Touring the U.S. Male

[blueskies]

Perhaps you would consider the privacy of the boy crying for help at the bus stop ...

Pardes,

Your stories & photos are wonderful. I also think that if they are posted on TE, then they are an appropriate topic for respectful discussion. I agree with KnottedYet that we shouldn't post pictures of children/teens online without permission from both the subjects & their parents.

I thought your story about the young person at the bus stop captured a moment that was unexpected, tender, & moving, but that I was uncomfortable with his picture being posted with the story online. Unless, of course, he gave you his permission. (This wasn't clear to me from your post.) And, personally, I would feel the same way even if he was over 18. I'd feel the same way if it were me at that bus stop, and I'm decades past 18.

You show that you have the sensitivity to be aware of the possible desire for privacy in vulnerable moments, because you wrote that you looked away to give him some privacy. Why not, in cases like this, let your words tell the story? Or use your visual gifts to take a picture that doesn't compromise a person's privacy? Again, if he did give you permission, then all is good.

I think about this myself, because I often take photos when I ride. On recovery days, I ride on a multi-use trail where I see & talk to all sorts of people. Early on, I would sometimes take pictures of children that I saw or spoke to, but I decided that it wasn't something that I should do... unless it was from a distant & unidentifiable view point. That's my own sensibility & I've felt a little sad not to capture some delightful or comic encounters, but it's what seems right to me.

And with everyone else, I hope this conversation doesn't discourage you from further participation here on the TE forums.

Blueskies