Community poll forum: Is wrong to take candid cell phone pictures of stuff/people?

It's an invasion of my privacy. I don't have a phone or camera stuck to my ear as I think they are ridiculous. The new bluetooth head sets are even worse and make those users look like Lieutant Uhura from StarTrek. Before long out Patriot-act-crazed government will tap into all of those headsets and we'll have a bunch of zombies walking around directed by our government agencies.

I think it is a disgusting way for people to spy on other people eliminating more of the always reducing privacy we individuals have. Isn't it enough we have this administration spying on Americans without making us all spies as well.

It is legal for a foto to be taken in a public place. Otherwise seek permission.
If you wish to exploit a foto where ever taken commercially or not you must seek permision. But be sensitive to others feelings.
How would you like it if someone uses something of yours to improve there campaign at your expense.
Biblically "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"

The same rules should apply as for regular photography. No matter the medium - real film or digital - or the nature of the camera - Hasselblad to phone camera - all the same rules apply. Whatever was appropriate prior to the digital revolution is still in force.

If someone is trying to take my picture without my permission, they better kiss their camera or camera phone good-bye.

I'll take a picture of you in a public place if I want to, and if you think I'm kissing my camera goodbye as a result of anything you do, you'll be reconsidering that thought as you're laying on the ground looking up on the sky with my bootprint on your face.

Here is a problem that has created itself. There was a time when such a thing would have been considered unthinkable as a thing that "cultured" people simply did not do.
As everything today seems to boil down to cliches about "Rights", perhaps we need to rewrite the Golden Rule - your rights stop where my rights begin. We Americans seem to be a little confused about the whole subject of "Rights" to begin with. Grab a copy of the Constitution and actually read the first 10 amendments - the "Bill of Rights" outlines what the Government cannot do - they are used as a basis for arguing out what our "Rights" may, or my not, be. In the end, it all comes down to exercising personal responsibility.
You should not have to worry about having your picture taken candidly because, hopefully, the "shootee" should be walking a mile in your shoes to begin with. As long as a smoker is being as consciencous as possible with their second-hand smoke, the recipient should at least give credit where it is due. We all need to exercise our "public voices" when outside the confines of our castle in the same way we insist our children use their "inside voices" - what the ancients used to call "setting a good example". Random acts of kindness - why should they be random and why is it just an act? As we continue to increase the thickness of our skin in our passionate defense of our right to do whatever we want to in the moment (a clear triumph of the Id over the SuperEgo), we should not complain if "the system" starts employing more liberal applications of the Disorderly Conduct statutes.
Everyone should have an reasonable expectation of privacy no matter where they are and I would question the maturity of those who seem to take great personal pleasure in this new-age voyeurism.
As a cautionary note, do not always dismiss the candid photographer as simply a rude or over-enthusiastic innocent caught up in an orgasm of new technology. The CCD of a camera-phone will also reveal any infra-red alarm sensors in the area and large megapixel, high resolution photos can be used in the preparation of a crime - sometimes it's not the subject in the foreground that is being photographed.

Even though aperson is on a public street, that person still has privacy rights

sticstac76

I think this is really an issue of technology, now in the hands of the masses, causing a bit of bad behavior that we basically need to deal with- or to perhaps accept. A few examples:

Computers in the workplace: While a great productivity tool, far too many people now use computers as a time-killer, and also to help them do personal errands while at work (shopping, etc). Is this a technology problem? No. It's a management problem, and managers need to deal with the behavior of their employees when their work is slacking.

Telephones in the workplace: YEARS ago, only the "boss" had a telephone at work. Later, as they became commonplace, EVERYONE had them, and suddenly found themselves able to call their spouses at home to chat and whisper sweet nothings, call their bookie to make bets, etc. All on work time. See above: a management problem.

And of course, now we have teeny little cameras in everyone's hands, courtesy of cell phones. Cell phones, as the latest technology of the masses, are once again the focal point of bad behavior. Chatting loudly in restaurants, and as polled here-- maybe (or maybe not) taking pictures inappropriately. As a general public, when we witness bad behavior, we should address it much like the managers above need to deal with bad employees. If I see someone chatting LOUDLY in a restaurant while I am trying to enjoy dinner, I quietly approach the person and ask if they can perhaps talk outside so I can enjoy my meal with my companion.

As far as taking pictures (and the general question)- if I am snapped in a photo where I am perhaps in a crowd or whatever-- sure, no problem. Happens all the time. If I'm the FOCUS of a photo, I sure would want to know about it and give permission for the person to use the photo if appropriate.

If I'm taking a picture of a friend/family member in public, it is not practical to ask everyone's permission who might end up in the shot. Likewise if I'm taking a pic of the beach. Now taking pics on a nude beach is another story.

Likewise, I've ran the Bay to Breakers race naked several times. Many people take my picture - some ask. Given the venue I don't have an expectation of privacy. If I don't want my picture taken then I would not participate. My photos is on a number of sites including some pay for view. A number of years ago an official asked me if he could shoot my backside. I said yes but did not sign anything and my backside wound up on the offical site.

Personally I love my cell phone camera and think it will change society as criminal activity can now be documented by ordinary folk.

So, when in doubt ask, but don't be suprised when your picture gets taken. Except for a few celebrities, most of us just are not exciting enough for people to care about our photos.

Roger
PS. If you see me at the next B2B, just click away!

I was standing outside the barber shop talking to some friends and a man came outside and started snapping my pix with his camera phone. At first I wasn't sure what he was doing - when I realized it, I asked him was he taking pix of me and his rely was - yes, I like taking pix of pretty women. Although I'm sure he thought I would be flattered I had a problem with this stranger taking a pix of me. I have absolutely no idea where these pix of me will end up. My email is constantly bombarded with candid pix of folks that are flying around the internet - some are even edited with comments from the sender. Often on networking sites like MySpace people have been known to use pix that are not of themselves. I have no ideal where my pix will end up. There are some crazy folks in this world today - say for instance, this man is in a relationship and his signifiant other stumbled onto my pix and starting putting 1+1 together and gets 13. What happens if it's forward onto the internet with some crazy edits added to it. No, I have a big problem with folks taking my pix without permission. I would never do it, and I think it's rude to do it to others.

If you don't like where the rays of light which bounce off your body happen to fly, then keep the light off your body. Wear a burka.

Yes, our freedoms end where they make contact with someone else's freedom to do things. When my camera "touches" your body, you've got a beef. But when my camera is doing nothing but picking up rays of light which are flying around in the open air, you have a major problem on your hands if you think you're going to tell me anything about what I can do in my personal space, in that rebounding light. Touch me or my camera, and you've assaulted me. Try to pull any of those "kiss your camera goodbye" stunts, and you'll be amazed at how quickly you realize you've made a very bad mistake.

I am in the news business. In today's digital world it is very easy to have a camera handy without having to carry a bulky camera around all the time. I would never use it to take candids of crowds of people, however if there were a bonified news event happening, having a camera on my cell phone would be the next best thing. Cell phones also make it very easy to send the photos back to the station to get on the air quickly.

Let me make it clear that I never take pictures of strangers with my cell phone camera. I only take pictures of family and friends with their knowledge. That said, I'd like to point out how useful phone cameras are if you go to flea markets, yard sales, etc. I am generally aware of particular items friends and family are looking for. If I come across something I think they'll be interested in, I take a photo with my phone, e-mail it to them, and, if they want it, I get the item for them. I've been able to get items someone was particularly excited to have, and I've also been saved from buying items I thought someone would like that, in fact, they didn't want.