with a head nod and leave them to it. No point trying again as the moment is lost.

 

Having said that, I usually look for people who's face tells a story or are busy in thought. Artists like Vivian Mayer created a lot of her portfolio in that way. Would never even consider photo of a child or teenager that could remotely identify them without explicit request from parent. That is just common sense and downright good form.

 

If looking for a portrait, it can be difficult to get a nice shot. So many people are not photogenic. But on occasion I have stopped people and asked if I could photograph them for a more posed image.

Go with your gut and put yourself in the subject's shoes. If they just fell over or were doing menial work, they may be less inclined to be excited about someone photographing them.

[NanLaew]

If I get inside the viewfinder of anyone obviously live-streaming or recording, they'll get the Ronaldo smartphone slapdown.

 

And I won't apologize.

[Elkski]

Another catagory is pictures of women who have something.  I have a beach sub catagory.  Never aim at a child of course. 

[Elkski]

[sometime]

I always did & will continue

[BangkokReady]

3 hours ago, Elkski said:

 

Are there meant to be people in these photos?  I just see photos of the ground.

[BangkokReady]

3 hours ago, Elkski said:

I know it's not illegal to take pictures in public places but I'm just wondering what some of you think.

I like to take street photos.  Often there are people there, but it's a wide shot so nobody is exactly being aimed at or shot at close-up.  I feel no guilt about these sort of photos.  Sometimes I'm wating for people to go so that I can get just the buildings and nothing else.  Sometimes a local walking by can enhance the shot though.

 

If I wanted to take a photo of someone up close where they were the main focus, I would ask.  If they said no, I would not photograph them.  I'm pretty sure you can do it legally, but I don't feel right about it.

 

I was once sizing up a shot in Vietnam that would have featured a fruit seller quite prominently (although not the sole subject, just foregrounded).  She noticed this and shook her head.  I felt a  little disappointed, but respected her wishes.

 

Read the room, I guess.

[jak2002003]

22 minutes ago, BangkokReady said:

Are there meant to be people in these photos?  I just see photos of the ground.

He's got a bit to learn about taking someone's pboto I think haha. 

[it is what it is]

 

in some situations i ask, but sometimes there just isn't the opportunity to ask, you see the shot and take it...

 

[Elkski]

That is from  my footprints in the cement collection. 

 

Sometimes they see you and smile for the picture.  Or pose. 

are there alligators in Bangkok.  Or a 5' monitor lizard ?

[Doctor Tom]

No,  and if anyone tried it on me, they would be wearing their camera or phone internally.  

[metisdead]

Some posts with trolling images have been removed.

[Lucky Bones]

4 hours ago, kokesaat said:

I like shoe photos......shoes outside of a primary school, shoes outside an eye clinic, shoes outside a temple.  Shoes tell stories.

As for taking photos of people in public, I'm not shy about asking if I can take someone's photo......I've never had anyone turn me down.

 

Shoes tell stories?

Do tell.????????

[Lucky Bones]

4 hours ago, Elkski said:

Another catagory is pictures of women who have something.  I have a beach sub catagory.  Never aim at a child of course. 

Women who have something?

A face nappy?????????

[Lucky Bones]

1 hour ago, BangkokReady said:

Are there meant to be people in these photos?  I just see photos of the ground.

Was thinking similar but soi dogs came to mind.????????

[Lucky Bones]

59 minutes ago, Elkski said:

That is from  my footprints in the cement collection. 

 

Sometimes they see you and smile for the picture.  Or pose. 

are there alligators in Bangkok.  Or a 5' monitor lizard ?

I reckon you should try reading a book instead of snapping photos of women you don't know and never will know.????????

[NativeBob]

4 hours ago, LS24 said:

Would you have reacted differently if someone was holding a phone up? It seems you had great concern about the equipment being used.

Nope. Lets check timing - that happened say 12-13 years ago )

My precious wifee was crazy obsessed with all superstitions, omens, black eyes and bad curses, though. 

Also, to have your kid on some travel blog "Looksie, I'm in Bangkok and here is what I caught!" is not very pleasant for parent. Right?

[Elkski]

About face masks. It tends to highlight peoples forehead and eyes.  A couple looked so beautiful until they lowered their mask.   You can't believe how dirty the outside of  my mask can get in 1 day walking in BKK.  Especially a month ago when the air was so bad.  Wearing them is for sure a good idea.  95% are wearing them on the BTS.  

[KhunLA]

1 hour ago, Elkski said:

You can't believe how dirty the outside of  my mask can get in 1 day walking in BKK.  Especially a month ago when the air was so bad.  Wearing them is for sure a good idea.  95% are wearing them on the BTS.  

Locals don't sound/look so silly when you consider the pollution, and if living there, good idea to be masked up.  One reason I couldn't live there, as hate wearing.