Madame Donna Loves a Parade~~of People

Sweet - it looks like a fun event. I never (rarely) put people in my photos. I feel as if I'm invading their privacy or something, but in your photos I can see why it is important. Good job! (do you have the releases for these?)

My first thought was that your people are so much more interesting than my people....but then I stopped and thought about that, and I think we may actually be running neck to neck as it is all about how one defines "interesting". Very fun photos, Madame D.

Oh, and to answer Richard's question - it is not necessary to have a release when photographing people in a public setting such as this as there can not be an expectation of privacy. If these were being used for commercial purposes then that would be different but there is still some wiggle room there as well (yes, I have researched this subject).

Wow, after this I will go out looking for my own parade. I never knew who the author of my life's theme song, "Over the Rainbow. " Thanks for that little tid-bit.

Thanks, Richard. Your question is not an easy one to answer but briefly, my legal counsel advised me that "the public have a very limited scope of privacy rights when they are in public places. Basically, anyone can be photographed without their consent except when they have secluded themselves in places where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy such as dressing rooms, restrooms, medical facilities, and inside their homes."

This information has been widely circulated on the internet too. Since I have been threatened with arrest and also intimidation during many of my photo safaris, I carry a card, prepared by my attorney, that clearly defines my rights as a street photographer.

I also understand and accept the limitations regarding minors, architectural features on buildings & bridges (etc), roadways & public transportation that might impact security and I respect those. This is only my understanding and I accept the risks inherent in what I do. You should always seek your own legal advice though.

was she a lobster or a crawfish? and i love that one guy's rasta tam.

Oh, and I hasten to add, I do ask permission whenever it is feasible.

CC, she's a lobster.

Thanks, Tonia. I've noticed that we share similar views through our lenses.

David, glad to enlighten you!

Oh my-I have no doubt that your people are more colorful than my people! Not that I really consider most of the people around here my people! It looks like a fun day, and a fun group!

I only dress up as a lobster when nobody's looking.

What a glorious photo essay Madame C!!!! Perfect combination of lyrics and photos, so glad I saw this for it made me smile so BIG ;-)

What fun, Madame Donna ... your photos are perfect set to the words of that wonderful old song! And the people you photographed were all very colorful!

Golly. This makes me feel boring and dull.

Great shots, by the way.

Wow, great pictures! Not only are they very well done shots of the people, but you chose images that basically summed up some of these folks. I don't need to know more about the guy standing by the medical Maryjane booth, your picture told me everything!

Cool people parade! I want that Schadenfreude t-shirt!

Life is a parade
Each of us made
To march down the street
With our own special beat
A song in our soul
Playing our role
Wearing a mask
Or heart on our sleeve
What more can we ask
Than to rejoice and to grieve?

Fabulous pictures, Madame.

You're smart. Since all my photos are for sale - I'm very careful about who I photograph, often cropping the people out, or getting them in silhouette. And then editors ask me "but where are the people?"
Great shots - I like them. Looks like a fun event, too.

What a grand time!

Sue, thanks. I think people everywhere are inherently interesting; some are just more colorful than others, sort of like bird watching.

bart, I saw that.

Rose, thank you, your comment made me smile. I'm so glad you enjoyed this.

Marianne, thanks. It was sort of my lucky day.

Marilee, you carry your own colorful rainbow within. You really do.

Thanks very much, Lisa.

Faith, Haha! I loved that shirt.

Jan, thanks a bunch!

Richard, you can include people if you are discreet and in some instances get releases. It's really not hard, just time consuming. Most folks I meet are flattered when I ask.

J F, thanks! It was a good day!

I love a parade and I thoroughly enjoyed yours, Donna....what a fun event and a wide and colorful rainbow of people....

I usually ask permission to photograph people if I think I'm going to use the photos in the blog or elsewhere public and I always hand them one of my cards so they can go to the blog if they wish. So far I haven't had anyone turn me down.

Fantastic shots! The garage in the background looked familar - did you go up to Julian for this parade? Maybe this is Old Town San Diego? It was so cool seeing all those happy expressions which each person enjoying their individuality. I liked the cops the best - they stand out as "all business" in a crowd of fun-seekers.

Great photo story. In fact each photo tells a story on its own. Fun comments.

Sonia, it was a lovely day.

Jennifer, HI, haven't seen you around in a while! This was the Adams Avenue Street Fair in Normal Heights. It spans several blocks with bandstands scattered around the general area.

Thanks, Wil!

A lobster in cowboy boots? :-)


Love that!


Great photos of people, Madame D... Blindingly colorful, especially that clown's wig!

That looks like a great fun day!

Were there any actual military uniforms? I love them.

That was quite a show!

Good photo essay.

Great blending of the lyrics and the pictures--and yes, those are excellent people pictures.

Thanks, Duckie. The whole day was bursting with surprising colors.

Dorine, there were plenty of military folks around. This area is, after all, one of the largest military cities in the country. Mostly they wear the khaki uniforms though, not the dressy ones.

Debbie, it really was! A very fun day.

Thank you, phil.

Thanks, Aniko.

"Over the Rainbow" was Yip Harburg, wasn't it?

Hi Dannielle, Yes, Yip Harburg wrote the lyrics, Harold Arlen wrote the music.

Excuse me for blurting this out...LOL...but you know what I find interesting..peoples shoes...have you ever sat in a busy place and just watched the shoes that pass....

I wrote a poem about it long ago when I was in high school.....called Shoes upon the sidewalk...basically about the different beats and patterns...those going somewhere or nowhere ..are they a representation...or just shoes...

anyway....I don't think I ever thought about large groups of people this way....I have sen artists who use very large groups of people in a planned photo( pretty cool)...but now I will be staring into crowds looking for that"picture"

Lou Anne, I'm a people watcher from way back.  So, YES, I've sat on benches, roadsides, curbs and shot everything from hairstyles to t-shirts to shoes.  I've quite a collection of people photos.  It's seldom that I post more than a glimpse of a person though.  There are millions of photos waiting to be captured in crowds (or consider flocks and herds as well).  I have worn my camera like a necklace since I was a kid and it captures all sorts of silly things.  I'm glad to know I've changed your perspective on crowds.

Lively shots, Madame D. I like the wagon full of fun at the end. The legal info regarding photographers and privacy was also good to know.

Thanks, Peregrine.  I love a parade!  And I will probably keep coming close to arrest with these cameras.  Sheesh, I just can't help it.