Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site moncol.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxj!houxm!vax135!petsd!moncol!ben 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.