Attached Link: http://httpd.chello.nl/~j.splint/

I took this picture in november 2000 during the Pushkar Camelfair in India. The man is really very old and mentally and physically not OK. He was at this fair in the desert with his entire family and cattle. You see his children cooking food at the background. I really hesitated to take this picture because you are intruding quite a bit. Because it was after sunset I had to use a flash. At home I was glad I took the picture because I tells a lot about the way people live there. Normally I always ask people before I take a picture. Please comment on this dilemma.

Great Photo Splint. You are lucky to have traveled to such locations. We often forget that others do not live how we do. I understand your dilema so well. I think you have to be quite 'hard nosed' to just go up to people and snap away. Actually before long you may well get a bloody nose and a smashed camera. I feel that it is down to asking and being able to except 'No' and not feel too embarrased. I see so many 'Real Life' situations while driving around in the car with Syyd. But, to stop the car and just snap away just seems too cheeky and an intrusion. BTW... I have just been to your site. There is some great stuff there. The 'pushkargirl' looks like 'National Geographic' material... Please consider posting some of those images here and maybe explaining how you did them. Colm...

WOW...I feel like I am in a place I won't ever fit into ....You are a fantastic photographer...I think that taking someone's picture is one of those things that you never know if it will hurt them , help them, or leave them not caring...I know for one, this picture has made such an impression on me. I am totally amazed and hope that one day I will learn some of your secrets...

Wow! What a story this picture tells. I think I'd ask before I took pictures for the most part ... but in a situation like this photo, I'm not sure what I'd do. I think I'd take the picture first and hope for the best.