http://tinyurl.com/yfbypb
Amish sue Homeland Security for having to take photos, citing that making them get their photographs taken for a passport is unconstitutional because it is against their religious beliefs.
I'm planning to go on a day long trip to Berlin, OH with my parents this Saturday. My parents have gone down several times, it's beautiful there (especially in the fall).
It looks like I'll be doing a lot of photography of scenery, since I do not want to bother the Amish with my camera.
There have been many photographers that have been accused of "stealing souls" from the Amish.
After doing a bit of research, the belief that getting a photo taken comes from scriptures, but most believe it's a form of self-pride and a photograph is a way of making the outside of a person more important than the inside, the soul.
What are your thoughts and interpretations about the "soul stealing" belief that many cultures around the world have?
photographing the amish
Moderator: Jim O'Bryan
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Ivor Karabatkovic
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jennifer scott
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Amish
Ivor, I certainly cannot speak for all Amish people but, I can offer you this.Several years ago I lived outside Lancaster, Pa. There is a large Amish community there and I became very close with one family in particular. I ate at their home, our children played together and I learned a lot about their ways. I did take lots of pictures because they were o.k. with it. Some are, some are not. Simply ask and, as I know you are, be respectful. Enjoy your trip.
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dl meckes
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ryan costa
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spiritual
It is possible the Amish are sort of aware of how many other people get caught up in the vanity of fashion or celebrity or advertising photos. Capturing the moment is alright, but sewing envy and too much vanity can make people worse off eventually. Annoerexia and stress and inadequacy and credit card shopping and such things.
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Jerry Ritcey
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Legally speaking you can photograph any person or thing plainly visible in public where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy, like walking on the street. Some consider it polite to ask permission, so Amish probably do as well. They don't think cameras steal souls - that's a belief system found in some places in the South Pacific, I think - but want to both avoid excessive vanity as well as keeping themselves separate from the larger world.
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Gary Rice
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What you can legally do is one thing, although it might be argued that photographing anyone without their consent constitutes harassment (excluding perhaps, a rather narrow range of celebrity-related photography)
As a former professional photographer, this observation reflects my experiences.
As I understand it, the Amish will not pose for a photo, as a matter of vanity. I suspect that they would probably would prefer that if you MUST photograph them, that a side or rear "candid" is far more acceptable. They generally do not object to photos of their plows, homes, horses, or other objects. Their faces are another matter.
I really feel that photographers should not allow a full Amish face in their portfolios. It might well be considered intrusive and goes against Amish core belief systems. Of course, I would imagine that there could be variances in the Amish community between "Old Order" Amish, and other groups, including the Mennonites, or Old German Baptists who are not Amish, but may observe similar beliefs- as well as observing the custom of plain dress.
(By the way, it is my understanding that Mennonite ladies may wear a pastel bonnet, whereas the Amish ladies' bonnets would not be colorful, but I cannot confirm this distinction for you as a fact)
Permission to photograph nearly always is a good thing to achieve with any potential subject.
To most Amish, you and I represent the "English", from their point of view. There have been many outright rude people with cameras, and with vehicles, who have given the "Plain People" much grief. A little common sense goes a long way.
Soul-stealing by photography is generally a belief of various tribal peoples around the world, including some Native American groups. It does not apply to the Amish, as far as I know.
As a former professional photographer, this observation reflects my experiences.
As I understand it, the Amish will not pose for a photo, as a matter of vanity. I suspect that they would probably would prefer that if you MUST photograph them, that a side or rear "candid" is far more acceptable. They generally do not object to photos of their plows, homes, horses, or other objects. Their faces are another matter.
I really feel that photographers should not allow a full Amish face in their portfolios. It might well be considered intrusive and goes against Amish core belief systems. Of course, I would imagine that there could be variances in the Amish community between "Old Order" Amish, and other groups, including the Mennonites, or Old German Baptists who are not Amish, but may observe similar beliefs- as well as observing the custom of plain dress.
(By the way, it is my understanding that Mennonite ladies may wear a pastel bonnet, whereas the Amish ladies' bonnets would not be colorful, but I cannot confirm this distinction for you as a fact)
Permission to photograph nearly always is a good thing to achieve with any potential subject.
To most Amish, you and I represent the "English", from their point of view. There have been many outright rude people with cameras, and with vehicles, who have given the "Plain People" much grief. A little common sense goes a long way.
Soul-stealing by photography is generally a belief of various tribal peoples around the world, including some Native American groups. It does not apply to the Amish, as far as I know.