8 situations when you shouldn't take pictures

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

The camera is with us today, always and everywhere: this is the camera of our phone or tablet. And to any event, many of Lifehacker's readers also take with them a digital soap box, SLR camera or mirrorless camera. But is it always necessary to photograph everything that happens? Here are at least 8 situations in which it is best to refrain from taking pictures.

1. Funeral. The worst place and time for photography. Nobody is immune in this case from an embarrassing situation, not even Barack Obama. Selfie (filming yourself on a phone or camera) against the background of a mourning crowd or filming inconsolable crying relatives are unlikely to be useful to a normal person in a family album. Unless you are a photojournalist and are not filming the funeral of Nelson Mandela or another statesman, refrain from the thought of photographing anything at all during the funeral.

2. The person next to you felt bad. If a person next to you has a bad heart, he has a seizure, incoherent speech or an outburst of unexplained anger - most likely, he needs prompt medical assistance, and not mandatory photography or video fixation. Calling an ambulance and starting to provide him with medical care on your own is much more important and necessary than quickly sending a scandalous photo on social networks.

3. You witnessed a large-scale accident. The first normal human reaction before the era of Facebook and Twitter is to call an ambulance, police and firefighters. The first reaction (unfortunately) of many people of the "social media generation" is to reach into their pocket for a smartphone and take off "how awesome it is burning." A man from a monkey is distinguished by a sense of social responsibility and a willingness to promptly come to the rescue, even to those whom you do not know personally. Remember this.

4. Shooting or armed conflict. Here again, agency photographers and stringer journalists are taking pictures, but not casual onlookers. Occasional onlookers need to find shelter as quickly as possible, lie on the floor, hide in the nearest building, and simply leave the area of direct fire. Your life is the most precious thing you have. If you are unlucky and you find yourself in a zone of military clashes, shooting or terrorist attack, the first thing to do is take care of your personal safety and the protection of those around you. Sensational footage is best left to professionals.

5. Fight. First, we call the police and attract the attention of the public and residents of the surrounding houses, and then you will take pictures (unless, of course, you can explain why you need pictures of how some people break the face of others).

6. People are eating around you. There is a long-standing rule: "glasses and plates go up - lenses go down." In the process of eating food, people do not control facial expressions, gestures and are unlikely to look attractive. Shooting in restaurants and cafes without the consent of people is all the more prohibited (sometimes by the administration of the institution, sometimes - simply by the ethical considerations of the photographer himself).

7. Shower or changing room. I think it is unnecessary to explain why, surrounded by half-naked people, even of the same gender, it is somehow strange to take photographs. An exception may be beautiful girls in an empty dressing room:)

8. Public places where photography is prohibited. We can agree with the ban of the administration of supermarkets and shopping centers, we can disagree, but we still have to respect their demand. Churches and mosques often have a ban on photography, as well as many sacred sites of various religions and cultures. At airports and at customs control there are also premises where photography is not allowed - and this, too, must be agreed. Do not risk your equipment and do not provoke a conflict with the administration, security, police, customs officers and clergy.

Take relevant, interesting pictures and don't be an annoying amateur photographer - this is the most important thing.