There are about three different reactions you get from people when you show up to an event and become focused on finding your subject through your lens and start taking pictures — particularly if people don’t know who you are.
They are: turning away and avoidance of being in view of the camera, apprehension and suspicion ranging from mild to confrontational, and apologetic for thinking they got into your shot.
And the majority of the public may very well not recognize me or know what I’m doing taking photos at events.
The point of the matter is, it’s been a while since we could gather together and I feel like even though I’ve been the editor of the Bashaw Star for nearly two-and-a-half years now, that I’d like to re-introduce myself to the community.
For the first year-and-a-half, we had our reporter who was the most involved in covering events and writing stories for Bashaw. I have been out a few times in the past year or so, to cover things like grad and do a few interviews at local businesses, but I haven’t had a lot of face time with people.
Most recently, I very much enjoyed spending the day in Bashaw for Hometown Days. I was very impressed with the variety and calibre of the events and all the effort put in by the community. It certainly was a wonderful event, with something for everyone. Good job Bashaw!
So, while we’re still able to meet in groups outdoors, I’d like to say “Hello from the outside” to borrow a line from Adele.
So hi. I’m your friendly community newspaper editor. I like to take photos that show the vibrancy of the community and what’s happening in town and tell the stories that matter to readers.
When things open up again and events start being held more often, you may be seeing more of me.
Generally, at a public event I will quietly go about taking photos unobtrusively as going unnoticed tends to be the best way to get candid photos. It’s also not required under privacy laws to obtain permission to take photos in a public place. However, I do try to be sensitive when it comes to children and if there is a close-up shot I’d like to use, I will try to locate a parent and ask if it’s alright. That way, I can also get the child’s name and age for the photo caption, as identifying people, when possible, is always preferred.
Although I’m very comfortable writing and taking photos, I’m less so with initiating contact in person, and I’m likely rusty coming out of the “other side” of restrictions. So please forgive me if I’m a bit awkward or look like I’m hiding behind my lens.
Seeing the energy and dedication that community members put into hosting an event, and the enjoyment it brings people, makes me glad to be a small part of the community and to be able to help shine a light on the goings-on of such a tight-knit, truly wonderful town.