This busker sets himself up at our local Spar supermarket every weekend. He is not very good at all, but I sometimes put a few rand into his tin. This time I asked if I could photograph him, and he just nodded. When I was leaving he said "that will be R50", so I told him he was off his head and I'd rather delete the photos. I said I would even delete in front of him so he could see they were gone. I deleted all but this first one, but he'd turned his head away anyway, so I just walked away, but it did leave me feeling a bit disturbed and uncomfortable.
Wow..... I never would have expected someone to ask to be paid. (Of course I never have enough nerve to ask strangers anyway.) it's no wonder it made you feel uncomfortable!!
@beckyk365 Thanks Becky. No it's not one of my favourites. I wouldn't have minded him asking to be paid if he had done so right at the beginning - then I could have decided to simply walk on without taking any photos. But to make an issue about it afterwards wasn't right. I suspect he does that intentionally to make tourists feel compelled to pay him
Not great taste I must agree! We are back on this subject aren't we Desi! Thank goodness you've had a more positive experience since!
When we were at Weston Dairy Festival the other day I so wanted to shoot a little 'black' baby cos their hair is just gorgeous but was worried to ask the other who was holding it in case it caused offense or seemed racist... I suppose I could have just said - 'Your baby is gorgeous! Could I take it's portrait?' but didn't think of it at the time!
August 11th, 2016
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When we were at Weston Dairy Festival the other day I so wanted to shoot a little 'black' baby cos their hair is just gorgeous but was worried to ask the other who was holding it in case it caused offense or seemed racist... I suppose I could have just said - 'Your baby is gorgeous! Could I take it's portrait?' but didn't think of it at the time!