'Street photographer' taking photos of people discreetly in coffee shop

[OrcinusOrca]

I am quite frustrated about a situation earlier and I don't know if I just need a grip!

Sat in a well known coffee chain earlier. Noticed someone taking photos but very discreetly on a Nikon. I wasn't certain at first but kept watching and definitely taking photos. Photos included children sat with their DM a few tables away, and then of a woman's arse (she was wearing a dress, photographer was sat on a low down sofa and had camera on their lap).

I kept meeting eye contact and the photographer put their camera down** after the second or third time. They then were (I suspect) taking photos on a mobile phone a little while after. I didn't feel comfortable saying anything directly, but I left what was left in my drink and went to speak to someone behind the counter. They told me this person is a street photographer and there is nothing they can do. 'They're an idiot' but very friendly and I could go and ask them not to take photos of me and they should oblige. I told them about the woman in a dress and they just said they can't do anything about it.

I still didn't feel comfortable confronting the photographer for a couple of reasons, so I just left it. I think what bothered me the most was the fact that they were taking photos so discreetly, and that they stopped after we met eyes a couple of times. I feel like if they stood up and announced what they were doing and said 'let me know if you want to opt out', a lot of people would have.

AIBU to be bothered by this?

I don't like the idea of someone filming me or photographing me without my consent, and certainly not my kids!

However, I guess there is not much you can do if it's a public place.

I remember some weirdo filming me with my 2 kids (both 12-13 ish) in Birmingham City Centre once; just blatantly pointing his camera right at us, and following us with his camera (when we were walking down the street!) Super creepy and weird.

We stopped to get a tissue out of my backpack, and he continued. Not filming anyone else just us. I stared right at him (about 15 feet away he was,) and said 'stop filming us now please!' He ignored me and carried on.

So I got MY camera out, switched it on, and started filming HIM. I moved closer and closer, and said 'smile then! come on let's see your face!!!' He backed right off, put his camera away, and bolted off.

Don't film me and my kids, and then run off when I try to do the same to you.

CUNT.

I know people are apparently not breaking the law by filming, and taking photographs of people in public, but I still have the right to think it's fucking rude, and unacceptable!

I think I would have been tempted to stand up and say "excuse me everyone, do you know that person is taking pictures of you and your children right now?" And email/tweet head office.

When I saw this happen I stood next to the guy and asked him very loudly why he was taking photos of everyone. Whether the lady knew he'd just done it. I kept going until everyone was staring at him and then he left.

Open your mouth next time OP. Speak LOUDLY and say "That man just took a photo up that woman's skirt!"

At best, a load of people will throw him out. At worst, everyone will look down into their cups.

They won't though. Someone will side with you. DON"T LET THE PERVERTS WIN.

They rely on everyone being too polite to speak out.

I think it's only polite if you're going to do photography outside a cafe, or a photo that intentionally has people in it, you ask if they mind. You will wonder what the photo is being used for, it could be a simple portfolio for college/uni, or it could be for an online venture.

On the other hand if you are in a public place and are taking a photo of say a landmark, there's people all around, as long as the focus is on the monument not the people fair play.

I liken it to those who post photos of being in Dr's waiting rooms, or on hospital wards, it annoys me as you shouldn't include other people in photos. Not only that I don't get the purpose of such photos.

The coffee shop could have (and should have) asked him to leave. He can only take photographs there with their permission. I'd complain to them.

male or female photographer op, you havent answered when i asked upthread?

I agree with piping up 'why did you just take a photo of that woman's bottom?' 'Excuse me, that man just took a photo of your arse as you walked past.'

Anything to draw attention to him. I am guessing it is a him of course.

I HATE this. DD is adopted and having her picture circulating around the place is a genuine security risk for her, as it is for lots of adopted kids.

A number of people have tried to take her picture (she's super cute) - without asking permission. - and I tell them to stop and then make them show me them deleting any they've got.

and then of a woman's arse
How can you tell that unless he stuck it up her skirt? You can't tell how far they're zoomed in, and I'd assume he was just taking a picture of her from behind.

YANBU.

I’m a portrait photographer. I have done street photography once of faces I found interesting, BUT I always asked permission first. Only one person politely declined, everyone else was flattered to be asked and I got some great images!

Why is it that the debate seems to be: the photographer is either an artist, taking photos because it is their profession or that they are a creep, taking photos for dubious reasons. One doesn’t automatically negate the other! The individual was known to staff in the shop as a street photographer, therefore giving them credibility and justifying their actions - oh well, they definitely cant be a creep then, taking photos of strangers! If I was sitting there with my son and realised someone was taking photos without any explanation or consent from everyone in the vicinity, I would be furious! Also, please can someone tell me exactly what ‘it says more about the people saying they are a creep than the photographer themselves’ means? I can’t stand this cliche - what is it supposed to imply?

That you are are automatically thinking that the photographers intensions are unpleasant. Why would you automatically think that unless you are mesn dpirited about people
Op just added the bit about the womans arse to justify her post. But there is no way she could tell if he what he was taking photos of, as she couldnt see his back screen

i think the photographer was female, op intentionally has not said

How is having a photo (not talking about social media here) any more dangerous than being in the public place in the first place?

I work in a high street coffee chain. If I noticed a customer doing this I’d ask him to stop or leave - legal or not his right to photograph wouldn’t trump my customers right to comfort and I'm sure most people wouldn’t be comfortable having pics taken in such a manner. If he stood up and announced what he was doing and no one objected it would be another matter.

@ajaslipstick, nowhere does the OP say the photos were taken up anyone's skirt. Don't be so dramatic. How does taking street photos make a photographer a pervert?

I hope you don't go round shouting that people are perverts in RL without any evidence, you will get into serious trouble.

I don’t understand how this can legal.... why do organisations bother to ask for permission to photograph hen ?? Nursery, school, after school clubs I mean??

Correct me if I’m wrong:-

Remember that acid attack that child was involved in a few months back? Dad was involved and had found out where his ex and children lived because his child’s photo had been published in a newspaper?

Then not hen.... I doubt the hens would mind

Oh... I have taken photos of people (strangers) before because of a beautiful moment. I never really thought of it as intrusive. Perhaps I should rethink this!

There is something depressing about the instant paranoia and negative stance towards street photography. I totally get the privacy issue at schools, nurseries and other sensitive environments. But I find the overall attitude depressing. But street photography is as old as photography itself and such an amazing historic record. I love to see footage and pictures of past decades of the hustle and buzzle of people in the streets through the various eras. To me this is a continuation of that kind of ‘record-keeping’.

Remember that acid attack that child was involved in a few months back? Dad was involved and had found out where his ex and children lived because his child’s photo had been published in a newspaper?

Where did you get that info, only read that rumour on MN

@TheGateauIsInTheChateau you probably should re-think it. I hate being photographed and would be quite angry if I saw someone photographing my child.
With the rise of photoshop and social media, I have no idea of the intentions of the photographer.

Once a friend sent me a picture from a book he had bought. It was a photo of me with my three DDs at the time out shopping on a rainy day in a city a couple of years prior. I had no idea anyone had taken a photo and had never seen it before! I contacted the photographer after my friend tracked him
down and they sent me a massive print on a canvas plus copies of the book etc. It’s up on the wall in the study now. I don’t mind really but still found it all a bit random.