I don’t mind having my picture taken. But unfortunately, most of the pictures of me are very… simple. Pose, smile, click. Pose, look at the lens, click. I find it… wasteful. Don’t even start about asking me to take my own pictures, I’m not a camwhore, and not too interested to become one, either.
I don’t like to be inside a regular potrait or group photo. You know, oh there’s a beautiful park, go stand there and let me take a picture of you! Bleh.
I’m not photogenic, I’ll be the first to admit. That’s why a regular picture doesn’t help to make me look any better. A good portrait photo can make even a wrinkly old bum on street look like the wisest man around. It’s not that I don’t want to be in a picture.
I just don’t want to be in a picture that makes me feel bad about myself.
It’s not just a matter of being cocky or bitchy, but it’s really my own way to preserve and heighten my self-esteem. I’ve been through the hell of hating how I look. After struggling out of it, I can finally be happy with how I am and even be narcissistic about it. And I’m not looking forward to going through that hell again.
On many occasions where I’m behind the lens, and especially during my brother’s recent wedding, I’ve had people saying stuff like
“Kesian awak, asyik ambik gambar orang. Takde sapa pun ambik gambar awak. Nak Akak tolong ambik?”
No thanks, Kak. Being before lens could never beat being behind it. Being a subject might be cool and fun, but for the ones who have spent enough time behind the lens, releasing the shutter… they know better. Happy, fun, happening people couldn’t possibly understand what it feels like to be proud of something that you produced with your own hands.
I love being behind the lens. Don’t feel sorry for me if I don’t have any pictures of myself, I would decline even if you offered. Unless I’m sure the person could make me look good, it’s very unlikely that I will ask for a picture of me to be taken.
I’m happy being behind the lens. Let me stay there.