no photographs
Last weekend I took a much needed break from work, spent some quality time with my cameras and fell in love all over again with my Olympus EP-2. I never felt that way about my G9 even though it was also just as portable and I loved the images I made with it. Maybe it’s the interchangeable lenses or how the world looks when I peek through the electronic viewfinder but I feel very comfortable photographing with it.
On a visit to the Pike Place Market, I set the camera to RAW and black and white JPG as I’ve done in the past and I never changed the settings once. As I wandered around the market, I made images you often see like the one above and of the flower sellers and fishmongers. Then I had an idea of photographing the stalls where people were selling souvenir images and art of Seattle.
That is until someone decided they didn’t like me photographing their images. I didn’t realize people are so protective of their market art but after that incident I noticed how many stalls and shops had signs banning photographs. Still I think one of my favourite images from the day is one I’m going to title “No Photographs”. It’s a bit tongue in cheek in the way that I like to be. I am sure the woman thought she was spoiling my image when she stuck her arm in the frame but personally I was so excited when I saw it and I just knew I had the image that I wanted. Enjoy!
Love it
Glad you had so much fun!
Thanks Ellie. I hope Cami comes to visit soon so we can take her to Granville Island for more fun together!
I’m not sure why she chose to be so protective of her images, it’s not like these are so different from the million other images you can find of Seattle
I’m glad you had such a great time rediscovering your Olympus Sabrina!
Exactly Craig! I found the irony of it really amusing and it added to the enjoyment of photographing with my Pen.
Love these Sabrina! We are b&w fiends! I picked up the EP-1 and hate that I have to use the screen on the back. Throws me off now! haha. I must say, I MISS my Olympus cameras so much.
If only they performed in low light.
I’ve tried it without the electronic view finder Sue and I much prefer using the camera with it. Pick one if you plan to use your EP-1 more, you won’t regret it. Someone (who shall remain nameless) actually planted an evil thought in my head and now I am thinking about the OMD and converting the EP-2 to a little infrared camera. And here I was thinking I was done with amassing gear!
I’ve noticed an increasing number of no photography signs in places and it baffles me aside from museums and art galleries where a flash would have a detrimental effect on the conservation of the art or artifact. The photography of the ladies arm is a wonderful moment.
I made a side trip to see the Gauguin exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum and they did not allow photographs at that exhibit but they do in other parts of the museum. What a juxtaposition between the art there and the market art! I’m glad you liked the addition of the arm in the image, a bit more of an interesting statement, I think.
To the vendors defense, I have a story for you. One day last summer I was perusing the Ladner Farmers Market with my camera. I stopped at a photographers stall and had a chat with him. He too had a sign saying “No photographs”. I asked him about it. He was telling me the reason is because he had some people walk right up and get a photograph of his work in full frame. Meaning, they we liked the photo but didn’t want to pay to buy so they were essentially stealing the work to have it printed at their own convenience.
I do understand the reasons for it, Chris but to me, they are very generic images and often repeated at other vendors throughout the market and on postcards. It’s a bit of commentary on what is art and what is market art and that is what I was trying to get at when I started photographing these vendor stalls.
We have the same issue here with some but not all of the buskers in the market area. It’s unfortunate but that’s there choice. I expect you were not tempted to part with any money at those stalls.
You are correct Ken. I did not buy anything from those stalls
I hope you and Sandi get a chance to visit Pike Place Market though as there is enough we are allowed to photograph!
I’d love for Sandi to join me but she declined this time. We’re having our own vacation in Orlando in a couple weeks (celebration of 31st anniversary!, 32nd if you count the year that included a few dates, and the engagement lol)
Great moment!
Thanks Matea!
I do love this. And love the feeling that comes with the black and white treatment… sort of glam/paparazzi.
Thanks Erin. For some reason the B&W with the Pen just feels right. The images look much better on the new iPad too. By the way, I managed to bring the camera to send to you at the US address so it should be there when you arrive.
It is interesting with the ‘no photographs’ signs. I would consider the markets to be a public space and therefore legally open to photography. I think many of those signs are actually not in any way legally binding – similar to the ones in shops that say ‘breakages must be paid for’.
Ironic that the vendors don’t want you taking photos of the stalls when they have taken photos of the markets themselves.
Pleased you’re back!
Back but not for long Deborah. I really have to work at revamping my website!
Really like that dirst shot ya have here. Looks good.
Thanks! It is a bit ubiquitous but I think it shows a sense of place.
Reading what Chris Plante wrote reminded me of a recent conversation I had. My sister’s family came to visit and brought along 2 teenage foreign exchange student. We made a day trip to Santa Fe and while there I wanted to see the Vivian Maier exhibit at Monroe Gallery. While looking at one of the images one of the exchange students asked me, “why would someone pay $1500 for this image?” I tried to answer that it was unique, a unique perspective, a unique view. The girl stopped me, “no, why would I pay $1500 when I could just take a picture of it instead?” I was a bit stunned. “Yes, but it’s not allowed” was my weak reply. “Well, she just did.” and she pointed to her friend, wielding a camera.
My response was, “yes, but she didn’t make THAT image. THAT is a whole other story!”
It is difficult for lay people to understand the value of a direct print. To them it is just a picture, and if someone else took it then they can take a picture of it too. Especially since most often the photographer didn’t make what they took an image of, but rather they took from their environment to make the image. So why not the lay photographer as well?
A few weeks later the young exchange student posted the following quote on her Facebook wall:
“Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else’s opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation.”
Never one to pass up a learning opportunity, I commented: “and that is why I don’t take pictures of other people’s pictures.”
I remember an exhibit Sean Gallagher did in China and where he photographed people photographing his images. It was quite interesting to see that some people had no problem copying other people’s work in this fashion. I do have to say though in some ways I prefer their candor to those who don’t believe they are copying others’ work but in reality they are. Right down to wanting to use the same camera and even dress the part.
I do also want to be clear here that I was not attempting to copy someone’s work by photographing it but I was making a statement about art and in particular the art you find in markets. There is a reason to want to protect it from being photographed because it is so easily replicated just steps away. Vivian Maier is a different story because those images can never be replicated today. And to try to do so in that manner is completely nonsensical to me.
Hi Sabrina,
Sorry, I didn’t mean to imply that you might take these pictures for that reason. I completely understand your thinking and in fact agree. I was mostly thinking out loud. I’ve seen silliness on both sides.
No need to apologize at all Brian. Your comment raised good points about imitation and the value placed on images especially in this day and age of digital photography. This would be a great topic for later
if you know what I mean…
The 3 i’s
Inspiration, imitation and influence – and how few understand the difference