Weekly Competition 68 - Childrens Expressions

I hope I spelled it right in the topic head.

I want to see shots of children expression feelings or a situation.

It could be a classy dreamy portrait or a child playing, showing joy or crying.

Please feel free to ask if you have any questions.

Hi Nimitz, Please do not take this the wrong way and I do not wish to throw a damp squid on your topic. However in the times we live and having read a number of articles and comments in photography mags,I now feel uncomfortable photographing children unless its my own grandchildren or friends with their permission, let alone uploading them onto the web. I think its a sad world that this scenario has even made me think careful on what is an innocent topic. What are the views of other forum members.
Cheers

The theme is fascinating, and I even have a few shots that might be worth entering.

I do, however, see the point Josh is making above. Unfortunately, this is what the world has come to. And the situation is also valid in Norway, I'm afraid. Parents are asked to sign notes of permission to the school these days.

Having said that, there is a long way from a portrait or action shot to child abuse, so I wouldn't worry too much.

If you think this every time you go out with your Camera you might as well give up, all you have to beaware of is where your shooting and what, it,s only the odd case that the papers/magazines get hold of and blow up that you ever hear about. Saturday we spent at Linton Zoo there were loads of kids around we took photos all day and NO ONE asked us to stop or complain.
Q Josh,
Would you have taken any photos::

Yes, it can be worse still in some UK schools, I was not allowed to take a camera to photograph my child's School Christmas nativity play!

I don't want to hijack the thread...but ...can anyone remember David Hamilton. In the 70s he was all over the magazines for his brilliant nude studies of girls. All seemed innocent at the time. Soft focus, grainy, subtle tones, fine art. So in 2005 his shots were ruled indecent. Check out this story: Hamilton's naked girl shots ruled 'indecent'which includes the quote

Oh...Yes I see your point - but did not consider these thoughts when I made the theme. I actually wanted this theme for a while, as I do a lot of portraits of kids - e.g. I wanted to see what you all could do. As a father of 2 - I know excatly what you are talking about.

On the other hand - I see no point in restricting us as photographers - as long we show decent and splendid shots. I really hope you all have legited and excellent pictures to show here. I'm quite sure, that it is possible to show pictures - even of your own child/grandchild - that fits the theme perfectly.

Edit: You could try to take a look at my site below - push kids - to see some of my shots.

Pleased your NOT going to change this theme.

Speaking as a parent, I'm also pleased you won't change this. As has been said before, there is a long way from a picture of a child to child abuse.

I might even have a picture I can enter

Hi Nimitz, I agree with your points and I am sure all members would submit decent, wonderful shots. The darker side did not enter my head until I read an article concerning uploading images of kids on the net however innocent without their parents premission, a minefield.
Yes Terry, in answer to your question I too would have taken photos, however I would now think twice before uploading them onto the net of strangers kids.
Peter, I am not talking nude shots here, just normal everyday innocent scenes. IMHO these type of shots should be banned, never mind how technicaly brilliant they are. How can a child give permission for these type of studies.
P.S. As a parent I think its a great theme and I am sure we all would submit photographs with pride of our loved ones. I am only trying to point out the pitfalls of uploading images of other peoples children on the net.

Can I ask a question on the rules?

Does the photo have to be taken on a Pentax DSLR or can it be a scanned image taken with my MESuper?

I haven't decided on which image I want to enter yet, but from memory I have one taken a couple of years ago which might fit the bill.

A great theme and I dont think anyone should worry unduly. In a recent poll of customers at my wife's business, a dance studio, we asked parents if we could use their child's picture in publicity including the web. Of 250 asked only one refused permission and that was because she ticked the wrong box. I think the important thing here is to ask permission.

That is fine - np.

I think some old film shots have won quite a few times. The last I remember was street furniture. So yes - go ahead.

For the purpose of the competition, at what age do children cease to be children :

Good question. I regularly see people parking in "Parent & Child" spaces at Asda, and the "Child" is about 25

I would say up to 14, as most children over 14 like to be called teenagers.