Morocco life
by chaude
Children on the left were shouting at us not to take pictures, the splash of water in the middle was from the man trying to splash us and get us to leave, women on the right trying to hide from us, a bit of an alienated moment! What're they thinking! Appearing in a photo will take their souls away?!
Uploaded13/01/2011 - 20:10
CategoryPhoto Journalism
Posted 14/01/2011 - 08:47
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That's normally the case Paul, but after days in Morocco I've learnt that the reason they shout at you isn't because they don't want to be photographed. For women that might be true so as long as you tell them to turn away from the camera, they will happily do so.
The men and the children shout at you and tell you to go away, they say that it's "their street" and I cannot take pictures, he even told me that I'm a tourist and I shouldn't be there! The truth is all he wanted was a few dirhams (money), and of course I did explain what I wanted so he stormed off in rudeness. So were the kids trained to just ask for money and shout at tourists whenever they raise a camera, no matter a dslr or a mini compact or a phone even. I was quite disgusted by some of these manners when they treat every single tourist as a gold mine.
Having said that I did meet some of the best people I've ever met in Morocco, so not everyone's bad!
I was attracted to the colours of the street, but then it didn't come out as good as I thought and it made a pretty decent B&W though.
The men and the children shout at you and tell you to go away, they say that it's "their street" and I cannot take pictures, he even told me that I'm a tourist and I shouldn't be there! The truth is all he wanted was a few dirhams (money), and of course I did explain what I wanted so he stormed off in rudeness. So were the kids trained to just ask for money and shout at tourists whenever they raise a camera, no matter a dslr or a mini compact or a phone even. I was quite disgusted by some of these manners when they treat every single tourist as a gold mine.
Having said that I did meet some of the best people I've ever met in Morocco, so not everyone's bad!
I was attracted to the colours of the street, but then it didn't come out as good as I thought and it made a pretty decent B&W though.
Posted 14/01/2011 - 11:49
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Unfortunately what you're describing is common in virtually every developing country I've been to, some much worse than others, but it's still going to be controversial. No point trying to justify yourself, some people will never agree. I would just try and be sneakier when taking the shot, or simply pay them. Sweets and pens and things like that are good for the kids, at least you know they won't be giving the cash to a 'Fagan' wannabe!
Tim
AF - Pentax K5, Sigma 10-20/4-5.6, Tamron 17-50/2.8, Sigma 30/1.4, Sigma 70-200/2.8, Tamron 70-300/4-5.6
MF - Vivitar CF 28/2.8, Tamron AD2 90/2.5, MTO 1000/11
Stuff - Metz 58 AF1, Cactus v4, Nikon SB24, Raynox 150, Sigma 1.4x TC, Sigma 2x TC, Kenko 2x macro TC, Redsnapper 283 tripod, iMac 27”, Macbook Pro 17”, iPad, iPhone 3G
Flickr • Fluidr • PPG • Street • Portfolio site
Feel free to edit any of my posted photos! If I post a photo for critique, I want brutal honesty. If you don't like it, please say so and tell me why!
AF - Pentax K5, Sigma 10-20/4-5.6, Tamron 17-50/2.8, Sigma 30/1.4, Sigma 70-200/2.8, Tamron 70-300/4-5.6
MF - Vivitar CF 28/2.8, Tamron AD2 90/2.5, MTO 1000/11
Stuff - Metz 58 AF1, Cactus v4, Nikon SB24, Raynox 150, Sigma 1.4x TC, Sigma 2x TC, Kenko 2x macro TC, Redsnapper 283 tripod, iMac 27”, Macbook Pro 17”, iPad, iPhone 3G
Flickr • Fluidr • PPG • Street • Portfolio site
Feel free to edit any of my posted photos! If I post a photo for critique, I want brutal honesty. If you don't like it, please say so and tell me why!
Posted 14/01/2011 - 12:03
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Tim, words taken on board. As Morocco is the first developing country I have travelled on a trip of this style I think there's a lot more I have to learn about taking pictures. Some said be bold and just do it, some say if they shout, back off. I guess there's no proper way and as long as everyone's happy it's a good outcome!
To be fair, from this shot,the man in the middle was also trying to get money out of us earlier in the day so I'm not surprised that he hates us as he failed (We didn't want to buy his stuff unfortunately)
To be fair, from this shot,the man in the middle was also trying to get money out of us earlier in the day so I'm not surprised that he hates us as he failed (We didn't want to buy his stuff unfortunately)
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