You answered pretty much exactly what I was thinking as well.

I was hoping to meet a couple of walkers at Nan Hua, but with the amount of people there I guess it was rather difficult to figure out who was “tourist” and who was part of the walkers? I managed to spot Mark Straw though and introduced myself. As you said special mention goes out to him, as I see he, and many others do a great job indeed.

I agree with you that when you take a photo and the people / persons ask you not to keep / take it, rather don’t. After all you gain their respect and if you carry a business card with you, hand it to them and you might get a call from them in the future.

On the legal terms, I am also not sure, and I have read and heard chit chat about what is deemed right and what is not. I think familiarise yourself with that can only help you, but also not stepping over the line.

I also believe respect others and their property, in turn respect will be given to you tenfold.

It was more of a newbie question anyway, and also to not get choked out by a very big guy. haha.

I am looking forward to the next event that I can join. Thanks again.

Having arranged a couple of walks for the World Wide Photo Walk, and having participated in the Alexandra Walk a couple weeks back, I totally agree with your statements. Whilst it may be the photographer’s wish to photograph someone or something, or some place, it is not their right! You must ask permission – in fact if there is a recognisable person, and / or a recognisable location that you photograph, if it might be published later, you will be obliged to have a model release or a location release signed by the relevant person. No picture will be published by any reputable publisher without this.

This does not prevent you from taking pictures, however. If you have someone’s verbal permission, do go ahead! Just remember that when you press the shutter, that moment is recorded – and may possibly be shared across the world (and maybe stolen and printed somewhere, too…!!)

To me the golden rule is not to take an image that might degrade someone. Use your talent to show that person in the best way you possibly can… (Oh and the most important part – have fun!)

Firstly welcome to the photography fraternity and I can only hope that you enjoy it as much as I do. Photo walking at its core is 2 things to me, one a means of safely discovering my own city (and others if I can), two it allows me to meet a bunch of complete strangers with the same passion. The fact is I have met more people photo walking than the in the previous 10 years, so you are welcomed to join the fray, no matter the camera.

As for candid situations, I am no lawyer, but it is a judgment call. One thing is certain if someone asks in anyways to not take the shot, don’t. From my understanding, and I reiterate I am not in the legal profession and may be wrong, anybody and anything in a public areas has lost the rights to privacy(this does not include any demarcated areas such as buildings, some parks, military installations, border posts, …). That in no ways allows you to harass or invade anyone space.

As for shooting people, I either get offered the shot or I ask. I have never been turned down, ever. I have however pointed my camera at a scene where I was asked not to take the photo, this happen a couple of times in the Alexandra Heritage Walk, and I’d rather not have the photo and keep the respect. Again use your better judgment.

Finally, any shots you would like to use for anything else than personal or editorial work, as in making money, you will need a release form (authorisation) as far as I know.

I have however a question about points 3 which ties into 4 and the rest I guess. Again maybe this is a dumb question, but one I would like to maybe get an answer to.

If you come across a candid situation, person or group, do you go ahead and take the photo, then afterwards go speak to the people/person and mention you took the photo and do they mind you keeping it? Would that be a good way.

If so, then what happens with Street Photography? Again, I haven’t been on one either, but I would like to hit the streets at some point, and would like to know what the “best” approach to that would be, also avoiding a law suit or something.

This might be general knowledge to some, but I would like to get a “clearer” understanding, as a hopefully more involved and mindful photo walker this year .

1. Keep calendar diary.
2. Doodle!
3. Manage Flickr photos with Flickr Studio. Even beats Flickr’s own interface.
4. Play online eg Scrabble.
5. And a major use, to stream movies from my desktop, via Apple TV onto the flatscreen.

The iPad makes standing in line bearable, reduced getting lost when we’re off-road to zero (much better than GPS) and somehow waiters seem to bring food much quicker when you have an iPad around

Had a quick read. I do think the outside of the monument isn’t too bad, but I remember being impressed with the interior. I’ll keep an eye on your site as I like photography of SA

Regards

They will sting you if you break a flower off to get a closer shot, as you are destroying their environment.

Bees do not sting willingly.

Many of them at once will sting one if one runs a lawnmower past a hive.

just seen your blog and the flashes at lions at night at Kapama..Rather usea high ISO camera likea Nikon D3S or D700 and a bit of spot near the cat ..Flash is extermely damaging to cats retinas (200000 times more sensitive than humans) Night drives should be banned as these half baked guides want tips…its not their cats so who cares

Cheers

Peter Betts
Pro wild Life photographer

Why can’t people in the west make more group dance video’s?

Anyways, Cool pic
– Alex

By the way the iPod’s full of music, it’s a hopeless photo viewer. Wondering about the Arcos as a photo viewer but it’s pricy.

Cheers, Charl

I see this every evening, on the way back from work, or sitting out there waiting for a wave to come along. Bit of body boarding, then have a sun downer to make the day better.

This is what a DBA team lead lives for, nothing more. Nothing less.