Apparently there have been multiple accounts of creepy photographers, but this guy has actually published them online. At a glance, you can tell that a majority of the photos feature cosplayers who are unaware that their photo is being taken. Some are just walking around the con, and others are distracted by other photographers. Also, it seems like some of them are minors as well.
Gallery in question: http://www.flickr.com/photos/91299884@N08/
Please, please keep an eye out for each other since a lot of cons are coming up in a few weeks and let staff know if someone is making you uncomfortable.
Woooow. That is just crazy. The fact that these are taken in public areas (where no badge was required) and the fact that he's got the same creepy pictures at unrelated events, makes me think the person came specifically to take pictures of scantily clad women's butts, not because he liked their cosplay or the convention itself. I may be wrong, but it seems like he's just someone off the streets who looks for these kind of events to go to and exploit the women there. Really, really creepy.
It's definitely good to keep an eye out, but it's often hard to see what people are taking pictures of when there's tons of people around...
At the bottom of the page there's a report link for the blog, perhaps the least we could do is get the photos off that site? They can just be uploaded elsewhere, but maybe he'll get the hint?
well now I'm scared to click the link :( but I will flag it so it is taken down. I just hope he didnt get me or my friends, hearing about this disgusts me.
I made sure to mention in my report that there are likely underaged girls in these photos, being photographed in obviously sexual ways. Because honestly, with the amount of teens that attend, there's bound to be a few in there, and THAT is a serious issue.
I see a picture form the DGM shoot. This must be one of those creeps who stood in the back of our shoot to take pictures of those skanked-out EVA cosplayers after I tolled them to move.
God i I hate these creeps so hard. I hope they get Dick-Cancer.
thank you for posting this :-[ I'm glad that I am not in that gallery.
Hello,
I may have spoken to a few of the participants of this conversation already via email, but I wanted to post here as well, as an official "This is how Rovers feels about it" statement.
Please bear with me. I'm absolutely disgusted by this sort of behavior and it makes me a bit angry. (And I go a bit Hulk-ish when angry.)
- Cosplay is not consent.
- FanimeCon has a zero tolerance policy for harassment.
- We strive to provide a safe, comfortable environment for our members.
- When we are made aware of "creep" photographers at the convention, we deal with it immediately.
- When we are made aware of "creep" photographers post-convention, we deal with it as best we can.
- I'll say it again: Cosplay is not consent.
- Creepshots are disgusting and anyone who takes them is despicable.
FanimeCon has some conversation going on behind-the-scenes regarding our future policies and procedures. If you would like to have a say in these policies/procedures, I strongly encourage you to join our staff and participate in the discussion. (Rovers in particular have influence in this arena.)
Please feel free to contact me if you have input or suggestions, or if you would like to know more about what we plan to do. (Be aware that at this point we don't have a lot of details established, we're at the starting point of the conversation, but I welcome more points-of-view.)
ugh.. more than half these pictures are disturbing more than anything... and the worst is they're being posted online.. (though that part can be argued differently)..
nonetheless... these types of people are what makes photographers look bad. some of us do it for the art and passion.. and to mutually expand each others portfolio. that link.. is not a portfolio. it is sick.. and disturbing.
i urge everyone to be much more conscious of your surroundings.. don't be afraid to report creepers if you spot one. it's not enough to just tell them to stop.. (because obviously they'll just continue elsewhere).. they need to be dealt with accordingly.
Kuudere, there is at least one confirmed underaged girl in these photos, there are likely more. Nevertheless it's despicable regardless of age.
And thank you Aelia [and staff!], your involvement in the issue. Unfortunately I won't be able to staff due to being in the AA, but more work on enforcing the rules and making them known would be fantastic. I'll keep in touch. [Also, may I x-post this to the cosplay section of the forum?]
If anyone has a tumblr, please share this: http://tascenda.tumblr.com/post/51824177262/so-i-found-a-photographer-who-had-been-taking-photos-at Hopefully we can get a little more awareness on the subject, and possibly find the cosplayers pictured so that they may know as well.
Quote from: Taciturn on May 31, 2013, 07:28:18 PM
Kuudere, there is at least one confirmed underaged girl in these photos, there are likely more. Nevertheless it's despicable regardless of age.
And thank you Aelia [and staff!], your involvement in the issue. Unfortunately I won't be able to staff due to being in the AA, but more work on enforcing the rules and making them known would be fantastic. I'll keep in touch. [Also, may I x-post this to the cosplay section of the forum?]
If anyone has a tumblr, please share this: http://tascenda.tumblr.com/post/51824177262/so-i-found-a-photographer-who-had-been-taking-photos-at Hopefully we can get a little more awareness on the subject, and possibly find the cosplayers pictured so that they may know as well.
Feel free to quote it and link back to the original post.
Quote from: Kuudere on May 31, 2013, 03:30:58 PM
At the bottom of the page there's a report link for the blog, perhaps the least we could do is get the photos off that site? They can just be uploaded elsewhere, but maybe he'll get the hint?
I made use of that function. Hopefully with enough complaints something will be done.
I wonder how we would get the police involved,seeing as there are minors in that gallery.
I feel guilty that I didnt notice him at the DGM shoot.
Ugh. Some of my friends are in this. This is disgraceful.
After seeing this album I'm sure he did not bother to buy a pass for Fanime. He was just some dude that showed up just to take ass shots.
All of the shots that I seen the girls where in scantily clad cosplays, so..he really just made all the effort to find the most revealing cosplays. This guy is a creeper but.. really, if you cosplay as Cammy from Street fighter your going to expect people staring at your ass. Most of the other cosplays where all sexy cosplays with just undies or a very very short skirt. Those maid ones are well...lets just say any male will stare, me included.
I say the only thing that bothers me is the fact he took some candied shots. I expect every photographer to be a gentlemen. Granted some girls will be ok with a butt shot if you just ask, well just the 5% of them will and only if they see what you take.
Sadly creepers will always be there as long as there are girls that cosplay in thongs and bikinis. Then again if I had the body to wear a thong and bikini you bet your cake I'll be there in neon yellow thong.
Quote from: echoshadow on May 31, 2013, 10:54:09 PM
All of the shots that I seen the girls where in scantily clad cosplays, so..he really just made all the effort to find the most revealing cosplays. This guy is a creeper but.. really, if you cosplay as Cammy from Street fighter your going to expect people staring at your ass.
Sorry, but no, we don't. We, like you, also expect every photographer to be a gentleman/gentlewoman.
Quote from: Aelia on May 31, 2013, 06:48:04 PM
Pardon my bluntness, but it's the attitude of "well, what do you expect when you..." that the "cosplay does not equal consent" movement is specifically trying to combat.
Quote from: echoshadow on May 31, 2013, 10:54:09 PMAll of the shots that I seen the girls where in scantily clad cosplays, so..he really just made all the effort to find the most revealing cosplays. This guy is a creeper but.. really, if you cosplay as Cammy from Street fighter your going to expect people staring at your ass. Most of the other cosplays where all sexy cosplays with just undies or a very very short skirt. Those maid ones are well...lets just say any male will stare, me included.
Cosplay is not consent.
^ Creepers will be there whether women wear bikinis or not. Even if not a single person wore a bikini bottom or showed cleavage next year, there would still be creeps out there taking inappropriate pictures.
Creeps will be creeps. It has nothing to do with what someone is wearing.
(Besides, being willing to wear something that shows your body =/= being willing to have inappropriate pictures of that taken, enjoying inappropriate stares, etc. Just because you are willing to show something off, on your own terms, does not mean that you automatically consent to or enjoy all types of attention that it may bring you, which is something not on your terms.)
That said, this is really disgusting. I am really glad that I am not in this gallery, and I feel bad for anyone who is. I did not personally witness this happening, or else I would have said something.
Also, cosplayers, don't be afraid to speak up if you feel like an inappropriate shot is being taken of you. I denied quite a few photos this year for various reasons, and in past years, when photogs have taken low-angle shots of me, I've asked to see the pictures to make sure they weren't taking upskirts. Pretty much any non-creepy photog would be more than happy to show you the pictures that they have just taken, since they want the cosplayer to be happy with the result, so just ask. (If you are afraid to go "hey! you! no upskirts!!," ask in a gentle or joking manner, which is what I tend to do, as I don't want to offend a non-creepy photog who happens to be taking a low or high angle but not trying to capture something they shouldn't -- I typically say something like "I hope you can't see the shorts under my skirt from that angle!" or "hey, that's not an upskirt, is it? no upskirts allowed!" in a joking tone and a finger waggle [since I can't wink to save my life], or I'll just outright ask to see the results without even bringing up the question of inappropriate angles. The vast majority of photogs would be perfectly willing to delete any photos that accidentally capture something they shouldn't, so don't be afraid to ask for that kind of thing! If they refuse to show you the pictures or delete an upskirt or something, be very suspicious, try to get their badge number, report them, etc.)
Ok. It appears that this thread has moved beyond the scope of the topic. Staff is aware and have been contacted offline. This issue will be addressed via other channels.
Topic locked.