Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kinetic Kristen* on February 24, 2009 at 7:27am

I feel the same way.....I don't mind if someone is watching me from a distance but taking pictures, eh not so much. I just had this experience a few weeks ago; I went to hoop outside of my apartment building and some dude who lives on the opposite side of my building (where I was hooping in the grass) was taking pictures from his living room window! I knew b/c I could hear his disposable camera click and turn..... It would be one thing if he asked but he didn't and this man has never spoken to me before. It felt a tid bit creepy.

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Permalink Reply by Mad Maxine on February 24, 2009 at 7:53am

Yeah. We're all surrounded by technology these days, and people are going to use it. What they do with those images later is going to be potentially creepy. It's a good reason not to go to the same place every day at a predictable time.

I joined a gym so that I don't have to go to the park every day right down the street from my house. I will do hooping there periodically, but would prefer to do it with a group. I also wanted to join the gym so that I can get good enough at hooping to be able to pay attention to what's going on around me, which I think is really important no matter what you're doing.

In the same vein, I don't walk around outside with headphones plugged into my ears. Ever. But I was born in the 60's, when violence against women was more common. The world is really a lot more safe than it used to be.

The goal here is not to be paranoid, but to be cautious. Don't be afraid to approach people who skeeve you and tell them that you would appreciate that they be considerate and ask your permission to do what they're doing. If they're a creep, they're likely to go away if you approach them anyway. But the majority of people just don't think twice about whipping out a camera, and aren't thinking about the discomfort that may cause their subject. And keep a phone with you in case you need it for an emergency.

Also, you could print up a t-shirt or tank top that says PLEASE ASK BEFORE YOU FILM, and flash it when needed.
:)

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Permalink Reply by Sassy-Hooper on February 24, 2009 at 9:47am

I agree with if they make contact. I have been to many shows with my LED and there is always the creepy dude in the corner taking shots. All I want from anyone is to come up and say "I like what you are doing...do you mind..." then I could care less. I am a photographer and I ALWAYS ask if it's cool that I am taking your photo. I try to never post a picture unless I have approval from that person. It's just basic respect.
Now I have performed and that is a whole different story. I believe then you can take as many pics as you want. But I suppose that is common sense, since I am putting myself out there.
You have to admidt, as a hooper you sorta get used to the stares and people gathering around.....I think it drives a lot of us. Sharing the love.
Good question!!

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Permalink Reply by Tangled Macrame on March 4, 2009 at 7:21am

I hoop in a (mostly) empty lobby on campus. Most folks I see are at a distance, which is fine. We see each other and move on with our lives. The thing that bugs me is when people walk through the lobby and act like they don't see me. No eye contact, no hello. Nothing. It makes me feel really awkward, like I'm somehow intruding. Maybe it's egotistical or niave to expect a hello or a smile, but we're sharing space...might as well acknowledge it.

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Permalink Reply by Sister Lil Bunny on March 18, 2009 at 9:13pm

Again new so sorry if this is too late of a response.

I still feel very awkward if someone is watching/photo/videoing me while I'm practicing outside of our normal practice area. I finally started hooping out back of our place (2 duplexes with a church/apartment complex next door). I have never felt so self conscious even doing something as simple as waist hooping! LOL especially since I was trying to learn new movements and smooth out the ones I know. I know it's just getting used to it but oh my goodness, I felt like a frog in a blender at times.

My direct neighbors (in the duplex) were very awesome and said they thought what I was doing was interesting and have no problem with it. They respect my privacy as long as it isn't interfering with theirs. YAY for them! The other's from across the way taking photos to show what freaks we are to the landlord? Not going to worry. The other's taking photos because they'd never seen it before? I'm sortof ok. I just really would like them to ask because I could use the promotion.

I try not to notice because it throws me off. I'd really rather have them say "Hey, what are you doing?" versus covert ops. I love a crowd, just hate the voyeurs. If that makes sense?

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Permalink Reply by Willow on March 18, 2009 at 10:01pm

I agree with everything... I don't mind you taking pics or videos of me but ask please. I have never had a problem with this I would hoop in the park where me and friends all got together on Monday and no one was really there. My back yard where I used to live was set back off the road since we had a walk out basement. Now luckily I live on a 175 acre nature sanctuary so the only people around are the 3 family's that live on the land with the exception of the festivals that go on here.

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Permalink Reply by Zbena on January 29, 2010 at 7:41pm

I don't care if people watch me, so long as they are not making rude comments or constantly cat calling or just generally being immature.
However, regardless of the situation, if someone photographs me or videotapes me without my permission, i will get super pissed.

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Permalink Reply by Mallory Marcone on February 2, 2010 at 3:33pm

i agree...if you're going to go hoop out in public, you're basically saying that you don't mind if people take your picture or record you. I mean, are you going to stop hooping in the middle of a song just to tell someone they need to put their camera/phone/whatever away? you might as well hoop in your own yard or garage or something.

I don't mind when people record me or take pictures, it just makes me feel really self-conscious and i get nervous about messing up whenever someone is watching. but, being a belly dancer on top of a hooper, i've learned that you have to put yourself out there and get over it...

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Permalink Reply by MaisieHoops of *HulaHoopers.ca* on February 2, 2010 at 6:59pm

I agree that if you hoop in any space that is public, you will have your photo/video taken. I don't necessarily think it's right, but then again we are spinning big flashy circles around our waists that does scream "attention" even if that is not our purpose.

What really makes me realize this is when I was looking for some festival videos I came across one of a topless lady hula hooping. Someone took the video and posted it on youtube. I have no idea whether the lady gave her permission or not... I sure hope the person asked permission, but you never know. I cringe to think of this mama just hooping to some wonderful music and enjoying the scene and not having a clue about the video that's about to be shared with youtube. :(

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Permalink Reply by Allison on February 3, 2010 at 6:17am

I know that sometimes hooping is a spectacle - it's something that is not a part of everyone's worldscapes. & as such, I don't mind if people watch most of the time - the majority of people I've encountered are pretty polite about watching/looking. It is part of the reason my personal practice time is so important - I 'cut off' from that world & do what I want to practice.

However, I disagree with the idea that just because I'm spinning something that is shiny & big that I "deserve" to have my personal space infringed upon. For some people, that's a photo - for some people, that's a video clip.

& to me, this conversation has cross-over with Feminism & Hoopdance. The male gaze. The difference between spectacle & objectification. For women, being watched is often a common occurrence that we have to be aware of, to check our surroundings, to ensure our safety. There's a double-ness to these people's act of taking what they (usually) think of as a simple photo.

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Permalink Reply by sparkles on February 2, 2010 at 10:03pm

this is a huge pet peeve of mine!!!! i dont mind people watching and maybe talking to me when im done but usually i have headphones on and cant hear them when they try to speak to me and then they just mess my flow.. i do a lot of nude hooping on a nude beach and i can say I HATE the digital age . everyone thinks they are a photographer first off you should always ask permission to take a photo second you should not have a camera at a nude beach... Usually one of my friends will notice and yell at them to stop... if i see them i will make them give me the camera to scroll through and erase any images of me or anyone i know.if they dont cooperate i knock there camera in the sand usually by then there are bigger guy friends around that will help out with the intimadation factor then i point at them and call them a pervert (loudly) until they are chased off the beach or put the damn camera away it is so rude. also i do fire hoop (usually naked)and i can understand (kinda) wanting to take pics of that but come on dont be so rude to use a flash!! before digital when people saw you doing something cool they would ask if it was all right then offer to send you a copy ( and boy how i would love some copies of pics people have of me fire hooping cuz i cant take them and my man is usually holding down the drum beat with the other drummers so i dont have any) now people just think its their right to click your image and download it on thier computer website blog or whatever and they are offended when you ask them to stop. uhg

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Permalink Reply by sparkles on February 4, 2010 at 5:31pm

you know what--- i actually dont post any videos of myself on the internet EVER...ever never ever

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