#43. Do something you’ve never done before.

Source: imgfave.com via Tina on Pinterest

Had to step out to run an errand for the office today so I took my camera along and clicked some pics on the way.

I read the above quote on Pinterest this morning (have I mentioned how much I love Pinterest??!) and it was running through my head the whole time and I am glad cause I took some pictures that I normally would have passed up. As a photographer, I’ve struggled with the rightness and wrongness of taking pictures of people on the street who may not necessarily want to be photographed. When I was in Bombay with Ben, shooting for Horse & Rider, we chanced upon a really interesting fish market that we wanted to photograph but were met with hostility and asked to leave. They didn’t like us being there, they didn’t want to be photographed which is totally understandable. Ben and I then had some interesting discussion over lunch about the whole issue but I still don’t really know where I stand. But in the middle of the debate, often it means a picture not taken. Possibly a picture that the subject would be totally fine with. You just have to ask. But I’m not good at asking.

And so with this running through my head, “if you want something you’ve never had, then you’ve got to do something you’ve never done”, and camera in hand, I asked these two men who were selling papaya and watermelon on the street if I could take a picture because oh-my-word, look at the brilliance of that orange and the light was perfect! And so I asked if I could photograph them and they agreed. So I clicked, showed them the pic and they were delighted. I thanked them and walked away. Awesome.

Now here’s the next thing to do that I’ve never done before. Make prints and give them copies. We’ve all had this good intention, don’t we, photographers? But I have to admit that I have never done it. I would love for someone to take a nice picture of me and then give it to me. So I should do it myself. And you’re responsible to keep me accountable because I know I will very easily get lax about it and never do it. So keep asking me if I did it, okay?

‘nuff said. Here are the pictures!

p.s. I have a whole bunch of other pics that I will share over the next couple of days so watch this space!