A Malaysian woman calls out photographers for invading Thaipusam devotees’ sacred moments, stressing respect, boundaries, and cultural sensitivity.
A Malaysian woman recently called out photographers for allegedly crossing boundaries with Thaipusam devotees, all in pursuit of the perfect shot.
Taking to Threads, the woman claimed to have “witnessed” some photographers placing their lenses directly in the faces of devotees while they were “entering a trance.”
“Using direct flash, stepping into (their) personal space, are you serious? This is not a fashion show or a backstage moment.
“These are people praying, enduring pain, and surrendering themselves in faith. Basic respect and ethics should come before getting ‘the shot’,” she wrote in the post.
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She added that, although she could have captured some compelling shots during the religious event, she chose not to out of respect for the devotees, feeling it was inappropriate to approach them at those moments.
She emphasised the importance of educating oneself before undertaking such projects to avoid crossing sensitivities while documenting devotees’ experiences.
“Many devotees will not voice their discomfort, not because they are okay with it, but because they are not in a state to. They only want to fulfil their vows in peace.
“This isn’t the first time this has happened. Please learn about a community’s festival and traditions before entering their sacred space. Respect comes first. Always,” she added.
Netizens agreed with the woman, stressing the importance of respecting boundaries, particularly during religious ceremonies where sensitivity is crucial.
“When photographing culture, photographers need to show respect — capturing moments without disturbing the participants,” one user commented.
