[Leica] Photojournalists and permission

[bdcolen at earthlink.net (B. D. Colen)]

More power to you, Bob - You say you'd rather not get the photo than
offend some one. But for photo journalists who want to eat, that's
unfortunately not an option. And when you say that very high ethical
standards should prevail, the question is whose standards?

I agree with you entirely that paparazzi are utterly repulsive, but in
the vast majority of cases, those who die by the paparazzi live by the
paparazzi. I find it fascinating that there is always a handful of
Hollywood celebrities whose photos don't constantly turn up in the
Globe, the Star, and in People - because they live quite, private lives
and don't seek publicity. Yes, Jackie Kennedy was hounded by the media,
particular by Ron Galala (sp?), and she tried very hard to live a
private life. But Jen and Brad and the like? Give me a break. 

If one is just taking happy snaps for one's own pleasure, then, yes,
what HCB or Eugene Smith did is utterly irrelevant, and it's utterly
irrelevant whether photos are posed or not. But if one is attempting in
a serious - professional or non-professional - way to document aspects
of the world around us, then what they did is very important, and, yes,
occasionally one is going to get photos of people with their fingers up
their noses. The solution to that one, of course, is to keep your finger
out of your nose, and off your crotch, when you're in a public place -
and I would think that there are probably Golden Rules governing that
kind of crude behavior, aren't there? :-)



-----Original Message-----
From: lug-bounces+bdcolen=earthlink.net@leica-users.org
[mailto:lug-bounces+bdcolen=earthlink.net@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of
Thinkofcole@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2005 3:09 PM
To: lug@leica-users.org
Subject: [Leica] Photojournalists and permission 


In 1929, very soon after Leica was born,  Leica began producing
right-angle 
finders so that photographers could look elsewhere but point their  lens
at 
the subject. Production of improved versions of this device continued
for 10 
years and are still being used today. In fact, I have one but have used
it only 
once or twice, a very long time ago. 
 
As far as I'm concerned, the Golden Rule should apply in taking  
pictures...do unto others as you would have others do unto you. I agree
with  Karen 
Nakamura: very high ethical standards should prevail. 
 
   Remember, Jackie Kennedy? She took a photographer to court for
pestering 
her and taking her picture and her childrens' picture and, of course,
she won.
   Body guards of famous people have regularly broken  photographers'
cameras 
and, on occasion, have roughed up cameramen. I'm sure  there are many,
many 
other examples. 
  These people have less protection because they are considered public  
figures. Normal people, however, are entitled to consideration unless
they are  
involved in public events, like a parade, a demonstration, a political
rally or  
some such event. 
 
    How would you like your photograph being taken while  picking your
nose, 
scratching your behind or touching your crotch? Of course, if  you stick
out 
your tongue, you might be fair game --it the photographer is  quick. 
 
   If, before snapping, you ask yourself how you would feel if  you were
the 
subject of the photograph, you might think twice before taking the
picture 
you have in your sights. 
 
   The fact that Eugene Smith, HCB or Weegee did whatever they  did a
very 
long time ago is --today -- irrelevant. 
   The fact that your picture , after getting permission,  might looked
posed 
is irrelevant. 
   The fact that you might not get the picture you want is  irrelevant. 
   The fact that some people expect to be paid is irrelevant. 
   What is relevant is that times have changed and  photographers
--along 
with everyone else -- have to change with the times. 
 
   All of this seems to be so obvious that it seems to me to be  almost 
self-evident...bob cole
   
 
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