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Cecilia Lim | all galleries >> travel >> malaysia > Camera Shy
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1 September 2007 Muar, Malaysia

Camera Shy

There may not be much going on in this image photographically speaking, but I am particularly fond of it because it captures the very essence of the shy, non-confrontational attitude of the simple Malay folk that you will likely encounter in Malaysia, especially in small towns. I was right there in the front of this textile shop, pointing my camera at them and clicking away without asking for permission. They noticed my intrusion right away, but they tolerated my presence without showing any hostility. The salesgirl on the left remained as she was in the corner, but shyly turned away, giggling gleefully at the attention I was giving her, and her customer who had just made her purchase turns away the other direction, with a smile but still avoiding eye contact with me too. They never once waved angrily at me nor showed any negativity. They accepted my presence and eventually carried on with their day.


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Guest 10-Jul-2008 06:47
Such a charming image, full of life, color, and human emotion -- two happy smiles. It's as you said, there is a shyness here, a refreshing reticence in a world where many people would be mugging for the camera, or in your face in some manner. I love the neat row of cloth hanging above the women, and the stillness of these two people.
I have a rather similar picture, taken on an outing with a German friend as we stood before a huge shining reflective sculpture in St. Louis while I took photos, and for some reason her face transformed into a small child's expression of glee: http://www.pbase.com/seetheeearth/image/97526616
Cecilia Lim04-Jul-2008 21:40
Thank you Phil for your lovely comment. I have always loved the distortion that wide-angle lenses bring to the image. Many people, especially photographers hate it but I am thrilled that I have found a fan in you. For me, I think one reason why this distortion works here is that my presence has in effect changed their world, even if it was just for a few seconds. The askewed floors, walls, ceiling and her stance look weird, further stressing their weird encounter with me from their normal daily lives.
Phil Douglis04-Jul-2008 18:04
Your caption gives us additional context to appreciate this beautiful image, Celia. Your vantage point adds context as well. I love the wideangle distortion here -- it bends the building and the giggling girl into the rhythmic rows of fabric.