Re: [Leica] David Degners question

["Douglas Landrum" <dflandrum@earthlink.net>]

A few things help to ward off the "pervert" issue.  I have never been
accused of being a pervert, but I have been aware of the issue.  First, if
you are a parent of a child in the activity, the other parents will pay you
no mind.  Second, if you bring a porfolio of photos taken at a similar
activity (a friend, www.edkrebs.com, who is very sucessful at this uses a
loose leaf notebook with prints in plastic sleaves and sells the prints from
the notebook) and leave it at a prominent place, such as a snack bar, most
people catch on that you are trying to take photos to please the parents,
not for perverted purposes.  Third, if you inroduce yourself to the coaches,
teachers or others in charge and explain what you are doing, you usually
will get no resistance.  Fourth, if you show up to the same events over and
over, act professionally and do good work, you will become known and
trusted.  Fifth, tell the parents what you are doing and avoid taking photos
of children of parents that object.  Last, and most important for your
protection - never, never, never ever photograph a child in a secluded place
without lots of people around or if in a secluded or private place, without
the parents present.
- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Griffith, Lucian" <griffil1@anz.com>
To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Tuesday, July 03, 2001 10:31 PM
Subject: RE: [Leica] David Degners question


> Don Dory wrote:
>
> >The simple answer to your question is through their children. [snip]
...by
> >shooting summer theatre and emphasizing the younger cast members during
> >rehearsals.
>
> Try that these days and, sadly, you're more likely to be labelled a
> "pervert", than a photographer trying to get some interesting shots,
> especially when using an "amateur"-looking camera like a Leica.  Such is
the
> nature of current paranoia, I'm afraid.  I've avoided taking lots of great
> photos of kids because of this reason.  It is most unpleasant to have your
> motives questioned simply for aiming your camera at a child, as has
happened
> to me.
>