playa tip 1: photo etiquette on the playa
when it comes to pictures on the playa, there are a few respectful guidelines that one should follow. we feel the need to share some love, and to encourage all of you who will be attending the playa, to please keep some things in mind. we are all out there to enjoy, share, celebrate, love, laugh, release, explore, express, have fun, and make memories.
it’s a great time to capture pictures of events, art pieces, art cars, new friends, old friends, sunrises, sunsets, rainbows, explosions, etc. we highly encourage you to capture your memories, they are great desktop backgrounds, wallpapers, surroundings, to have, to keep around to keep you inspired and connected throughout the rest of the year while you are not on the playa.
we would like to spread these messages:
1. when you are out with your camera, please be kind and gentle with your community. always remember to ask if it is okay to take a picture of the individuals you are wanting to take pictures of. sometimes simple eye contact, a point to the camera, and a nodd from both parties is adequate. but please take the time, the love, and the patience to do so.
now sometimes we understand that there is a group activity or something going on and you can’t run around and get everybody’s permission. just keep in mind what activity it is. are your intentions kind and loving with what you will do with the photos you take of these bulk gatherings? and their activities? or is it just best to let them be, and know that not everything is meant to be captured.
are your intentions kind and loving with what pictures you take of the individuals?
please be considerate to the individuals on the playa who are not seeking out photographers. about half of the population loves, wants, and adores to be in your photos!!!! and about half of the population does not. we would like to remind everybody of their privacy and space. remember KARMA. 
**we’ll give you a hint, the ones all dressed up, who take so much time and effort to create their costumes, and or who are performing on the playa, have super duper art bikes, art cars, and or art projects, LOVE to have their pictures taken! and there are over 30,000 of them, so you will have plenty of magically delicious, self expressing earthlings to take pictures of. never fear, there will be plenty.
we have been shooting on the playa for 4 years now, and the love and connections we exchange and and make, they are unlike anywhere else. a great example:
about three years ago, there was this striking guy and girl walking down the esplanade while we were all sitting up close in our “movie theater” chairs. (our camp had been destroyed by the wind, the wind literally crushing the dome) so since we didn’t have an inside location, we chose to sit up and enjoy the new movie theater in our view. while they were walking by, shone approached them and politely asked if he could take their picture……….
sometime later that year we met a remarkable fire performer. he was full of energy, bounced off the walls, and never stopped moving his fingers and poi as fast as he could move and talk. so much energy, so many ideas. a true human connecter, and immediately introduced us to all of the boys and girls he was playing with! (that’s a whole other story!) ryano instantly became my brother from another mother, he was everything in a guy that I was in a girl. whenever we get together, we start getting all silly, pumped up, and moving at a bazillion miles per hour!
one night ryano brought his current girlfriend over to do a shoot with us! an amazing ballerina, fire performer, and magician. we had such a great time, and she was extremely creative. we really loved the part when she took all of her clothes off and covered herself in baby powder, and then proceeded to go on point, (that’s a ballet term, for up on the tippy tops of the toes!) (click on photo for larger version)
about a year after that, when we posted the picture below (click on it for larger version) as picture of the day, POTD: this picture had been on our computer slideshow screen saver for over a year, and it finally hit all of us at one time. Ryano recognized himself of course and rachel, remembered the exact moment when we took the picture, and mentioned that he even remembered us!! we saw the picture, and was so wonderfully filled with bliss!! Ryano and Rachel had crossed our once before that we know of, and are now great friends and family.
shone remembered them as well. that year on the playa we took 300 pictures. it was such a magical year, a year that will always mean so much to us, and a year that brought so much magic and amazing people to our path. so please remember this, be kind and conscious of the people you are shooting, they just may turn out to be your family.
ryano is now one of the four burning man regionals in our area, and has been the driving energy for the shiva vista project.
ryano is also an amazing artist. you can check out some of his work on planetboho.
we love working and collaborating with him.
you just never know who will cross your path next. be kind…….
2. please keep in mind other artists who are creating, especially when you see a camera or video camera in their hands. if they are out in the playa, setting up a picture, or a photo shoot, or a movie set, we would like to recommend to you to be super kind. please understand that this is this artist’s one day, one hour, out of the year that has this opportunity, and more than likely took quite some time and effort to put their vision together, always remember to ask them if you are planning or thinking that you want to walk up on them and just start shooting away. don’t step in front of their shooting frames, and please do not disturb. if you wish to talk to the artist, please wait until he or she is finished with their participant and or project. you just never know what you might get if you wait patiently, and then ask to take a picture
people are all so very kind and rewarding with love. it’s really simple, just be kind and present of your location, and intentions while taking pictures on the playa.
and remember to register your cameras, and or video cameras at media mecca. You can do it online and bring your form, or fill it out when you are there. by registering your camera, you are acknowledging your participation and respect for the burning man participants. you will get a colored tagging on your equipment, and will make your encounters with others much easier. please take the time.
the man burns in 28 days
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The way you phrase this entire thing just about sums it up. Love how you wrote and expressed that.
OH, and those movie theater seats were quite useful.