To photobomb, or not to photobomb. That is the question!

[Luvchefmic]

I would love to see this question posted over on the photography board I can't imagine most posters there would think photobombing was cute harmless fun In fact I'm not even sure why it should be listed on TPA&S board ?

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Minnie Mouse can photobomb me.

Benedict Cumberbatch can photobomb me.

In both cases, I end up with a cool souvenir photo, with a celebrity in it. And I'm happy.

You? Making an ugly face? Acting a like a goof? I don't want you in my photos. All you're doing is ruining it.

The problem with photobombing strangers is:

1. You have no way of knowing if they'll think it's funny, or not.

2. You get a cheap thrill at someone else's expense and you give them nothing in return.

3. You're taking the coward's way out, by relying on anonymity to protect you, in the event they don't appreciate what you did.

So, save your photobombing for your friends and family, who presumably will appreciate it. And if they don't - they they can let you know.

This is exactly how I feel. If you're not a celebrity, stay the heck out of my pictures.

 

[PJ]

I've had 2 photo-bombing experiences and my reaction was different for each:

1) Got off the boat at Boardwalk with friends who were walking a little ahead of us. Two couples asked if our friend would take their picture. As they posed, DH walked up quietly behind them, and posed with them with a silly grin on his face. I was mortified and yelled at him to move. When they realized he was there they burst out laughing. Not only did they insist he stay in the picture, they asked to have a 2nd picture with him in it taken with another camera. (Turns out the 2 couples were off-duty CM's). They enjoyed it but I told DH would appreciate it if he never did that to someone again - not everyone would appreciate the humor. if someone is posing, I think the thoughtful thing to do is get out of the way if you can.

2) Last year we were at breakfast at Kouzzina (by coincidence with the same friends...) and asked our waiter to take our picture. He suggested that we stand in front of the open kitchen. When we looked at the picture we saw that all of the chefs had stopped what they were doing and were waving in the background. In this case, I loved the PB!

 

[minnie mum]

So, OP, according to your , um, unusual, poll, approximately 77% of responders are opposed to photo bombing. Mind you, given the way you worded the poll, I'm not convinced that many people could figure out exactly which option was most appropriate for them.

Given that you were originally seeking people's views on the subject, has anything that has been said changed your viewpoint, or do you still think that PBing is an acceptable way to spend your time at WDW? Or has everything thing that has been said simply fallen on deaf ears?

 

[Melany502]

I would love to see this question posted over on the photography board I can't imagine most posters there would think photobombing was cute harmless fun In fact I'm not even sure why it should be listed on TPA&S board ?

I'm a wedding photographer and photobomb a don't bother me because I take so many photos and check them often. Anyone on the photography board is most likely checking every photo they take. I've never PB anyone and have no intentions of doing it, but honestly they make me chuckle. We had one out of hundreds of pics we had/took from our trip and it still makes laugh. I can always crop the person out.

 

[MrInfinity]

If you're walking around the park looking for ppl pulling out their camera and you think about what you can do to get in their shot... You should probly grow up. But if you're there in the moment, and it happens, it could be hilariously funny. As long as it was genuinely unplanned and you weren't seeking it out.

Kind of like when a kid blurts something out in a quiet area and the ppl around all crack up cuz it's so genuine. But if an adult did the same thing in the same situation it would just be stupid.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Furthermore, the celebs that Benedict Cumberbatch photobombed in this pic likely knows him.

I've got nothing against Benny doing this, but I'd be a bit surprised if U2 has met him before.

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

As a member of the under 18 crowd, I find that rude. An accident is one thing, a funny ride photo is another, but purposely doing so is in bad taste.

 

[seenellie81]

I think that the term photobomb is being loosely used and often is. There are different types of PB. IMHO.
1. The person is in the background walking by or on the same ride and makes a silly face or waves. They would have been in the picture either way, they just chose to be silly and "photobomb"
2. Your family is taking a photo and someone jumps in and photobombs, it is known they are there. Again just being silly, and walks away quickly.
3. Someone purposefully going out of their way to get into someone elses photo with the people not knowing they are there.
4. Any of the above done in an inappropriate manner (obscene gestures etc.).

It is my opinion that number 1 and 2 are just people being silly, and i would giggle, if i seen it happen while it happened or if it was something that i noticed while looking back through my pictures after my trip. I think that it is all in good nature and heck if i am taking a picture where others maybe walking in the frame, who am i to say what kind of face or expression they have. After all i am the one taking the photo in a location where others are walking around or riding on the same ride.
Numbers 3 and 4, In my opinion it is not ok to be sneaky and or inappropriate. I dont know that i would be mad, i just dont think its right that someone would do that.

I would not do any of the above just because i am in my own world at disney and dont notice when others are taking pictures that i may be in. And of course it goes without saying i wouldnt do anything inappropriate.

 

[ratlenhum]

I've got nothing against Benny doing this, but I'd be a bit surprised if U2 has met him before.

Every shot of them, with and without Benny, Larry has Ann shoved behind Bono, so they probably don't care how the pic turned out anyway.

 

[ZoZo]

If you look up the definition of photobomb, it means to "spoil the photograph by unexpectedly appearing in the camera's field of view as the picture is taken."

Doesn't the word "spoil" seem to imply that there's some negative intent on behalf of the photobomber? It's not a funny joke - to me, it's a little mean.

 

[wareagle57]

I'm actually pretty shocked how many people on here hate photobombers. I've never done it but I would think it's funny if someone did it to me. I definitely don't see how it "ruins" the picture. If you hate it that much, you can easily photoshop it out. Are we talking cell phone pictures or a CM taking a MM picture? I can see the latter being slightly rude. Normally you can notice a PB and then just retake it anyway.

 

[Hannathy]

If I notice you doing it I hope you don't mind an elbow to the face or another part of your anatomy. Or tripped, or stomped on or wearing my drink if I have one. Hey a stranger is coming up behind me........


I think it is incredibly rude and self centered. If I had wanted you in my picture I would have asked you.

 

[DVCJones]

Not quite a photo bomb, but while eating breakfast ate Cape May Cafe last year, the table next to us asked my DH to take a photo of them all together with Mickey. (Big Mistake! He is a joker) While the family was getting into position he quickly flipped the iPhone camera so he could take a goofy selfie and then went on to take the family photo. He handed their phone back and we continued to eat like nothing happened. A good 5 minutes went by before we heard a collective laugh from the table and the all looked over at us. They thought it was hysterical.

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

I'm actually pretty shocked how many people on here hate photobombers. I've never done it but I would think it's funny if someone did it to me. I definitely don't see how it "ruins" the picture. If you hate it that much, you can easily photoshop it out. Are we talking cell phone pictures or a CM taking a MM picture? I can see the latter being slightly rude. Normally you can notice a PB and then just retake it anyway.

Not everything can be easily photoshopped out. I, for one, don't own Photoshop. Nor do I ever have any intention of getting it. Even if I were to download photoshop, my computer skills equate to that of a twinkie's-i.e nonexistent. I'd probably screw it up someway or another. It's really just a hassle that can be easily avoided if people just didn't do it.

 

[BudgieMama]

Please, don't, unless you know them.

DH and I went to New York last year, and came home with a grand total of no photos together that could get framed. When we go to Disney this summer, we want to rectify that. It might not be a big deal to you, but we find it hard to get nice photos of the two of us, and would be gutted if we finally managed to get a good photo that was spoilt by a photobomb.

 

[BudgieMama]

I'm actually pretty shocked how many people on here hate photobombers. I've never done it but I would think it's funny if someone did it to me. I definitely don't see how it "ruins" the picture. If you hate it that much, you can easily photoshop it out. Are we talking cell phone pictures or a CM taking a MM picture? I can see the latter being slightly rude. Normally you can notice a PB and then just retake it anyway.

Have you seen the cost of Photoshop?

I know there are alternatives, like the GIMP which is free, but it is a nightmare to use.

 

[2Tiggies]

For me, it depends. I have a now 12 year old who loves to photobomb my own photos although she knows when to keep out of the frame and for the most part it is funny, sometimes annoying and either way I let her know

As far as others stepping into my photo on purpose, I find it rude. I agree with Fuzzylogic that when unintentional it can be funny. It is less of an issue if I am taking the photo as I can see it in the LCD and re-take the picture but we have had a couple of photopass photos ruined and the photographers didn't spot it so we only noticed when it was too late and a few of them were definite deletes (rude gestures etc).

It's happened to all of us though, where you are walking and suddenly realize you may have stepped in front of someone's picture. If I think I might have, I always stop, apologize and offer to take a photo of them all together by way of amends. Without exception, every time I have done this, the people have been very understanding, laughed off my blunder and been really great about it. It's not always what happens to the first photo, but often comes down to how you handle it. If I just carried on walking or shrugged it off, it would be downright rude on my part.

There have also been a few times where someone walked into our picture by accident and we've just rolled with it and asked them to join us while someone else takes a picture of all of us together - random meetings and fun times

 

[JeremyGNJ]

man, I love this thread!

 

[Burnedout]

I'm wondering if it is just assumed that everyone is proficient at Photoshop? Lol maybe it is generational but I have no such skill!

It all becomes offensive when people are more concerned with messing with others rather than how it affects others. That is why people get offended. Principle