The rapid increase in popularity of digital cameras has brought a resurgence into photography. Today we have digital cameras in many forms. Some new and some old. We still have medium format, 35 mm and small pocket cameras like we had over 30 years ago; except they shoot digital pictures which are stored on a memory card. One form factor that was not around 30 years ago was the cell phone camera. The increase in technology in digital imaging has been good for the most part. But with the good you have to take the bad.

The bad I am talking about is in the area of etiquette. Modern cameras can take several images per second. Back in the film era it was only professional level cameras that could accomplish this. Taking several images per second is a great thing if you are trying to capture action at a professional sporting event or your child's soccer game. Using the capability to shoot 5 frames per second at a family event or other public event is similar to a machine gun kelly approach. How many images do you need to capture. Or do these type of photographers not possess the skills to press the shutter button selectively to capture important family events. As photographers we must always remember that some people are camera shy or do not wish to have their picture taken. Using the machine gun kelly approach is simply bad etiquette. Good manners and etiquette are free in life so give your fellow photographers a friendly reminder.

For more info on photography etiquette here are some good reference sources:

Photographer Critiques and Etiquette

Working with your subjects

Photography Travel Etiquette

Meeting a new photographer

Watsonphotography.ca creates unique images of fashion, models, people, travel, nature and racing sports by Toronto photographer Peter Watson.