Photos in a swimming pool?

J

jonoooo125

Suspended / Banned
Messages
1,373
Name
Jon
Edit My Images
Yes
I'm taking my daughter swimming for the first time as she's nearly 4 months old... I was just wondered what the etiquette was on taking pictures in a public swimming pool?

I know my parents took pictures of me and my brothers in a swimming pool, that was 20 years ago though. I wouldn't want pictures of any other person or anything, I just want a few pictures of my daughter in her first swim with me and her mum, obviously being discreet is an option but my p&s is bright orange! Bit more discreet than an 85 1.2, 6D and a 430ex on a bracket but I'd prefer to use the 6D as that's why I bought it.

So do I need anyone's permission? Or can I just get the camera out and make everybody angry?

Thank you
 
Looking at our local pool they state that photography is forbidden without a permit. Doesn't say in what instance a permit might be given.
 
I've not shot in a pool before but I would not be surprised if they gave you a permit but there would have to be a pool attendant escorting you.....

Absolute madness I know but it's the way of our crazy country.
 
Crocky said:
Looking at our local pool they state that photography is forbidden without a permit. Doesn't say in what instance a permit might be given.
Click to expand...

My missus and I did take phone snaps of each other at the poolside, the attendant did tell us not to. But my missus reminded the pool attendant that our small group of friends had hired the pool for ourselves for the hour. The attendant was Ok after that.

If it's for your own group without others, then it would seem it was Ok.
 
I just did phone snaps of our little one. The pool attendant was close by but didn't say anything
 
I've done a fair number of press shoots at pools. Always get permission well in advance, and expect to have to sign the visitor's book stating reason for shots. I frankly wouldn't be amazed if they refuse permission as they may want to avoid setting a precedent. Perhaps you could suggest they hold a photo session for parents?

Bear in mind that if they do let you shoot, it'll be a good few minutes before the condensation on your lens clears. Let this happen naturally. If you wipe it, it'll just re-form until the glass warms up to the temperature in the building. And don't change lenses in there unless you want condensation on your mirror and sensor! A polo filter is a good idea to kill the glare from the water.
 
Taking photos in a public swimming baths, is something you should definitely not do if you are on your own. If it was an instance like when my group of swimming friends hire the pool for ourselves. We don't mind if anyone of us has a camera present, we simply remind the attendant it's our private pool time that we have paid for.

My local pool has days were they have a certain woman's only group, and have placed screens at the entrance, and only allow female attendants at poolside. These women have strict religious view that men should not view them in a bathing suit. The strange thing is, I have never seen any of these women coming or leaving, perhaps they are leaving by the back door :thinking:
 
I would suggest asking the pool. My local pool do not allow it but I asked them if it would be possible to take a few pics if it was only my family (wife, baby & me) that was in the pool and they agreed (find out when they are most likely to be quiet/not busy and try then). My local pool has a baby pool and I found that going there early we were usually the only ones using it and they let me snap away happily.
 
We wasn't aloud
Its a joke that maybe some one might do it
Doesnt stop people sitting in the cafe taking pictures if they wanted to as no one watches them
We explained it was special to us to take the photos but they said other kids might be in the picture
And they said they are aloud to take your camera and delete all the photos
 
brad131987 said:
We wasn't aloud
Its a joke that maybe some one might do it
Doesnt stop people sitting in the cafe taking pictures if they wanted to as no one watches them
We explained it was special to us to take the photos but they said other kids might be in the picture
And they said they are aloud to take your camera and delete all the photos
Click to expand...

No they're not! Even the police can't do this. Only a court can order the destruction of photos. Did you suggest a parents photo session?
 
Na it was a one off chance to go to the swimming pool before I went away for 6 months
They would have had to fight me to get my camera as I wouldnt have just handed it over nor would my wife
This country has turned into a joke when it comes to PC stuff and the bad people out there
 
I was at our local skating rink with my partner and her two daughters, i took my 600 with me and took a few shots, the attendant asked if i had filled out a photography form, i hadnt, it took two mins and that was it.
Madness but thats how it is these days,
Dave
 
brad131987 said:
Na it was a one off chance to go to the swimming pool before I went away for 6 months
They would have had to fight me to get my camera as I wouldnt have just handed it over nor would my wife
This country has turned into a joke when it comes to PC stuff and the bad people out there
Click to expand...

Not really. They have rules and it's up to you to find out what they are and follow them. Most places are flexible if approached correctly.
 
We asked before we payed the extortionate price it wasnt like I was trying to sneak it in to break there rules
 
I didn't want to ask in case they said no, at least then I would have 1 or 2 before I was told to put it away! But I will ask and hopefully next Sunday morning will be empty, as that's the baby pool time
 
Is there only one pool around your area?? if not phone around and see what they say.
If they say no then it means no, and no point trying to sneak it in and take a few before they say no again as it could turn ugly specially if there is another mother or father around and does not like you taking pics.
 
jonoooo125 said:
I didn't want to ask in case they said no, at least then I would have 1 or 2 before I was told to put it away! But I will ask and hopefully next Sunday morning will be empty, as that's the baby pool time
Click to expand...

Hide your camera under a long raincoat. What could possibly go wrong? It's how Cartier-Bresson got lots of his shots.
 
They said it would have been formatted so I would have lost every ghing thats even if I was just holding it

Do they think someone wanting pictures would take a large camera or just use there phone
 
There is only 1 baby pool and with no car it's the only choice, I'll give them a ring tomorrow and check, thanks everyone
 
I took my daughter swimming for the first time when she turned 4 months, she is now 6 months old and I take her swimming at the local pool and my gym quite regular.

I queried taking pictures but was told that this is forbidden due to other users of the gym and kids present.

This seems to be the case with most pools, it's a shame really as I would have loved to have caught the experience, even on my phone.
 
From my experience no chance.

I tried to film my daughter in an empty pool when she was around 4 months old. Was told not allowed. I said there's nobody else here. He said rules is rules.

I was a bit miffed and I did consider hiring the pool but never got around to it. The irony is that with the number of mobile devices around these days you could easily do it surreptitiously.

Cheers.
 
posiview said:
I was a bit miffed and I did consider hiring the pool but never got around to it. The irony is that with the number of mobile devices around these days you could easily do it surreptitiously.

Cheers.
Click to expand...

I was thinking along the same lines, but rules are rules.
 
The trick is to stump up to go to Center Parcs where you snap away as much as you like, I've got loads of shots of both my kids swimming there without any problems. Obviously nobody with dodgy intentions ever goes there so it's as safe as houses... ;)
 
The/ there rules are ridiculous
Should boycott it to get it changed
Have rules but not so silly
Obviously if a person on there own with a camera then something could be up
But a family with kids of there own should be aloud
Or even check the pictures after

Obviously this is hard to control but not every one is bad
 
To see who was in the background and check for explicit content

Its not like you havnt got pictures of your children or yourself naked as a kid
 
I think there is too much paranoia. Anyone can take photographs of anyone else out in a public place. A swimming pool isn't really any different. People don't generally swim or run around naked in swimming pools.


Steve.
 
But thats the point there not naked they have clothes on
You can do what you want at a beach and I have seen it happen
But swimming pools are just stupid
 
Exactly. Remove the paranoia and it's just nonsense.

My daughter could go swimming in the pool or wear the same swimming costume at the beach which is a public place with no restriction on photography.

She could easily end up in someone's photograph.

Who cares? What's the problem?


Steve.
 
Steve Smith said:
Who cares? What's the problem?

Steve.
Click to expand...

I do feel the same, but I do wonder what I would do if some guy walked up and started taking photographs of my daughter on the beach. I'd like to think I'd have a friendly chat with him, but have to say I'd feel a little uncomfortable.

Cheers.
 
posiview said:
I do feel the same, but I do wonder what I would do if some guy walked up and started taking photographs of my daughter on the beach. I'd like to think I'd have a friendly chat with him, but have to say I'd feel a little uncomfortable.

Cheers.
Click to expand...

But that would clearly be wrong

The person I saw was an old man with a bridge camera taking random photos of some girls on the sly
His own wife caught him and told him off in german they were in egypt though
 
Anyone can take photographs of anyone else out in a public place.
Click to expand...

Except a swimming pool, like a shopping centre, and many other locations, is NOT a public place.

Therefore you follow the rules of whoever owns it. If they decide you can't take photos, then you can't take photos. End of discussion.

Should they be allowed to set rules? Yes, of course, no spitting, no petting no jummping in the shallow end, the always have done it, and always will.

Instead of the usual clamour 'photographers rights', what about the other side of it. There you are with your Nicpenon XY3002 and little Jonny leaps into the water next to you and ruins it. Many people would be straight into the local law centre to sue, which is a different reason to the one you all are assuming is the cause of reluctance on the part of pool owners.

There's other reasons, but they have been gone into numerous times, and frankly if you've not read and understood before you aren't going to now.
 
getting past the "we will format your card thing is easy"

buy an eye-fi card, swap the label over with another SD card then keep your phone in your pocket

they will format your card
and all the shots will still be in your pocket
 
higgeh said:
getting past the "we will format your card thing is easy"

buy an eye-fi card, swap the label over with another SD card then keep your phone in your pocket

they will format your card
and all the shots will still be in your pocket
Click to expand...

they can't format your card, they are not allowed to, so you wouldn't need to do this in the first place
 
higgeh said:
getting past the "we will format your card thing is easy"

buy an eye-fi card, swap the label over with another SD card then keep your phone in your pocket
Click to expand...

It's easier than that. You just don't let them.

If they force it you have them arrested for assault and destruction of property.


Steve.
 
Have you been swimming yet???

I'd go early and ask permission. If there aren't many people in the pool and you're polite then there shouldn't be a problem. Just hunt out the head lifeguard or manager.
 
brad131987 said:
We wasn't aloud
Its a joke that maybe some one might do it
Doesnt stop people sitting in the cafe taking pictures if they wanted to as no one watches them
We explained it was special to us to take the photos but they said other kids might be in the picture
And they said they are aloud to take your camera and delete all the photos
Click to expand...

Have a look here - well worth the read

I like this bit-- Freedom to photograph/film

Members of the public and the media do not need a permit to film or photograph in public places and police have no power to stop them filming or photographing incidents or police personnel

http://www.met.police.uk/about/photography.htm


Les :thumbs:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top