Controversial Locations - Where do YOU draw the line?

I agree with this! Even though I've stated my opinion, I know how fragile graves are. I went to visit my cousin's grave today and saw someone had made a huge crack in the plating, right through "loving cousin of". I was so pissed off-- we can't exactly repair that, and now I can't admire the shiny, smooth perfection of the grave site of someone who I lost due to the world around us being cruel. Many of the other graves, I noticed, have been chipping away, too. Ours was a plate, so it is fairly strong, but people pay thousands to get statues of angels and crosses made, only to have careless people break them.

 

Oh yes I 100% agree with this! I get really pissy too when I see people doing things like that to fragile stones, I really do think that most of the apprehension about people doing grave photography is the assumption that they're going to be doing stuff like that-vandalism or just accidental damage. I admit, in my early days I didn't know that stones could be fragile. Then one day I was walking through the cemetery and found that someone had kicked over one of my favorite old stones.....I never touched the stones again.

 

I'm very much torn on this....but after thinking about it for a while I think that posing cemetery photos are definitely something that at the very least borders on disrespectful. I don't mean just for dolls...taking atmospheric, landscapey photos from a distance isn't a problem, but when you're standing over someone's grave setting up a shot or striking a pose....that I find just a tad offensive. Whether or not anyone sees you or cares, it's still disregard for the feelings of those who have passed and more importantly, those who are still living and care about them. The concept of 'no one saw me do it so what's the problem' is a very dangerous view to have on anything, and the fact that no one saw you doesn't make it any less disrespectful, imho. If you have to take these kinds of pictures in a cemetery, do it on a plot of one of your relatives or get permission from someone. Or even better, do as someone above suggested and make your own props for it.

As for other nono places, the best bet is probably to just avoid touchy locations that are currently occupied, like hospitals, churches, or other places people are likely to have a deep emotional attachment to. Get permission if you can, if you can't try to find a reasonable substitute location. I can't think of any reason related to doll photography that would make it absolutely necessary for anyone to use these places. Why be disrespectful when you don't have to be?

 

The problem is is that offensiveness is relative. Not everyone is going to agree on what is offensive and what's not, and I think that's why this thread will never actually get anywhere.........

 

Graveyards aside, since the actual question to me at least wasn't only about where the dead are burried, but anywhere in general..

I draw the line... at .... well, honestly I don't really draw lines many places when it comes to artistic expression which photography is. At least not in location, some subject matter can be disputed of course.

 

I think its a time and a place for everything. Pesonally I think places like a graveyard or a church are sacred places and we should respect them like that. People with no respect for others or a lack of care are the reason why this world is what it is now. So I do think if you wanna respect others and keep the peace you need to have limits. Like me I personally woldnt care if somebody is taking pics over my grave, but Im pretty sure my spouse will be screaming at anybody who will dare to do something like that.

 

I choose to come at this with a bit of native American wisdom "there is no place that is not sacred to my people" putting a church or grave dosent make the ground hallow any more then a shopping mall its about what people put into that place not the place itself so with that I see no issue taking pictures so long as its not on private property that people dont want you on. I personally find graveyards relaxing places to read, very quiet. Also I have yet to here any complaints from any lain there. A church is another mater and i would ask permission of the manager pastor whatever person.

 

I draw the line at "illegal", like crime scenes for instance, or when you'd have to tresspass on private properties or vandalize stuff just to get that perfect doll picture.
Graveyards aren't a problem for me, I love a beautiful cemetery photoshoot if it's well executed (no pun intended XD) and there is no damage to the resting places or stones.

Personally, I can't draw the line at "immoral" because that's so subjective.
I mean, why is is ok for "Bones", "CSI: MIAMI" or that series "Forensic Detective"(which showed real corpses on tv!) to show us shots of hideously disfigured corpses, but it's considered by some 'bad taste' to do doll photography with (fake) blood, gore etc.?
I mean to say, you can't argue about taste.

 

If someone asked my permission to take a photo on/of a relatives grave, and told me why and what they liked about it... I could consider it. If they think it's beautiful and want to take a few pictures, I think it would be okay if they asked. But if I walked into the graveyard to pay my respects to a family member and saw a photo shoot going on, I would be horribly upset and very angry. If someone is taking pictures on their own family's graves, then I have no say or opinion for that. I agree that tombstones and crypts can have very intricate details and are beautiful in photos, I can understand why people would want to use them as a background. I just think that permission should be requested first.

 

I think that graveyard photography is ok if the doll is positioned, say, on a bench or under a tree in the graveyard - not right on top of someone's gravestone. It's a bit disrespectful and, as you have said, what if someone came to the graveyard to leave flowers or something and you were taking photo of their loved one's grave?
I recently visited Dachau concentration camp and photography was technically allowed there - yet very few people were taking photos. It just felt wrong taking photos there, and I think a similar principle applies to this.

 

I think it's fine to use the sculptures or the benches to photograph your dolls but having a doll placed on top of your gravestone then...there is some issue there (-.-).

 

I thought I'd share this one in here - whilst compiling our family history I found out my great Grandmothers grave is only an hours drive from here..... so I visited it..... And instead of a headstone she has a carved stone bench on her grave...... The inscription carved into the seat - originally composed by her husband my Great Granddad read:

"To sit and watch the beauty of the world go by with you at my side - the greatest gift you ever gave"

So I took a few snaps.... if someone with a doll were to use the bench for photos - I think my Nonna would approve....

 

I don't often even walk in a graveyard... I'm not scard of them... I just feel like you can feel... other people/or whatever there. I feel like I should leave them in peace~ However, I know if I was dead and I knew someone was taking photos of a BJD on my gravestone... I would be fine with it.. I know my great grandmother would most likely get a kick out of it too! She loved seeing new and different things~ I would never be to down on people doing that unless they where being really disrespectful about it or touching the really old fragile stones... I don't really like the idea of taking photos on a newer grave too... I think it may upset someone... So I have mixed feelings... For the most part I think it's best to leave them alone~

As for the full topic, I draw the line at dangerous, intrusive, possibly disrespectful, illegal, so on... I really hate to bother anyone... If I really want to take photos with an old grave stone I can easily make a very realistic one with foam and paint, same goes for everything else I may want to do~ I like creating sets~

 

I don't really think it's any of my business where an owner choses to photograph their dolls. If someone wants to take photos in a religious house or a cemetery, then who am I to judge? But as regards my personal preference, I myself would never photograph a doll anywhere in or near the toilet!

 

Weddings, imo!
It's one thing if it is your wedding or a very close relative/friend, maybe.
But if its at your Mom's Dad's uncle's cousin's little sister's wedding, then nope, it should be about them, and not you or your doll!
I personally will never go to a Cemetery in general. I know, most times they're very pretty and peaceful places, but the idea of something coming back with me is too frighting in it's own.

Sorry Casper, this house ain't welcoming to your kind.

 

I did took pictures of my dolls in a graveyard once but not because it was a graveyard. I was there for a doll meeting and there were little sculptures almost in scale, the vegetation over it was beautiful too.
We didn't really go on the graves, I personally tried to not even step on the grass near it... though my doll did pose on some.

Some talked about visitors and guards here. In my case that was an ancient one, the graves were all too old to have visitors (tourists maybe) and we didn't see any guards either.
Like someone already said, we have some really beautiful graveyards in Europe.

I'm not religious, I don't even want to be buried I want to be cremated and thrown somewhere after my death.
Though if people really remain near their graves after their death, wouldn't they like to have company?

 

I think graveyards are okay as long as they're not on the headstone, or, you know, over the plot or anything. That's invading someone's space on a whole other level. Granted the rotting corpse/urn of ashes won't care about it, but that space is special to the people who are still alive. Honestly, isn't that what the burial ritual is for- the loved ones? But I digress.

I agree with Arkhangel Hamatiel that weddings aren't really appropriate either; unless they're a close friend who won't mind or your own.

I think the bottom line is beware the rituals and religious places. xD

 

I don't find it disrespectful in the least if it were my own grave (assuming that I was aware of my "surroundings" while I'm dead), but everyone is going to have an opinion of what is and isn't disrespectful. I think that even asking the family, you are never going to know what that person's wishes were. What if I were to tell my family that I wanted my life to be celebrated instead of my death and wanted to be cremated- yet they chose to have me buried and had a very mournful funeral? Wouldn't that, too, be disrespectful to me? Therefore, if I wouldn't mind anyone photographing my grave while in life/death, but they have a problem with it... yeah.

I think they only problem I would have would be reckless treatment of the grave. Also, with as big as caskets are and as small as headstones are- it's a little difficult to not walk across the dead when in a graveyard unless you're on a path. I know a place in my state where there are bodies buried under a road and their headstones moved.

Granted, if we go along this line of thought, why is it okay for us to dig up the tombs in Ancient Egypts? Isn't that's disrespectful, too? Even if they're careful and replace the bodies- they take pictures for "science" =_= But yet it seems to be socially accepted... so uh... why is it not socially acceptable to take pictures for "art"?

This is just a difficult subjects, in my opinion, and no one's going to have the "correct" answer. But if you choose to photoshoot in a graveyard, try to be respectful of your surroundings- and to protect yourself, I wouldn't photographs the names on any graves. I don't think I'd personally do that anyways because I'm terrified of spirits (I don't use the term "ghost" because I feel it's disrespectful) being angered and coming after me. I do believe in the super natural. >_< But I'm not religious. I just don't have any desire to be haunted.

 

I personally do not have an issue with individuals photographing their dolls within graveyards. Any that I have seen are done, at least in my opinion, very tastefully. The dolls are not on the stones, merely posed by them (at least in photos I have seen!) Also, I have yet to hear anyone bring up complaints about directors or actors being reprimanded for filming in real graveyards... if they have been, well, I have never heard of this and it seems to be a close comparison to the same argument...

With that being said however, I personally, will not take photos of my dolls in cemeteries. Like I said, it doesn't bother me, but I understand and am respectful of how it can have a negative impact on others and I try to be empathetic to others feelings. Out of respect I choose not to. Although, I have taken photos of cemeteries/grave stones and then Photoshopped my dolls into them. Not sure if this completely destroys my attempts to be respectful of others but I personally don't think it's the same...

 

I imagine directors etc. have to get permission first..

I can't see myself ever needing to photograph in a cemetary, but if I did I would visit a cemetary that is umm not necessarily in common use. You know, the really old ones where most of the graves belong to historical figures or where the stones are so old that they are hard to read. I would not want to have a plaything anywhere near a recent grave. It just seems rude to me.

I think shooting in a hospital could be fine *if* you already have a reason for being there. Don't want to get in the way if there is an emergency..

For a church...depends on the doll, the purpose of the shoot, and the church itself for me. Churches that are mostly open for touring and museum purposes I think would be fine. It just depends on the rules of the church. I know in the churches I visited in England some allowed photography, some said no pics at all, and some said there were certain areas that could not be photographed. For a more typical church, I would check with the pastor/priest first. Whether they are of my faith or not, I don't want to be disrespectful of their wishes and views.

If I were to take pictures in any of the three places I would first: ask myself what the purpose of the shoot was, determine if it is absolutely vital that I shoot in the location or can I recreate it (not unlike in Hollywood), and write/draw out a script or storyboard of the shoot so I can get in and out quickly.