The ethics of cameras

[Geoff Sykes]

Simple good manners and ethics go hand in hand. I am of the opinion that if
you don't ask the answer is always going to be "no". But under most
circumstances, good manners and ethics dictate that "no" should be assumed
and that asking in the first place should probably be avoided. Especially on
a first visit. And how you ask that question, as David points out, is really
important. Thanks for the suggestion David.

-- G

• Geoff Sykes, RPT
• 626-799-7545
• www.ivories52.com 


-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of david at piano.plus.com
Sent: Thursday, September 25, 2008 2:06 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: The ethics of cameras


Recognising that this is primarily a USA list, which American colleagues are
gracious enough to make availiable to us all worldwide, there are perhaps
three factors to consider regarding use of cameras in clients'
homes:

1) The law
2) Common social perception regarding photography
3) The client

LAW: The law certainly varies between countries. In France, for example,
Privacy law is draconian and rights to image-making belong very much to the
individual. You cannot legally, for example, make a photograph of the front
of a charming country house and sell it as postcards - rights in the image
of the building belong to the building's owner.

The law accords the individual in most countries, the right to say what
behaviour is - or is not - permitted in his home, and to eject anyone who
breaks the rules. Smoking would be an example. But so might photography.

SOCIAL PERCEPTION: In the UK, for various reasons, we have become much more
sensitive about camera use, and it's perhaps a hotter issue here than in the
US. In America you are the great spiritual fathers of photography! The
instance of a photo taken without the owner's permission and then it
appearing in the Journal, and the owner liking this, could very well have a
different outcome in the UK, I think.

THE CLIENT:  OF course individuals vary in their outlook. some might be very
happy to have their room photographed, and some might not. And it might
depend on the use to which the photo was to be put.

My feeling is that if the owner is around, and seems approachable, it would
always be appropriate to ask permission: "Your piano looks and sounds so
good in this lovely ambience, I wonder if I might photograph the room to
show a few colleagues?" is surely an inoffensive request.

One could adduce a fourth category to the three above, perhaps, as Simple
Good Manners.

Best regards,

David.


"So... I was called to tune a 9' Yamaha CF in a customers home studio
yesterday. The room was HUGE! From where I was sitting at the piano a
couldn't throw a basketball and hit the pool table at the other end of the
room. Two stories to the ceiling, with a balcony set up for vocals, deeply
recessed skylights and a walk-in fireplace that was as big as my living
room. AND the acoustics of this room were simply extraordinary. Since my
personal ethics prevent me from just whipping out my camera and taking a
couple of quick shots when the customer is out of the room, how else can I
document this experience, if for no other reason than to add to the category
of vacation photos, for my own enjoyment?"

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