In the time before we all had smart phones, photography was an art. Sure, we probably had small cameras. But we recognized that the ‘professionals’ had better equipment, and had the eye and patience to set up a photograph and get the lighting right. Care was tak­en in every shot, love was put into every print. I know quite a number of these old-school photographers. Colin Baxter, the renowned photographer of Scottish landscapes, did contract photography for the company I worked for in Scotland. That was in the days before his own love of land­scape and Scottish scenes grew into postcards, calendars, posters, and books for which he is now known around the world. Jill Gocher is a Bali-based Australian photographer. Having lived in Nepal in the early 2000s her passion then was Tibet and Tibetan faces. I have three of her photographs hanging on my wall. All featuring Tibetan nomads.

 

I just found out this month that the photographer, Iain Macmillian, who shot the cover of the famous Abby Road Beatles album, was from my hometown of Carnoustie, Scot­land. I didn’t know him but think that deserves a mention here! And there are the fantastic photogra­phers in Nepal. These include (late) Juju Bhai Dhakhwa whose work in the 1960s was mainly of friends, family and neighbors around his home in Nagbahal, Patan. A time capsule of life in that era. Then of course there is Mani Lama who has been a photographer in Nepal for more than 40 years and winner of various awards.

 

But it’s not these photographers I want to talk of today. I want to talk about YOU. You, the ‘professional’ (who is getting paid) and you, the wannabe professional, and you, the Facebook and Instagram posters. The photographers of the past, and those who still work with respect for the subject, are unobtrusive; know­ing the best shots are often candid. And with the knowledge they are there to record the fact, event or scene, do not prevent others from enjoying the same! The modern ‘photographer’ by contrast seems to think he has exclusive right to any event happening.

 

Yes, he (usually a he) has been paid by the organizer to take pho­tographs or film of the event. But in doing so he does not seem to apply any common sense and realize that while he is a paid part of the organiz­ing team, the audience has paid (or given their time) for the privilege to be there as a guest. What happened to the saying “guest is god”? As the guest, or audience, I have a really hard time understanding why the photographer/videographer needs to be right in front of the stage at all times.

 

Last year at an open air event in Boudha, at one point there were three film crews (I think local TV channels) ON the stage. At the same time! We the paying audience could not see the performers for the cam­eras! Why not, since you know you are going to be covering an event, check out the place beforehand and work out where you can get the best shots while not blocking what the audience has come to see. Which is definitely not you!

 

Then I come to Instagrammers. There are now at beauty spots around the world signs telling us where to stand for the best selfie. It’s hilarious that pictures of mar­vellous landscapes show nature at its best, while on the other side of the camera are dozens of wan­nabes waiting their turn. Or worse still, features are added. Look up Penataran Lempuyang (Gates of Heaven) Temple in Bali. No lake there. But mirror like water is add­ed, I assume on an app, to give the gates their supposedly more photogenic appearance.

 

So, in brief, because I could say more, be considerate when taking photographs and pleeeaase, ancient architecture needs no app to make it look stunning!