The issue of privacy and intrusion is something I am always conscious of when I am on the street. I think if I am not, then I should leave the camera at home. I imagine these ladies felt I was a nuisance, but as a foreigner they would not have been surprised to seeing me take photographs. I came upon them on my walkabout the local market in my wife’s hometown. It would have been hard for them not to draw attention dressed as they were. These were two ladies who took pride and time in their appearance, and looked a little out of place in the market. They were engaged in animated conversation under their two umbrellas. I approached as discreetly as I could, not wanting to make my presence felt, not wanting to intrude, and I suppose not wanting to lose or convert the candid moment they were involved in. Positioning myself to their right, I set up the camera and shot. I think the little click of the shutter release alerted them and startled them a little. I don’t think I frightened them as instead of walking away from me, they walked towards me. As they did, I took another shot (see below). Then I lowered the camera, gave a bow and bows were returned and one muttered something in Korean to the other. The other nodded her head, then slowly shook it from side to side and glanced back at me still shaking her head. I raised and held the camera to my chest, smiled and thanked them in Korean – Gomapsamida!
Did I intrude here? I certainly interrupted and maybe I provided them with a little distraction and amusement on a wet day.
The two photos are best seen together, I think.
Everything there is to know is constantly being revised
We can start again
The iPhone photograph was taken on the streets of Daegu. This man approached and I could feel his eyes on me causing my eyes to meet his. I stopped before him, gave what I thought was a requesting look as I raised the iPhone, nodded a few times and clicked. All the while, he appeared expressionless as he gazed at me. I showed him the shot and slowly an awareness of how he looked dawned on him. He seemed happy and sad in the same instant. He looked away from the iPhone to me and gave the slightest of bows and walked on.
Daegu
I think the moment you talk about is something we all go through when shooting on the streets. I actually feel that if the person senses the photographer’s apprehension then that is when they are more likely to act in a more hostile way, as questions go off in their head about what someone is doing looking at them with a camera. A thank you in the local language always goes a very long way.
The background story to your mobile shot is very moving. The shot is powerful enough as it is, full of curiosity but the line about an awareness dawning on him regarding his appearance adds even more.
Agreed – a thank you in the local language does go a long way. Usually people are intrigued as to why you want to take the photograph. I find that I can sense those who might not respond in a friendly way and I tend not to provoke them.
I love the stories Brendan, thank you. How do people react in Ireland when you photograph them? I was raised always hearing the Irish from the mother country are the friendliest people in the world. Family members would travel to Ireland and return with stories. Is this true, and is this friendliness shared with strangers who photograph them?