Bob Patefield
@bobpatefield2d
The Ethics of Street and Documentary Photography:
Why You're NOT a Bad Person for Documenting Reality - Article Hey all. My article has finally been published in Street Photography Magazine on the ethics of street & documentary. (the delay being me taking two years to get my ass in gear) I used a first principles approach so that the subjective/emotional aspects could be removed from the equation. Please hit me with your criticisms and comments as I鈥檇 like to be able to hone the arguments further. https://streetphotographymagazine.com/article/the-ethics-of-street-and-documentary-photography-why-youre-not-a-bad-person-for-documenting-reality/ Anyone can get a free copy of the magazine though it would be cool if you subscribed as they also have a great podcast that you can access through the website and on Youtube etc. *Since writing the article I鈥檝e learned that there鈥檚 some contention around wether or not it was Nick Ut who took the photo of Napalm Girl, but regardless of that, my sentiments remain the same.
I never want to make anyone feel uncomfortable for my fun.
I'm glad people are out there documenting the streets and all that take place within them. It is very important.
For me though, this is just a hobby. I take it seriously but ultimately it's just for my enjoyment. I don't rely on it for an income (any money would be nice mind).
As a large, hariy guy, taking photos of kids may make their parents feel threatened or uneasy. So that's not for me. Others are able to do so it ways that are not threatening to the parents. Vulnerable people that cannot express their desire to not be photographed are also off limits to me.
It is important to establish your own set of ethics. I go by the rule 'dont be a dick'. I am constantly asking myself why I am taking that photo.
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Hi Lloyd. I appreciate your comments. Regarding what you said about it being 'important to establish your own set of ethics' - my whole point with the article was to show that ethics are universal moral rules, so that's like saying 'it's important to establish your own science'. It's important to establish your own personal rules for sure, but that falls under APB (Aesthetically Preferable Behaviour). 'Don't be a dick' is subjective. Sometimes I may want parents to feel uncomfortable if they are being abusive to their kid in public. Best wishes.
Not disagreeing with you in the slightest, just adding my own choices
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That was a great read Bob and I thank you for putting it to writing and sharing with us.
I do think we can argue till we are blue in the face on the ethics on taking the shot, and I think as street photographers we have the privilege to get two chance to weight up or choices in the process as you mentioned.
1. Take the shot - this one lies with instinct and the bottle to deal directly with the subject and any altercations that may arise
2. Using the image - where we weigh up our own moral compass and responsibility to handle the image thats taken and deal with it in good taste.
Im fully in the band that we are able to take the imagines that we do in a public space, without crossing lines of peeping/upskirting and all that nonsense.
Where the moral and taste element comes into it for me is in post, where we can put our own ethics when reviewing into play and how we may push or pull that line. The human element for me.
Cheers Darren. You are very welcome and I'm glad you got something positive from it.
I shoot kids and flash priests and old people, thanks for this 馃槀 food for my ego 馃槄
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You're going to have to explain your post and what flash priests are for me Jordan please. I'm old. I'm unsure if you are genuinely talking about yourself or having a passive-aggressive dig at me. I'm happy to take any genuine criticisms you may have.
Ahh sorry matey, I鈥檓 a yank so sarcasm is deep in me 馃槅 I actually do shoot quite close. I don鈥檛 discriminate usually. Priests
And kids
https://www.instagram.com/p/DVOSyOKgWem/?igsh=YnlobjhrOHFlaHUy
Instagram Post
instagram.com/p/DWdtdPOAcZ3/?img_index=1&igsh=MTkwOXRhNmF3YndxZQ==
I can't look at your Instagram unfortunately Jordan as I've never been able to set up an account. Flash priests?
Replying to Bob Patefield
Yes I jokingly said that I鈥檝e flashed priests with a hand held flash. The images on that instagram post are of orthodox priests from a Greek parade.
Replying to Jordan Disch
Got you. Thanks for the clarification. I thought it might be slang for police perhaps.
Also genuinely appreciate the article 馃檹
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: )
I have friends who take photos of the homeless or other vulnerable groups. I rarely do. It's a personal choice. I have not found a way to photograph certain people or subjects in a way that I believe is appropriate and respectful.
As a man in my mid 50's living in a large urban area, taking photos of children is not in the cards.
Another example of personal standards, I shot a car race from a photo tower and during the race a tire went up a catch fence and into the crowd. Multiple people were killed in the stands. It was tragic. I documented the scene but the photos were eventually destroyed and they were never going to be published by me.
In terms of " . . .ethics are universal moral rules . . ." That statement makes essentially three moves. First, it treats ethics as a set of rules (rather than, say, virtues of character, or consequences to be weighed, or relationships to be honored). Second, it claims those rules are universal (the same everywhere, for everyone). Third, it locates ethics in the moral domain specifically. Each of these is contestable. For the sake of brevity, I shall leave my opinion there.
Walker Evans famously observed that the camera takes on the character and personality of its handler. I tend to agree with him.
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Hi EJ. Thanks for your comments.
You first paragraph is covered in the article by APB.
I also understand why you don't want to photograph kids. My goal in doing so is to help kids by promoting peaceful parenting and that can be a challenge. People who are abusive to kids are often difficult to reason with.
In terms of " . . .ethics are universal moral rules . . ." - Did you read UPB?
Can you give me an example of any ethical rules that aren't universal?
Best wishes.
