3246  safety tips - No Photographs

Date: Mon, 21 Feb 2005 12:50:27 -0800
From: Mark Wladika <markw@ASTROLOGY.COM>
Subject: Re: safety tips - No Photographs

Christian makes a very good point that I think should be observed
everywhere. Photography, especially flash photography in a dark milonga is
terribly rude, disruptive and completely misses the point of Tango. Here in
San Francisco we regularly get various people shooting stills and video at
the milogas. They range from excited tourists to amateur videographers
working on a project.

I am not dancing for their edification. How my dancing looks is of no
matter to anyone, all that matters is how my dancing feels to my partner.
It is this externalization that is one of the great problems in most
peoplešs dancing, one of the great problems in most peoplešs living.
Videoing a milonga is just one step on the slippery, tragic slope to dance
competitions and ridiculous stage costumes.

Please, just ask for permission and do the shooting outside the normal body
of the milonga.

>

From: Mark Wladika <markw@ASTROLOGY.COM>
Subject: Re: safety tips - No Photographs
Christian makes a very good point that I think should be observed
everywhere. Photography, especially flash photography in a dark milonga is
terribly rude, disruptive and completely misses the point of Tango. Here in
San Francisco we regularly get various people shooting stills and video at
the milogas. They range from excited tourists to amateur videographers
working on a project.

>>>>

The milongas in Buenos Aires are not dark as may be the case in the US.
There has to be enough light in order to see someone across the room to
dance.

Recently, I watched as a guy took flash shots in Enrique's afternoon milonga
in Centro Region Leonesa. He didn't ask dancers if he could take photos.
He walked on the dance floor as if he had the right.

It's one thing to take photos of friends at your table in a milonga. It's
quite another to stand on the sidelines taking photos of everyone dancing
without asking their permission.

A few years ago I wanted to take a photo of five men in El Arranque. When I
prepared to take the photo, one of them got up and walked away. I took the
photo of the four men with whom I have danced. The man who removed himself
is married and his wife doesn't know he goes to dance. He doesn't want to
appear in any photos.

I have been taking photos and filming the milongueros for five years,
however, I always ask their permission in advance. Only one milonguero has
forbid me to take his photo. I explained that it was for a website with
other milongueros. He has a son living in the US who uses the internet and
doesn't want to run the risk of being discovered on the web.

Filming and taking photos have become more common in the Buenos Aires
milongas since tourism is greater than ever. It's a simple courtesy to ask
someone's permission before you film or shoot photos. The majority will
give you permission. A copy of the video or photo is a way to show your
appreciation.

Date: Mon, 21 Feb 2005 12:50:27 -0800
From: Mark Wladika <markw@ASTROLOGY.COM>
Subject: Re: safety tips - No Photographs

Christian makes a very good point that I think should be observed
everywhere. Photography, especially flash photography in a dark
milonga is
terribly rude, disruptive and completely misses the point of Tango.
Here in
San Francisco we regularly get various people shooting stills and video
at
the milogas. They range from excited tourists to amateur videographers
working on a project.

I am not dancing for their edification. How my dancing looks is of no
matter to anyone, all that matters is how my dancing feels to my
partner.
It is this externalization that is one of the great problems in most
peoplešs dancing, one of the great problems in most peoplešs
living.
Videoing a milonga is just one step on the slippery, tragic slope to
dance
competitions and ridiculous stage costumes.

Please, just ask for permission and do the shooting outside the normal
body
of the milonga.



Do not write to me personally, unless requested. All other mail will be deleted, unread.