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From: ben@moncol.UUCP (Ben)
Newsgroups: net.rec.nude
Subject: Re: Photography and Naturism
Message-ID: <152@moncol.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 7-Jan-85 12:49:13 EST
Article-I.D.: moncol.152
Posted: Mon Jan  7 12:49:13 1985
Date-Received: Tue, 8-Jan-85 03:11:06 EST
References: <303@wjvax.UUCP>
Organization: Monmouth College, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
Lines: 39


>My impression, from the naturist society's literature, is that the issue
>of photography at nude beaches and other activities is quite an emotional
>one.  Nikki Craft, contributer to Clothed With the Sun and self styled
>champion for nude rights, appears from her articles in this magazine to
>be vehemently against the presence of cameras at nude activities.  She
>has made references to photography as 'stealing one's soul', equating photos
>of nude women (why women exclusively?) with 'visual rape' and in general
>makes the assumption that all male photographers want to do is rush home
>and jerk off after developing their latest photos.
>
>This to me is very odd.  Here we're trying to make nudity acceptable,
>provide an air of normalcy to the shedding of one's clothes, and here
>comes some complete stranger who yells at you (if you happen to be male)
>for bringing a camera.  I usually bring a camera to the beach.  Now
>I'm afraid to take it along if I happen to be going to one that is clothes
>optional.


Most of the clothing optional beaches which I am familiar are
'family oriented' areas.  People come to these beaches to enjoy
the sunshine and engage in sports such as volleyball, free from the
taboos induced by our clothes-compulsive society.  These people are
not trying to make a civic statement, nor are they trying to champion
the cause of naturism.  They simply want to enjoy what they consider
to be a better and more natural lifestyle.

People who opt to enjoy the sunshine in this manner have not, however,
abrogated their right to privacy.  Just as it is reprehensible to
eavesdrop on their conversations, it violates their privacy to
photograph them without consent.  Even the practice of bringing
binoculars to the beach is infringing on the privacy of the
beach-goers.

If you must bring a camera, please point it only at yourself, your
family, and others who have given you permission to photograph them.
But better still, don't make your fellow beach-goers nervous.  Leave
the camera at home.