Photographing children query

[DizMatt]

There is an large shopping centre near us and I once saw this kid ( about 3 years old) bawling his eyes out and screaming "MUMMY!" unfortunately I gave in to the PC mob and stood well away for at least a couple of minutes until some woman came along and I had to ask her if she would mind helping the lad as I didnt want anyone to think I was a p*** and trying to abduct him...!

It also begs the question what harm all this behaviour is doing to the kids. Are they being forced to grow up in a world where every other human being is a perceived threat, by far the majority of the human race would care for a distressed child not leave them in anguish.

i've helped a crying child in a shopping centre before. I really don't mind. If someone accuses me of being dodgy I'll talk to them about it in a very serious manner. there are ways to be open and friendly and approachable. also you're on CCTV, you can always use that to back you up. also helps if you're shopping with your g'f...sad but true!

 

[andephotographic]

Perhaps I'm making presumptions about the ages of the kids in question but the fact that the OP mentioned 'parental concerns' suggests that we are talking about children rather than teenagers or adolescents.
Now, leaving my feelings about going anywhere near a situation like this to the side, I find it incredible that a lot of you that have suggested asking permission or that such an act is necessary, have suggested asking the kids themselves!
I can only presume you have said this because you think the parents/guardians may not be immediately noticeable or present?
To approach an unaccompanied - by an adult - child is, in my mind, setting yourself up for a huge problems.
You could just have walked on water, turned said water into wine and healed half a dozen sick and elderly by touch alone but if you then start to approach children who are in the park by themselves...well, have you seen The Passion?

 

[DemiLion]

Perhaps this could be one of the few useful things to come out of Ch5's 'How to Take Stunning Pictures"!

Just tell anyone who questions you, that you are trying to follow the advice handed out by Suzie Perry et al on the Sports episode, specifically about photographing skateboarding.

If you get beaten up by an idiot shouting 'p****', sue Ch5 for giving dangerous and misleading advice!

Win Win!

 

[Byker28i]

Feel free to try it, somehow I suspect the gorilla isn't going to listen

I've done it - had an interesting conversation that went from accusative and threatening to backing down and muttering. The secret is to be polite, call them sir and don't get annoyed back, otherwise it all just escalates.

"Really sir, well as I've already explained I'm doing nothing wrong, but I find your behaviour threatening and abusive as defined by section 5 of the public order act. If you wouldn't mind just waiting whilst I phone for the policen to attend, you can explain your behaviour to them. Meanwhile I'll just take your photo for the local paper."

As an aside I now have yet another enhanced CRB check arrive yesterday covering me for the RFU.