|
I'm new here, and new to exploring, but I'm finding it fascinating. I'm also a professional photographer and am excited to share some images from recent explorations, but before I do that...
All of my current places to post images online are linked to my real life name. On top of this, I generally want to be able to present my images as taken by me, rather than splitting my online identity into multiple parts.
The question being, however: how risky is it to make the link between a photo I post here and my real life identity? Posting photographic evidence of being places I'm not supposed to be seems foolish. Realistically speaking though, nothing I do on a computer is truly private, and law enforcement can probably find out who I am from my digital "paper trail" as-is. How do others here feel about this? My inclination is to just post my photos on my usual channels, link them here, and say screw it.
I also don't want to look like a total n00b in the eyes of more established UER vets.
Thoughts?
Thanks in advance, and looking forward to becoming a member of the community.
|
|
I know photographers that have gone both ways with that crisis. Ones who have started using an online handle and ones that just watermark their stuff with their own name. Honestly, even if you use a fake name, if you get popular enough who you are will become common knowledge within the community. Everyone knows who seph lawless, abandoned aperture, and all the other popular ones are.
The point is, even if you try to hide your identity with how connected everyone is nowadays, most people fail. I've never heard of anyone I personally know getting in trouble for posting their photos online. I really wouldn't worry about it unless you're going to like, secret government bases or places that have ridiculous security.
Besides, just because you put your name on a picture doesn't mean you took it. I'm not sure a photo can be used against you unless you're in the photo committing a crime.
|
|
Posted by DawnPatrol
Everyone knows who seph lawless, abandoned aperture, and all the other popular ones are.
|
I wouldn't call Sephilis popular...infamous maybe.
|
|
I have a friend who is dealing with this right now. Sadly, some departments actually have the time and budget to go after someone. Essex County started to go after my girlfriend but that was just to scare her.
https://www.flickr...62837453@N07/sets/
http://www.tfpnj.blogspot.com |
|
My head is all over the internet, but in my case it works for me as they presume I'm retarded.
The Urbex Zine Guy
https://www.cavecl...wtopic.php?t=12259
|
|
Presume or have drawn a reasonable conclusion? 
See More on Flickr!
https://www.flickr...tos/133983270@N06/
|
|
I would wait at least 6 months before posting photos online if I had an easy way to link my name to them because that is when the statue of limitations expire in Ontario. Check the laws for your location first before posting places that you think might have over enthusiastic security guards.
|
|
The safest way to do it is to wait for the local statute of limitations to pass. On the other hand, most of us including me don't like to wait to share. Technically you'll be identifiable either way, but most cops dont have the time or money to go after urban explorers, so just don't post any pics or locations that might be more interesting to the police or gives them hard evidence like pictures of you in the building. Some people only post interior shots to make locations harder to identify to outsiders.
|
|
my real name's all over my UE photography website and I post all of my exploring pictures on my facebook. I don't really care - nothing I do is more against the law than a $65 fine and I don't ever steal from, burn down or vandalize locations. I've spoken with police officers, fire fighters, city Councillors, administrators from Toronto Water and a host of other people who'd generally frown upon these types of activities and they've never been openly hostile or threatened me with legal action. Most of them like my pictures and think it's a pretty cool hobby, even if they're not allowed to officially say that. Sure they'd prefer it if we didn't do what we do, but unless they catch you on-site there's nothing they can (or realistically *would*) do to you after the fact. They've got bigger fish to fry, I like to think.
www.tohellandback.net |
|
The days of hiding behind a screenname are long over thanks to facebook
unless your doing high value / high risk stuff, I wouldn't worry to much
your going to get in more trouble getting physically caught on site, than most anything you are doing on the internet
www.deggi5.com / www.mikedijital.com |
|
Lol my statue of limitations is three years, I'm not waiting that long to post pictures. Unless I did something insanely illegal but I don't see myself doing that anytime soon.
My friend manhandled me up a roof once. |
|
Thanks for the info, folks. I'll post some stuff later today, interior shots only....I didn't even shoot the exterior of the place in question. It honestly didn't occur to me to. It didn't look that cool from the outside 
|
|
I've actually thought about this a bit myself recently. While redoing my watermark, I decided to create a split one, that still connects to me, but is just a little different than the one I use for general postings elsewhere.
|
|
Don't use a photo avatar or watermark your photos.
Flickr Pitchrs |
|
Just tell authorities your name is Rusty Shackleford.
|
|
We should all watermark our photos "Seph Lawless" It'll save him the time to do it himself...
See More on Flickr!
https://www.flickr...tos/133983270@N06/
|
|
I've used my real name since I started shooting and have never had an issue. My book publisher checked with their legal team about it and they basically said I've got nothing to worry about unless I'm caught inside private property. You can get cited after the fact, but it would be nearly impossible to prove beyond a reasonable doubt in court (unless you admit it...don't do that).
Want to improve your photography?
Flickr
|
|
I used to be super paranoid and delete any pics with even just my reflection in them (what if the cops find out I'm white?  )
|
|
Posted by catdog23
I used to be super paranoid and delete any pics with even just my reflection in them (what if the cops find out I'm white? ) |
Likely nothing as bad as someone who EWBs (explores while black).
What is a rebel? A man who says no. - Albert Camus |
|
Statute. It's statute of limitations, not statue.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rob666/ |
Ethics
