Photo taking etiquette

[DisneyGerry]

Is there a protocol about taking photos?

Just returned from crowded WDW and other than line-jumpers/ groups congregating in the middle of the walkway, strollers/ wheelchairs chipping away at my calf--what about the photogs thinking they can try to take a photo with one on one side of the walkway and the other on the other?

First it is hard to notice they are trying this and is the whole walkway expected to come to a stop during the photo period? Is there an acceptable distance? 5'? 10?

 

[WillCAD]

If I notice that someone is trying to take a pic, I walk behind the person with the camera to avoid ruining their shot.

If a group stops in the middle of an attraction queue to take a pic, I will wait for a few seconds to give them time to shoot. Many people will stop, get as far to the side as possible, and wait until there is a break in the line before snapping; these folks I will wait for, since they are making an effort to be considerate of others in the line.

However, those who seem completely oblivious to the rest of the world and simply stop in the middle of a queue and hold up the line while they take pics are not being considerate, so I just walk right on through. If I ruin their pic, so be it - I don't feel that I owe any more or less courtesy to anyone than they show to me.

I don't follow the Golden Rule (Do unto others as you would have them do unto you), I follow the Platinum Rule: Do unto others as they actually do unto you. In other words, I treat others the way they treat me. The nicer you are to me, the nicer I am to you. The ruder you are to me, the ruder I am to you.

Is ruder a word? Well, it is now, I guess.

 

[#1MMFan]

I don't follow the Golden Rule (Do unto others as you would have them do unto you), I follow the Platinum Rule: Do unto others as they actually do unto you. In other words, I treat others the way they treat me. The nicer you are to me, the nicer I am to you. The ruder you are to me, the ruder I am to you.

Is ruder a word? Well, it is now, I guess.

Sadly, I think there are a lot of people who think they are entitled to this Platinum Rule, because it's a vicious circle and downwards spiral. It's no wonder the level of manners has decreased drastically over the years I've been to the US.

It doesn't matter if the person doesn't say thanks or whatever at the time; I wouldn't walk through their shot, but I might comment to my family in a louder-than-usual voice about the level of rudeness of some people.

 

[madcoco]

Try our best to walk around or stop if I notice someone trying to take a shot of their family. Sometimes it just is impossible to do. Like you said, you just don't see them in time. A whole mass of people just can't stop on a dime. You could never get from point A to B. Then sometimes you get that disgusted look from the mad flasher like you really did it on purpose.

 

[cleo]

Yes, there is an ettiquite. It's called Common Sense.

Look around. If you're going to hold up a big crowd by stopping in the middle of a pathway, wait a bit and see if there's a break in the crowds. If not, accept the fact you'll have other guests in your photo and take it quickly.

The other part of that equation is, if you're a guest held up by someone taking a picture, remember you're not at the Hilton with exclusive concierge service, you're in the middle of a busy, bustling theme park. Have the patience to allow someone a magical moment and a beautiful memory for their family album. It really isn't such a big deal and we all do things (mostly without realizing) that bug SOMEONE in the parks. Maybe we could all just let it go. It's minor in the scheme of things, and even if we are conciencious, there are others who might not be. Life happens, and it's nice to move on and enjoy your day in spite of it all.

 

[goofy4tink]

When we were in WDW in Oct, we were in line for the Nemo ride. There was a pretty lengthy line, about 30 mins. The older couple in front of us kept stopping to take photos...they shot photos of everything, the sand dunes, the signs, the gulls, the overhead boat..everything. It was really pretty funny. My friend and I just shook our heads and laughed about it. When we got to the part of the line where the clam-mobiles go past, we had our dd's stand there, and we took a photo of them, with the clam-mobiles behind them. We excused ourselves and thanked the folks behind us for waiting. Know what they said? "The line isn't moving that fast, where would we have gone to??" Now, the older couple in front of us continued to take shots. We finally took pity on them, tapped them on the shoulder and asked if they would like us to take a shot, with their camera, of both of them. When they got over being shocked and nervous that perhaps we were well disguised muggers, they accepted most gratefully.

If I see someone setting up a shot on the main thoroughfare, then I will try to stop. But, if they are taking forever and a day, I just say 'excuse me' and slip by. In an attraction line..well, if it's moving slowly and no one is going to be inconvenienced then sure, I will stop and tell them to shoot away!!!

It's those people with the group of 15 who have to take forever and a day setting up the shot, getting all the expressions just so, and then not like the photo so have to redo it. Nope, not waiting.

 

[wdwfanatic80]

I personally usually stop and ask the person taking the photo if they would liek to get into the picture as well and will take it for them so they can have their whole group in the photo and in turn I just cross my fingers that at some point I will run into someone that is generous in that way as well. I just figure that for me I have been to Disney many times and go about twice a year so chances are this person trying to get a picture while in line of an attraction is probably someone who has not been to often or never before so I just deal. Just me....and my two cents.

 

[tinawv]

Yes, there is an ettiquite. It's called Common Sense.

Look around. If you're going to hold up a big crowd by stopping in the middle of a pathway, wait a bit and see if there's a break in the crowds. If not, accept the fact you'll have other guests in your photo and take it quickly.

The other part of that equation is, if you're a guest held up by someone taking a picture, remember you're not at the Hilton with exclusive concierge service, you're in the middle of a busy, bustling theme park. Have the patience to allow someone a magical moment and a beautiful memory for their family album. It really isn't such a big deal and we all do things (mostly without realizing) that bug SOMEONE in the parks. Maybe we could all just let it go. It's minor in the scheme of things, and even if we are conciencious, there are others who might not be. Life happens, and it's nice to move on and enjoy your day in spite of it all.

I so agree!

 

[umbluegray]

I do my best to be considerate on both ends of this question.

If I'm the one taking the picture, I do my best to take the shot during a break in traffic. I don't expect people to stop for me. If someone comes up while I'm preparing to take the shot I wave them through. Though they're being considerate of me, it's not my place to encroach upon them.

If I come upon people who are trying to take a picture, I'll either go around or pause. If I don't notice they were trying to get a picture until I've stumbled into their shot then I apologize.

Wherever I am, be it WDW or like last night at The Peabody Hotel during the Christmas Tree lighting w/ Santa, I understand that people other than me are also trying to capture memories that they can look back upon throughout the rest of their lives.

Now, since we're somewhat talking about manners -- what's with men not giving up their seats to women on the monorail?

 

[bicker]

If I come upon people who are trying to take a picture, I'll either go around or pause. If I don't notice they were trying to get a picture until I've stumbled into their shot then I apologize.

I do that to some extent. After a reasonable period of time waiting, I'll continue on. At that point my consideration needs to be directed towards the people behind me who I'm holding up by having stopped in the middle of the path waiting for the photographer to finish taking their photo.

Now, since we're somewhat talking about manners -- what's with men not giving up their seats to women on the monorail?

That's not a matter of manners -- that's a matter of archaic silliness.

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

I love that at WDW, at least a few times a day, we notice people doing the "photo shuffle"- that screeching sort of halt people come to when they realize that someone is stopped to take a picture just ahead. I've always been impressed by how considerate people try to be when it comes to staying out of each other's photos. (Of course, this being the age of the internet, they probably know that if they don't stop, the photo will be posted in a trip report with a caption of "And here's the idiot who walked into our photo..." )

If you're the photographer, it just takes a lot of patience, especially during busy times.

 

[Feralpeg]

I can't tell you how many times I've walked through a picture at DTD. It gets so crowded there at times. I just can't be aware of what everyone is doing. I've had a number of nasty remarks made to me. I stopped letting it get to me. When it happens, I say I'm sorry. In today's world of digital cameras, most people can redo the picture.

It is kind of like the stroller thing (not trying to start anything here). I try to be very aware of people around me, but ever so often, I am in the wrong place. Not long ago, I was walking through Epcot when a little girl stepped directly in front of me. I could have stepped on her or step to the side. Without thinking, I side-stepped to avoid her and got hit directly on the back of my leg by a stroller. I said I was sorry, but the man gave me a dirty look anyway. I know it jarred him. It jarred me too. In the long run, I figure it was better that I took the hit than the little girl. I just let it go.

 

[goofie4goofy]

There are people that take their pics and move on. They take them within a reasonable distance and time. It's easy to spot these people and we always walk behind them so they can get the best shot possible.

Then there are other people two take long distance photos....Sorry I don't notice you because there is way too much room between your camera and the people you are photographing.

Then there are those who try to go to a crowded park with tripods & major equipment. While I appreciate the art it's very difficult for people to maneuver around not only someone stationary but the tripod and the big bag.


A man giving up their seat for a woman......as a woman who is healthy and fit, I have to say this is completely unnecessary. However I do give up my seat for young mothers with small children, elderly or handicapped. If I see a woman dressed up in a dress and heels and I am in sweaty park clothes, I will also offer up my seat....It stinks trying to stand in heels on the monorail. It's not a matter of manners, but just being kind and is up to personal preference

 

[MyTy]

Have the patience to allow someone a magical moment and a beautiful memory for their family album.

We try to remember this because a lot of little things mean so much to us during our vacation at DW. Granted, some people may not be thoughtful when taking their pictures, but it would take a lot for me to consider walking through their shot or do something else that may put a blemish on their day and their kids' day at DW.

 

[TishaB]

Please beware June 2 - 9th. This will be my 12 yo daughter's first trip to Disney. I will lecture her repeatedly on manners in the parks..ie..waiting in line, giving up her seat, being aware that she is not the only one in the park. Thank you for reminding me about people taking pictures...I will do my best to restrain her. BTW...we went one year and I think it was by Tom Sawyers Island....the Liberty? boat was going by and people were taking pictures in our direction...so we waved like fools.

Tisha

 

[cleo]

I honestly think a lot of these little in-park inconveniences are due to people being overwhelmed, excitedly hurried and overly tired from so much 'fun'. Sure, there are people who are just plain rude, but I believe MOST people are absorbed in the moment and forget their actions might have some small impact on the people around them. They see a magical photo opportunity and they stop to capture it. It isn't rude, it's just 'theme-park thoughtless', and it isn't meant to be personal (meaning, no retaliation is necessary or, in my opinion, justified).

Ferlapeg makes a great point. If someone walks in front of the first photo, just delete it and try again.

 

[madcoco]

Ferlapeg makes a great point. If someone walks in front of the first photo, just delete it and try again

Agree. That why they invented digital cameras.

Now move that big head out of the way and quit staring so I can take that picture.

 

[Partridge4ever]

I try to go behind them. This trip though we were a party of 8 and I did get rather annoyed once when a lady jumped in front of me and the 2 littlest girls in our group. She had her arms out like a fence to keep anyone from walking in front of her family's picture. I pushed past her because the rest of our party was already ahead of us and I was afraid we'd get separated.

 

[bytheblood]

I personally usually stop and ask the person taking the photo if they would liek to get into the picture as well and will take it for them so they can have their whole group in the photo and in turn I just cross my fingers that at some point I will run into someone that is generous in that way as well. I just figure that for me I have been to Disney many times and go about twice a year so chances are this person trying to get a picture while in line of an attraction is probably someone who has not been to often or never before so I just deal. Just me....and my two cents.

Ditto!!!