The reason my sister doesn't take pictures of people is because she doesn't want to have to put up with people throwing tantrums about "whaa you took a picture of me without my consent." Yes pictures of people may add more of a "human aspect" to the sport, but the liability and drama isn't worth it to her, so she goes out and shoots cars. She knows I don't care so yeah there's a pic of me in there.
JEFF, MY SISTER, AND OTHER PHOTOGRAPHERS GO OUT AND TAKE PICTURES OF YOUR CARS FOR FREE
Cameras cost money, it costs gas money to get out there, standing around taking pictures is time that could be spent other things, pulling pictures off memory cards, editing them, uploading them, all of it is time that could be spent doing other things. Things that could be actually appreciated.
I've seen my sisters pictures and Jeff's pictures used on websites and facebook with out so much as a thank you or a credit....
I appreciate Jeff taking the time to get out there and shoot events, next time you see him out there, walk over, introduce yourself, and thank his ass. Much better use of everyone's time then ball busting the photography choices of people volunteering for you.
Dan, I am sorry that you took my post the way you did, I have a history of coming off badly in text form. Nothing I said was ment to be directed at anyone or said with anything but a smile as a joke.
As far as picture of people, I am neither a photographer or a lawyer so I have no ideas about the laws and liabilties of taking pictures. The only things I know(think) are:
A)Paparazzi take pictures of people all the time without their consent and if there were any laws capable of stopping them, the celebs would have used them.
B)Taking a picture of someone in their car and taking a picture of someone standing by their car doesn't seem like a whole big deference to me. If someone has a problem with one and not the other there is something wrong with them.
SO...I would never have even though about any liability issues. If they exist, I would like to know about them. I have never asked if I could record someone else's run when I am riding with them. I have not had anyone be anything but appreciative to see one or two videos where they would normally not have any at all.
But Dan is right that you can't thank people enough when they go out of their way to provide you with something like they do. I use one of Jeff's picture as my avitar. And if I haven't said it anywhere else, and even if I have...
Thanks for all the great pictures you take almost every event!
The comment about no people in picture was really just something that I have been thinking about for a little while. Jeff got a good shot of my car at the last event that had one of the track workers in it as well.
That kind of shot really adds depth and meaning to something that would otherwise be just a car ?parked? next to some cones. SO how cool would it be to have other pictures of drivers talking strategy next to their cars, or a driver, like a fighter pilot, driving the course in his head while he is staging.
I hope that conveys a though in my head better than the last post.