"Unauthorized" pictures??

[Tattoo Bradley]

I'm sure the title got more than one mods attention!

But seriously. The title is fitting.

I mentioned somewhere in another thread about somebody snapping a photo of me with their camera phone in Wal Mart last week. Well, it happened again yesterday, and I still don't know how I feel about it.

I'm well used to stares and questions and what not due to the extensive tattooing and the gigantic earlobes. But, I have never ever had someone snap a shot of me without asking. Actually, nobody ever even ASKED for a picture of me. So, I'm certain it's the kilt.

I'm sure I'm not the only one this has happened to. I think Rex mentioned something about it (can't remember for certain, and too lazy to look.) Anybody else? Thoughts?

[O'Neille]

I think it's a compliment that someone would want a photograph of you. As long as you don't have a problem with it. Who knows where you might see yourself in the future. I had a great day of compliments and a young kid in Wal-Mart said "excuse me sir, may I ask where you got your kilt?" I was not shocked about the question, just the perfectly good manners and use of language. It would probably be better if they asked but your appearance may prove to be a little unapproachable by some while it is very conducive to interactions with others.

Ward, Wally's going out tonight did you get a babysitter for the Beav? Yes June, it's TatooBradley. O'Neille

[RockyR]

This happens to me on a semi regular basis. MOST times, people ask if they can have their picture taken with me. Once in a while, they just snap a pic and keep on going (or run away for some reason... like I'M gonna chase 'em)

Don't worry about them and take it as a compliment.

[davedove]

I couldn't begin to give you any information about the law concerning being photographed in a public place. I'm not a lawyer and I don't pretend to be.

And I'm not going to consider someone that just happens to be caught in a picture being taken of something else (think people at a tourist site).

However, I do think it is terrible manners to specifically photograph someone without their permission.

[Raphael]

That happens to me a lot, specially when I wear my workman.

[A Hay]

I think you raise a good question that has implications beyond what you discuss.

I don't mind if someone takes a picture of me for their own use. However, with the advent of the internet and the ease of sending and sharing pictures all over the world, I have reassessed my own beliefs about publishing someone else's picture that I take, particularly if there is some reason that could put the other person in a bad light. Now I generally ask someone if I can take their picture and if I can publish it on this forum or elsewhere.

Our own Kilt Do's and Don'ts is often funny, but in my mind sometimes morally questionable in the sense of would I like to see myself portrayed that way.

There are some exceptions however. Someone in a public show, like reenactors, probably should expect photos and publishing of them. Similarly, when I publish photos of myself here, I have to expect some comments that might not be complimentary, but are usually helpful.

A slightly bad experience in the past has made me sensitive to the power of the internet to do harm to others. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you is not a bad rule of thumb and I'm happy to see that this forum is in that vein most of the time.

Friendly kidding among ourselves is fine, but there are not so nice people out there that could take advantage of what we reveal about ourselves and those we care about. So I'm a little cautious about what I post.

These are just my opinions, and I'm sure there are others who don't share them. I'd like to hear what you think.

Tom

[auld argonian]

I've had this happen as well...the question is do they want a photo so that they can show it and say, "I ran into this very interestingly dressed fellow at the mall today...isn't this cool?" or "You just have to see the photo I took of this whack-o in a kilt at the mall today...is this guy screwy or what?"

You never know...this is still all part of maintaining your composure while wearing the kilt...or having tats or an unusual hair style or whatever...these are all things that you do for yourself and you just have to take it in stride and hope for the best.

Best

AA

[Caradoc]

I mentioned somewhere in another thread about somebody snapping a photo of me with their camera phone in Wal Mart last week. Well, it happened again yesterday, and I still don't know how I feel about it.

Simple. Whip out your own camera, and take THEIR picture.

Then offer to trade.

[Scott Gilmore]

They wouldn't even think of snapping your photo if you were ordinary. It's just natural curiosity - it's the price of being self confident enough to live by your own ideas of how to look. Looking ordinary is easy and I think many ordinary looking people on some level admire an individualist. In that way, I think it's a compliment.

Regards,
Scott Gilmore

[Rex_Tremende]

Yeah, I've been the subject of many a cell-phone photo.

I'm not sure if this is because I look good, weird, or out of place in their eye - probably a combination of all. Yes, it's bad manners, but no, I can't do anything about it except look my best when I'm aware it's happening. Once I asked to see the photo, just to see how I turned out (yeah, I'm vain).

Probably the strangest encounter I've had with a photo-bandit was at an ice cream counter. I had just finished a walk in the park after a enjoying a meal of spicy Indian food. I thought a little ice cream would douse the remaining embers on my palate. While I was considering the flavor-of-the-month, I became aware of a commotion behind me. A hobbledehoy rushes past me acting as though he's on some other mission, but I hear that tell-tale fake camera sound effect coming from the phone in his hand.

He immediately rushes out and shows the picture to his friends, who are standing outside the picture window. They cluster around the phone, and then look up through the window to see for themselves. Of course, they see me looking at them looking at me, and so they pretend to do something else.

In all the other situations where I spot the shutterbug, I usually have enough time to make eye contact and can give my tacet permission by smiling or straightening up a bit. They usually look a little guilty for having gotten caught, so maybe they understand what they did was impolite.

As I have been writing this, I've been trying to figure out my thoughts on the matter. I think most of us agree that on some level, we enjoy the attention that our kilts garner. This is just one form of attention, but because it is not communicated directly to us, it's hard to know whether that's positive or negative attention - I guess by default it's neutral.

Tom raises a valid concern, however, that you never know where that photo is going to show up. I'd like to think that given that we try to pay attention to how we dress and comport ourselves, it's unlikely it's going to end up in some unflattering light.

Here's how the rest of the story goes in my imagination: The photographer shows the photo to his or her friends as proof that people can wear a kilt in public without looking like they belong on a tin of shortbreads. Soon, someone will be getting a kilt for Christmas.

Regards,
Rex in media cards everywhere.