Gene Westburg , May 30, 2002; 10:05 p.m.
I have the opportunity to travel to Latvia this fall and am curious
about how the Latvian people regard tourists and especially tourists
with cameras. I will be with my church's men's choir as their
unofficial photojournalist (and roadie) so I would like to photograph
the individuals we are there to minister to as well as some of the
cities and country side.
Are there prohibitions I should be aware of? Is it socially
acceptable to photograph in public buildings and churches?
Also do you know of any particular portfolios that have scenes from
Latvia? I've seen a couple but it was strictly by accident.
Any tips you could share with me?
Mikael Udd , May 31, 2002; 02:33 a.m.
I was travelling a few days in Latvia, with other students from my university a few years ago. I hadn´t any camera with me that time, but many of the others had.
Personally I can´t think of any problems as long as you shoot "normal" street, tourist-like photos. BTW: probably you will visit Riga(???), it has very nice old style architecture, from the era long before the communism and it is a quite big city with a lot to see. But, as said, I have not been in Latvia for a few years and I was there only a few days, so I cannot comment on any special issues.
As in many other countries, I think you should ask for permission before shooting in churches. The big churches/cathedrals etc. are usually quite popular among tourists, so I suppose the photo issues are easy to check out. The Latvian people, their mentality and the society can be an "interesting" issue, if you haven´t been to the old Soviet states before :-)
Gary Friedman , May 31, 2002; 02:34 a.m.
I was there for a month in 1988. Friendliness doesn't begin to describe the people in the Baltics. I had no problem at all taking pictures and getting people to pose for me (there were photo restrictions at train stations and airports, but those were Soviet-imposed rules and may no longer apply). Many happily took me into their homes to share a drink of vodka (the ultimate compliment!) The only way you can insult the Latvians is to try to talk to them in Russian (they HATE the Russians!!) Other than that you're in for a friendly and memorable trip.
I have a small fraction of the images I shot there on my website, www.FriedmanArchives.com. Click on the "Latvia" link.
Marcelo Soria-Rodriguez , May 31, 2002; 02:35 a.m.
Hello!
I went on an extremely short trip (roughly two days) to Latvia's capital, Riga, in the beginning of this last April.
Latvians were quite friendly and warm in general with us. We were all carrying our cameras with us and never had any problem at all. There were probably only a couple of places where photography was not permitted, but it was clearly marked at the entrance. But should you have any doubt, just ask them: most of them speak english (specially in the old town area), and if they don't I'm pretty sure they will do the effort to communicate somehow.
And regarding portfolios with scenes from Latvia: I will hopefully have mine ready in a week or so, I just need to find time to scan some pictures and upload them! I don't have many pictures though, and all of them are from Riga, but hopefully you will find them interesting, if only a bit :)
If you would like to know anything in particular about the capital just ask, I might know the answer!
Regards,
Marcelo Soria-Rodriguez
Janis Barbars 
, May 31, 2002; 09:39 a.m.
Hi, Gene!
I AM a Latvian so decided that I MUST respond to your question :)
I cannot speak for all people of Latvia but as far as it concerns me - no problem if it happens that you have pointed your camera at me.
As of prohibitions: there are some churches where they do not LIKE that photos are taken; however, if its a choir I would doubt that they will PROHIBIT to take photos especially knowing that you are with them. Actually, once I was invited as photographer for a conference (350 participants) and they had an organ concert in Riga Dom Church (one of the largest pipe organs in Europe) and I did not have any problems taking a couple of pictures inside the church, including one from the balcony. This was a Lutheran church. Unfortunately I'm not aware about the attitude of any other (catholic, orthodox) church to this matter.
To comment on Gary Friedman's statement about Latvians and hatered against Russians: it's no longer valid :) Things have changed since 1988 - Soviet army left the country and hatered went with them. OK - no more politics in this thread!
You might find some pictures of famous (at least in Latvia) Latvian photographers on this site: foto.lv.
If you have any specific questions about Latvia, do not hesitate to contact me directly at jannis@mail.lv
Janis
James McKearney , May 31, 2002; 11:42 a.m.
some pictures of famous (at least in Latvia) Latvian photographers on this site: foto.lv
Janis -- There are some very nice photos at that site. Thanks.
Mojtaba Talaian , Jun 03, 2002; 08:28 p.m.
If you are a white eurpean type you will not only have no problems w/ camera but also you are very much welcomed and loved. Latvians could be a very hospitable people as long as you belong to the right race. Otherwise, I honestly advise you to be a little alerted. I am Iranian and have lived in 4 countries (for the last 13 years in Norway), travelled to 17 countries and have never experienced so much racism as I experienced in Latvia. Riga, the capital city is a very beautiful city with old nice buildings.
Nestor Botta 
, Jun 04, 2002; 01:32 p.m.
