Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2008/07/16
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]At 06:59 PM 7/16/2008, you wrote: >Wondering what some of you think about shooting pictures of people >whose religion forbids being photographed (i.e., Amish)? I struggle >with this regularly as there are lots of Amish in Ohio and they live >in such picturesque environments. My personal approach has been to >photograph their farms, buggies, etc. at will but not to photograph >them from the front. Usually, I just do grab shots from the car but >never of them unless they don't see me (i.e., from behind, long >tele, etc.). Am I being too sensitive? > >Rob Rob- The Amish religion does not forbid being photographed. The Amish are particularly sensitive to being a tourist attraction and do value their privacy. Many photographers who have established a relationship with the Amish people have published photos and books. Just one example: http://amishphoto.com/ But he has spent 36 years photographing the Amish and gaining their trust. I think that is totally different from grab shots from a photographer who has no relationship with the people. Taking the time to develop a relationship makes all the difference in the photos and their use. If you make the effort to meet the Amish and talk to them about their religion and society, I would think they would be very welcoming to your photographing their lives with sensitivity and not exploitation. As a photojournalist, not a paparazzi. You are not being too sensitive and your instincts are right. Tina Tina Manley www.tinamanley.com