Photo of Beijing Prostitution
From China Photographer Tom Carter: Chinese hair salon girls in short black skirts and heels watching television in the capital city of Beijing, China.
Viewable at Beijing Prostitutes
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Tags: China, Tom Carter, Travel
June 15th, 2007 at 8:11 pm
Do you think that what you are doing could be perceived as intrusive? Do you think it’s fair to label these people?
June 19th, 2007 at 7:58 am
hi liam thanks for your comment.
to answer your questions, 1) i’m a photographer and it’s my job to be “intrusive,” but in my defense i consider all aspects of PUBLIC life fair game and therefore hardly intrusive. and hell, it’s THEIR decision to show their goods in the big neon-lit window; it’s not like i stormed in their little brothel and shoved my camera up their skirts. 2) i’m not labeling anyone, i just call it as i see it, plus a little reconnaissance just to make sure, heh heh
maybe things are done differently up there on the rooftop of the world, though i don’t imagine you’d object to anyone taking pictures of a praying monk, though that could also be construed as “intrusive,” no?
thanks again, i always enjoy engaging in healthy debate…
June 21st, 2007 at 3:04 am
Hi Tom,
I haven’t quite made it to Shangri-La, but will do soon. In fact I think I would consider taking photos of anyone praying intrusive.
I think we all “intrude” to a certain extent when taking photos, which is why I asked the questions rather than state opinion. I think it is important that we remain open and balanced with the way we present photos (without selecting them merely to fit in with our framework of perceptions).
Maybe it isn’t their decision, as you say - maybe those four young women chose a certain path out of desperate/unfortunate conditions, and are trying to escape it by gluing themselves to the TV. That’s one interpretation of your photo.
Thanks for the response, and good luck
June 23rd, 2007 at 9:55 pm
i think its great you are showing all aspects of beijing living. if you censored the facts of life here you would be doing excactly as the govt.
i live in beijing also..and any picture taking of any type o sensitive nature cant be done covertly..love the pics, and your others as well..keep it up..
July 3rd, 2008 at 8:05 pm
In China is is polite to ASK before taking someones photo. Having a “job” as a photographer does not give you the automatic right to invade other peoples privacy.
July 3rd, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Fidel,
I usually ask my subjects for permission before I take their photo; in fact I’ve missed a lot of great candid moments just because I wanted to be respectful.
You are right, a photographer does not have the automatic right to invade privacy, which is why I don’t. Every single one of my photographs are in the public domain. If i had gone INSIDE this brothel and started taking pictures of these women in compromising positions, then you might have a valid argument against me. But this time I’d afraid you don’t.
Like I suggested above, the word “intrusive” is relative and open to interpretation.
Thanks for writing!
t