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Christmas in the Neighborhood

Christmas in the Neighborhood-1

All Lit Up

This evening, I decided to go out and take some pictures of Christmas decorations in the neighborhood where I live. At my first stop, where I took the picture that accompanies this article, I was in the process of setting up my tripod and camera when a woman in the house I was getting ready to photograph stepped out of the front door. The following conversation followed:

“Why are you taking a picture of my house?”

“I’m an amateur photographer and I’m just out shooting in the neighborhood.”

“But why are you taking picture of my house?”

“I like the way you’ve decorated. Do you mind?”

“What are you going to do with the pictures?”

“They’re just for my own enjoyment.”

“Well, OK, then.”

To be honest, I was caught a little off guard. First, I never expected anyone to pay much attention to me, and second, I never dreamed anyone might take issue with my pursuit of my hobby. I guess this is one of the big reasons I’ve never gotten into street photography. I just don’t have what it takes for these kinds of situations. So, I took a couple of pictures of her house and moved on, hoping that this event was an aberration. Luckily, I received no further challenges.

Later, when I was thinking about what had happened, here is the conversation I fantasized in my mind:

“Why are you taking a picture of my house?”

“I’m an amateur photographer and I’m just out shooting in the neighborhood.”

“But why are you taking picture’s of my house?”

“To be honest, I was just asking myself that same question. You have too many trees in the front yard. Your house looks like it was painted by a kindergarten class. And I just stepped in dog poop.”

“What are you going to do with the pictures?”

“I’m going to take the worst one, blow it up to poster size, make 20 copies and tack the up around the neighborhood as examples of what not to do if you want to decorate for Christmas.”

Since I’m a really nice guy, I would never have that kind of conversation with anyone. But I can’t help but wonder why this woman was so concerned about me and my camera. Does she get as confrontational if people stop to look at the decorations without a camera? Maybe she should put up a booth and charge admission. Oh well, Merry Christmas anyway.

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December 11th, 2009 | Tags: , , , , , , | Category: Christmas, Humor, Life in General, Photography | View Comments - (Comments are closed)
  • http://www.junkdrawerblog.com Kathy

    Well, it’s a very nicely-decorated house. I’m sure she felt silly about challenging you later on when she realized what a compliment you gave her. I hope, anyway.

    Yeah, it’s weird photographing near or on private property. I feel like I should have a blogger’s badge or something to flash. Not even sure it that would help, but it sure would make me feel official, wouldn’t it?
    .-= Kathy´s last blog ..Nevermind the Slippery Sidewalks =-.

  • http://mjgolch.blogspot.com mike golch

    Great photo.
    .-= mike golch´s last blog ..Friday Flashback =-.

  • http://www.tarheelramblings.com Lee

    Thanks, Mike, glad you enjoyed it.

  • http://www.tarheelramblings.com Lee

    Yeah, I’m hoping she realizes how silly she was being too. If you’re going to be that touchy about people stopping to take pictures, maybe you shouldn’t decorate for Christmas. Take my house, for example…

  • http://mouseski.blogspot.com Linda

    I was thinking exactly what you said about perhaps not decorating if you don’t want people to admire your house. My guess, though, is that she was afraid that you were taking pictures in an effort to case the joint before calling in your burglar friends and stealing everything including the last can of Who Hash. People are so paranoid these days!

    When I was out taking pictures last winter around Norwich one of the homeowners stepped outside to take out her trash and when she asked why I was taking a picture of her house I told her it was because it was so pretty with the single candle in each window. She very graciously said “I’m glad you like it, thank you!” and went back inside. After reading this post, I guess I was lucky!
    .-= Linda´s last blog ..A Saturday Short =-.

  • http://aurorastears.blogspot.com/ dawn

    It’s a lovely home. If I owned it.. I’d invite you over for a photo shoot!
    .-= dawn´s last blog ..Is it just me? =-.

  • http://www.tarheelramblings.com Tarheel Rambler

    In retrospect, I was being more than a little sensitive about her confronting me. I guess if I was in her shoes, I would probably want to know what was going on too. But I'm just generally nosy when I see people paying to much attention to me and mine.

  • http://www.tarheelramblings.com Lee

    Maybe that was my problem, Dawn, I didn’t wait for the invitation. :0)

  • dorothystahlnecker

    Good for you..your right today you never know and isn't that sad.

    Dorothy from grammology

  • http://mojo11.blogspot.com/ Mojo

    I was thinking the same thing Linda was. That she was probably wondering if you were casing the place. I had a similar experience in Wake Forest just before Halloween. The house I stopped to shoot was dressed to the nines, and just begged to be photographed. So I pulled over, hopped out of the truck and squeezed off a few shots. Well this kid — maybe 9 or 10 years old — comes down the hill in front and says (with “that look”, you know the one), “Are you taking pictures of our house?” Well after briefly considering saying something like “No, I just like to look at things through my camera” I said in my best “isn't it obvious?” voice, “Well, yeah.”
    “Why?”
    “Because it's cool (this has got to appeal to a kid, right?)”
    “Well you should come back later when we've got it finished!”
    “I might just do that, but I live in Raleigh so I don't get up this way much.”
    Well then his little sister (I assume) of about 5 or 6 wanders up with the same question. I give the same answer. She seems more skeptical than big brother, and this is getting more and more awkward by the moment. So before mom can abandon her faux cobwebs and come down to join the party I decide I've got what I need and move on.

    And I had the same thought you did. “You can't decorate like this and not expect to have people taking pictures.” But this is why I usually avoid photos of people and their houses.

  • meleahrebeccah

    ““I’m going to take the worst one, blow it up to poster size, make 20 copies and tack the up around the neighborhood as examples of what not to do if you want to decorate for Christmas.”

    Now THAT would have been funny.

  • http://www.tarheelramblings.com Tarheel Rambler

    I'm glad it's not just me, Mojo. I guess it's just a by-product of our times. I was thinking about how much things have changed the other day when I saw one of my neighbors drive their high school aged son 1/2 a block to catch the bus to school. Talk about coddled kids!

  • http://mommamiameaculpa.com meleahrebeccah

    ““I’m going to take the worst one, blow it up to poster size, make 20 copies and tack the up around the neighborhood as examples of what not to do if you want to decorate for Christmas.”

    Now THAT would have been funny.

  • http://www.tarheelramblings.com Tarheel Rambler

    I'm glad it's not just me, Mojo. I guess it's just a by-product of our times. I was thinking about how much things have changed the other day when I saw one of my neighbors drive their high school aged son 1/2 a block to catch the bus to school. Talk about coddled kids!

  • http://www.fairyannas.com/Skinproblems/skin-problems-main.htm Skin Problem

    What wonderful ideas! And, I can almost see the white lights, garland and red bows on rows of white houses with white picket fences. How lovely and festive

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