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

[FLchick415]

I don't consider someone giving a silly face in background of my photo rude. I, personally, would get a good laugh out of it as long as it wasn't something vulgar.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Maybe we should all just try to have fun in our own way and try to be a little more understanding of people who go about it in a different way. Tolerance isn't enough because that implies that one side is better than the other. What is needed is a real desire to understand and appreciate people who are different.

Yes, have fun in your own way...which means not intentionally interfering with other people's attempts at capturing memories via photos. Why should your desire to have fun by messing with strangers outweigh the desire of those strangers not to be messed with by people?

A photobomb is essentially a practical joke. Not everyone responds to practical jokes in the same manner, so it's just not something you should pull on a stranger. It's just common sense and plain decency.

 

[EMode]

There is no universal set of standards that applies to everyone about what is or is not "rude" behavior. This may be rude to you, but that does not make it universally rude, it just makes it rude to you.

I disagree, there are things that are universally rude. If you see a family taking a posed picture and you weren't invited to be part of their picture then making sure you are in it is rude. Someone else may not think what you did was rude, but the behavior itself is in fact rude.

 

[Hannathy]

Maybe we should all just try to have fun in our own way

Bingo! the key word being our OWN! ruining my picture affects me not you do anything you want to have fun IF it only affects YOU. go at it.

 

[Hannathy]

I don't consider someone giving a silly face in background of my photo rude. I, personally, would get a good laugh out of it as long as it wasn't something vulgar.

So then you are saying photobombing id OK as long as they do it the way YOU want it done?
So then you would get upset if someone got in all your pictures and did something vulgar? then it isn't OK but we are in the wrong for not wanting any of it, interesting..........

 

[bsjs0708]

Ok I wasn't even going to contribute but seeing how this thread has become a cluster@#$% I don't think the photobombing thing is the most "childish,stupid" act...ummm Come on .." Lighten up Frances"

 

[jm106]

I don't see why the victim is required to be the accommodating one here, when they did nothing to invite or request a photobombing from a stranger (versus a celebrity or family member).

^^ well said. Why is the person who wanted a nice family photo wrong if they do not want to go along with a photobombers antics? Somehow you must be uptight or not fun? I have a lot of fun but I dont fnd a picture of strangers forcing themselves in my photo fun. That says something negative about me?

Truly though, it has been mentioned but I missed answers, what does the photobomber get out of it? Especially if its unwelcome? They dont get to keep the photo or even see it. So you annoyed another guest, they delete their families photo instead of getting that great shot(or they have to try it again if they catch it) and you walk off giggling for upsetting another person intentionally. Thats your way of making it fun?
For ME, part of the experience is letting others make their OWN families fun and relishing in the happiness of ppl not by making them mad and laughing about it. I do love to see happy guests in the park but I wont decide what should make them happy.

 

[FLchick415]

So then you are saying photobombing id OK as long as they do it the way YOU want it done?
So then you would get upset if someone got in all your pictures and did something vulgar? then it isn't OK but we are in the wrong for not wanting any of it, interesting..........

I never said you were wrong for not wanting any of it. But okay.

 

[Magpie]

I don't disagree with the premise, but consider that the person doing the bombing probably thinks that it is funny to get bombed, too. The point is to try and see that the other person is not trying to ruin your picture or your vacation. They are just having fun and trying to do it with others.

Should we stop all activity that isn't pleasing to everyone? Is there such an activity as one that is pleasing to everyone?

Maybe we should all just try to have fun in our own way and try to be a little more understanding of people who go about it in a different way. Tolerance isn't enough because that implies that one side is better than the other. What is needed is a real desire to understand and appreciate people who are different.

I think the line needs to be drawn at involving other people in what pleases US, without consideration for whether or not it may please them.

For instance, it might please me to draw on a bald man's head with a magic marker. I might even be considerate enough to use washable marker. I might think it's a hilarious joke.

Should I sneak up behind him and do it? No, not unless he's related to me and I already know he'll enjoy the humour of it.

Society functions on basic rules of courtesy. One of these basic rules is the rule that you endeavor not to insert yourself into strangers lives, whenever possible. You can introduce yourself to a stranger. You can have a polite, friendly conversation with them. But you should try (within reason) to keep yourself out of their photos... unless you've been invited to be there.

Have fun your own way, but don't impose your fun on others. That's rude.

 

[Planogirl]

I understand why some people are saying that this is just harmless fun but it's clear that it annoys some people. Are their rights any less than people that enjoy this?

 

[surferdave]

I'm not at all passionate about this subject at all and probably lean towards the don't photobomb camp, but I hope some of you guys remember this thread the next time someone posts passionately about some issue you don't consider a big deal and want to tell them they should relax, not worry, you're at Disney! It can't be that bad! First World Problems and all.

 

[JRawkSteady]

Someone else jumping into your photo is NOT messing up your photo. It's not rude. It's not childish.

My fiancee and I have had many many laughs at photobombed photos from Disney. These are the ones we like the most. I don't do it, because it's not my style, but I have no problem with people who do.

 

[chrismb22]

For instance, it might please me to draw on a bald man's head with a magic marker. I might even be considerate enough to use washable marker. I might think it's a hilarious joke.

I just got a mental picture of this and it made my Monday morning -- THANK YOU

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I think the line needs to be drawn at involving other people in what pleases US, without consideration for whether or not it may please them.

I agree with the thought, but no the reaction. We cannot control what someone else might or might not do to us, but we can control our reaction. My posts are about how we react to a perceived slight.

 

[magicbob]

Wow! When I first read the OP's question I never imagined such negative responses! Isn't that the beauty of digital cameras?

Hahaha... I'm so surprised by all the negative responses.... Personally I think WDW is the best place on earth to photobomb!!! C'mon, laugh a little! We've all got digitial cameras now days... you look at the picture and notice the photobomb idiot and take another one! Its not like it really messes up your memories! I laugh when I get photobomed... I'm like ahhh they got me!

Unless you don't notice it until you get home and then you don't have a chance to take another picture to replace it.

And as someone who IS pretty proficient at photoshop, I can tell you that it's not that easy to remove a person from a photo. Especially if the scenery behind them (which you probably wanted in the picture or else why would you pose there?) is something intricate like a castle and not just a gray wall or a blue sky.

Right. I am not talking about jumping in front of a picture or getting in the way of a photo taken by a CM. This is about a random group taking a random photo and you are in the background and you just smile and wave. Something goofy like that.

I thought if it wasn't done in a "creative" way it was just stupid?

Someone else jumping into your photo is NOT messing up your photo. It's not rude. It's not childish.

My fiancee and I have had many many laughs at photobombed photos from Disney. These are the ones we like the most. I don't do it, because it's not my style, but I have no problem with people who do.

Just because you are ok with it, that doesn't excuse the behavior. It may not be messing up YOUR photo, but that doesn't mean it's not messing up someone else's.

Actually in civilized society there is. That is what makes it civilized. There are standard accepted practices or else there would be anarchy.

I disagree, there are things that are universally rude. If you see a family taking a posed picture and you weren't invited to be part of their picture then making sure you are in it is rude. Someone else may not think what you did was rude, but the behavior itself is in fact rude.

 

[redefine6]

Photo-bombing has become a part of pop culture. That doesn't justify doing it to a total stranger, however, it's not going to cost them an extra "roll of film" (wow, when was the last time you heard that).

I can see it being funny around family and friends, as I have done it myself and it turned out comical for the latter.

Stop getting all butt-hurt over something that's out of your control.

 

[gwynne]

I agree with the thought, but no the reaction. We cannot control what someone else might or might not do to us, but we can control our reaction. My posts are about how we react to a perceived slight.

Basically...
Guests who are minding their own business need to be super extra understanding of folks who who amuse themselves by deliberately invading others personal space.
I don't think so.

 

[JeremyGNJ]

Photo-bombing has become a part of pop culture. That doesn't justify doing it to a total stranger, however, it's not going to cost them an extra "roll of film" (wow, when was the last time you heard that).

Hey, I looks back at the pics from when I went to Disney as a kid. I could easily make the argument that the clothes people wore in the early 80's ruined my photos.

 

[Magpie]

I agree with the thought, but no the reaction. We cannot control what someone else might or might not do to us, but we can control our reaction. My posts are about how we react to a perceived slight.

Sure, ideally we'd all react to photobombers in a civilized way, telling them politely but firmly that they're being rude and their "humour" is unwelcome. That's assuming we even notice, and it's not just a disappointing discovery when we get home. ("Aw, everyone's eyes are open in this photo, but there's a jerk in the background making faces. Guess this won't be our family Christmas card, after all.")

However, photobombers also need to control their impulses. Two wrongs do not make a right.

I am responsible only for my own actions, and that includes choosing to not harass others in ways that I know very well might be unwelcome. I would never put the onus on a complete stranger to "control his impulses", if I deliberately chose to violate his personal space or inserted myself into his family photo.

My right to "have fun" does not EVER trump anyone else's right to be left alone by me.

 

[2Tiggies]

Hey, I looks back at the pics from when I went to Disney as a kid. I could easily make the argument that the clothes people wore in the early 80's ruined my photos.

The 80's ... yeah that sounds about right. Photobombed by giant shoulder pads and big hair.