Quote:
Originally Posted by lonemeat
I've ridden in the parade the past few years and it really is an amazing event! It's the highlight of my summer. In Gasworks Park I was sitting with the girl painted purple and the harlequin painted girl (btw, they were part of the Where's Waldo ensemble a couple of years ago); funny, Klondike, you didn't get me in any of your shots.  However, I congratulate you on your great photography. The estimate this year was about 500 riders in total. Looking at all of these pictures brings home to me how big it was. Even though I was in the middle of it I swear that I actually saw less than half of the riders. One thing I do want to say is that as the parade has gotten bigger and more well-known, unfortunately there have been more and more complaints from the women about rude and aggressive photographers. The riders really, truly are just a bunch of normal people. They aren't performers and their attitude toward being photographed varies widely. Everyone knows that they'll be photographed during the ride but many people are uncomfortable with it at the painting party and at Gasworks Park. I'm not accusing anyone of anything -- I love the parade photos, too -- but be polite, don't assume that people want to be photographed, and ask permission. Besides, wouldn't you rather have a photo with a happy, smiling face than one giving the camera a dirty look? Personally, I'm already looking forward to next year's ride! |
IN answer to your last question, the answer is most definately "yes". If the woman is not comforable, then i am not comfortable.
thanks for the info. Concerning the numbers - 500 sounds about right to me and I think, if you accept that number, that my final tally of female riders will show that quite possibly they outnumbered the men.
We've talked a lot about photographers rights and all quite a bit in this forum. It seems that the Fremont solution is to give women a choice. Notice that the bodypainting this year was an indoor/outdoor event. If you were not keen to be photographed, you could stay inside where only known photogs were permitted (there was a sign) But the doors were wide open allowing riders to go in and out freely, and many opted to be painted outside. Also, at Gasworks Park, the main group on top of the hill were in a sort of protected area that was out of sight if you were down below on the north side. Possibly this was a conscious decision too.
I have also been following some discussions in the WNBR London yahoo groups. As Pedro may know, the Brits are very keen (more than in the US) to discussing the issue and finding a solution that is acceptable to the most number of people. There have been some open confrontations between riders and photogs. And then you will find riders chiding other riders to "get over it"! meaning - just ignore the guys with the cameras. And at Fremont, the veteran riders have pretty much learned to do just that. To them, I just wasn't there
Anyway, thanks and its nice to here from a rider. I get this strange sense that Pedro may be on line right now checking airfares to Seattle......
Which is funny, because I had been thinking London might be kind of a nice place to visit in June....
KLondike