JPG: Stories: Feature Story: Markets

Feature Story

Markets

By Lynda Jeffers

21 May 2009

As always I was very excited at the prospect of getting out and taking photos for the new theme 'markets'. Having seen already posted pics of people standing behind their products and looking resigned, if not overly thrilled to have their photos taken I decided to head off with my rather large, professional looking Nikon D90 expecting something of the same.

The first place I went was a classic car show with my husband and little Bichon, Monty in tow. We spent ages taking pics of all the cars and enjoying ourselves very much. On leaving the show there was a stall selling shoes and boots. I decided that it would make a great photo so went up to the stall and started to compose the picture. Whilst doing this I was approached by the owner of the stall and asked what I was doing. I replied that I was taking photos, not a difficult conclusion to come to really with a camera in my hand I thought. Then he asked me why. I replied that I wanted to and the shoes would make a good photo. He hung around a little too close for my liking as I carried on taking the pics and proceeded to tell me that he was concerned because the shoes and boots were stolen. I promised him that I wouldn't tell anyone and he amazingly was satified with this. However, I didn't believe that I looked like the police and Monty certainly doesnt look like a police dog! He did pat me on the back in a firm manner and laughed but made me think that he was not a man to get on the wrong side of. We browsed the rest of the stalls and took a few more photos but I was always wary of someone else challenging me again, however, no one did.

Again, today I went off with my camera and husband and Monty and we went down to the beach to seek out the stalls of brightlly coloured buckets and spades and windmills, ice creams and jelly shoes. I thought that these would make great photos. However, my fantasy of willing shop owners wanting to show off thier wares was not fulfilled. We were instead viewed with suspicion and there was a definate feeling that we should not be doing this.

I couldn't help wondering why they were so reluctant to have their goods photographed. Was it like the first man declared, that thier goods were stolen? Was it because they believed by taking images and not purchasing the itemes that it was like shop lifting but without taking the goods? Surely when you put your goods on display for the public to view and to pick up and then maybe decide to purchase you are putting yourself out there. If you have anything to hide then you really shouldnt be doing that.

I do find in general when out and about with my camera that people do tend to behave differently, and if I should dare venture out with my tripod then they think you are going to make them famous as they find any excuse to throw themselves infront of the camera and behave in a bizarre ways. Because of this I do try to go to places where there are less people, however there are only so many plants, flowers, butterflies and ancient ruins you can snap without loosing the will to live. I want vibrant, exciting, colourful photos, but peoples attitudes seem to make it difficutl to capture these things. In hind sight I am thinking that maybe buying a less conspicuous camera might have been a wiser purchase however, why should I compromise my art for the attitude of others. I love what I do and I just want to get out there and take pictures. Why do people have to make it so difficult?

I have attatched a couple of pics I did manage to take whilst out and about trying to cover the market theme, and of course also one of Monty!

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thought you might like this submission to JPG Magazine. If you do, vote it up!

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3 responses

Rey mos gave props (22 May 2009):
You captured the details of what markets can offer. Aside from food, toys dominates the market stands. All the best. Rey
Janice Mezzacappa gave props (12 Jul 2009):
Great work and awesome images, you really captured the essence of markets!! Monty is priceless!
Marco Martinez gave props (23 Jul 2009):
Love your story. The best part was about the man selling stolen shoes. That should not deter you from going out with your camera. I'm working on talking to people in an effort to establish a quick connection. That makes it easier for me to ask them if I can take their picture. You are a good writer.