So it is Gaandhi Jayanti today and I am home all day. I have been up since 10 and it is 1 pm right now. I am still in my pjs and am feeling lethargic. I would like to go out and visit places, like the girnar mountains or the gir forest, but I want some company for it. I tell myself that I should do some work, read some articles, etc etc, but honestly, just don’t feel like it. I guess it is during such days where I can feel a little lonely. But that’s ok. I need to experience that and learn how to deal with it. In the meantime, I am watching bollywood movies. I am watching “Mera Naam joker” and really, it’s one of those lovely, classic 4 hour long movies. I am ok with that though. I enjoy it.
As I said, from my yesterday’s trip, there are a few things going on in my mind and one of the questions is regarding the ethics of photography. When I go for these field visits, I like to take a lot of pics of the people that I meet. Before taking their pics, I make sure to ask them if I can do so. So far, I have only received positive responses and people are ok with me taking their pics. And I have even posted some of them in my earlier blogs. But yesterday, when I was coming home, a man clicked my pic (without my permission) from his cellphone, and said “don’t worry I’ll delete it”, which he did. But in that moment, I felt uncomfortable not because he took my pic without my permission, but because I did not know what he would/could do with that pic. Similarly, while these people that I meet are ok with me clicking their pics, they don’t know how I plan on using them. Or perhaps they don’t care. They certainly don’t know that I can use those pics to put them up on my blog. This made me wonder, if the pic who clicked my pic went ahead and put it up on some kind of public forum without my permission, how comfortable would I feel. And I realized, I wouldn’t be too happy with that thought. Since then, I have been in two minds about what to do with the pics I am clicking. A part of me really wants to put them up and share them with you, but another part says, I have not asked the people’s permission to publicly share these pictures. Am I being too paranoid? I am not sure, but at the moment I am hesitant. Any opinions on this one? In the meantime, I can and will definitely post up my own pics.
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Hi Richa :) It's very nice to read your blogs. I'm very happy that you are enjoying your time in India.
ReplyDeleteAs for the photography comments, I think that you shouldn't make a big deal out of it, since the pictures you are taking are for your own personal use. You are not applying to Photo Contests Online during your lazy days, are you? ;) (Those are BS anyway! Almost got scammed myself once..)
P.s. I will be expecting a huge Indian style dinner cooked all by you when you're back :):):D
Many people may not mind their photos on internet provided those are decent to post, which in this case are. Even if you seek permission from villagers to post these on internet they may agree without realizing the impacts or gravity, if any, of the action.
ReplyDeleteNonetheless, your concern is genuine. I wonder what other anthropologists do if they have to portray real life and conditions. Take distance shots so that people are not identifiable? I don't know...or just take their consent and go aheaad with it........
And yes, count me in too for the huge Indian style dinner that you'll cook for Paule. Looking forward to that :)
ReplyDeleteHow did a blog on photography manage to turn into a self invite for a large Indian style dinner?? :P Still baffled by that one. But alright alright, be prepared. You have already seen a preview of what you can expect from my culinary skills. So I am ready if you are ;)
ReplyDeleteAnd as for the photography, yeah, I think I will just start asking for their consent not just to click their pics, but also to share it. I will feel a bit more comfy if I do that.