#83 the girl at allahabad.
i'm doing travel photography but some times i face things i wasn't totally prepared and yet to be able to sort it out till now. it has been my personal belief not to give in to begging after some bad experience and it can be a dilemna if we would to give out sweets, pens or money to get photos as a travel photographer. for this trip, we keep very much to that belief and many times appear indifferent to kids who ask for money along the way. and there are many situations you wouldn't even be thinking of giving that in exchange for photos.
this girl appears to be begging for money. it would be very difficult to look into her face and still appear indifferent, but yet the question is raised, should money be given to begging or should it not. the very last time i have given money to strangers on the street is probably in laos to a mother (who appeared later) after seeing a little kid (likely only 1-3 years old) with some bad skin disease (might be parasitic) together with everyone on the trip, and decades ago in UK to a teenage girl who is homeless (but well, think she's got some family problem and left home though) and just sent out of the hospital. but this case is not exactly the same as the previous two who did not beg for money in any manner. she looks pitiful though, and no matter which decision is made, to turn away from her (and not looking into her eyes) and swiftly leave, or to give in and give her money, both will leave a low feeling with a wondering of whether either way is right or wrong.
i shot this from about perhaps more than 100m away from my fellow companions where my presence is sort of inconspicuous to her, and i have been wondering for months if i should show this. but after seeing renegade's "Along the Tracks in Jakarta, Indonesia", i think it probably is not as bad as i think, maybe. i still dunno. there is so much uneasiness when such situations arise, especially where they are standing.