To go on a photo walk at the beach?

[isitworthitnow]

I love photography and walking. It’s a beautiful weekend so I went for a quick walk at the beach, and took my camera. I take pretty much only landscape photos. I’m always careful to not get any pictures of people, or if I do they’re not the focus of the photo at all, they’ll be blurred in the foreground or background.

I was stood taking some pictures of the boats in the sea when a man approached me and accused me of “taking photos of his fucking kids”. I explained what I was doing but he wouldn’t take it for an answer, I offered to show him my photos but he refused and eventually walked away, taking his kids with him.

By that point I could feel people looking at me and I felt pretty embarrassed so I left, but was I in the wrong?

For context, I have a little mirrorless camera with a fixed lens, so it’s not some telephoto lens where I’d be taking photos of people in any great detail. I really enjoy going on these walks but it’s really put me off to be honest

Don't let him put you off, walking and taking photographs is one of my favourite things too.

He was a loon. Bet he wouldn't have had a pop if you'd been a 6' bloke though.

If he doesn't want his kids being seen or the chance of them being photographed or filmed then he should stay at home with the curtains closed. Going to the beach on a sunny day is hardly conducive to his privacy expectations.

Spot on.

If I did get any pictures of the children it was entirely accidental and I’d have not posted them anywhere! It’s really shaken me up to be honest

Are you male or female?

Rightly or wrongly, I would be less surprised at that kind of reaction to a lone man walking along a beach taking photos where children were.

This man may have had a bad experience in the past or had something going on that made him react this way. Some people can be very sensitive to photography and the NCA have recently cautioned parents against posting photos online because of AI being used to create abusive images.

Try not to internalise his reaction.

I’m a woman. I do these walks quite often. I put my favourite music on, go for a nice long wander and take some nice pictures

He’s a dick. Keep taking photos.

I’ve got home and calmed down a little but can’t help but feel upset by it, I didn’t mean to make anyone uncomfortable or anything

Unfortunately you came across one of the terminally offended. Fuck him. Carry on with your hobby x

Yep, more and more awful people out and about and less and less room for normal people. Sad.

I do understand why he wouldn’t want anyone taking photos of his children, irrespective of whether or not they’re in public. I know that nobody has an expectation of privacy in public, but people taking photos without permission just tips over into invasiveness.

BUT you did nothing wrong. He was mistaken and I think his refusal to look at the photos you had taken was an admission that he knew he was wrong, but he felt unable to back down or apologise. Try not to let this spoil your enjoyment of something you obviously enjoy very much. And you’re prepared for it now, if it ever happens again. And it might do because the ‘we’re in public, you’re fair game’ lot, the genuinely dangerous and the idiots who post on FB warning everyone about some poor bugger, minding their own business, sitting on a bench, have convinced many that their children are at risk. You handled it really well.

He’s an idiot!

Please keep photographing things if it brings you joy! I absolutely love going out exploring with my camera.

Some people have lost their ever-loving minds when it comes to photos and kids. If you'd been a creepy-looking male and seemed to be taking photos specifically of his children, I'd understand him wanting that to stop, but there was no need to be aggressive under the circumstances you described. In your case I'd probably try to be extra vigilant about avoiding it even looking like I may be taking photos of other people (especially children), but some people are just nuts looking for a reason to be angry.

Next time tell him to fuck off and mind his own business

What a weirdo, why would you want photos of his children? They aren't that special!
Ignore him and carry on with your hobby op

That’s crazy. Given that you can hardly move in some places for people snapping pictures with their phone.

Men 🫠

He’s probably a predator, and thinks attaching others disguises it.

Thanks all. It just really upset me! I wasn’t taking any pictures of children, or anything like that. I’ve attached an example of a picture I just snapped, I wasn’t focussing on people