Monday, January 19, 2009

Ann - Here's one I prepared earlier

Four and a half years earlier, to be precise. Thought you might like it.

I've been racking my brain to remember if I've ever taken this type of photo before. I didn't think so, then I remembered "Peruvian hairless man with Peruvian hairless dog". This one meets all the criteria. I saw him on the street, was fascinated by the dog and stopped him. He spoke excellent English and we had an interesting conversation. I don't remember his name and don't have anything in my journal about the encounter but for some reason I think he may be a doctor. He was the first to joke about owners looking like their pets.

This second photo (Mali last year) shows exactly why I don't like asking, especially when travelling. A few minutes earlier this woman was laughing and playing with her baby. There was no way, in the close quarters, that I could take a photo surreptitiously so I asked permission. I probably also paid. This is the result, exactly what I didn't want - a stiff, posed shot. Even the baby posed. For some reason Africans adopt very formal poses in photos, they won't even smile.

9 comments:

Julie said...

See, from our CDPB posts I would never have attributed either of these two shots to you. In your blog you steer clear of people and you steer clear of close-ups unless of flowers, etc. So, my thinking is that you totally have this style within your repertoire, you just need to dig it out more often. Mix up what you take and mix up what you post.

And why isn't this one numbered? Because it is aged and not done during the period of the challenge. Upon reflection, that might be a useful criterion to have.

bitingmidge said...

You've been reading my mind! I've been thinking about uploading a few of my earlier "portraits" as well, they seemed so easy to take at the time, and the outcome didn't matter.

I love both these shots, and if you hadn't told the story of the woman and her baby, you could have written any story of tragedy and we would have believed it. It really highlights the fact that there is no truth in the visual medium!

Perhaps its just me, but you appear to been relaxed while taking both these photos!

Julie said...

By all means upload some old ones - and discuss what is good, bad and ugly ...

Ann said...

Travel shots. I'm a different person when I'm travelling. Didn't number it because it was taken before we started, however I am happy to number it if you say I can.

I steer clear of people/close up shots because of privacy. Its different if I'm travelling and the people I take are either a) used to tourists photographing them and b) never likely to see the result. Taking locals is different, I'm not sure how I'd feel about coming across my photo on someone's blog. Its not paid publication so presumably you don't need a release but its still publication.

Ann said...

Julie, you should take a look at my travel albums (links on Travel Blog). Lots of people shots but these are the only two where I formally asked permission.

bitingmidge said...

One of the things I resolved to do a few years ago, was to keep my "travellers hat" on, even when I am at home. I am always fascinated by how much we see when we are away, and how little we notice when we are in familiar territory.

Wish it worked just as easily for people. I think I'm off to find a straw hat and a floral shirt. If I look like a tourist, perhaps I'll think like one!

Julie said...

I find that being someone who takes photographs has dramatically improved the way I notice my surroundings. And taking my father out somewhere in Sydney each and every Saturday morning helps him and helps me at the same time. I get to investigate a new and different place. However, I choose places that I know he will like and never stray far from the car.

Julie said...

Shut your ears, Peter.

Your Peruvian chap is a most attractive man, Ann. However, with no mouth showing, his beard appears like a fungus enveloping his face! Great shot of him! God his dog is plug ugly ...

bitingmidge said...

However, with no mouth showing, his beard appears like a fungus enveloping his face!

I am very grateful that you didn't take this shot as he was enjoying a cappuccino!