Hi Craig, I hope so, it depends on individual's opinion.When I was in UK for a month,I was by then using canon BF800 P&S, I requested one female to take my portrait at Madam Taussards. Even I took a shot of her along with wax dolls. She didn't object, or show any disgusts over my action. Pointing to this incident,One of my colleagues,(he is citizen of UK)warned me not to do so. I was shocked. He said that It was not advisable and they didn't like these things(??????) On another occasion,a two seater car (modified one) attracted me due to its design and colour contrast, I was willing to take a snap-shot with the car beside me, when I was coming out from restaurant with my colleague. He refused to take a snapshot of me with that car. (I was feeling a bit isolated due to some unknown reasons). Even I wanted to have a group photo with all my UK office colleagues before leaving from there. (for my life-long memory). I just killed my desire and packed my things, got away from UK. Personally, I feel, there is nothing wrong,taking shots of people,when we are attracted by them, their appeals, enagaged with their day-to-day works, as long as ,we donot have any wrong intentions or disturbs them. As I am an Asian, I have been watching a lot of portraits of strangers,street children of mumbai,on web. I never felt bad/disgust for these things. Here, in India, one one will stop you from taking portraits,or no one will call cops...(even anyone calls a cop,he will pose for a snap shot,for you,with a smile). You are Welcome to our Place! Enjoy taking pictures! No one will stop you taking pictures of strangers. Thanks for bringing this issue. It made me to express something which was bothering inside me for longer time. With Thanks, Siddhun.M.Karthik Mumbai.
May 23, 2005
|