Our Rights to Privacy/ Our Rights as Photgraphers

Reading Lester’s article on rights to Privacy was more informational then anything. I never have really put thought in to what kind of rights people and photographers have. This is a very interesting topic that touches many issues, freedom of press, free speech, the rights of Americans, etc. This article helps define what, in the eyes of the public, is deemed ethical and what seems wrong. What I got out of the article was two things. One being the general guidelines for what is deemed ethical in photojournalism, and the other being a series of examples that show how these lines can sometimes be unclear, indistinct, and uncertain. In general, I agree with the article and think that, for me, it has given me a sense of what I can shoot and how to go about getting my shots in an ethical manor. Some of the stories/ examples did surprise me. I often found myself forming an opinion as I begin reading the example but as I read on I was interested and often surprised to find the outcome. For example, the case of Hilda Bridges, I was surprised that the picture was published at first. I wasn’t sure if that was right, but as I read on I did agree with the courts that the photographer does have the right to print what is deemed “newsworthy”, and as long as the photographer actions was NOT extreme and does not go “ beyond all possible bounds of decency”.
I did like reading about “Migrant Mother”. It was cool to hear how that picture/photo affected the life of that woman. Not only did the image make her face an icon of the times but I found it even more interesting that in her later years, over 15,000 dollars were donated to her when she became ill. Plus, it was cool to get a little extra history about the photo on the cover. That is amazing to me, because of the photo not only did she receive mass recognition but it even brought assistance to her n her ailing years. These rules for people rights to privacy are important because we as photographer need to know where the lines are drawn, and what lines we should not cross. A good example of crossing those lines would be Ron Galella and the unethical manor in which he pursued Jackie Onassis. We must respect the privacy rights of others. Overall, I don’t dispute any of the claims that Lester makes. I don’t exactly think that a person should shoot in to a public window, but I will defend his right to do so. The overall message that I took form the article and I believe all should take from the article, is the most important, evident statement made. “Legal rights should not be the guiding principles for ethical consideration. What is legally acceptable is not always the right/(ethical) action to take”.