Comments on: South from Granada – Alpujarras photos

By: Costa Tropical Holidays

Costa Tropical Holidays — Thu, 07 May 2009 18:13:03 +0000

To boost the foreigners having Costa Tropical holidays I was just reading that the Spanish government are just introducing a course to help the locals look happier (I think it is available throughout Andalucia including the Alpujarras) – it is part of their drive to boost the flagging tourism industry in southern Spain. I must admit I am used to these looks and it is part of the character of some of these old towns. If you had grown up in a town of 200 people and had probably not travelled further than to Granada on the coast just a half hour away (although it used to be the better part of a day when this lady was in her forties) but were now seeing 200 strangers a day walking past your front door you probably would not be too happy with life.

By: Costa Tropical Internet

Costa Tropical Internet — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 08:31:33 +0000

Great shot! So typical of the region.

By: ValenciaSon

ValenciaSon — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 01:27:17 +0000

She kind of looks like what I would imagine Harry Potter’s grandmother to look like, which makes sense after all since the Alpujarras are a magical mountain range.

By: Jon Hundt

Jon Hundt — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 20:13:23 +0000

is this one of those typical English things? being a bit embarrassed about taking pictures…?:

“I feel embarrassed and I feel I’m being rude.”

“I’ve always felt uncomfortable taking these types of photos. Do you ask first, being polite?”

“I often choose not to do the photo…”

“I also find it embarrassing…”

“I feel embarrassed and I feel I’m being rude…”

Thank heaven that there are others who aren’t so squeamish, or photo-journalism wouldn’t exist! If you guys want to be “photographers” I think you better work on getting past this!

By: Ben

Ben — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 20:05:56 +0000

Ha, Jan, that is classic! I wish I’d bought some of her fruit, I feel guilty now!

By: Stuart

Stuart — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 19:46:35 +0000

Maybe it’s best no-one shows it to her… Ben’s been worrying enough about copyright issues to worry about model releases.

@Frank, the UK has become a places full of weirdos and freaks – that’s before we even begin talking about paedophiles. I hope I don’t even need to return. I remember a couple of years ago that parents didn’t like the idea of taking their kids to be coached football… because the after-school coaching was run by an older man who likes to spend time with children, the very idea of which is now ‘wrong’.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 19:19:17 +0000

“This lady is my neighbour…”

What are the chances of that! Bet you were shocked to see her photo here. Let us know what she says when she sees it.

By: Frank

Frank — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 19:11:28 +0000

“As you see, two of them were children! I’m a coward, I know.”

Not so sure about coward, if it was UK, I’d say brave! Generally photographing kids in UK has now become a definite no no. I frequent several photo forums, and the number of people being accused of being paedophiles is incredible, just for innocent pasttimes, like taking a few snaps of their kids at a football game.
Also most agencies won’t touch a photo without a model release form. I doubt if Ben got permission, or a model release, but if she saw it and didn’t approve, you’d probably find yourself in trouble. I do it all the time, I have supplied a lot of photos for magazines etc, and I never get a model release. If I’m asked for a photo of a particular beach, I can’t ask everyone on the beach if they are happy for me to have it published. I supplied a photo of a surfer and it’s plastered all over the side of a local bus, I just hope he likes it if he ever sees it. Photography has become a legal minefield.

By: Jan

Jan — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 17:51:54 +0000

This lady is my neighbour. In the 3 years I have known her she has always had this stern facial
expression but once you get chatting with her she is lovely.

By: Edith

Edith — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 16:51:34 +0000

In some cultures, people strongly object to their pictures being taken – in some countries, you have to be extra careful. But I guess Spain is not one of those.

These are great images! True, those small villages are often not as idyllic as we think, but out there time does seem to pass at a much slower pace… no rat race, no traffic jams.