Question about shooting underage matches

Saint_Mel

Quick question, had a look through the section but couldnt spot anything similiar asked.

I was recently asked to take pics at my GAA clubs match against our local rivals. The game was at Minor (U18) level, and it was the team manager who asked me.

Now I dont know if the Club want the pics for the newspaper or their website etc., dont mind either way, but just wondering, as its U18 would I be able to upload them to my flickr or would it fall under child protection etc or would I have to seek parential permission from anyone in shot?

Fighting Irish

I think legally you're fine, but probably better off taking some precautions, too many planks around these days

sineadw

I have shots from my son's GAA matches (under 8's) up on Pixie - the manager asked me to take them and I said I'd take them down if there were issues - it was the easiest way to share them with him and the other parents. I haven't had any complaints of yet. All the parents saw me with the big camera, and a lot of the team shots have been used for local papers anyway.

Legally you're fine, but ask the manager out of courtesy and respect. Personally I'd rather use pixie than flickr for this - I know that doesn't really make any sense, it just feels better..

Dink

sineadw wrote: »

I have shots from my son's GAA matches (under 8's) up on Pixie - the manager asked me to take them and I said I'd take them down if there were issues - it was the easiest way to share them with him and the other parents. I haven't had any complaints of yet. All the parents saw me with the big camera, and a lot of the team shots have been used for local papers anyway.

Legally you're fine, but ask the manager out of courtesy and respect. Personally I'd rather use pixie than flickr for this - I know that doesn't really make any sense, it just feels better..

Same with me, Under 8's to Under 12's. All up on pixie to share. Once you have permission to be there from the club you should be ok.

Eirebear

sineadw wrote: »

Personally I'd rather use pixie than flickr for this - I know that doesn't really make any sense, it just feels better..

Now there is a marketing line for Pixie, "pix.ie-Less paedophiles than Flickr since 2007!"

:pac:

AnCatDubh

many people will have dozens of images of children on parade at St. Patrick's Day. I be sticking my neck out but there's not really a terrible difference. Not a legal opinion but i'd think images taken in a public place with no expressed presumption of privacy should leave you legally sound (again stress the not a legal opinion bit). Obviously to keep the peace agree to take down should anyone have an issue or cause to complain to you.

melekalikimaka

sineadw wrote: »

Legally you're fine, but ask the manager out of courtesy and respect. Personally I'd rather use pixie than flickr for this - I know that doesn't really make any sense, it just feels better..

to quote brasseye

paedophiles were genetically closer to crabs than humans. "There's no real evidence for it, but it's a scientific fact,"

sineadw

gotta love brasseye

njburke

Glad this topic came up.
I've been taking photos at my nine year olds soccer games for the last few months, I also give a hand at the training sessions etc so I'm somewhat involved in the team, the two team coaches live in my estate and I've known them for some time.

I didn't give it much thought initially but a couple of incidents have popped up recently. I started taking the photos initially out of my interest in photography but soon realised that they might serve another purpose ,mainly in building confidence etc.

Anyway the current plan is to get an action shot of each of the lads wearing the jersey with the ball at his feet,looking like any of the professional players that they're bombarded with, if only for 1/500th, easier said then done I might add. I plan to distribute all the decent photographs on CD at the end of the season along with a print or two, I might put them up on pix.ie under password protection.

At more than one match I've been approached by either a parent or coach on the other team who've been asked who I am and whats with all the photos. First time, the penny didn't drop with me so the conversation was a little awkward until it clicked with me. I explained who I was and what the photos were about, and that five minutes earlier one his lads had score with a bicycle kick from 15 metres out.

Then it happened again at another match.
Sinead, I doubt if you would get asked the same questions at underage games, its just one of the burdens that men have to bear.

Yes, I know there are huge societal issues here, but its the assumption that really bothers me, almost to the point of jacking it in. But I've only got about 16 of 22 shots I need. So, I guess I'll just keep answering the questions or get a T shirt printed.

sineadw

@nj - you're dead right - I get away with it because I'm female. Its crap, but I guess its the way it is. TBH there was a guy hanging out at a lot of my little guy's matches who didn't seem to be connected to the team and he made me nervous till I was told who he was, so I'm as guilty as any other..

What bafles me about photography though is that these guys don't feckin NEED to trawl photography sites - there's enough horribleness online for all of them. And if they want to see kids in jerseys they're all over the papers anyway. Ugh - I hate even thinking about it

I do find it ironic though that local papers intentionally take shots of kids and publish them because they *know* it'll help their circulation with all the proud parents buying copies. What makes online publication so different?

Sigh - sorry for the OTness OP

Paulw

I've shot underage sports before. Never had a problem. Always best to introduce yourself, and just let the team managers know you're photographing the game. It tends to rule out any problems/questions even before the game starts.

Dodgykeeper

Have never had any problem shooting kids games! Same as Paul does I introduce myself to both coaches.

njburke

Ok, maybe I'll try that or ping an email to the league manager. I didn't really want to make a big deal of taking photographs, as I'm still on the learning curve. Sinead, I could stand with the other parents I know, but they usually stand on the midfield. I tend to wander down near the opposing goal which puts me out on my own.

Thirdfox

sineadw wrote: »

What bafles me about photography though is that these guys don't feckin NEED to trawl photography sites - there's enough horribleness online for all of them. And if they want to see kids in jerseys they're all over the papers anyway. Ugh - I hate even thinking about it

I do find it ironic though that local papers intentionally take shots of kids and publish them because they *know* it'll help their circulation with all the proud parents buying copies. What makes online publication so different?

Sigh - sorry for the OTness OP

Back to Brasseye:

Presenter: So you're sexually attracted to my son then?
Paedo: Not really.
Presenter: ...um, why not?
Paedo: Not my type...
etc.

If the first thought someone has when they see a person taking a picture of a child or themselves is that the photog is a sexual deviant then that probably says more about the person (or the society/culture in which that person lives) than the photographer. It's really interesting - coming from an Asian background we don't really have qualms about this at all... yet I know that paedophilia exists but it really isn't the first thing that comes across my mind when someone takes a picture of my sister, younger cousins etc.

And like you say Sinead - if one wants child porn, I daresay it is quite easy to find on the internet.

colblimp

Reading through this thread got me thinking - isn't it a sad state of affairs when we have to discuss whether it's acceptable to take pictures of kids and what people think we're doing whilst we're taking said pictures?

When I had my first ever 'real' camera back in the mid-eighties, I was positively encouraged to take pictures of kids. In fact, when I was at football matches (soccer), I'd have parents coming up to me asking me to take their childs picture! We're living in sad times...

GhostInTheRuins

colblimp wrote: »

Reading through this thread got me thinking - isn't it a sad state of affairs when we have to discuss whether it's acceptable to take pictures of kids and what people think we're doing whilst we're taking said pictures?

When I had my first ever 'real' camera back in the mid-eighties, I was positively encouraged to take pictures of kids. In fact, when I was at football matches (soccer), I'd have parents coming up to me asking me to take their childs picture! We're living in sad times...

I agree, there's way too much paranoia about. The other day someone told me they didn't like leaving their kid in the school playground in the morning because someone could "offer him some sweets" :rolleyes:

I suppose the media's to blame.

Dodgykeeper

On the flip side of this if my son came home from football training or my daughter came home from the Cubs and told me there was some random person there taking pictures, I think I would like to know more details, Information is key here and telling the coaches etc what you are doing and why is the first thing you should do!

They are sad times but with the ease at which pictures can be accessed and distributed on the web it is important to be vigilant!

jaqian

@njburke

I don't know if you have a website etc but maybe you could get one of those yellow hi-vis vests with "njburke-photography.ie" or similar printed as well as introducing yourself to managers etc. Might make it easier for yourself. Just a thought.

colblimp

jaqian wrote: »

@njburke

I don't know if you have a website etc but maybe you could get one of those yellow hi-vis vests with "njburke-photography.ie" or similar printed as well as introducing yourself to managers etc. Might make it easier for yourself. Just a thought.

That's actually a really good idea, I like it!

sheesh

Saint_Mel wrote: »

Quick question, had a look through the section but couldnt spot anything similiar asked.

I was recently asked to take pics at my GAA clubs match against our local rivals. The game was at Minor (U18) level, and it was the team manager who asked me.

Now I dont know if the Club want the pics for the newspaper or their website etc., dont mind either way, but just wondering, as its U18 would I be able to upload them to my flickr or would it fall under child protection etc or would I have to seek parential permission from anyone in shot?

similar situation myself. went onto volunteer.ie last year to do some volunteer work (I know, I'm great amn't I. ) the only photography one on locally was for a local junior soccer team got photographs of the kids playing and their St Patricks day parade. I asked for an ID card and make sure I hang around talking to the coaches. This kind of thing ends up in loads a paranoia and piss taking from my brother . But it has given me practice in photo jounalism/sports photography type of stuff.

As long as you have permission from the football coach you are fine legally is my understanding. As long as you are not selling them and just using them to promote the club it is ok.

jaqian

colblimp wrote: »

That's actually a really good idea, I like it!

I do get one from time to time

Paulw

sheesh wrote: »

As long as you have permission from the football coach you are fine legally is my understanding. As long as you are not selling them and just using them to promote the club it is ok.

I don't get the "as long as you are not selling them" bit. Of course you can sell them - to the papers, to the clubs, to the players, to their families, etc. You are well within your rights to sell them.

You cannot sell them for advertising purposes though.

sheesh

Paulw wrote: »

I don't get the "as long as you are not selling them" bit. Of course you can sell them - to the papers, to the clubs, to the players, to their families, etc. You are well within your rights to sell them.

You cannot sell them for advertising purposes though.

Sorry. yes you are right. for documentary or journalistic no problem but you could not put them up on a stock photo site for sale if you do not have model releases for each of the people in the photograph that are identifiable

LeoB

Every weekend my friend and myself take a lot of photos of juvenile and adult G.A.A games. If I was asked to stop I wouldnt. Had this out with 1 parent who asked me what I was doing I simply replied "taking photos". No I wasnt cheeky but told him to get a grip they would be also on club website and in 2 newspapers. The alternative was for him to take his child off the pitch but I was not being stopped by any person because it was not P.C at the time. I have had to tell parents in our club to stop moaning about camcorders being used at juvenile or adult games.
Taking shots at 11a.m going home uploading them and sending them off to U.S.A, Australia or somwhere is great for family overseas. And if you get a good one send it to the local paper they will sell an extra few copies

It says more about the doubting people who look at us suspiously than it does about us.

Agree with Colblimp sentiments. Its just a sad sad state of affairs when we feel we have to discuss this.

Log on to www.stmaursgaa.ie and you will see over 5 thousand photos. Our visits to web site have increased by about 80% since we started putting up photos every week. Oh and while you are there buy a lotto ticket the jackpot is is going up €250 this week.

JUST KEEP CLICKING AWAY.

Saint_Mel

Just a quick update on this. I asked the manager (who asked me to do the shoot) to speak to the Child Protection Officer at the club. There was no problem at all, in fact they liked the set and want me to to cover games more often

mikemac

jaqian wrote: »

@njburke

I don't know if you have a website etc but maybe you could get one of those yellow hi-vis vests with "njburke-photography.ie" or similar printed as well as introducing yourself to managers etc. Might make it easier for yourself. Just a thought.

I think this is a fantastic idea.

Back to the OP, always good to have a word with the coaches first.
Now even if you don't need their permission it shows respect and that's always a good thing.
But it's not the coaches who will have a problem, it's the over zealous parents.

njburke

For the game yesterday, I went to the coach of the opposing team and introduced myself told him I'ld be taking a few photos. No problems.
I'ld borrowed a D300 and there was good light so the pictures were good, so I spent a few minutes showing the pictures after the games to the other parents.
Not keen on the Hi Vis jacket idea.