A Courtesy

[Lil' Lavery]

I think he just wants people to be polite. That's what I took from it.
Otherwise it might be that he doesn't want other teams taking pictures of a robot that isn't finished yet. It would suck if the picture another team's scouts take is of a robot that isn't quite done, and thus you don't get picked because they didn't know who you were.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery

I think he just wants people to be polite. That's what I took from it.

True. I think the reason people are asking what his problem is is the "tone" he seems to have used.

If you don't want someone taking a picture, ask them nicely to return later. Ideally, give them an estimate when you'll be ready. It doesn't need to be complete--change is almost expected--but it should be recognizable. This will hope both them and you--keeps them out of your hair, and gives them an idea of when the best picture might come along.

One other note: the photographer might not be from a team (e.g., media, in which case you will be asked permission) OR not be a scout as such. On 330's scouting crew, I was photographer on several occasions, but pit scout on one or two, and never at the same time. So, they might not have a good reason to ask questions about the robot. What do you do then? Deny them permission? Or let them get a picture of a less-than-perfectly complete robot?

[Taylor]

Good grief. It seems to me the sleepless build season has caught up with some of us and awakened the Grouchmonster. When I read Gboehm's post, it looked like a nice, polite entry, and it confounds me how people can be offended by it. "If you want a picture of our robot, just ask and we'd be happy to have it pose for you," is what I got from it.
I realize we've signed away image rights and all that stuff, but if someone was to take my picture, I'd want to be able to prepare for it (lest I become Caption Contest fodder). Depending on the robot's state, it may or may not be in "competition shape" - this would be analogous to taking a picture inside the fitting room at Target. The subject may not be "decent." Furthermore, by asking to take a picture, you will engage a team member who may point out certain intricacies in the robot design or functionality you may have missed.
It doesn't kill anybody to take 3.5 seconds to ask "Hey, do you mind if I take a quick picture?" It's the neighborly thing to do.
Be polite. That's all he's asking.

[GaryVoshol]

Certainly it's polite to ask about taking photos - we're not paparazzi! But if someone should be taking a photo without being intrusive, there should be no problem.

Incidentally, for those who said "you signed your rights away" - if you look at the form, I believe you gave permission for FIRST to take pictures. Not Team RedABots. Not Local SkyWitness News, unless they are working with FIRST.

[Qbranch]

It's one thing to take a picture of something and see how it works... it's quite another to design and manufacture <insert mesmerglobber here> and make it work for your specific application.

And for my specific purposes... take as many pictures of the robot controller as you like... I doubt many of them will help you figure out how the software works inside.

-q

(though I do want to post a paper on the autonomous drive system in our robot sometime in the future, along with the quad-ultrasonic driver)

[jtdowney]

I've always asked before I take pictures of another teams robot, but I guess I never considered it anything other then being polite. I've never had anyone tell me no, usually they tell me a better angle where I'd get a good shot of <insert mechanism here>.

[Alan Anderson]

I too am somewhat saddened by the tone of some of the responses. All I was wondering is why Gboehm was so upset by people taking pictures of robots that he'd call it his "pet peeve". I'm trying not to read anything into it, or to assume anything about his feelings. I don't understand the reason behind the comment, and I want to. He didn't say anything about wanting people to ask before looking at robots. I just want to know why using a camera would make a difference to him. It's a simple request for information.

[Gboehm]

Originally Posted by Alan Anderson

I too am somewhat saddened by the tone of some of the responses. All I was wondering is why Gboehm was so upset by people taking pictures of robots that he'd call it his "pet peeve". I'm trying not to read anything into it, or to assume anything about his feelings. I don't understand the reason behind the comment, and I want to. He didn't say anything about wanting people to ask before looking at robots. I just want to know why using a camera would make a difference to him. It's a simple request for information.

I once saw a person fall off a stage because of a flash from a photo. And Being and theatre has made me a little touchy on the subject. I dont want anyone to get hurt, including scouts. Also getting up close and getting a better photo... Maybe I'm just afraid you will see our bad side.

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by Gboehm

I once saw a person fall off a stage because of a flash from a photo. And Being and theatre has made me a little touchy on the subject.

Okay, that makes sense. It sounds like you're concerned with an unexpected flash getting in people's eyes. I agree -- if your camera is going to shine a sudden bright light in someone's direction, it certainly would be courteous to ask permission first. I understand clearly how a camera flash with no warning could be an issue.

On the other hand, I don't recall seeing any camera flashes in the pits at the St. Louis regional. A decent digital camera takes perfectly adequate pictures using ambient light without a flash. Reflections from metal robot parts can seriously disrupt a photograph anyway, so I'd prefer not to use a flash in any case.

[Protronie]

The only real problem I can see when people are taking a picture is if they are getting in the way of the work going on, if the flash they are using is causing a problem, or if the person working on the robot is shy...

or... if they up to something sneaky.

Of course if todays society your photographed or videotaped a hundred times a day without anyone asking or in most cases you not even knowing.
I understand in the UK it even worst.

Big Brother is watching!

[vivek16]

I guess I was the "scout" last year as member on a rookie team. I always felt rather rude to just walk up to a teams pit and start snapping pictures. If you ask, most teams will greet you warmly (if they are not busy frantically building!) and even let you in their pits and to a better position to photograph.

Just be polite and remember to have a good time!

-Vivek

p.s. when I read the starter's post, it seemed not very rude at all... I don't see what there is to be offended about.

[Tt321b]

I agree, you should definitely ask before taking a picture of the robot. Last year at the Long Island Regional a team went around and took pictures of all the robots and posted them on a board at the regional for scouting purposes. But the thing is that at the time they took the picture our robot was in pieces so the picture only showed a frame, drive train, electronics and wheels. If they asked us first I am sure that we could have explained that this was not the best time and they could come back later to get a good picture of the robot.

[Viper37]

Originally Posted by Tt321b

I agree, you should definitely ask before taking a picture of the robot. Last year at the Long Island Regional a team went around and took pictures of all the robots and posted them on a board at the regional for scouting purposes. But the thing is that at the time they took the picture our robot was in pieces so the picture only showed a frame, drive train, electronics and wheels. If they asked us first I am sure that we could have explained that this was not the best time and they could come back later to get a good picture of the robot.

I still don't see a problem..

[eugenebrooks]

At my next regional, I am going to ask each and every
robot if it minds if I take its picture. I'll take the lack
of any response as tacit approval.

Eugene

[Molten]

Why has this become such an issue that it goes on for three pages? Is it really too much to ask for someone to request a picture? It takes two seconds. You probably say thousands of words that day. Is it really too hard to say a few more? Remember, you don't have to understand a request to oblige to it. If someone asks you to hold the door for them, do you ask why? No, you hold the door for them without asking. Why should this be any different? Just knowing that there are people who request that you ask, should be enough reason to ask. You shouldn't have to know why, or have to agree with them. Just remember to ask.