One thing you need to understand..

Its NOT a public event, its a music festval, these people are there becasue of that reason alone and during the day might fancy a trip to the the abbey or a walk around the town.

A bit like when you go on holiday and do some sightseeing. Only I assume you're not followed by packs of photographers on yours?

Ever wondered why? )

I am simply repeating what was said during the radio interview between the vicar and Jeremy Vine, if its not true I apologise, but I see no reason why either would lie.

Had the post been worded a little better to make that clearer then I would not have picked up on it. I apologise.

I said so as I didn't think I'd have to hang around to justify it. again, I apologise, looks like I'll be here for a while.

As as ex pro photographer I am sickened by the behaviour of some of the people there, but as has been pointed out, its not everyone. I apologise if asking (generally) for respect has brought a flame war to your forum. However, if we're ever to reach some kind of mutual respect, we need to stop remarks like this from pentaxian450

"If you don't like it, you can stay home"

Twice a year I go to a music festival and this attitude is why I feel like I can't walk around the town, people like this seems to believe I'm there for their benefit. Seems to me that amongst you genuine people with an interest in photgraphy we have a shining example of the problems that a large number of us face while trying to relax and have fun.

Thanks to everyone that's commented, its good to see that the majority of you do ask permission, I'm grateful for your input and understanding, as ever its the few 'bad apples'. I've seen some stunning photography from the weekend, and I do understand that some people feel the need to dress up and be seen, thank you for understanding that its not all of them.

and pentaxian450... you've brought shame on a lot of decent people with that atitude. I hope it changes.

Apologies for this being my first post here but I have no intention of hanging around.

I'm one of the goths that has been attending Whitby from the very early days, and just here to point out what's been going on with regard to St Marys church in Whitby. We have asked to pass on the message to those not a part of the festival from the vicar and church warden to ask that people do not use the graveyard for photography. A while ago someone was killed when one of the stones fell on them, ironic I know but not funny.. anyway, those stones are on a cliff edge, open to the elements and far from safe. We've promised the church that we would do all we can to stop people using it as a location and so here I am, on here, pointing out that while you're welcome in the town, can everyone please make sure they avoid that part of it it.

Also, whilst touring the various forums and places to spread this message I've noticed un underlying theme that this event is nothing more than a free photo shoot. In response to that I'd ask that people show some respect those attending the weekend, many of whom are there for the music and not to be hassled for photographs or treated like this is some kind of circus.

Remarks like "when people dress and/or act outrageously and call the attention to themselves in a public place, then I act like they want the attention, so I don't give a rat's a$$ about a "publication form" do nothing but annoy people. We are not dressing this way to draw attention to ourselves, we are goths, this for some of us is a 24/7 thing, and remarks like that are exteremely offensive. We are part of the worlds longest running subcultures, we face abuse for how we look on a daily basis and some (Sophie Lancaster, look her up) have been killed for it. Those attitudes are behind deaths like hers.

Also "gareth and me where waiting for her to come out of the shop
i think she knew we where waiting so i just took a few shots
in between people walking in front of us" shows exactly what people think of us, that you think we are there for your entertainment, and should therefore pose for you. This is so not the case with a large (and growing) number of people.

Please show some respect for those who are essentially on holiday and relaxing by being the person that they'd get normally get attacked for being when at home. By all means turn up, and have fun, but remember that a lot of goths are not some attraction to be snapped at, they could be a member of your family. Yes, some turn up purely to entertain you it seems, but the assumption that we all do has to stop.