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Photos and videoEtiquetIt should be obvious that you don't whip out your cameras and start taking pictures or video of people you haven't met. Just as in our culture, this is considered rude, though people in Oceania are usually far too polite to say so. We always ask courteously and are rarely turned down, though it happens on occasion. Generally speaking, we avoid taking photos or video of people we don't know. It just doesn't seem right to treat people as objects of curiosity, and we take pains not to do so. Formal occasionsWe always track down the people in charge of formal affairs and ask whether it's OK to take pictures or video. Again, we have occasionally been denied, though usually people are delighted to have you taking pictures or video. Here also, we usually refrain from asking until we know people and can feel comfortable about making such a request. It's also good PR if you or the emcee say a little about what you're doing and thank everyone. It never hurts to promise (and deliver!!!) a copy of your photos or video as soon as possible after the occasion! I usually don't like to film formal stuff because I do not want to divert peoples' attention from what's taking place. When I do film at events I am careful to keep in the background, stay out of the audience's way, and to be respectful. It's not difficult if you give it some thought. We have been surprised on a few occasions when people have requested that I take video of stuff I wouldn't consider otherwise, out of respect. I was once asked to video a church service and the choir in Fiji. I'm glad I did, it turned out really well. Give something in return!Give a copy of your photos or video to your hosts. I gave VideoCDs of the church service to our hosts at Nabuna where it was greatly appreciated, and to all of the churches that participated in a singing and dancing festival in Kiribati. This is the kind of stuff that is completely out of reach for people in really remote and poor areas, and will be treasured for years to come. It's also a way to record and pass on traditions (songs, dance movements) that may one day be lost as cultures become less traditional. I am always more comfortable about taking photos and video when we give copies to those who so graciously allowed us to do so. It's only right that we give something back.
November, 2005: Nabuna, Fiji. Iliana and Mela, daughters of Sailosi and Elenoa, our friends. Mela is an excellent athlete and exceedingly bright, as well as a very nice young lady. We miss these kids (and the rest of the family). |
