Are you a professional photographer? No, I’m simply a stupid tourist! Ah! OK then…

Beware: the front picture illustrating the article has been taken in September 2019 at Lisbon. Other times, other customs!

There were more simple times when people had still a tendency to rely on your words (that was a long time ago, it seems!). The problem when you are doing photograph a bit more seriously (without taken yourself seriously) is that people have defiant reaction versus your suspicious photographic behaviour upon them. In fact, it is not a new thing even if you are looking further in the past. Photographers tend to be intimidating simply because they are staring at people and things a little much longer then usually.

But is there a more stupid photographer than a tourist one? I don’t know why but tourist are often exempt of malicious intentions since they understand nothing about the world surrounding them. And if they are staring at something, it is only because they don’t know what they are facing. And if you add a « stupid » smile on your face, it is only confirming your mindless innocence. And tourists have money (any pickpockets of this world know that), and so, they have beautiful, sophisticated cameras that they don't even understand the basic use. So, in brief, no danger there.

Don’t spread the word but you may already aware that I have been a professional photographer in my previous life, and I have learned to dance with the rhythm of many photographic situations. I don’t do so-called street photography but instead tourist tapestry and everybody is correctly reassured. And you know what, photo opportunities have been falling in front of my (tourist trap) camera without really searching them. Sure, there is a bit of anticipation and experience in that but, chut! don’t tell them. If you add that you are speaking a tourist language (French, English, Japanese, etc.), you have the perfect tourist camouflage.

And please avoid those serious « full-flesh » camera models (also called full-frame) that, when pointed to the autochthone people, will provoke adverse and suspicious reactions and can conduct you up to the police or military stations! Being a idiot amateur photographer is so more beautiful and securing for everybody.

No, I’m simply a stupid tourist (of this life)! Ah! OK then…

© Photos Daniel M