a note on photographs
I know this is something that CCS stresses to new volunteers, but I think it's important enough that it bears repeating. All of the subjects in my photos were asked for their permission before I snapped the shutter. Every person, every time. Every time we were a new place, I asked (yes, even the kids hamming for the camera in Rau Village. ASK.) Every time I wanted to take a photo of my kids at placement, I asked. And when they said no, I respected it. No pouty faces, no please, please, please. Heck, when I let the boys use my camera I told them that when a classmate said "No photo" they needed to listen.
Noeli, Gregory and Bahati (Juvi)
Snapping photos of people on the sly is disrespectful (why are you hiding your camera?). Snapping photos from a distance is disrespectful (why don't they deserve the decency of a greeting?). If you can't take the shot, too bad. Your 'right' to have a photo doesn't trump their right to determine if they want a total stranger to own their image. We're not photojournalists here, these photos aren't for anything more than our own benefit, and we're trying to build a relationship of mutual trust and respect. Everything you do reflects back on the program. Do you want them to think that your primary interest here is taking photos of Africans?
Respect them by asking and respect their answer. Every time. Period.
Barak (Rau Village)
Snapping photos of people on the sly is disrespectful (why are you hiding your camera?). Snapping photos from a distance is disrespectful (why don't they deserve the decency of a greeting?). If you can't take the shot, too bad. Your 'right' to have a photo doesn't trump their right to determine if they want a total stranger to own their image. We're not photojournalists here, these photos aren't for anything more than our own benefit, and we're trying to build a relationship of mutual trust and respect. Everything you do reflects back on the program. Do you want them to think that your primary interest here is taking photos of Africans?
Respect them by asking and respect their answer. Every time. Period.
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Comment by Daniel 7 hours ago -
Many , many thanks for this blog of yours Emily. Taking photos in another cultural environment does require a lot of sensability, and respect of the individuals which you want in your shot. To often over the years, I have seen volunteers taking photos of people which obviously didn't want to have there picture taken. When we work in a community and try to build a relation of trust, it is most important to ask first before just snapping a shot of someone, there house, there kids. I have always mentionned to volunteers that the camera is something exciting and at times mysterious, for kids and for that matter adults as well. If you can take the time, nurture the relations first and have the decency to ask an accept that the answer will not always be a spontanuous yes! I also make a point in the community to create special moments where the camera can come out and be used, in accord with the people involved.
Again, I always think about how I would like to be treated and asked myself, if someone wanted to take my picture somewhere how would I like to be approached?. I apply the same for those with whom I share my time, my love and efforts. Dignity and respect, are my motto! Just think about it!
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Many , many thanks for this blog of yours Emily. Taking photos in another cultural environment does require a lot of sensability, and respect of the individuals which you want in your shot. To often over the years, I have seen volunteers taking ph...
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