Shame? Why? Before one rushes to a conclusion, it might be good to check what the facts really are. Just some perspectives below....
In fairness, I must say I've never had this problem before. Neither at Saligao any other church, nor temple. At the Safa Masjid in Ponda recently, I was treated with utmost hospitality rather recently. My own favourite view from the Saligao church is here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fn-goa/4084134574/ As you could see, it's taken from within the church complex itself... but if anyone had to stop me from doing it, I probably wouldn't have insisted. In the earlier note on Goanet, it was argued that the photo was being taken from "outside" the church. Knowing the geography of the Saligao church (a village I live in), I presume Rajan wanted to photograph the church from *within* church property! I doubt anyone would stop a photograph being taken from a public road or some other public space. Of course, one has to respect the rules of the place. For instance, Bom Jesus at Old Goa has a rule which says no photographing devotees while they are at prayer (though indoor photography is allowed too) and tourists are not allowed into the shrine at the time when masses are underway, if I'm not wrong. Fair enough. This is primarily a religious space, and not a fashion parade. >From Rajan's description of what happened, I got the impression that the priest (or whoever it was) might have also been intimidated by the equipment Rajan carried, including the stands he mentioned. There could be reason for concern over this. People do tend to get suspicious of all kinds of complex equipment. Some movies too have been shot in churches, only to depict all kinds of negative stereotypes about the place and the community. If not mistaken, there was an issue about what had been shot at the Assagao church some time in the recent past. In all the Archaeological Survey of India-maintained churches at Old Goa, there is a restriction, on photography done with a stand within the church. One has to seek permission and pay an official fee (something like Rs 5000), that too via New Delhi, before getting permission to shoot with a stand indoors there. There are also restrictions on photography within the ASI museum in Old Goa (which is a pity, since non-flash photograph should not have any impact on the exhibits, I guess). Technically speaking, the exteriors of some buildings might require a property-release to be photographed in some parts of the globe. That nobody insists is perhaps a courtesy on their part, maybe not a right for the photographer. There have been people who objected to my clicking their photo, and I agree they have a right to their privacy if they don't wish to be photographed. After all, it's a game which two parties have to agree to play. FN -- Frederick Noronha :: +91-832-2409490 Writing, editing, alt.publishing, photography, journalism
