Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/08/15
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]At 06:57 PM 15/08/98 -0400, you wrote: >I recently visited Charleston, S.C. and while walking through the old market >building noticed the ladies selling the sweetgrass baskets. Thinking that >this would make a good photo, I walked to the end of the building where >ladies were selling the baskets outside. I raised my M6 to my eye, and >began to focus. The ladies put their hands up in front of their faces and >make some comments which I did not catch. This was two or three months ago >and I have wondered to this day why they reacted in this manner. Is it an >economics issue? Are they perhaps not declaring the income? Or do they >perhaps regard picture taking as an intrusion? Or would they object less or >not at all if one were to buy a basket? If any of you can shed light on >this, I would appreciate it very much. All of the above, Bruce. People object to having their picture taken for many reasons. In some cultures, when you photograph the person you take away a part of their soul. I have had some people scorn me in predominantly Muslim countries for that very reason. I was completely ignorant of their cultural and religious beliefs. In native culture, sweetgrass is very important, being used in spiritual ceremonies as an agent of purification. It is a gift from the Creator. Perhaps it had something to do with that. Maybe they just wanted to retain some privacy. Who knows. If you are in a similar situation, ask the people who object why they don't want their picture taken. You may learn something that may be of use to you later. - -GH