‘Photo please’ extortionists

mridula · Jan 21st, 2007, 17:24

Sad thing to happen to you LB. And you behaved quite wisely.

ShirleyD · Jan 21st, 2007, 17:45

Sounds like you had a really bad day LB. I've never come across aggresion like that before when taking photos.

I have had a photo experience but it was the other way round. I was at the Taj, wearing a sari - so I guess as a very pale and blonde women I kinda stood out. I was sat on a bench opposite taking in the sheer beauty when a young man sat down next to me and his friend took a photo. Next his friend sat down and another was taken but not a word was said or even any eye contact or even a smile. They walked away but 5 minutes later they were back with their (large) family, all keen to photographed with the freak!! By the 6th photo I was well peed off. So I got my guide book and kept my head down but the photographer kept making pssst noises to make me look up. After a short while I looked up with a hidous grimace - which I'm sure made a super picture and then thankfully they moved on. But not one of them, out of about a dozen or more, smiled or said a word.

A group of older Indian women saw the incident and could see I was upset by it and came over and patted my sari and generally fussed over me which I thought was very kind. None of them could speak any English but just by their actions and gestures they confied their feelings which I appreciated.

When I repeated this story later it was suggested that perhaps the group wanted to sit on the bench and that I should have moved so they could???

But do you think I should have asked for money?

mridula · Jan 21st, 2007, 17:50

Shirly, were you sitting on the photography bench? The ones at a little distance from Taj but in direct line? That is the photography bench. But never mind, someone could have requested you to move if they really wanted that.

SANJAY_DEL · Jan 21st, 2007, 17:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by mridula

Shirly, were you sitting on the photography bench? The ones at a little distance from Taj but in direct line? That is the photography bench. But never mind, someone could have requested you to move if they really wanted that.

Its also called the Princess Diana bench, ever since the lady posed there alone, having visited the Taj without her husband.

ShirleyD · Jan 21st, 2007, 17:54

No, I know the one you mean. The one that Diana was photopgraphed on. It was just a regular bench, facing the Taj.

dhans · Jan 21st, 2007, 18:30

Hi Lotus,

In no way I wanted to say that this was not a lousy experience, or that you should not post it. On the other hand: it's just one of these things that sometimes happen when travelling, in India, in Asia, or where-ever in the world (including the low countries.

I remeber my camera being stolen in Saigon and being pissed off with everybody in Vienam for over 5 days.

Don't let it spoil the trip!

Hans

Digital Drifter · Jan 21st, 2007, 19:41

What LB went through is pretty common in certain circumstances.

On the way to the Taj with a couple of American colleagues(IT related), at some spot the car slowed down because of traffic. Suddenly, the 3(all ladies) of them lunged to one side of the car and started snapping pictures.

It turns out there were 2 men with a bear and were making it dance. More snaps. As the driver prepared to move on, the 2 men deamnded money by blocking the car. Arguments later by myself & the driver, we settled for the astronomical sum of Rs 5.

watching it quietly and as we drove on, after a pregnant pause,

"this happened in Italy too, umm..we took pictures with a couple of actors dressed as gladiators near the Colosseum and they demanded 10 dollars. It was our camera and our film roll, I dont get why they need money."

Right.

I told them, once at the Taj, wear your sunglasses, dont make eye contact with the trinket sellers and please don't talk to them. Even with that, with the aggressivenous of the touts, I was nervous. Man, there was one photographer who was insistent he take snaps of them even though clearly they all had their digital cameras. One of the ladies, wearing her sunglasses, stopped, stared while he kept asking without saying a word. No emotion in her face, just stood her ground, stared through him in that completely icy look.

Disconcerted he walked off.

What LB went through is an order of magnitude more than that.

dhans · Jan 21st, 2007, 19:48

A photographer at the taj took pictures of our family and didn't even want money for it.

Not everybody is bad in Agar and talking to touts can be quiet amusing (get them to talk about the japanese and the amaricans, always fun. And don't forget to ask about your own contrymen. Often enlightening!)

Hans

Sama · Jan 21st, 2007, 20:28

like sirensongs, at the Chennai train station I was also asked by a railroad "cop" to stop taking pictures when a baggage handler was happy to pose for me. in fact, the cop yelled at him, too. I was told that the cop said, as he smirked and laughed, "are you going to put that photograph in your office?" the handler stopped smiling, bowed his head, and scurried away.

as you can see from my photo gallery, I love taking people pics and never once (never say never tho) did anyone demand money. I also asked permission to take peoples' pictures, except for crowd shots. if ever confronted, I think I would adopt the tactic that DD suggests, sunglasses (which I wear all the time anyway) and stone-faced. I call it the dead man (or woman) walking look.....

lotus blossom · Jan 22nd, 2007, 13:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt_mahajan

maybe we need a thread on what toursits should do in situations like this.

not a bad idea. gut instinct is generally the best thing to listen to, but sometimes in stressful situations, all logic can go out the window.

Nick-H · Jan 22nd, 2007, 15:08

Photography is banned at airports and railway stations

mridula · Jan 22nd, 2007, 15:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

Photography is banned at airports and railway stations

Nick, but I have regularly taken pictures at the railway stations and airports in India and no one ever stopped me.

And how do I make the size of this picture smaller?

Update: After reading the reply from Amyl I have deleted the image URL. It was way too big.

amyl · Jan 22nd, 2007, 16:49

Since ur gonomad site does not give a thumbnail like facility like Imageshack and some others give, Guess u cannot reduce the size to a smaller or to a thumbnail size but yes to a link u can of course reduce it

perhaps like this

Quote:

Nick, but I have regularly taken pictures at the railway stations and airports in India and no one ever stopped me.

btw even I take loads of pictures at the airport n even inside the aircraft. and absolutely no problem at the railway stations I faced anytime. But yes, here in SG I did ask the station assistant before taking my shots, lest I had to empty pockets or go to the ATM to pay the fine for photography.

on the original post.... LB, that was indeed a horrid situation you were in. Having read part of ur story I had thot u shud have got rid of that thug by simply giving him some bucks but then realized and read the worse possibilty of attracting his friends. Given that situation you took the safest way out. Be Glad...it cud have been worse.

and yes... such an experience is just another strong reason for young ladies to NOT venture out alone. Specially at places like Delhi...NO NO NO...I hate Delhi for its ppl (of course not all) but the ones we, travelers usually come across are absolute morons and money hungry. be it at the stations or sights as this one.

I staunchly feel ladies shud have a limit in being adventurous. Afterall they are ladies. No matter how strong they are mentally and physically they ARE subordinate and ARE more vulnerable to extortions and harrassments by ppl than their superior counterparts are. Well, I do not say men easily escape such situations or have a kinda 'shield'. Even they are prone to suffering at times but the point is they are LESS vulnerable.

I would say a BIG NO to ladies traveling alone!!!!! Its an UNNECESSARY RISK. If you want adventure try mountain biking, go deeeeeeeep water soloing, go white water rafting... I would prefer injuries in such activites than being at such places ,alone and unfortunately getting assaulted.

but yes there are some female souls like SS and yourself who want to push the limits...no one can hold that urge to explore, yeah! Just read about SS's two day thrill drive thru the interiors of Bihar. I personally would never step in Bihar for obvious reasons. A white lonely lady on the Bihar roads is nightmarish for me. I awe the audacity, btw.

But I still say.....have always said...you ppl tend to let ur beloved ones back home keep worrying about you. SLEEPLESS NIGHTS!!!! An unfortunate eventuality is an eventuality.... it cannot be reversed. Being a lady and being lonely do invite all these
horrendous possibilities.

Dave&Jewel · Jan 22nd, 2007, 17:24

We took quite a few photos of people when we were in Goa two years ago, we always asked first and all they wanted was to see the result on the camera. Only two adults asked us for money, we told them no... but if they paid us we'd happily oblige, they smiled and waved us on our way.

machadinha · Jan 22nd, 2007, 21:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by amyl

I would say a BIG NO to ladies traveling alone!!!!! Its an UNNECESSARY RISK.

The enthusiastic stories of my travelling female friends (solo or in pairs) were what got me going in the first place...

Jan 21st, 2007, 17:50	#33
mridula Sair Kar Duniya Ki Galib , Jindagani Fir Kahan ... Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 1,469	Shirly, were you sitting on the photography bench? The ones at a little distance from Taj but in direct line? That is the photography bench. But never mind, someone could have requested you to move if they really wanted that. __________________ mridula http://www.gonomad.com/traveltalesfromindia/

Jan 21st, 2007, 18:30	#36
dhans Uru Buru member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,590	don't get me wrong Hi Lotus, In no way I wanted to say that this was not a lousy experience, or that you should not post it. On the other hand: it's just one of these things that sometimes happen when travelling, in India, in Asia, or where-ever in the world (including the low countries. I remeber my camera being stolen in Saigon and being pissed off with everybody in Vienam for over 5 days. Don't let it spoil the trip! Hans __________________ Tips for trips to India with (young) children: India with kids Stories about our travels in India: Journal

Jan 21st, 2007, 19:41	#37
Digital Drifter bang a whore? Bangalore Dammit! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,878	What LB went through is pretty common in certain circumstances. On the way to the Taj with a couple of American colleagues(IT related), at some spot the car slowed down because of traffic. Suddenly, the 3(all ladies) of them lunged to one side of the car and started snapping pictures. It turns out there were 2 men with a bear and were making it dance. More snaps. As the driver prepared to move on, the 2 men deamnded money by blocking the car. Arguments later by myself & the driver, we settled for the astronomical sum of Rs 5. watching it quietly and as we drove on, after a pregnant pause, "this happened in Italy too, umm..we took pictures with a couple of actors dressed as gladiators near the Colosseum and they demanded 10 dollars. It was our camera and our film roll, I dont get why they need money." Right. I told them, once at the Taj, wear your sunglasses, dont make eye contact with the trinket sellers and please don't talk to them. Even with that, with the aggressivenous of the touts, I was nervous. Man, there was one photographer who was insistent he take snaps of them even though clearly they all had their digital cameras. One of the ladies, wearing her sunglasses, stopped, stared while he kept asking without saying a word. No emotion in her face, just stood her ground, stared through him in that completely icy look. Disconcerted he walked off. What LB went through is an order of magnitude more than that. __________________ Click here for the Indiamike train guide in PDF

Jan 21st, 2007, 20:28	#39
Sama a pain in the asana Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: the India inside my heart Posts: 5,468	like sirensongs, at the Chennai train station I was also asked by a railroad "cop" to stop taking pictures when a baggage handler was happy to pose for me. in fact, the cop yelled at him, too. I was told that the cop said, as he smirked and laughed, "are you going to put that photograph in your office?" the handler stopped smiling, bowed his head, and scurried away. as you can see from my photo gallery, I love taking people pics and never once (never say never tho) did anyone demand money. I also asked permission to take peoples' pictures, except for crowd shots. if ever confronted, I think I would adopt the tactic that DD suggests, sunglasses (which I wear all the time anyway) and stone-faced. I call it the dead man (or woman) walking look..... __________________ *My India, 2005-2008* BE THE REVOLUTION

Jan 22nd, 2007, 15:08	#41
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,791	Photography is banned at airports and railway stations __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Jan 21st, 2007, 17:24	#31
mridula Sair Kar Duniya Ki Galib , Jindagani Fir Kahan ... Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 1,469	Sad thing to happen to you LB. And you behaved quite wisely.

Jan 21st, 2007, 17:45	#32
ShirleyD Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Blackpool, England Posts: 71	Sounds like you had a really bad day LB. I've never come across aggresion like that before when taking photos. I have had a photo experience but it was the other way round. I was at the Taj, wearing a sari - so I guess as a very pale and blonde women I kinda stood out. I was sat on a bench opposite taking in the sheer beauty when a young man sat down next to me and his friend took a photo. Next his friend sat down and another was taken but not a word was said or even any eye contact or even a smile. They walked away but 5 minutes later they were back with their (large) family, all keen to photographed with the freak!! By the 6th photo I was well peed off. So I got my guide book and kept my head down but the photographer kept making pssst noises to make me look up. After a short while I looked up with a hidous grimace - which I'm sure made a super picture and then thankfully they moved on. But not one of them, out of about a dozen or more, smiled or said a word. A group of older Indian women saw the incident and could see I was upset by it and came over and patted my sari and generally fussed over me which I thought was very kind. None of them could speak any English but just by their actions and gestures they confied their feelings which I appreciated. When I repeated this story later it was suggested that perhaps the group wanted to sit on the bench and that I should have moved so they could??? But do you think I should have asked for money?

Jan 21st, 2007, 17:54	#35
ShirleyD Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Blackpool, England Posts: 71	No, I know the one you mean. The one that Diana was photopgraphed on. It was just a regular bench, facing the Taj.

Jan 21st, 2007, 19:48	#38
dhans Uru Buru member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,590	A photographer at the taj took pictures of our family and didn't even want money for it. Not everybody is bad in Agar and talking to touts can be quiet amusing (get them to talk about the japanese and the amaricans, always fun. And don't forget to ask about your own contrymen. Often enlightening!) Hans

Jan 22nd, 2007, 17:24	#44
Dave&Jewel Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Cambridgeshire UK Posts: 67	We took quite a few photos of people when we were in Goa two years ago, we always asked first and all they wanted was to see the result on the camera. Only two adults asked us for money, we told them no... but if they paid us we'd happily oblige, they smiled and waved us on our way. __________________ We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Where Was This Photo Taken? (2)	somnath	Photography	1094	Aug 3rd, 2008 17:43
Where Was This Photo Taken?	Palexurdy	Andhra Pradesh	4	Dec 4th, 2006 13:33
Where was this photo taken?	Tomi	Photography	1611	Nov 21st, 2005 13:09
The ALL NEW Where was this photo taken?	sillylilly	Off the Beaten Trail in India	18	Aug 12th, 2004 13:06

User Name		Remember Me?
Password