What you are doing is wonderful, Herschel. We have to convince all
people that photographs are not evil. The Quran doesn't say that
and neither does the Bible. Graven images in both refer to idols
for worship, not depictions of ordinary people. I've photographed
women in Iraq, Iran, and am now working on a project photographing
Muslims in America. Good luck with your work in Oman.
Tina
I have friends, who've been to Siberia to gather material of visual
anthropology - traditional music, stories, fairy-tales and such stuff.
These native people very easily distrust everyone, because every
merchant has come back with gunmen. After ethnographers and
geographers geologists come and start drilling. And then the forestry
people come. And by that time their dignity has by long been
exchanged for vodka and sneakers.
If there is a slightest sign of distrust they won't sing or dance to
you at all or if they do sing or tell stories, that will be absolute
bullshit. They invent fake stories and fake fairytales not to open up
their lives. Later they may laugh how silly people from big cities
buy everything they hear and also try to fish on salmon in the high pike time.
They have told, that opening yourself up means tearing off protective
masking and then everyone can come and find your soul as a bare stone
at the river - a suitable place to wash their feet.
The same with photography. Giving away your picture is giving away
the key, the password.
Although it is not forbidden by sacred texts, there have been
extrasensitives who warn us about giving away your pictures or images
of your home or family; also about hanging up pictures with important
meaning to your living-room or bedroom. Even if you have good
intentions or do these people who get your picture, the world is full
of rude vibes that may harm you - so they say.
Once caught onto a photograph you will be vulnerable from that moment on.
Again - please don't get me wrong, but such suspicions belong to some
cultures or to some ways of thinking and every next day proves that
the world does not care.
Peeter
