I have to admit that being passionate about photography comes with its fair share of complications, and one of them has to do with the social aspect. If you’re into cycling, no one’s going to stop you and ask, “Hey! Why are you riding that bike?” Likewise, if you’re out for a run, no one questions why you’re doing it. But if you’re carrying a camera and taking photos, things get a bit trickier. And today’s photo is a good example of that.
I took it in Asturias, just before reaching Pola de Lena. Like many times before, it happened while I was driving. Just before entering the town, I noticed a field on the left with a small cabin in the middle. It wasn’t a spectacular landscape, but its simplicity and quiet beauty caught my eye. I decided to stop and take a picture, so I pulled over in front of some houses. I’ll admit I didn’t park the car particularly well, but it wasn’t posing any danger.
Within seconds, a young woman came out of her house, looking at me curiously. Out of politeness more than anything else, I asked if it was okay to leave the car there for a moment. She looked puzzled. Then I headed toward the field and began setting up for a photo from the roadside. That’s when she spoke up: “Hey, that’s private property!” I was caught off guard, since I didn’t think I was actually trespassing. Still, I don’t like making people uncomfortable, so I apologized and stepped back without taking the photo. Maybe seeing how quickly I backed off, she told me she’d ask her father, since the field belonged to a neighbor. A few seconds later, she came back with the green light, and I was able to take the shot. I must say, the young woman was always polite and respectful, but the situation still struck me as a bit surreal.
Even in the age of smartphones and compulsive photography, cameras still seem to stir up suspicion.
