Larry said:
just a comment - do bear in mind that "unflattering" is a subjective term. what may be acceptable to some would be out of the question to others.
Simple question.
Is a photo of strangers with distorted lips/jaws and tongue sticking out while having a meal any flattering? Drifting a bit farther, are the photos of the late Princess Diana in a bloodied state inside her wrecked car flattering and respectful? Yes or no? If you think it is flattering, pls post more of such photos, including other unflattering variations. This is a free forum. No one stops you. But people will be disgusted, especially the subjects. If you post a photo that is flattering to you but actually very unflattering to the known/unknown subject, other viewers/forumers/people will comment. Already there are a few who expressed that they can tell what is an unflattering photo.
It is not an offence. No one is gonna jail you or fine you. But it is just not courteous to post such photos of strangers. I cannot say whether you will be sued off your arse for posting if it is a prominent figure that is pictured.
Yes, I am not just garnering support for a stand I made. I want to publicise this to make sure it doesn't happen again. If Clubsnap, Offstone or any other forum has more of such photos, the repute and standards will only suffer with the unwitting subjects of the photos.
This is different from the public prank/"Just Kidding" TV shows. These TV shows are filtered, screened edited before transmission. I am sure the public caught unaware are asked for their permission after seeing the footage. And if the subjects caught unaware on the TV shows are reasonably upset after filming, the footage would not have seen the light of day to avoid conflicts and to be accountable to the subject.
For this type of street photography, I am referring to "clear-cut unflattering" photos of strangers in unflattering poses, mannerisms, acts or gestures. Shooting strangers in public eating with tongue sticking out plus distorted lips and subsequently publishing them is a definite no-no. I am not referring to unflattering studio shots or portraits where the paid/unpaid models are asked for their opinions to determine whether we, the artists, will exhibit our works or not.
You do not need to go to university to understand this, just some common sense is enough.
This is not directed at any individual or to slam anybody for past actions.
This poll is directed at what is right and what needs to be corrected to improve.