The Wool Shop

Morecambe is full of independent shops run by very independent people. The lady that owns the wool shop is a timely reminder of the importance of asking someone if you can photograph them or their property. I was the first person who had ever asked permission to photograph her, and the wool hanging outside her shop. She was pleased I had asked and told me how upset and offended she is by people with cameras who just 'help' themselves.

It was also good, this week, to see C4 News questioning the habit of poverty tourism and photographing poor communities in Africa and India without treating these people with the respect they deserve and asking their permission. There are now organised tours to show tourists the impoverished parts of African communities. I find this objectionable.

Other people's lives aren't our property just because they live differently and we have a camera.