Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by beth lavinder on February 6, 2010 at 8:13am

I know exactly what you mean. I just want to clarify my statement about enthusiasm about cameras at Burning Man. I want to record some of the experience for myself, but I would definitely want to be respectful of the citizens there.

I'm suddenly having this very intense flashback to living in Japan and traveling in Asia. I took loads of pictures of course, because the differences delighted me and I wanted to "document" my journeys. I had this moment though, where I became aware of the fact that I was going through these countries with my camera, snapping pictures (this was back in the day of film and before the internet, but still), and I realized that these people were just living their day to day lives. I thought about how I would feel running errands in town or hanging my laundry on the line and some "foreigner" came up and started taking pictures.

Perhaps it's a little like that for some of us hoopdancers. Our expression is sort of normal (and necessary) for us. But for folks who don't hoop, what we do may seem remarkable, or at least different enough that it warrants documentation. There is a sort of stepping away that we do when we put a camera to our eye and start taking pictures of people we don't know. And to be on the other side of that camera can feel disturbing, especially when we don't know where the results will end up.

Hope to see you at Burning Man, Sandra!

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Permalink Reply by Mallory Marcone on February 6, 2010 at 9:20am

just adding on to what beth said, i do think most people take pictures or record because they find hooping amazing and out of the ordinary. i agree that if i'm hooping and i notice that someone's taking a video, it does sort of make me nervous beause now i dont want to mess up. but honestly, if no one ever tried to take a photo or video of me dancing, that would make me feel worse. i'd feel like i wasn't a very good dancer, and so no one wanted to record it because it wasn't worth it...so while that kind of thing can be annoying, i'd rather have people taking pictures and recording than people glancing and simply walking by...

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Permalink Reply by Farren Square on February 6, 2010 at 11:59am

"Don't let them discourage you from doing what you do, and if you remain positive about it more people will probably ask for permission in the long run."

Yes, exactly! Maybe it is a little idealistic, but (like I mentioned in my above post) a lot of people don't realize that asking permission is the right thing to do when you approach a stranger in a public place where he or she is not obviously performing or busking.
Maybe as hoopers and positive individuals, we can approach those who were taking pictures, hand out an e-mail address asking for any good shots to be forwarded and politely teach them that asking permission first or during is always ideal.

The more that I reflect on this topic, though, the more I realize that I almost NEVER pick up negative vibes from onlookers or photographers. Generally people are appreciative, curious, and admire the performance. No, I don't hoop naked publically - I could but I realise the consequences of those actions and so I choose not to.

Besides, I've looked at my still-shots that random people have taken of me while hooping. Trust me, it ain't sexy. hahahahahhaha

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Permalink Reply by Mallory Marcone on February 7, 2010 at 10:43am

"Besides, I've looked at my still-shots that random people have taken of me while hooping. Trust me, it ain't sexy."

Seriously! i had my friend's dad, who's an amateur photographer, take some photos of me hooping once, and my face looks horrible in all of them...i think it's because when i hoop i'm not thinking about my face, and so all these weird expressions come out of nowhere. even pics of me bellydancing always turn out strange if i'm not aware that picture is being taken -__-;;

and i think that's a good idea, coming up to someone who took photos and asking if you can see the photos or if they can send some of them to you.

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Permalink Reply by Sue on February 14, 2010 at 3:49am

I don't care who does what really, provided they keep out of my way. I'll hoop in town centres (with other hoopers) or in parks or on the beach on my own. And I can be seen hooping in my garden.

I just know that if I were not a hooper and I saw someone doing what I do, I'd stand and watch with interest because it looks so pretty. So I don't mind others doing the same. If they want to take photos that's fine too. But then I'm older than most hoopers, so I guess I don't feel threatened in the same way. They aren't going to be taking photos of me because they think I'm hot stuff for instance! Unless they have a zimmer frame as well as a camera ;~)

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Permalink Reply by Shelly "Holly Hula" McB on February 15, 2010 at 12:07am

WoW! This is definitely an interesting thread. I hadn't even thought about it much - people taking pictures. It always seemed like a pretty normal thing and never really bothered me. After reading this I wondered if I should be giving more thought to it... but I think I'm going to stick to it not bothering me. Less stress. :)

I agree that there are always a few weird people out there, but the majority of them just think it looks cool and have never seen anything like it. I've found that most of the time people will approach me and ask for my facebook info to share the pics with me. If they don't approach me, I don't really care that much. It's not like I'm doing anything wrong. I think it just doesn't occur to most people that snapping a few shots could be offensive.

(BTW - I totally think staredown girl is a badass. I will keep that tactic in mind for the freakydeaks.)

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Permalink Reply by Christin on February 23, 2010 at 11:55am

I am a photography major. In about a year I will have my Bachelors of Science in Photography! As a photographer I always ask because if it were me I would want someone to ask me. But also as a photographer we know that there is a HUGE difference between catching someone in their moment which adds to the essence of the photograph and asking first and then the photograph becoming posed and not natural.

I guess you can mostly tell the difference between a photographer and a creeper. I usually introduce myself and get someones permission and if they say yes I will wait anywhere from a 1/2 hour to an hour because eventually they will forget I'm there. In my opinion I say if they look professional then keep your head up and do your best because they just may want to use you in a newpapers, magazine, etc. and if so they would have to approach you at some point and get your information. If its a creeper I would just ask them to stop because they probably don't know the law. The law does state that in any public place photography IS allowed but they probably wouldn't know that anyways.

I have been cursed out, swung at, and chased down at festival : / A festival is probably the only place I do not ask every single person I photograph for permission. People either hate it and ask me to erase it or they give me their e-mail so I can send them a copy.

I say if anyone has a problem with being photographed just speak up or maybe even just move to a different spot if your in a park and hope they will get the hint. Any decent person/photographer would respect your wishes.

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Permalink Reply by BenaeQuee on March 11, 2010 at 10:35am

Usually I do not mind when people take pictures... depending on where I am. Hooping at Dragon Con dressed as Slave Leia, I welcomed it and made sure my facial expression at all times was 'pretty' as possible. I knew people would take picures, it's a convention, that's what you do. I found some great shots by people who took them when I was totally zoning and loving it. See my profile picture, it's my all time favorite candid photo.

When I just want to take a break at lunch and hoop in Bryant Park, I prefer that people ask. Years of being photographed at conventions has kind of given me a 'sixth sense' about people taking pictures. I can feel out the creepy guy in the corner whom I usually turn to, stare at and just stop. Most of the time they get the hint and leave. One guy insisted on continuing so I confronted him on it. I told him to stop or I'd call the park security on him (security knows the hoopers and love watching us). He didn't listen so he high tailed it out of there when I called over the security guy. Other people are usually more than happy to ask and want to try too. My friend and I ended up in the NY Times online last year during our lunch break. It was hilarious because neither of us knew about it until all our friends and family were sending us the link the next day.

It's inevitable and will happen eventually. If you don't want to be photographed, turn your back to them, nothing worse than a subject that refuses to photograph properly ;-)

With photos and videos, it's best NOT to think about what the person may be doing with them, it will turn you off in a big way and you could miss out on something fun in the long run (great candids and media!). Besides, it can sometimes be fun searching through Flickr for pics of you :-D

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Permalink Reply by disco* Lissa on March 11, 2010 at 1:38pm

sigh...I have read this thread and not commented ....but on the weekend I came to realize I needed to change where I am hooping b/c these guys in the condo building across from my spot were gawking and being really suspicious. They were making me uncomfortable and it sucked. One guy yelled and I screwed up and hit myself in the face (first time it left a mark too!!!grrr).

Then I posted a blog on here and one male on this site made a comment. It was kinda insensitive, so journal post was made private. I'm still thinking about it and ...now I'm hesitant to go outside and hoop until I figure out what to do. The thread gives alot to think about and many perspectives. Grateful that its here...Thanks.

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