Professional photographers code of ethics research paper

The emergence of new technologies has changed the work of professional photographers consistently. Moreover, the emergence of new technologies raises the risk of the violation of ethical norms and rules by photographers and it is only their high professional level and their solid ethical background can prevent them from the violation of basic ethical norms and principles. In fact, professional photographer cannot violate ethical norms because they comprise an integral part of their professional ethics.

Nevertheless, the development of modern technologies, including digital technologies raises new risks and threats photographers are not always aware of. In this respect, it is important to lay emphasis on the fact that digital technologies have changed the traditional practices related to the protection of the privacy of objects because digital photos can be available to the public, especially if they are stored in databases available to the public (Long, 7). In such a situation, even the protection of data and databases is not always effective and the risk of the violation of privacy rules and norms persists in spite of numerous efforts of photographer along with IT specialists to protect digital photos from copying or using without the object’s authorization (Nichols, 12). In fact, the unauthorized use of photos has been facilitated consistently since the introduction of digital technologies and development of modern information technologies and telecommunication systems. In fact, the risk of the violation of privacy rules and norms exists even during the data transmission and communication between individuals.
In such a situation, professional photographers should be particularly concerned with ethical issues and protection of the privacy of objects. In this respect, the development of the professional Code of Ethics can be very helpful because the Code of Ethics can regulate and define clearly basic ethical norms and rules which professional photographers should observe in the course of their work. At the same time, it is important to understand that the development of the Code of Ethics is not a one-sided process. What is meant here is the fact that professional photographers alone cannot elaborate an adequate and effective Code of Ethics which meets needs and wants of objects (Winslow, 4).

The modern society is extremely diverse and people have different values and cultural background. Therefore, ethical norms and rules developed by photographers in terms of the Code of Ethics cannot always meet ethical requirements of the public or some individuals. This is why professional photographers should engage their objects in the process of elaboration of the Code of Ethics. In fact, it is through the cooperation between objects and professional photographers it is possible to elaborate the Code of Ethics that meets basic ethical norms and rules existing in the modern society.

The profession of a photographer is very responsible in ethical terms because professional photographers cannot violate basic ethical norms. In fact, professional photographers should minimize their interference into the object’s privacy and avoid public disclosure of private facts. This is one of the fundamental ethical principles professional photographers should follow in their work. In actuality, the problem of the violation of ethical norms by photographers is very important because the public is growing more and more concerned with the protection of privacy rights of an individual and people are very concerned with any attempts and manifestations of the violation of privacy rights and existing legal and ethical norms. At the same time, it is extremely difficult for professional photographers to avoid the violation of the privacy rights of an individual, especially today when publicity has become an integral part of the life of the modern society.

In this respect, it is important to lay emphasis on the fact that the modern society is vulnerable to the growing impact of the mass media which exposure individuals to the risk of the intrusion in their private life making privacy quite an abstract concept. In such a situation, photographers often contribute to the violation of basic legal and ethical norms concerning an individual’s privacy. At this point, it is possible to refer to the work of professional paparazzi, who practically pursue celebrities everywhere to take a photo and to get as much information as possible about the private life of celebrities. Naturally, in such a situation, it is hardly possible to speak about the observation of legal and ethical norms concerning an individual’s privacy because they are violated on the regular basis. It proves beyond a doubt that professional photographers should avoid the violation of the individual’s privacy rights by all means and the work of paparazzi is absolutely unacceptable to professional photographers.

Instead, professional photographers should perceive their work as a form of art in which they can realize their full creative potential. What is meant here is the fact that photographers should view their objects as objects of art. They should respect and appreciate them that means that professional photographers should avoid any kind of offensive actions in relation to the photos of objects they take (Dubiner, 12). It is their professional responsibility to secure the privacy of their objects and protect the public from intrusion into the private life of the objects. Otherwise, professional photographers will violate their professional ethics rules and norms, whereas, in some cases, the violation of ethical norms and rules concerning the privacy of the objects photographers take photos of can outgrow into the violation of existing legal norms and rules, especially if the violation of privacy rules and norms involves minors or children. In such a way, the violation of ethical norms by professional photographers may lead to their legal liabilities and lawsuits for their actions or inactions.
Nevertheless, the professional work of photographers is primarily closely intertwined with ethical norms and considerations. In fact, it is the ethical norms and considerations that should define the work of professional photographers. They should be always aware of the possible effects of their work on objects and their private life. Photos taken by professional photographers should not violate or offend ethical norms and rules established in the modern society.

Finally, it is worth mentioning the fact that the creation of the Code of Ethics implies mutual responsibility of photographers and objects because often it is careless behavior or actions of objects that lead to the violation of ethical norms and rules. On the other hand, professional photographers should foresee effects of actions undertaken by objects. Therefore, professional photographers should prevent objects from undertaking actions that are arguable from the ethical point of view. Moreover, if necessary, professional photographers should dissuade objects to take a photo or to use photo in a way that may lead to the violation of ethical norms and rules.

Works Cited:
Dubiner, Michael. “Ethics of the Street Photographer (Are There Any?)”.
Hildebrand, Joe & Lawrence, Kara. 2008. “Nude Child Art Photography Reviewed by State Government”. The Daily Telegraph.
Long, John. “Ethics in the Age of Digital Photography”, 1999.
Nichols, Michael. “Photographic Ethics”. Nick’s Take On.
NPPA’s Code of Ethics. 2009.
Street Photography Under Threat. 2007. Arts Law Centre of Australia Media Release.
Winslow, Donald R. “A Question of Truth: Photojournalism and Visual Ethics”, 2006.