Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/02/29
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]We have several groups in Ecuador that like their photo taken less than others.... one had a town ordinence that said you could take film of any photographer's camera who took your picture.... they ended up changing it to say that you could take the film out the camera if they photographed you on private property, but you couldn't in town. Reason.... well some guys came down and did a fairly extensive book on their culture and well..... #1 they got no money, #2 they were portrayed in the book as drinking constantly and not putting much emphasis on education, to put it nicely... well... if you were called perpetually drunk and stupid... you would forever be suspicious of foreigners no matter what they told you were their intentions.. Besides that, you can buy post cards of this people group all over Ecuador and they feel they deserve some of the money.. Practically speaking, these days every person has to have there photo taken at some point. By Ecuadorian law, everyone has a photo ID, even the most remote indians in the Jungle. Most people in the U.S. have them for a drivers license etc. so... it's hard to use the soul stealing as an excuse.... But some people don't like having their photo taken unless they get some benefit whether it be money... or a few enjoyable moments of time talking with a someone new.. I try the latter approach whenever possible... But I still prefer a long lens for pictures of indigenous peoples. Duane HCJB World Radio Quito Ecuador Duane's Photographs of Ecuador: http://duane_birkey.tripod.com