Donnette

Due to the popularity and ease of use of digital cameras, they are everywhere. They are showing up at all the usual places and some disturbing places as well, such as romantically lit restaurants and lounges. More disturbing are the cell phone cameras, which can be quite stealthy no matter where they are.

If someone takes a picture, whether its of you or of someone else and you are also inadvertently (or intentionally?) included, where do you think your privacy rights end and are there any limits to what the photographer can do with that picture?

Lets say you are with a person of the opposite sex, this person could be a client, financial planner, a coach, cousin or insurance salesperson, you get the idea, not your spouse, and someone includes you in a picture. Many pictures end up on the internet today, some in private blogs and some on public websites where people compare and swap their pictures with other amateur photographers. How keen are you on explaining to co-workers, family members or even your spouse what was going on?

Professional photographers are very good at obscuring non-subject items in pictures using aperture (depth of field), light and focus, but amateurs just point and shoot. Should these amateurs be permitted to post these pictures of you on the net or do you feel there should be some restrictions in place to protect you.

I am assuming you are a moral and ethical person, but do you like the idea of having pictures of you posted on these internet swap meets and blogs? How far do you think you should be able to go if someone does post a questionable picture of you and someone else? Do you think these amateur photographers should be held to a higher standard as to what they can do with pictures of people from whom they have not obtained a release?

I have seen pictures on the internet that would embarrass me to no end (if I were stupid enough to do what those people were doing) and I cannot believe the photographer had permission to post such stuff, either. Do you believe there should be more control, or am I just too sensitive?

I hope I got you thinking

JW

Jw has been taking pictures for over fifty years and has graduated from both photography and art schools. He recently went online to help people who were struggling with digital cameras and photography in general. His blog address is: http://www.digitalphotographing.com/blog/?cat=7 and he would like to read your comments. His email address is admin@digitalphotographing.com. Although he may use your comments in future articles, he will give you credit unless you wish to remain anonymous.