Comments on: ‘Take these hands, teach them what to carry’ http://peregrinebynature.com/things-i-saw-people-carry-today/ having a tendency to wander Sun, 20 May 2012 02:11:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Kari http://peregrinebynature.com/things-i-saw-people-carry-today/comment-page-1/#comment-4191 Kari Tue, 24 Feb 2009 11:40:57 +0000 http://peregrinebynature.com/?p=1475#comment-4191 I think it's admirable that you have a conscience about this as many photographers and journalists do not. It's true that many West Africans will not allow you to take their photograph. They have seen themselves on postcards and in magazines and they know that someone is making money off of them while offering nothing. I sometimes offer to pay, for example, I paid the man in this photo. I have no problems paying for something I will make no money on. I always ask if I can take a photo if it is of someone's face and if they say no I move on. As far as photographing while not being seen, I think that raises its own set of morality issues, don't you? I think it’s admirable that you have a conscience about this as many photographers and journalists do not. It’s true that many West Africans will not allow you to take their photograph. They have seen themselves on postcards and in magazines and they know that someone is making money off of them while offering nothing. I sometimes offer to pay, for example, I paid the man in this photo. I have no problems paying for something I will make no money on. I always ask if I can take a photo if it is of someone’s face and if they say no I move on.

As far as photographing while not being seen, I think that raises its own set of morality issues, don’t you?

]]> By: Ajah http://peregrinebynature.com/things-i-saw-people-carry-today/comment-page-1/#comment-2907 Ajah Tue, 10 Feb 2009 01:21:45 +0000 http://peregrinebynature.com/?p=1475#comment-2907 yes, I am Senegalese, currently in frigid & grey MA. yes, I am Senegalese, currently in frigid & grey MA.

]]> By: Jutta http://peregrinebynature.com/things-i-saw-people-carry-today/comment-page-1/#comment-2899 Jutta Mon, 09 Feb 2009 16:50:06 +0000 http://peregrinebynature.com/?p=1475#comment-2899 OK, let's try again: I am hesitant for different reasons. I try to respect people, not treat them like objects. I find this even more important in Africa then in the West. It's always good to ask people for permission before taking a photo. But it's not always possible. Among other things this means not taking pictures that exposes their poverty. Also, there is this strange idea that I will make lots of money with the photos and become rich, so people expect me to pay them for their permission. Since I don't get money for my photos, I don't like spending the money I don't get. Plus, people sometimes can get upset - e.g. drivers and passengers of illegally overloaded buses, etc - understandable they don't like being photographed and sometimes will get aggressive. Anyway, it's a complex mix of reasons that often keeps me from making photos. I prefer not to be "seen" but it is so hard to be invisible as a white person in Africa. ;-) OK, let’s try again: I am hesitant for different reasons. I try to respect people, not treat them like objects. I find this even more important in Africa then in the West. It’s always good to ask people for permission before taking a photo. But it’s not always possible. Among other things this means not taking pictures that exposes their poverty. Also, there is this strange idea that I will make lots of money with the photos and become rich, so people expect me to pay them for their permission. Since I don’t get money for my photos, I don’t like spending the money I don’t get. Plus, people sometimes can get upset – e.g. drivers and passengers of illegally overloaded buses, etc – understandable they don’t like being photographed and sometimes will get aggressive.
Anyway, it’s a complex mix of reasons that often keeps me from making photos. I prefer not to be “seen” but it is so hard to be invisible as a white person in Africa. ;-)

]]> By: Kari http://peregrinebynature.com/things-i-saw-people-carry-today/comment-page-1/#comment-2766 Kari Sat, 07 Feb 2009 19:31:21 +0000 http://peregrinebynature.com/?p=1475#comment-2766 i know, eggs are delicious. i know, eggs are delicious.

]]> By: Kari http://peregrinebynature.com/things-i-saw-people-carry-today/comment-page-1/#comment-2765 Kari Sat, 07 Feb 2009 19:29:21 +0000 http://peregrinebynature.com/?p=1475#comment-2765 ajah, thank you. are you from africa? ajah, thank you. are you from africa?

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