So I was walking Orchard Rd. yesterday. What was different this day was that I had a nice Nikon D90 in my hands. I was being observant to my surroundings. I wanted to search for shots that would accent the D90's auto mode w/flash @ various mm. Well, as I walked about being visulent as ever I noticed I was getting stared at WAY more than normal. Being of average height in the U.S. means above average in Asia. I noticed more women staring longer than the normal few seconds, but instead of it being on my face like normal, their gaze would drop to my camera followed by a smirk or smile or something that means approved or not. Their eyes would linger longer on my camera than my face. Odd. I thought about this for awhile. As I have pointed out before, Asians love technology. I think it has gotten to the point of cameras and cell phones being symbols of wealth. The more expensive the cell phone, the bigger the lens on that Canon or Nikon, obviously, the more wealth you have. Atleast, I believe this to be the line of reasoning.
Yesterday while I walked it was very noticeable. There were lenses a foot in diameter. Flashes two feet tall that required their own power supply. Extreme close ups. That equipment was overkill. It was incredible. The fierce competition for a shot was rather silly. The people here have no consideration for any picture you are trying to take. I think this may be more because everyone here loves to be in the picture. Women more so than men. Most men that have a camera push their women to be the subject, although they don't have to push hard
Which brings me to the next point. Why is it Asians like pitting the peace symbol against the photographer? If they weren't doing that, it was doing something that was more than just standing for a picture. I understand if it was for a certain surrounding but this all the time everywhere. It's not just here in Asia. I have seen as much in the U.S. It's akin to the White Chicks and Gangsigns epidemic we have been experiencing since the early 2000s. If you don't know what I'm talking about go to YouTube and search "White Chicks and Gangsigns" and that will bring you up to speed.
The Fantastic G has spoken!
