In recent years just about everyone has a camera, most of us have digital cameras and can come straight home, download the pic’s taken today onto the computer and zap them off by email all around the world, if we are really hi-tech we can do it there and then using wireless technology.
However in this day and age we must be conscious of the legality and moral issues surrounding taking photos at public events like NFRS shows and exhibitions.
There are just a few guidelines that we would like our members and visitors to be conscious of and adhere to:
- When taking photographs at shows, if you are taking photographs including people try and ask their permission prior to photographing them. Large distance shots or large group shots are obviously different, but please try to respect peoples wishes.
- When you have taken your pictures and have got them home try not to publish any pictures of people on the Internet without permission. Always ask the permission of parents before posting any pictures of children on the Internet.
- The NFRS feel that it is really important to keep a photographic archive of NFRS shows, in recent years this has been neglected. If you have any interesting photo’s of NFRS shows that you feel may be of interest to us please contact our Archivist Deb Mallett (details on front cover of Pro-rata or email archives@nfrs.org) to let her know about them.
- The NFRS may also be interested in high quality photographs of rats for this archive and for promotional material, if you have any that you feel could be considered please contact the Chairman Lisa Grove (details on front cover of Pro-Rat-A or e-mail) with more details.
- When filming at NFRS shows you must ask the Show Secretary first for permission to do so. The judge may not wish to be filmed, so the Show Secretary may give you permission to film at the show, but not the actual judging. If this is the case please respect the judges wishes, some of our judges have expressed that they find being filmed off-putting and distracting.
- Again, as with photographing, please be respectful and ask permission wherever possible when filming people at shows.
These guidelines are mainly put into place to protect you the person behind the camera as we have had a few complaints recently where people at shows have found being filmed invasive or where photographs of themselves or their rats have appeared on peoples websites or on forums without their knowledge or permission. Most people are not worried about this happening, but we thought it prudent to remind members that care may be needed in some cases.