Mugging For The Camera

Dear Blog,

1) Some people are very sensitive to photographs here. You have to be quick and subtle to get one. Some merchants will let you take pictures, but most will not. In the US, it is a point of honor to be photographed, but here it is seen as suspicious.

2) Russian women mug for the camera. It's hysterical. Every one of them poses, magazine -style for every picture. Pouts, Coquettishness, Drama, Seduction, Glamour. It's obviously the convention but it still seems odd to me for some reason.

3) You cannot take a picture outside of any government installation, or transporation center. You can take a picture of family or friend, but if you want to capture a physical location alone it sort of looks odd to do so. You are always conscious of the fact that people watch you when you take photos.


Curt