Re: [Leica] quiet cameras in cathedrals?

["Dan Post" <dpost@triad.rr.com>]

For what it's worth... zip, zilch, nada- probably, but when I did weddings,
I had the occasion to do several Roman Catholic weddings, and they were
essentially masses. I had asked the presiding priest what the etiquette was
since I was a poor Ole Good Ole Methodist boy from the hinterlands, and he
explained to me that I could even use flash during the ceremony (Though I
demurred, and did available light shots from the rear of the church)
He explained that as a mass, it was essentially between him and God, and
that the mass was a sacrament whether there was anyone there or not, and
what went on outside the mass was of no consequence.
Of course, the Ctholic Church is one thing, and I mentioned this because the
subject line still runs with what appears to be about cathederals.
I do know that in some Amerindian ceremonies, that if the uninitiated are
allowed, that photos are discouraged of the dancers or celebrants inside the
circle of the ceremony, while those who are in the periphery are fair game.
I would hope that were I to be in a position to take pictures of a religious
ceremony that not only would I have a guide who would satisfy my sociologist
curiosity about the meaning and significance of the elements of the worship,
but who would also keep me from being boorish and doing anything offensive.
Personally, I sometimes wonder about even Protestant prcatices- where
fundamentalist insist on prayer in schools, stadiums and other public
places- yet even with their supposed adherence to the strict word of the
bible, seem to miss the part of Saint Matthews gospel where we are told to
pray, alone, locked in a closet with our heads covered!
Sometimes a guide seems necessary!
Best of light- I shall report further. The Guildford County Native American
Association is having a Pow-Wow this weekend at our Country Park- I and my
1/16 Cherokee blood will be in attendance. I shall bring a gift of tobacco,
and some branches from the sacred cedar to the Great Spirit and
kah-bob-in-o-ke-weh The North Wind, and see what happens. If you don't hear
from me by Tuesday next, send the authorities to look for my arrow pierced
carcass!
Dan ( Large Grumpy Bear, father to Turtle Woman) Post


- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Jem Kime" <jem.kime@cwcom.net>
To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Thursday, September 14, 2000 8:48 AM
Subject: RE: [Leica] quiet cameras in cathedrals?


> Bob,
> Yes of course I've enjoyed pictures like those you say, but the difference
> is that most of these scenarios would have been agreed beforehand.
Furtive,
> surreptitious photography is unlikely to win any favours with the
> organisers of these events. Certainly events like the funerals of Diana
and
> Kennedy are state occassions where one expects coverage, it must be hard
> for the close relatives involved to consider them as personal acts of
> worship.
> One could argue that ceremonies in public spaces are 'fair game' but I
> doubt that many participants would see it that way.
>
> And for your druid ceremony, are you planning to ask permission in
advance?
>
> I've spent the last 8 years working in religious environments (including
> pagan) and never once considered taking pictures of people without asking.
> Of an empty church or deserted sacred site, sure, but where is common
> decency, sensitivity and politeness?
>
> Jem
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bob Walkden [SMTP:bobwalkden@hotmail.com]
> Sent: 14 September 2000 13:32
> To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> Subject: RE: [Leica] quiet cameras in cathedrals?
>
> Hi,
>
> have you never enjoyed essays about the rituals and customs of other
> cultures in magazines such as National Geographic? How about books like
> Beckwith and Fisher's 'African Ceremonies'? Or TV coverage such as
> Kennedy's
> or Princess Diana's funeral?
>
> I'm planning to photograph a Druid ceremony at next week's equinox. Is
that
> wrong too? How about Cartier-Bresson's famous picture of the Muslim women
> in
> Srinagar? Or the innumerable pictures by the banks of the Ganges in
> Varanasi? Or Henning Christoph's 'Voudou'?
>
> Cheers,
>
> Bob
>
> >From: Jem Kime <jem.kime@cwcom.net>
> >
> >Mitch,
> >I have to say that for anyone to have the insensitivity to want to
> >photograph others in the act of worship beggars belief!
> [...]
>
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