Today is my first day back to Holyoke after two weeks of paid leave. The library was closed for a little while after the move as they got the heat sorted.

Holyoke is full of beautiful, historic old buildings falling into disrepair. It’s a great community to serve, and while I’ve enjoyed the extra time to clean and read, snowshoe and hang out with my handsome young godson, it will be good to be back.

But how do you photograph the situation and not feel as though you just landed on the side of the road to gnaw at their plight with your “vulturistic” longings of extracting an image from their reality only fly back home to your privileged nest and relish in the image you captured.

”

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Crystal Street, “The Photo Vulture: 5 Steps to Avoid Becoming a Bird of Prey”

Practical advice and examples on photographing the developing world without exploiting.