Photographers accused of targeting women at St Andrews May Dip say it spoiled their night

Photographers Accused of Targeting Women at St Andrews May Dip Say It Spoiled Their Night

The St Andrews May Dip is an annual university tradition where hundreds of students run into the chilly North Sea at dawn, believed to bring good luck in exams. However, in recent years, the event has drawn attention from agency and freelance photographers who capture images of students, particularly women in swimwear, often without their consent.

Concerns Over Unauthorized Photography at St Andrews May Dip

Students taking part in the May Dip have reported that photographs of them in bikinis have been published in national newspapers and online media without their permission. Anna, a student whose photo appeared in an online spread by the Scotsman, described the experience as upsetting. She said, “It ruined my night. Now when I think about that May Dip, I think about that image, and that’s it.”

Anna explained that she had not anticipated her photo being published and was distressed upon discovering it online. She contacted the Scotsman, which removed the image from its gallery, but the photo had already appeared on other platforms including the Daily Mail and the Sun. Many of the published images focused on female students, often isolating them rather than showing the wider event.

Another student, Olivia, observed a man with a camera camping on the beach the night before the event. She said, “He was putting out a one-man tent, hiding in the dunes and camping there from 9pm. It just seems really wrong.” Olivia added that the photographers appeared to deliberately select young women for their images.

University Response and Student Wellbeing

The University of St Andrews has acknowledged the issue, stating that while it warns students in advance that photography may occur, it cannot prevent press attendance because the May Dip takes place on a public beach where photography is unrestricted. A university spokesperson said:

“There are, and always have been, sections of the media that seek to sexualise and objectify for commercial gain the young women who attend this event. Every year ahead of May Dip, the proctor emails students with guidance to keep them safe, including a reminder that press photographers often attend the event and any images taken can go round the world.”

“We abhor this practice, and it is why we have included a specific caution in communications to our students prior to the Dip. It is, however, a symptom of a much wider societal malaise which continues to enable the objectification of women, despite the clear evidence of the harm this causes.”

Students have also reported distress caused by objectifying comments posted under the photos online. Olivia described the comments as “disgusting,” citing examples from the Daily Mail’s website where users made inappropriate remarks about the students’ appearances.

Alex Chun, president of wellbeing and community at the St Andrews Students’ Association, highlighted the mental health impact of such exposure. He said that having photos published without consent can be anxiety-inducing, especially for young students who may not even realize their images were taken until they see them online.

Anna described feeling vulnerable and uncomfortable about the situation, noting that she avoided looking closely at the images to prevent further distress.

Context of the May Dip and Photography

The May Dip is a long-standing tradition at St Andrews University, where students gather at East Sands beach to run into the sea at dawn. The event is seen as a rite of passage and a way to bring good luck for upcoming exams.

In recent years, photographers have increasingly targeted the event, often arriving early and using long lenses to capture images of students, particularly focusing on women in swimwear. While some photographers claim to document the tradition, the emphasis on female students has raised concerns about objectification and privacy.

The university continues to advise students about the possibility of being photographed and encourages awareness of the potential for images to be shared widely online and in the media.

Original report