Boston Globe’s “Big Picture” does it again. Look at this collection of stunning images of Afghanistan:

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/10/afghanistan_october_2009.html

Stunning. And also sad. Especially, I thought, the “no democracy – we just want Islam” picture – and those are supposed to be students.

And why are they great photographically? I think because they are all a combination of great composition, meaningful subject, and good technique (wide open f/1.4 lenses, available light, and wide angles with a close subject).

BKKphotographer asked:

“Which one living person would you most like to photograph? Which one place or event would you most like to photograph?”

Mmm. I would love to photograph so many people. How do I pick one? Impossible. But I tell you – I would love to shoot Patti Smith. I am reluctant to give the obvious answer of “a celebrity” – but it was her photo by Robert Mapplethorpe on the cover of “Horses”, almost 35 years ago, that awakened my interest in photography. Something that shaped me, in other words.

A place is easier. Again, there are many… but I would love to shoot Afghanistan. I have always thought I would like to be a war journalist: spending time in places like Iraq in the 1980s, when the Iran-Iraq war was on, made me think “the world should see this”. That is another thing that shaped me. So while it’s dangerous, I would do it in a heartbeat.

I’ll come up with others – there will be things that I hit myself over the head withfor forgetting – but these are two off the cuff.

And you?

I am off to the Photography Show at the International Centre by Toronto Airport. Come see me speak – I’ll be there all three days.

As a photographer, you deal with all sorts of difficult situations. One is when people do not want you to take pictures.

Sometimes this happens at family gatherings. I find this hard to deal with – first, because it is such a central part of what I do. “No pictures!” to me is like saying “don’t discuss art” to a sculptor, or “don’t look beautiful” to a model, or “no perfumes allowed” to someone who has just spent $100 on nice perfume. Second, I find it irrational. Like “don’t look at me. You are stealing my soul”. Wear a veil, already! By taking photos of family gathering I do not steal anyone’s soul. Third, it is inconsiderate to all the others present, who do want photos of the event.

But yes, in a private setting, people totally have the right to say “no photos”. As a reasonable photographer, when that happens, I stop taking pictures, of course. Just don’t expect me to go back there: I have better things to do.

In the street, things are different. In English-speaking Canada, as well as in the US, if you are in a public area, you have the right to take pictures of anything and anyone you like (although there are exceptions like military installations).

But in the street, while you have the right to take pictures, things are not that simple there, either.

Typically, when anyone asks me to stop taking pictures in the street, I will. But not always.

You can get nice snaps in the street, and no souls are lost in the process.