Some folks will do anything to get the perfect picture. Its like they’re addicted to the angles, but it’s not worth it to put yourself or others in danger.
One travel blogger, Patricia was recently criticized for posting a picture on Instagram in front of a moving train at a busy intersection in Thailand. Patricia has over 33,000 followers, many of which have expressed concerns over the dangers of taking these risky pictures. One follower pointed out that she is influencing the younger generation who will try to mimic these photos. “Probably not the best to promote photos like this,” the comment said. “There are tons of kids who get in hot water attempting to emulate pics like this. Just my two cents.”
Another follower commented on the speed of the train and how the photo was putting passengers and spectators at risk. “Been there and these people are right. Yes, it may not be as fast as the other trains, but it can still move quickly,” the follower said. “Or maybe the train operator tried to slow down because of you. Putting yourself at risk just for an Instagram picture, just for more likes, more attention, and more followers? Not worth it.”
Patricia, who lives in Bali, immediately defended the picture. “First, this is not dangerous at all, and second I am not the first and won’t be the last person taking a photo here or any other dangerous places,” she wrote. “It is on ourselves to be aware of the dangers and the limits. Even if I would not take this photo, people would anyway. I am not a person who takes a big risk just for a photo. I value my safety and life.”
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Patricia may be aware of the dangers, but others are more than willing to push the limits. Last month, the bodies of married travel bloggers Meenakshi Moorthy and Vishnu Viswanath were found in Yosemite National Park. Earlier in the year, Moorthy wrote a foreboding post saying: “A lot of us including yours truly is a fan of daredevilry attempts of standing at the edge of cliffs and skyscrapers but did you know that wind gusts can be FATAL??? Is our life just worth one photo?”
The influencer had a change of heart and ultimately deleted the risky photo. She released a statement to TN expressing her apology. “The picture gives a wrong impression of what was the intention of it. It is showing a dangerous situation in a positive light although the main focus was supposed to be on the market itself,” Patricia wrote. “I should be a role model for my followers and should not promote potentially dangerous situations which were never my intention.” She later posted another picture apologizing. “I need to agree that I was wrong in posting the picture at the Maeklong Market and with the caption for it as well,” she said. “The picture gives a wrong impression of what the intention was.”
“As I have mentioned several times in the comments: I WOULD NEVER RISK MY LIFE FOR A PHOTO. Please, DON’T DO IT YOURSELF. We constantly hear sad news about people risking their lives for a photo and it is terrifying. Social media is a platform to share our content and it should never promote dangerous situations.”