Photographing children

The responses to Darlene's innocent and perfectly good competition theme this week really have amazed me.

I think its time for this particular British silliness to stop. When I read a photographer writing, 'I don't want strangers taking candids of my grand-daughter in public places either' I am in a state of some disbelief.

I assume the poster's grandchildren are fully clothed and aren't engaged in some sort of inappropriate behaviour. If some kind of pervert wanted to access images of children at work and play then the internet is awash with them. Here's just one example of thousands of school websites: link

Do some of you really believe that all photographers are paedophiles when not being terrorists?

You're speaking sense here Ken.

I'm stunned by one particular response to Darlene's thread:

"Its the price we pay for the society we live in. Watching breakfast tv this morning where an expert (he spent 7 years undercover posing as a young girl/boy on the internet) reckoned that if a 12-13 yr old girl (for example) went on an internet chat room, grooming would start within 7 seconds.

We've all read stories in the newspapers or on tv about the taking and distribution of innaprpriate pictures.

So, I don't take pics of kids who aren't close family. Its just the way it is. I don't want strangers taking candids of my grand-daughter in public places either."

What hope have we got if this is a genuine reflection of how society feels?

I certainly don't believe all photographers are paedophiles.

In fact I bet there is a much greater percentage of paedophiles who are photographers than photographers who are paedophiles.

And my comment wasn't a direct response to Darlene's competition theme. I think its a good one. It was in response to the other comments. As others have said most have plenty opportunity to take pics of family.

Funny, reading your reponse Ken. maybe you would consider that my grand-daughter would be engaged in innapropriate behaviour if she was on the swings or on the slide in a skirt.

'maybe you would consider that my grand-daughter would be engaged in innapropriate behaviour if she was on the swings or on the slide in a skirt'

I certainly don't consider that inappropriate behaviour and see nothing in my post to imply otherwise.

So, considered worthy candid photo opportunities then for A.N. Other

I see where you're coming from, but follow that line of thinking and it just reaches ludicrous levels very quickly.

I agree Gartmore.
The situation is out of hand.
The Irony is this...
in the rare instance of stranger abduction, from a public place, the police often rely on people and businesses in the area that had cameras (security cams and regular cams) to see if anybody has the kidnapper on film.

The irony is you chase every parent/person/tourist away from the public parks, you reduce the chances that the police might have access to the suspect's photo.

The greater irony is that in the history of child abuse cases, most are conducted by someone already known to the child with access to them, therefore wouldn't need a camera. Perhaps parents and other relatives should be banned from seeing children "just in case".

So you suggest handing them over to strangers Robbie. Was it you that first mentioned the phrase "it just reaches ludicrous levels very quickly". Keep it up mate

If you want to photograph other people's kids. Ask their parents permission

Way to mug yourself off there Chief.

I was trying to show exactly how ludicrous that line of thinking is and you've just confirmed it.

What if I'm taking a street shot?

Do I have to ask the permission of all the parents whose kids happen to be in the scene?

I missed the part where he made that suggestion....
It is a valid point that by a huge margin, close to 95% of abusers where known to the family or related.
Child abusers, like con men trick ordinary people into handing over the children, just like con men fool people into handing over money.
They almost always win the parents over to get access to the kids.
A single mother should fear her babysitter more than a stranger at the park.

At least someone else here sees sense.

Not disputing that Don. The single mother may be too scared to go back to that park though. Mayby the photographer could politely asked permission, and put the single mother in control. What's the problem with that?