Why does the world hate photographers?

People seem to think that we're gonna take their photo, put it in an ad, and make a gazillion dollars off of it, and they won't get a say in the matter, much less a cut of the $. Oh, if only that were true. This is not really paranoia, as photogs and editors used to be a lot less careful about releases. Nowadays no editor worth the pay will accept a photo without a copy of the release, no matter what the use (except news.) News is specifically exempted by case law in the US - somebody sued and lost, but in Canada a release is required for the newspaper. I don't know about European law. Famous people are exempt from the release law, but regular people are not. When I lived in San Francisco I got hassled so much I started to dress like a tourist, and when someone asked me if I had a permit I would look at them with the most perplexed expression I could muster and say: Je ne parle pas anglais! And rattle off whatever French came to mind, and often they'd go away. If that didn't work, I could suddenly speak English like a native (imagine that!) and gave them a stern lecture on the second amendment, which protects photography as Free Speech. In the US it is not illegal to photograph anyone (except if its child porn), but it can be a civil offense (a tort) to publish the photo in any manner except news without written permission. I should add that I don't actually shoot pix of people (unless they pay me) but shoot architecture, landscape and botanical subjects and I shoot from public locations. If they persisted I'd start yelling for a cop. When the cops came, the person hassling me was often very surprised to find out they were in the wrong! Once a really nasty one even got arrested! HAHA!

Use a view camera or a TLR and I promise you that their attitudes will change. People like those cameras.

I'd like to know why this new generation does not value privacy? They are eager to put all their information about themselves online where they have no control over it. And are equally as enthused about being on reality shows and making fools of themselves. I'm no gargoyle, but I don't photograph well, so I shy away from cameras. I guess I'm just old school. I like my privacy.

I know what you mean, this summer I was at the beach with a close female friend and her daughter. I'm a former rescue diver and an avid outdoor photographer so I was invited both to look out for her daughter (it was her first time to the ocean) and get some cute pics of her playing around in tide pools, surf, etc.... I was nearly dragged off the beach in handcuffs because someone noticed me photographing a 6 year old in her bathing suit and figured I was a pervert or something. My friend was swimming at the time so by the time she got back to the beach and could explain things, I was already handcuffed and getting ready to be led away by the beach patrol.... I can't really blame anyone for what happened though, it's a scary world out there anymore and there are plenty of freaks that get their thrills off little kids in swimsuits. I had hoped that by being incredibly obvious and open about photographing my friends' child, any onlookers would realize I wasn't doing anything on the sly....apparently it didn't work. People are adaptable and we have adapted our instincts to deal with the threats presented by the society we live in. The nightly news gives us plenty of exposure to the degenerate minority in our society to the point where we all tend to fear (or at least guard against) the very few that would exploit anyone or anything to enhance their own satisfaction; perverse or otherwise. Anytime you're photographing someone elses' property, ask permission to do so. If you also present them with a card and say something complimentary about their property, most people will gladly allow you to photograph their business or even their home.....some won't, and you should respect their wishes at that point as well.

haven't you heard? all the world loves a lover... they are more afraid of photographers because they don't know what's in the bag and the tripod looks like some kind of scary weapon. people are fearful. and the bible says the fearful have a place in hell with the unbelievers...they all make their own hell by being afraid.

With so many websites devoted to watching people behave badly, stupidly, etc (i.e. Youtube, Failblog) I think many people have no idea where that photo will end up and are therefore very wary of photographers. There's probably a lot more to it than that, but that's just something that popped into my head. Sucks though, that's for sure.

I guess I'm blessed and maybe a little practiced, but I rarely have problems shooting and the problems haven't really been problems. I've been approached by security guards, federal cops, local cops and sometimes just people about what I'm doing. Often, the people approaching me have an attitude. I don't and that frees me up to try and see things from the other persons perspective and that allows me to engage them. Once I've done that, when I can, then 95% of the time I get my shots. That approach has worked for me for 40 years and it has worked with security guards, local cops, federal cops and just plain people. A lot of times, people just want to know what you are doing and maybe why. Other times, like you have mentioned, your shooting in a situation where, because of a policy, you aren't allowed to shoot. Okay, move on. When the photographer has a built in underlying attitude, a little like the one you've expressed above, it pollutes the situation and immediately puts the photographer in personal conflict with whoever they are dealing with. Even if it isn't verbally expressed, it's expressed in body language, tone of voice, etc. I've seen it happen over and over again. Subconsciously, a line gets drawn in the sand and it's no longer a matter of getting what you want - the shot - but being right, winning. Most of the time, that's a losing proposition. I can be very confrontational if I choose, or need to be. That's been the rare occurrance. You're hobby is not being pissed on. I'm out shooting people, places and things all the time and it's not my experience, or the experience of the other photographers I know. People are actually interested in photographers (we're strange birds) and photography. It's like being a Dr. at a cocktail party, they want to know why their pictures are this or that and what would you do. If you engage them they will actually work with you to get your shot. People want to be secure with what you are doing and if you take care of that, it's your responsibility, then things work so much better. That is my experience across many cultures and lands, that's what I expect and that is what I get. Vance +++ Jeanie, I'm based in S.F. and never get hassled. You must look like very, umm ... suspicious. Have you considered getting in touch with a casting agency for bit parts? You know the ones, the lady who looks ok but you know she's evil to the bone regardless of how she dresses.