My first 'You can't photograph kids here'

DiddyDave

DiddyDave

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Yesterday my son was playing at a school cricket tournament for 11 yr olds hereabouts, so I popped along to watch and naturally took a camera :)

I asked his teacher if taking photos was ok, he said Yes, and I added are the other teams okay with that, Yes as far as I know was the reply

So when our team were batting (and only our team) I began to photograph tight in on our batsman :)

5 mins in, a chap (who seemed to have nothing to do with either side) stood in front or me telling me I couldn't take photos as the other team didn't like it. After a very brief 'Well our teacher said I can' he again affirmed I couldn't

Staying (remarkably) calm, I then pointed out I was in fact only photographing our team and I had our team's permission, so if he'd kindly move I'd carry on - he didn't move - my son was next to bat - I told him so and suggested he go for a wee-wee - he left

After photographing all our side, I stopped shooting and went to introduce myself to the other side's coach, explaining that I was a Pro, CRB checked and had permission from our teacher too. She couldn't have been nicer nor more apologetic, but did indeed point out that one of her kids was on a child protection register, hence her concern

No worries says I, I'm used to that even having a family shoot supervised by Social Services before, so I explained about shooting only our chaps and showed her every shot. Lovely photos she said after confirming none of her team, so obviously the child in question, were in the shots; and again she apologised for seemingly being a PITA

All smiles again then - so I asked who the chap was who'd told me to stop, No idea :shrug: says she

So in summary...

  • Teachers don't mind you taking photos of kids unless there are child protection issues
  • Teachers can be apologetic for even asking you not to shoot for such a valid reason
  • Being polite to those in power, explaining yourself clearly, asking in advance & avoiding such issues makes everyone happy
  • Just remember that the person telling you to STOP may in fact have no authority to do so, so confirm this, then tell them to **** OFF

:D

DD
 
DiddyDave said:
  • Teachers don't mind you taking photos of kids unless there are child protection issues
  • Teachers can be apologetic for even asking you not to shoot for such a valid reason
  • Being polite to those in power, explaining yourself clearly, asking in advance & avoiding such issues makes everyone happy
  • Just remember that the person telling you to STOP may in fact have no authority to do so, so confirm this, then tell them to **** OFF
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I saw an article on this in the paper yesterday and it pretty much stated everything you said (aside from the **** OFF bit). :)
 
DiddyDave said:
[*]Being polite to those in power, explaining yourself clearly, asking in advance & avoiding such issues makes everyone happy
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The single most relevant point to any of these sort of conversations that repeatedly appear on here.

Well done DD :thumbs:
 
good for you :thumbs:
wonder what have been his reaction had you asked for some sort of authorisation for his stance?
 
DiddyDave said:
snip

5 mins in, a chap (who seemed to have nothing to do with either side)

snip

so I asked who the chap was who'd told me to stop, No idea :shrug:

snip
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Excuse me for snipping in the quote but I wanted to highlight a couple of things.

If he wasn't there for either team and the teachers didn't know him, who the hell was he, am I the only one worried by that?
 
DiddyDave said:
After photographing all our side, I stopped shooting and went to introduce myself to the other side's coach
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Sorry but a team sport with TWO sides.. there is no way anyone could know you where only photographing one side and you would be better doing the above first IMHO.

I am not talking "rules" or "laws" or "must" or "had to". and I already know your "allowed" and "within your rights". I would simply suggest you Introduce yourself to both team managers/captains/teachers or whatever BEFORE and not after to avoid confusion.
 
to be honest, obviously with respect to the child protection register, I'm dead set against people not being able to take photographic memories of their own children because of some interferring do-gooding bureaucrat. especially it seems because someone takes a nice camera to a game instead of a £100 compact.
my only thoughts were that you could have introduced some sort of Cricketing type pun in lieu of him 'going for a 'wee wee' "
 
Pain In the A(nother word for bum!)

or a kind of flatbread :shrug:
 
A real shame there DD, but big :thumbs: for dealing with it in the polite way. A lot probably wouldn't.

Its a sad day when you get questioned about taking photo's of your kids hobbies.

Just a thought here, if there was an issue with a child being on the Child Protection Register, why didn't that childs team make an effort to make other teams officials aware to avoid potential conflict situations?!
 
kelack said:
If he wasn't there for either team and the teachers didn't know him, who the hell was he, am I the only one worried by that?
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Maybe he just likes watching the cricket? when I was a kid nobody batted an eyelid at anyone who turned up to watch one of the school sports teams it's hardly like we were doing anything more lude than getting out leg before.

the child protection register thing annoys me and just seems to be a bit of a pathetic excuse as the risks involced are so tiny and I really don't think we should be making up rules and regs to cover such unlikely scenarios afterall the kids name will probably be in the local paper next week with the match report.
 
KIPAX said:
Sorry but a team sport with TWO sides.. there is no way anyone could know you where only photographing one side and you would be better doing the above first IMHO.

I am not talking "rules" or "laws" or "must" or "had to". and I already know your "allowed" and "within your rights". I would simply suggest you Introduce yourself to both team managers/captains/teachers or whatever BEFORE and not after to avoid confusion.
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Thats what I do, I regularly used to shoot the under 11's football teams as I run the website. I always approach the opposite team parents, huddle them in a circle and explain who I am. They all seem very pleased that they have been "asked permision" and are often eager to see the images after.
(this actually generates more sales too!)

I know that your position Dave was different, you were shooting for yourself and boy so its a tough one.
 
KIPAX said:
Sorry but a team sport with TWO sides.. there is no way anyone could know you where only photographing one side and you would be better doing the above first IMHO.

I am not talking "rules" or "laws" or "must" or "had to". and I already know your "allowed" and "within your rights". I would simply suggest you Introduce yourself to both team managers/captains/teachers or whatever BEFORE and not after to avoid confusion.
Click to expand...


Yep I can agree with that Kip

However, there were something like 20 teams and hundreds of people watching - none with 'Coach' on them either. As it was a schools event and a teacher had told me that the teachers didn't mind I thought it was ok

But yes - hunting them down to start with would have been better - though maybe not have avoided the chap who must have overheard their concern and wished to stick his nose in :shrug:

DD
 
sdb123 said:
I saw an article on this in the paper yesterday and it pretty much stated everything you said (aside from the **** OFF bit). :)
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I believe the article is probably the same one I read in the Daily Mail yesterday, the online version is here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1194843/You-ban-parents-taking-pictures-schools-told.html.

Parents who want to take photos of their children in school plays or at sports days can once again snap happily away.

The privacy watchdog says authorities that have banned parents taking shots for the family album are wrongly interpreting the rules.

Relatives wanting to take pictures at nativity plays, sports days or other public events are often told that doing so would breach the Data Protection Act.

Continue...
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DD you made it sound simple that you went over to her when you finished.. so it seemed as simple to go over to her first... Sorry its hard for us not there to know exactly the situation so just guessing mostly :)
 
I think we really must be bored as a nation when we have people that get wound up over a dad taking pics of his son.

There is no need to ask permission, there is no need to mention anything, you are taking pics of your son. If people dont like that then they can **** off or move somewhere else imo.

It really is time we stopped acting like we have to prove we dont have criminal intent before we do anything.
 
KIPAX said:
DD you made it sound simple that you went over to her when you finished.. so it seemed as simple to go over to her first... Sorry its hard for us not there to know exactly the situation so just guessing mostly :)
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My bad then

The 'chap' had hinted at a female coach who wasn't happy, but he didn't point her out

So I simply went along asking all the women, the one in question turned out to be stood only some 30 ft away - so I was surprised too that if she had a real problem she hadn't approached me herself :shrug:

But yes - asking BOTH sides would have been better

DD
 
Had exactly the same problem at a cricket tournament. Only I was watching my grandson.
I also had asked permission. and been given the go ahead by all concerned. Everything was fine until the local jobsworth arrived on the scene. No introduction just a rather abrupt, what are you doing. Now as I was sitting down behind a tripod and long lens, I would have thought it was rather obvious what I was doing. So I told her I was fishing.
This is when she stated on about privacy etc. I've heard it all before. Didn't bother me to much,
So I then asked her why have you singled me out to have your little rant about, she said you're the only one I have seen taking photographs. Ah I said to her, you have not seen me taking any photo's at all, because at this time I was sat back in my chair enjoying a pork pie, and a coffee. I then said to her the only reason you have spoken to me is the fact that I am using this equipment. That's not true was the reply, I will tell everybody with a camera. At this point I was getting a little pi**ed off with her, so I asked my friends and family, do any of you have cameras with you, there was 7 of us, out of the 7 there was 8 cameras. mostly phone cameras and a couple of point and shoots, but all capable of taking shots. Are you going to tell everyone now I asked. Then came the line we had all been waiting for. I'm only doing my job. The ironic thing was that there was a lady with a camcorder recording most of the match, stood about 20yards away. Did she get told? Not a snowball in hells chance did she.
So what I gleaned from this little episode was. It's not the fact that you are taking snaps, it's the equipment you use to take them, that gets you into trouble.
Rant over.
 
Gerods said:
Had exactly the same problem at a cricket tournament. Only I was watching my grandson.
I also had asked permission. and been given the go ahead by all concerned. Everything was fine until the local jobsworth arrived on the scene. No introduction just a rather abrupt, what are you doing. Now as I was sitting down behind a tripod and long lens, I would have thought it was rather obvious what I was doing. So I told her I was fishing.
This is when she stated on about privacy etc. I've heard it all before. Didn't bother me to much,
So I then asked her why have you singled me out to have your little rant about, she said you're the only one I have seen taking photographs. Ah I said to her, you have not seen me taking any photo's at all, because at this time I was sat back in my chair enjoying a pork pie, and a coffee. I then said to her the only reason you have spoken to me is the fact that I am using this equipment. That's not true was the reply, I will tell everybody with a camera. At this point I was getting a little pi**ed off with her, so I asked my friends and family, do any of you have cameras with you, there was 7 of us, out of the 7 there was 8 cameras. mostly phone cameras and a couple of point and shoots, but all capable of taking shots. Are you going to tell everyone now I asked. Then came the line we had all been waiting for. I'm only doing my job. The ironic thing was that there was a lady with a camcorder recording most of the match, stood about 20yards away. Did she get told? Not a snowball in hells chance did she.
So what I gleaned from this little episode was. It's not the fact that you are taking snaps, it's the equipment you use to take them, that gets you into trouble.
Rant over.
Click to expand...

I added the bold
"and what is your job exactly?"

should have enquired if she enjoys sex and travel!
 
Gerods said:
No introduction just a rather abrupt, what are you doing. Now as I was sitting down behind a tripod and long lens, I would have thought it was rather obvious what I was doing. So I told her I was fishing.
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nothing but admiration :clap:
well played sir!
 
mmcp42 said:
I added the bold
"and what is your job exactly?"

should have enquired if she enjoys sex and travel!
Click to expand...

Actually it turned out that she was something to do with organizing youth sport for the local council. By sheer coincidence at the night time of the same day. My grandson was playing football in a schools cup final. It was held at the Eddie Stobbart stadium in Widnes. When I took my seat there was a woman that was blocking my way, I said excuse me could I please pass
when she turned around it was the same woman I had, had a run in with in the afternoon. If looks could kill I would not be able to write this.
But at the end of the day it's all good fun.
 
l work with childrens charities, so l know child protection is the main problem, even in schools. Some kids have been adopted, and their new lives must be hidden as much as possible. To remove the chance of a shot reaching the public, they have a blanket ban on pictures being taken. lt is a shame as one person spoils it for everyone else, but when it comes to child protection, l'm not sure what else they can do other than take the child out of the situation.....but is that fair either?
Every year we are told we cannot take pictures of the children doing their xmas plays, or any other event. (Oh, but then they charge you for a copy later! )

But in a public place there is simply no automatic right to privacy, or any protection from being photographed.

l have been asked to stop taking pictures of my own niece sitting on a ride outside an amusement arcade. Needless to say l argued the point, but they actually got quite shirty with me. l left, as the people l was with were beginning to think l'd end up punching someone. Now l wish l'd kept at it.
 
You should have kicked him in the stones as well Dave.............:thumbs:
 
DiddyDave said:
I stopped shooting and went to introduce myself to the other side's coach, explaining that I was a Pro,

DD
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Then thats EXACTLY where the confusion kicked in :lol::lol::lol:

nahhh sounds like you handled it well:clap:
 
Its just the camera that scares em, i was kicked out of a nephews birthday party in an ice rink in Cannock because i had a d300 and a 70-200mm, 'you cant use cameras in there' i asked if it was because of my camera or all cameras, and he insisted it was all cameras, after i left the family told me there was at least 10 people with compact P&S' that we taking pictures, some were even on the ice! and not a word was said to them. :razz:
 
fracster said:
You should have kicked him in the stones as well Dave.............:thumbs:
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Even better you should have battered him with your pro spec body and lens and then taken a picture of his bleading face as he rolled on the floor in agony.
 
Well done for keeping your cool...such the diplomat:D

As Mentioned the child protection register does throw up some very obscure conditions as often open to interpretation.

In fact the nature of a protection order means you cannot reveal it even exists unless really necessary.

The whole taking pictures of kids is just a social thing like the where theres a blame theres a claim, culture we live in.

As stated when we were all younger taking photos didnt cause any troubles. The same as when we were kids you could be out all day with no fear for your welfare.
Today you fear to let them out the gate.

How things change any excuse for someone to make themselves oh so self important moral knight. Give me a break...

Rant Over for now.
 
Kev M said:
Even better you should have battered him with your pro spec body and lens and then taken a picture of his bleading face as he rolled on the floor in agony.
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Hang on Hang on, Pro Spec Body :D that would then make it sexual assault wouldnt it:lol:
 
Interesting reading Dave,

I do find that "What the *** has it got to do with you?" and Who the *** are you?" are two of the most direct and effective questions in the vocabulary.....

They do tend to cut through any doubt, cr@p or misunderstandings very swiftly and get you straight to the point with said person concerned.

They work best if used after said know-all/self professed authority hasn't stated their position/credentials by the 1st or 2nd minute of conversation....

Glad your outcome was positive though apart from chinning said know-all :)
 
CopeImages said:
Interesting reading Dave,

I do find that "What the *** has it got to do with you?" and Who the *** are you?" are two of the most direct and effective questions in the vocabulary.....
Click to expand...


Are you normally so reserved in confrontation ???

:lol:

DD
 
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