Re: [Leica] and personal space....

["Joe Codispoti" <joecodi@thegrid.net>]

>>>> (snip)
How many people would react kindly to having a complete stranger come up
close into one's personal space, touch you on the arm or shoulder, and
then  push a camera into one's face?<<<<<

I am forever amazed at the the territoriality displayed by certain ethinic
groups.
How could one possibly take offense to being photographed?
Of course If one were being dragged to jail by four  burly cops and a PJ
"pushed a camera into one's face" one  might indeed be annoyed.

In 1964, while touring Philadelphia with my fiancee and a friend,
we paused sitting on a low parapet to rest.
My fiancee was seated between me and Richard, my African American friend.
A young photographer, most likely a photo student, crossed the street and
while passing in front of us stopped and snapped a photo of  us from no more
than 3 feet away.

If he had asked permission, perhaps the spontaneity of the moment would have
been lost. In any case neither of us thought of "invasion of privacy" or any
other infringment or abrigdment of personal rights.

Personally I am not aggressive enough to walk up to someone and help myself
to photos. However, neither do I cosider it an affront if others are capable
of it.

Joseph Codispoti