Note to fellow Southerners.

SfB is stirring. Even blinkered old Simon knows that it's not flat down here, he just likes to turn threads round to his own ends and that's exactly what's going on. AGAIN.

Please ignore and continue along as before 🙂

EDIT: Comments rendered somewhat unnecessary by Simon's own response 🙂

It doesn't bother me. An old bloke took a pic of my 5 and 4 year olds eating sticky cakes on a park bench yesterday – he did ask and I said 'yes of course' – it was a nice picture.

My kids go to different school/nurseries – one went through the ridiculous procedure of making all the parents of kids who wanted to take pics write their names on a piece of paper. I said under my breath in the queue that it was a waste of time and the guy in front of me said in a knowing way ' yes but you have to these days' and seemed to find my explanation of 'no, you don't actually' quite shocking. The whole thing gets my goat – I couldn't give a stuff if someone happens to take a pic that includes me or my kids in it – thankfully I'm pretty certain (from taking quite a lot of pics of strangers) that the vast majority of people haven't yet been brainwashed into thinking that there is something wrong with that.

I guess it depends on the context. If someone stood right in front of me to take a pic in the street I would expect them to ask. If I was doing some interesting activity and it was clear they were taking a pic of the activity, or of the event I was at – and not me the person as a character study – then I wouldn't.

Common courtesy should be used and permission requested.

But then, the moment is gone.

Depends of course on what he was doing –
it could have been a NIMBY looking to gather "evidence" of bikers being discourteous/causing erosion etc etc
it could have been an amateur photographer out on a shoot for whatever reason (pics to submit to a competition, trying out a new camera) and while it's a bit cheeky there's no law against just going out and taking random pics.
it could have been someone doing a publicity shoot, maybe getting some stock images for the local tourist info/MTB mag/bike shop (again, slightly cheeky using unwitting models).

I wouldn't get too wound up about it though.

What a timely post. I was out for a walk with my family yesterday and was asked by someone if they could take a photo (we were standing – catalogue pose – looking across the Staffordshire hills). Only later did I realise they had not taken contact details to forward the piccie.

Not in the least bit bothered, but then I did "sort of" know him – author of some well known climbing books. He asked, we said yes.

If people are entering the ugly bloke on a bike competition then I want 50% of the proceeds please, it took a lot of time, money, beer and accidents to get this face.

Otherwise snap away. The only time I would get annoyed is if they took pics of the kids in an unsuitable moment (getting changed on the beach etc) where the motives may be more questionable, but otherwise I have no problem with them being snapped either.

Well i ride a road bike,a folder and a mountain bike,(not all at he same time)and also take a lot of pictures as well,recently took a load of pictures of a well known trials rider from Scotland,so just looked up the teams website, and sent an email asking if they would like a set of free pictures on CD, they said yes,i explained that they where getting kids on bikes so the pictures where a thankyou.

I always stop and chat to photographers,and any rider who asks can have a free picture/s via email.

Come on SFB, come on our forum ride – we won't throw anything I promise. It will be a pleasure to have some of the northern contingent joining us.

Can't imagine why anyone would care unless they were doing something wrong. From a courtesy point of view – why should they? You're in public. Every time you go out in public you are open to being snapped, that's partly why its public and not private. As said above, if they were getting inappropriate images of someone under-age then of course thats not on, but if you are out and about you're a fair target for a photographer. If they stopped you and asked for a pic they'd be spoiling your ride and you'd not be looking natural.

If you're out doing nothing wrong it should not bother you at all. If its a pro photographer using you as a model *and you're readily identifiable* then you have a legitimate claim on rights, but otherwise you're nothing but a passing object of interest.

I'd suggest staying at home if being photographed bothers you. It's a problem with you, not the photographer.

ride naked. I bet people stop taking pictures of you then.

There's a few posts mentioning being asked and to me, that's the point: if somebody asked me and explained I'd probably be fine but I didn't get asked. Now yes I could have stopped and asked but I don't want to have to: when your flowing down a piece of singletrack the last thing you want is to come grinding to a halt and wander back up to find out why they are taking a photo. I just think it a bit rude to presume that people would be happy to have their photo taken.

From a courtesy point of view – why should they? You're in public. Every time you go out in public you are open to being snapped, that's partly why its public and not private

Right so if you were out walking today and somebody took a personal photo of you from say 5 metres away, you'd be fine with that and wouldn't question it?

Couldn't care less and don't see why I need to ask for someone's permission either.

That would be fine. What's the problem? They couldn't identify me from the picture, (match the face to the name & address etc) so if my image keeps them happy, why worry.

If they were blocking my way, or being intrusive, that's different.

Right so if you were out walking today and somebody took a personal photo of you from say 5 metres away, you'd be fine with that and wouldn't question it?

If it were for the person to make cash from I'd be mildly off-put at not having a share of the profit (hence comment about pro photogs), but otherwise, no – I have no problem with you taking a macro shot of my left nipple to masturbate over if it so pleases you, makes no difference to me. I dont even care if they are going to use it on a website as an action shot etc. I regularly get photographed kitesurfing, I've been known to suggest the photogs into the water to get better shots of the surfers. I dont particularly like getting photographed (I'm not vain in any way at all, and I'm usually the quiet chap in the pub enjoying the chatter, not the centre of attention) but I have absolutely no fear of being photographed either.

Just what exactly are you afraid of? Do you demand the theme parks erase any trace of your image when they flash you on a ride, or ask for your permission beforehand?

Right so if you were out walking today and somebody took a personal photo of you from say 5 metres away, you'd be fine with that and wouldn't question it?

Yes fine feel free.

I got snapped, probably by the same photographer, yesterday on Telegraph Road on Holmbury.
He was wearing a red t shirt and crouching in the bushes to the left of the trail with a wide angle lens, which was probably just as well as he took a pic of my bum as I went past. Hopefully he'd adjusted the speed a little, as it must have blotted out the sun.

If it were for the person to make cash….

but I asked "…and you wouldn't question it?". Knowing why somebody is taking a photo is certainly going to make a difference but your previous comments referred to being in public and therefore anything goes effectively.

Just what exactly are you afraid of?

Don't know really…as said, probably just being a bit paranoid and am generally a private person. As said, started thread just to find out other people's opinions.

If you're out doing nothing wrong it should not bother you at all. If its a pro photographer using you as a model *and you're readily identifiable* then you have a legitimate claim on rights, but otherwise you're nothing but a passing object of interest.

Only if they were using it to sell something / to do something that implies something about you that may not be true (like that you support a particular company/product). If they're using it just to show that you were riding a bike there, or just to illustrate that people ride bikes off road, or simply selling pictures of someone riding off road, they wouldn't need a release. Otherwise newspapers wouldn't be able to function.

There's a few posts mentioning being asked and to me, that's the point: if somebody asked me and explained I'd probably be fine but I didn't get asked. Now yes I could have stopped and asked but I don't want to have to: when your flowing down a piece of singletrack the last thing you want is to come grinding to a halt and wander back up to find out why they are taking a photo. I just think it a bit rude to presume that people would be happy to have their photo taken.

Right, so if someone stopped you in the middle of flowing down a piece of singletrack, asked you if you were okay with having your picture taken, and perhaps you could go back and ride it again so they could actually take the picture, that is better? Whereas if they just take a picture, what the heck does it do to you? It's not like they're taking away your soul or something.

Joe

nuke – But in that case my questioning would only come after the event and only if I saw the photo having been sold. If I was unaware of it it would make no difference to my life at all, ever and so I would not/do not care or question. If at some point I find that I've been snapped and sold for kinky website lycra porn I'll a) question why im looking at kinky lycra porn sites to find the image and b) ping the photog an email pointing out that it would have been nice to be asked.

I'm a private person too, in private. I dont do/wear/say anything in public that I don't mind being recorded.

I got snapped, probably by the same photographer, yesterday on Telegraph Road on Holmbury.
He was wearing a red t shirt and crouching in the bushes to the left of the trail with a wide angle lens

That's the one bent udder…same person, same location.

I guess the general consensus is that its fine to take photos of strangers without consent. Ok, fair enough. Doesn't change the fact I find it uncomfortable but that's clearly more related to my own personality. 🙁

Sounds as though they're there trying to gather "evidence" – is it illegal/damaging to the trail in any way at that spot?

is it illegal/damaging to the trail in any way at that spot?

Not illegal but very well known and popular trail.

I would say that as a keen photographer that anything in occuring in public is fair game – it was prob an excuse to try out a new lens / camera or to enter a photo comp !

I wouldnt have a problem at all – I would ask people if possible but again apart from waving you down mid trail what could the guy do? He sounds like he was wearing a bright coloured shirt – if it was for nefarious reasons I would have thought he would habve used a camo shirt and a long lens from a hide !!!

If it was on a cheeky trail then maybe you have cause for concern… if not chill out and enjoy the fact someone thought it was worth recording the moment…

society / people are getting far too paranoid !

paul

I dont mind my photo being taken, just not while im out dogging 😮

I'd have belted him in the mouth. That way you've covered all angles 🙄

I often go out taking pictures to try and improve my skills. Most of the time I go with mates and when they're not riding a section I sometimes get focus or just practice on people going by. Sometimes I even go to the hassle of setting up two flashes on the trail. I also carry some little moo cards with details of my Flickr page, then if anyone wants to see their photo (if it was any good) then they can download it and keep it.

Nothing wrong with it at all. Sometimes the people riding past are better than my mates anyway, especially at Swinley for instance.

PS: Hora you're a tit.

I have a photo of a stranger mountain biking blown up, framed and on display at my work. Haven't a clue who he is.

I had to smile once, apparantly, someone had waited for a shot of a bike going over a crest (on follow the dog – its the bit that runs level with Marquis Drive) and taking air, along comes me.. he gets himself ready, I have not seen him at all, I have no speed due to not getting into the right gear and stall at the top of the crest, only to see this bloke and his camera and hearing a moan of disgust… helpful me..

A chap tried to take a picture of me running on the Brickhills with my Springer. Toby would always run just ahead of me but as soon as the guy went to take a shot Toby would bound up to him all tongue and ears. He gave up in the end and went back to taking pictures of the fern.

I had to smile once, apparantly, someone had waited for a shot of a bike going over a crest (on follow the dog – its the bit that runs level with Marquis Drive) and taking air, along comes me.. he gets himself ready, I have not seen him at all, I have no speed due to not getting into the right gear and stall at the top of the crest, only to see this bloke and his camera and hearing a moan of disgust… helpful me..

Aston Hill- three eager young lads, one with a camera perched in the trees- thinking I'm going to belt it out of a berm and into the trees. All three looked crestfallen and I felt a bit less of a mountain bike God 😥

a bit precious or a bit retarded – can't make my mind up about the source of this fear of having a picture taken….

retarded.

Is it not true though that the image-capturer is looking for fresh souls to snare?

come down south simon, we have trees down here, i'm disturbed by moorland and the lack of trees, but it's your own fault for burning them all in the foundries owned by the southern dwelling fat cats 🙂

i'm disturbed by moorland and the lack of trees

we already knew you were disturbed :o)
FYI moorland is a type of agricultural blight caused by sheep…

FYI moorland is a type of agricultural blight caused by sheep…

I thought it was caused by burning

My son had his photo taken on one of those off road courses run by local councils. The picture's turned up in the local press, and on the leaflets advertising the course. Don't mind a bit, Son thinks it's great.

I thought it was caused by burning

created by felling and burning but maintained by sheep. Remove the sheep (and to a lesser extent, deer) and stuff grows back. I suppose you can have original cause and current cause

I'm an attention whore, snap away, they can laminate then pics and stick em to their ceilings for all i care..

If its not a race and its a close up then I tend to ask / get permission first. If its a landscape and the rider is just part of the overall composition then no.

I dont mind having my picture taken but since I dont photograph well its generally a waste to do so.

I'm more anoyed by people using my pics and not crediting them or trying to pass them off as there own.

Some people do have a big issue with being photographed, had to run through the complete set of images on the camera last year just to prove I was photographing a footpath (work related) and not this blokes girlfriend. It is sad though that we are very acepting of CCTV but very mistrusting of people with cameras.