Photography etiquette within the parks

SteamboatJoe

Well-Known Member
I usually take most of the pictures so I use my wife as a spotter. She keeps an eye on things and let's me know if I need to move. We just get PhotoPass for the together pics. They cover most of the popular and crowded spots already. Otherwise, we wait for a clearing, wait until lower traffic times, use a crowd dispersing landscape element to our advantage, and/or find not as crowded spots.
 

Maeryk

Well-Known Member
Its a generational thing. Younger folks are more self-absorbed and attached at birth to an electronic nanny forgetting that they are in the real world and others inhabit it.

Nah. People we're doing this with Brownie cameras. It's just a lack of paying attention to their surroundings. I particularly love the folks with a 50mm closeup lens on their slr trying to get a shot of something huge with someone in front of it, standing 30 feet back and expecting all traffic to stop while they fumble with their SLR.

Photography etiquette within the parks
Does not exist.

People take pictures then, what ?
Who looks at the pictures after a vacation ?

When I first went we purchase 15 or 20 rolls of film, develop them put them in an album that we never pull out.
Now with digital pictures costing nothing "except if you pay Disney for a Photo Pass" even more pictures are stored on the cloud never to see the light of day.

We look at these pictures very rarely, we take them because the cost nothing but seldom do we see them again

In your case, perhaps. I've used our old print photos and prints of digital in our trip scrapbooks, some of my SLR shots are framed prints now, and digital photo frames and ability to use them on TV's means many of my photos are in constant use.
 

Rumrunner

Well-Known Member
With most people now owning smart phones with decent cameras on them, there's probably more pictures being taken than ever before in the parks. What I noticed this year however is a big increase in the number of folks stopping in the middle of a walkway, stepping back a few steps from the person taking the picture and expecting all those behind them to walk around them whilst the picture is taken.

I'll always try and be patient and respectful and try not to walk across somebody whilst they're being photographed and would hope others would show me the same courtesy back. However when we stop for pictures we always pick a spot that's as unobtrusive as possible and make sure it's not a busy area where people need to pass. I also noticed that many are taking longer to get their pictures with many young ladies (sorry girls but it's true) taking ages making what can only be described as 'duck faces' whilst hugging their buddies with little to no concern on those they're inconveniencing.

Now maybe as I'm heading into my 50th year I'm just becoming grumpier, however I think there should be no stopping in a crowded walkway for pics and wherever you stop you take 10 seconds or less if others are kindly helping you by waiting to pass (and preferably no silly 'duck faces', it's not sexy or funny but that's optional)

Rant over and thoughts?


I am all for giving pictures takers some courtesies and tolerance but only if they are providing courtesy and consideration in return.
This is not a one way street but we give pictures takers in most situations deference. After all it is Disney.
 

thomas998

Well-Known Member
With most people now owning smart phones with decent cameras on them, there's probably more pictures being taken than ever before in the parks. What I noticed this year however is a big increase in the number of folks stopping in the middle of a walkway, stepping back a few steps from the person taking the picture and expecting all those behind them to walk around them whilst the picture is taken.

I'll always try and be patient and respectful and try not to walk across somebody whilst they're being photographed and would hope others would show me the same courtesy back. However when we stop for pictures we always pick a spot that's as unobtrusive as possible and make sure it's not a busy area where people need to pass. I also noticed that many are taking longer to get their pictures with many young ladies (sorry girls but it's true) taking ages making what can only be described as 'duck faces' whilst hugging their buddies with little to no concern on those they're inconveniencing.

Now maybe as I'm heading into my 50th year I'm just becoming grumpier, however I think there should be no stopping in a crowded walkway for pics and wherever you stop you take 10 seconds or less if others are kindly helping you by waiting to pass (and preferably no silly 'duck faces', it's not sexy or funny but that's optional)

Rant over and thoughts?
I generally will just pause for a max of 2 seconds for them to take the shot, if they want to play Ansel Adams and start trying to get every one just right I just ignore them and go on through if they get me in their photo then so be it, but I'm not going to wait forever for someone to take a photo.
 

Walt Disney1955

Well-Known Member
There are times I walk through and don't even realize I got in the middle of a picture because the gap is so huge. Honestly, don't take up 25 feet people, it is just common sense. Even so, it is almost impossible to take a picture without anyone else in the frame. This is Disney World, people are going to be in the background. Granted, I don't intentionally walk in front of people, but the ones taking the picture should have the awareness too. It likely won't get any better with the new generations not knowing a world when a phone/camera wasn't attached to your thumb.
 

Smiley/OCD

Well-Known Member
Try living in NYC and try to get around hoards of tourists in Times Square and beyond who walk down the sidewalk five across at the speed of broken beach balls, stopping every second to take pictures of, like, alleys, and steel doors and bodegas, without any clue to their surroundings, while those of us who live here play "dodge-a-tourist" trying to get to our jobs on time. That's a whole lot of fun.


And in NYC, you can always push them down an open elevator or basement shaft...LOL
 

MickeyCB

Well-Known Member
I have to admit that I don't run into a lot of issues with this? That...or else I'm just not phased by it?? I'm pretty accumstomed to people stopping in walkways for any number of reasons (kid dropped something out of stroller, stopping to look at map, stopping to wait for others behind them, etc.). I just expect it now and walk around. In fact, my DH and I pride ourselves on how slickly we maneuver through the crowds (Dart left, two steps right, arch the torso to curve around the stroller handle, you part left & I'll part right, duck under the blowing balloon). Maybe I just see it like a video game: if I avoid contact with a stopped person or object in the middle of way, I get extra points or something?? :p
I am sorry, but this is the best response EVER! As I was reading it, I was picturing us in the parks, cruising along trying to get somewhere fast and never really thought about the maneuvers we make, but this totally describes it!
Also the, "arch the torso" image makes me think of a matrix style move!
And, to keep on task with the thread topic, like anything some people are super polite, (and I will offer to take their photo for them), and others will just be plain old rude and inconsiderate and we manage to get past them one way or the other.
 

NelsonRD

Well-Known Member
I'll chime in here with one simple photography rule. Just don't take pictures of my kids. If my kids are with a character, don't take a picture of that character, until it is your turn, or wait until my kids are not in the frame. This one annoys me more that flashes on dark rides. Most recently, in Mexico, my girls were with Donald, and some random lady was trying to take a picture of him while he interacted with my girls. I wonder how many pictures of my back she had to delete after....
 

Paper straw fan

Well-Known Member
I saw a girl standing in front of the hall of presidents just standing there making various (stupid & contrived) expressions while her friend (the beta of the duo who was probably dying a little inside) took easily 200 pictures of said friend. I was wondering if she was planning on making some sort of self absorbed flip book of all of these or something for her 50 Instagram followers. They weren’t blocking anyone, as no sane human would have let that continue that long, but I did say to my wife “I know I shouldn’t judge people so quickly, but I’m pretty sure I would hate everything about this person”

I mentioned in another thread I had three instances where people (who all looked like they’ve considered taking a carnival “Kid Rock Cruise”) walked right thru our Disney photographer taken pics. Just have a smidge of awareness to your surroundings?

Now on personal pics, I say 10 ft distance max. I’ve seen people at Universal span the width of the bridge leading to Hogwarts, which is a heavy trafficked bridge, expecting people to hold while they get everyone in a pose and take pics? No. You get 2 seconds if everyone is feeling generous. If people try to span the width of a walkway, my feeling is I am free to continue moving as normal, and it’s up to them to get a clearing. Otherwise hold off for a ‘photo spot’ which are usually out of the way of foot traffic and there for a reason, or you get 10 feet/5 seconds. Sorry, you may not get Baylee-Caylee’s entire outfit AND the entire Thunder Mountain in the shot, but your friends on Facebook will get the idea.

It all goes back to people valuing their time more than that of others, which in many forms (line jumpers, person in line at Subway acting like they are directing a heart surgery, etc) irks me to no end and shows a general lack of respect for others. If I walk thru, or photobomb your pictures then, I’m probably a little happy inside.

Now if we’re talking a quiet area, or something like the Cars at AoA where there’s plenty of room to get around, fine. But a crowded, narrow walkway or somewhere generally stupid “here I am by the koala bear Kate changing station!” Then kick rocks.

I don’t feel either this is just a millennial thing, I’m around the gen X-Y age group and moms my age are the absolute worst w iPhone attachment, and will photo document nearly every second of Braxxden’s trip on her phone. Do you really need 15 pics of him on the boat from Boardwalk to HS? Also I’ve seen older folks do this too, while less frequent they can be even worse due to not being quite as technologically savvy (not all, my dad forgets more about cameras/IPads than I will ever know)

To the “it’s fine”crowd, if you are ok with it, good on you for your patience, however it’s also fair not to devalue others’ legit annoyance with it either. It’s rude and inconsiderate to act like the only people there at a crowded park. I’m not saying these people deserve to be chewed out, just to not have the whole world stop for their group photo of their family blockading the 7DMT fastpass entrance. Granted if it was still the days of film I’d be more accommodating, but the flip side is that only Melinda Gates could have afforded to use that much film taking pictures of Ryyyyder refilling his Dr. Pepper at the cafeteria.
 
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LittleBuford

Well-Known Member
I'll chime in here with one simple photography rule. Just don't take pictures of my kids. If my kids are with a character, don't take a picture of that character, until it is your turn, or wait until my kids are not in the frame. This one annoys me more that flashes on dark rides. Most recently, in Mexico, my girls were with Donald, and some random lady was trying to take a picture of him while he interacted with my girls. I wonder how many pictures of my back she had to delete after....

Do others feel this way? I've taken pictures of characters when there are people (adults and/or children) around them. And what about general views of Main Street or the castle? Those are almost impossible to take without random guests (including children) being in shot.
 

mergatroid

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Do others feel this way? I've taken pictures of characters when there are people (adults and/or children) around them. And what about general views of Main Street or the castle? Those are almost impossible to take without random guests (including children) being in shot.

I don't have kids but can't see the issue myself if I'm being honest. I'm trying to work out why if somebody takes a picture of your child with a Disney character in a public area it would bother you. The only answer I can imagine is the worrying scenario that they're stalking your child or are planning on kidnapping them etc, otherwise why is catching them on film any different than having thousands of people looking at them as they walk around the parks?

However as it's a thread about photo etiquette and we're saying what annoys us (and not petitioning to have laws changed), it's a valid response if the op feels that way. Legally however when you're in a public place you can be photographed and there's nothing you can do about it other than challenge the person and hope that they stop if it bothers you.
 

LittleBuford

Well-Known Member
I don't have kids but can't see the issue myself if I'm being honest. I'm trying to work out why if somebody takes a picture of your child with a Disney character in a public area it would bother you. The only answer I can imagine is the worrying scenario that they're stalking your child or are planning on kidnapping them etc, otherwise why is catching them on film any different than having thousands of people looking at them as they walk around the parks?

However as it's a thread about photo etiquette and we're saying what annoys us (and not petitioning to have laws changed), it's a valid response if the op feels that way. Legally however when you're in a public place you can be photographed and there's nothing you can do about it other than challenge the person and hope that they stop if it bothers you.

I agree that it’s a valid opinion and am genuinely wondering whether it’s something I need to be more conscious of. Like you, I don’t have children, which may explain why we feel similarly. I should make clear that I take such pictures in spite of the presence of random guests, not because of it. I have no interest in photographing people I don’t know and frequently wish I could edit them out of view, especially when trying to get an unencumbered shot of the characters!
 

mergatroid

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I agree that it’s a valid opinion and am genuinely wondering whether it’s something I need to be more conscious of. Like you, I don’t have children, which may explain why we feel similarly. I should make clear that I take such pictures in spite of the presence of random guests, not because of it. I have no interest in photographing people I don’t know and frequently wish I could edit them out of view, especially when trying to get an unencumbered shot of the characters!

I was pretty sure that was the case my friend, but thanks for clarifying you're not some sort of weirdo ;)
 

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