Who would like to be photographed without consent in everyday life? However, when we travel, sometimes unconsciously and sometimes not so unconsciously, we unashamedly shoot the camera in order to immortalise our experiences. Africa invites us to capture many surprising situations from our cultural perspective. But there are a minimum of basic rules that must be respected, depending on the beliefs, religion and administrative rules of the place.
Try to be discreet, avoid taking the camera out from the very beginning, whether in a market, a street or a village. Once you are there, it will be much easier to get authentic images, and not just stolen, soulless snapshots. There are places, usually touristy, that only allow themselves to be photographed in exchange for money: I don't think that's the best plan. That doesn't mean that, after taking a few photos, the person who has been photographed should not be invited to a drink or something similar. In the rural world, it is essential to present yourself to the village chief and inform him of your intentions: of course, you should offer him a gift as a sign of respect. It is he who will authorise the portrait of his people, an object, a tree or a sacred place. Finally, if the images are to be published, special care should be taken in choosing them, always trying to show the people in a dignified and flattering way... If you visit the place again, take some printed photographs with you, they will be delighted!
All photographs are by my travelling companion, Ángel Vallecillo.
