Not the only one!

Guess what? I’m not the only one who does this! Out East in New York City, another photographer, named Ourit Ben-Haïm takes photos of people on the subway on the Underground NY Public Library. She takes photos of people reading books on public transit. I am so glad to see this blog and know I’m not alone in my weird desire to capture a regular moment in time on public transit just for the heck of it.

I have to admit, there have been times when I have felt a bit weird about taking photos without the person/people knowing it’s happening. I’ve had well meaning friends warn me about possible legal problems doing this and it scared me a lot, but I do use my judgement and I only post photos that wouldn’t embarrass the person. Trust me, I’ve seen lots of scratching, rubbing and picking of areas and either didn’t take the photo or deleted the photo upon inspection. And this photographer has a common questions page about this very concern.

I really like this type of candid photography…I really do. I believe it’s a form of street photography and ever since I saw the photography of Vivian Maier I’ve been compelled to take photos of regular, every day life.

I often think, “What if someone is taking a photo of me and I didn’t know it?”. Well, I would hope they would be kind and if I was doing something awful, like talking with my mouth full and my eyes were closed and my double chins were showing, I would hope the person would delete that photo. And I will do the same for others.

Hey! I think that will be my new slogan – I will delete any and all photos of you talking with your mouth full, with your eyes closed, and where your double chins are showing. You can count on me.

Those are words to live by.

Tagged as: #accordionbus, I take photos of people on transit, it's art, Thank you public transit, Whoa. Deep thoughts.