Hey guys, I'm writing today about a subject we usually tend to forget when we take photos in our trips: people. Go through your albums or through your friends photos in that awesome trip they had to South East Asia, Europe or South America and I'm pretty sure you'll find photos of beaches, the Eiffel Tower or of themselves hiking Machu Picchu. But if you really want to document your trip there are several things you should have in your 'must-photograph' list and today I'm talking (writing!) about people.
Now people are, well, people. What I mean is, there are several things you need to consider before taking someone's photo, specially while travelling since you'll be going to places with different cultures and ways of thinking. They might not be willing to have their photograph taken, and some of them will ask you for money. But also, what if you just want a candid shot instead of a posed one? How to deal with those things?
I'll be dividing this post in two parts according to these two perspectives: etiquettes of taking photos of people and technical aspects for taking photos of people. Read more after the break.
Photography Etiquette
Let me tell you something, people are nice. They are not scary (ok, some of them might be). However, they all have different customs and believes, so it is vital to keep these things in mind before placing your camera in front of someone's face.
1. Be polite. Remember when your mother/grandmother kept telling you to ask for permission, say please and give thanks? I am here to remind you of that. If you find someone you want to photograph, go towards them and ask them nicely if it's ok for them if you take their photo. For locals this is quite expected, and they are used to it, so it might not be a big issue for them. But there are some people in small towns that they won't agree to that. For example, there is a belief between the people that live in the mountains in Peru that if you take their photo you take their soul with it. True Story. So don't assume they will all be ok with it. Go ask. And then, remember to say thank you. Show them the photo you just took. Be friendly. And smile, a lot!
2. Be Respectful. I know this is the same as the first point, but this is because you have to remind that. If you ask for someone's photo and they say 'no', then respect it. Don't just walk away and then come back and quickly snap their photo and then run away. Don't be sneaky! Respect their decision.
3. There's always sign language. It is true that while travelling you might not be speaking the language you're in, so how to ask then for permission when you can't talk to them? Just smile, wave, point your camera, show the thumb. Easy as that. This is why it is also important that whenever you go, you should at least learn a few words in the local language. For situations like this. So you can say thank you, gracias, obrigado, cảm ơn, merci, grazie ... you get the point.
4. Do not give money for photos. Now here comes the other side of the story. Locals know that tourists want to photograph them, and they are smart. So they will ask you for money. But this is my humble opinion, don't go for it. I believe this is a form of begging for money and personally I don't appreciate it. So if they want money for it just smile and say 'no' and move along. Now, here's something that happened to me while in Hanoi. I approached a lady selling fruit and asked her if I could take her photo and she made a sign indicating money. So I moved away. But then I said that instead of just paying her for her photo, what if I bought fruit from her and then take her photo? She agreed. We all went happy. In some sort of way I did pay for the photo but at least it was not me just giving her money. I got fruit!
Now people are, well, people. What I mean is, there are several things you need to consider before taking someone's photo, specially while travelling since you'll be going to places with different cultures and ways of thinking. They might not be willing to have their photograph taken, and some of them will ask you for money. But also, what if you just want a candid shot instead of a posed one? How to deal with those things?
I'll be dividing this post in two parts according to these two perspectives: etiquettes of taking photos of people and technical aspects for taking photos of people. Read more after the break.
Photography Etiquette
Let me tell you something, people are nice. They are not scary (ok, some of them might be). However, they all have different customs and believes, so it is vital to keep these things in mind before placing your camera in front of someone's face.
1. Be polite. Remember when your mother/grandmother kept telling you to ask for permission, say please and give thanks? I am here to remind you of that. If you find someone you want to photograph, go towards them and ask them nicely if it's ok for them if you take their photo. For locals this is quite expected, and they are used to it, so it might not be a big issue for them. But there are some people in small towns that they won't agree to that. For example, there is a belief between the people that live in the mountains in Peru that if you take their photo you take their soul with it. True Story. So don't assume they will all be ok with it. Go ask. And then, remember to say thank you. Show them the photo you just took. Be friendly. And smile, a lot!
2. Be Respectful. I know this is the same as the first point, but this is because you have to remind that. If you ask for someone's photo and they say 'no', then respect it. Don't just walk away and then come back and quickly snap their photo and then run away. Don't be sneaky! Respect their decision.
3. There's always sign language. It is true that while travelling you might not be speaking the language you're in, so how to ask then for permission when you can't talk to them? Just smile, wave, point your camera, show the thumb. Easy as that. This is why it is also important that whenever you go, you should at least learn a few words in the local language. For situations like this. So you can say thank you, gracias, obrigado, cảm ơn, merci, grazie ... you get the point.
4. Do not give money for photos. Now here comes the other side of the story. Locals know that tourists want to photograph them, and they are smart. So they will ask you for money. But this is my humble opinion, don't go for it. I believe this is a form of begging for money and personally I don't appreciate it. So if they want money for it just smile and say 'no' and move along. Now, here's something that happened to me while in Hanoi. I approached a lady selling fruit and asked her if I could take her photo and she made a sign indicating money. So I moved away. But then I said that instead of just paying her for her photo, what if I bought fruit from her and then take her photo? She agreed. We all went happy. In some sort of way I did pay for the photo but at least it was not me just giving her money. I got fruit!
5. Respect their privacy. Ok, so you've got in mind all of this points. You see now someone you find interesting and a good subject for your travel stories, and you're willing to go and ask for permission. But look at your surroundings and check where exactly are you. Are you in a temple? Is that person praying? Or maybe he's eating. Do you think it's ok for you to disturb them? How would you feel if it was you in that situation and someone came to ask you to take your photo? There is no right or wrong answer to this one, is just an analysis of the situation and making sure you won't be interrupting anyone from what they were doing.
6. Engage, be friendly, have fun. Most importantly, remember to interact with them. It is so much better to go back home and show your photos and say "this kid here came to me and wanted to sell me a book saying $1 dollar, and when I wanted to buy it he said to me '$1 dollar for looking!', his name is Tad" than saying "this is a kid in Cambodia". If you both have time, talk to them, engage, share stories (when there is no language-barrier). Remember that you are travelling and you want to fulfil you spirit knowing other people and what they are doing and how is their life. You're going to meet there amazing people that will even invite you to their home and share a meal. And also, work this the other way around. Meet people first, and then ask them to take their photo. They will feel more comfortable and relaxed and you'll get amazing photos. You will have the greatest memories! Btw, that story is true, Tad broke my heart by tricking me with the $1 dollar for looking thing. He is a smart kid, he sells books and souvenirs outside the temples in Cambodia, and then goes to school at night. One of the many amazing kids I met there.
On the next post I'll be sharing some tips to keep in mind so that your photos of people look great. Until then, I hope you enjoyed this post. I wanted to write something else and ended up with this. Now I want to go travelling again!
6. Engage, be friendly, have fun. Most importantly, remember to interact with them. It is so much better to go back home and show your photos and say "this kid here came to me and wanted to sell me a book saying $1 dollar, and when I wanted to buy it he said to me '$1 dollar for looking!', his name is Tad" than saying "this is a kid in Cambodia". If you both have time, talk to them, engage, share stories (when there is no language-barrier). Remember that you are travelling and you want to fulfil you spirit knowing other people and what they are doing and how is their life. You're going to meet there amazing people that will even invite you to their home and share a meal. And also, work this the other way around. Meet people first, and then ask them to take their photo. They will feel more comfortable and relaxed and you'll get amazing photos. You will have the greatest memories! Btw, that story is true, Tad broke my heart by tricking me with the $1 dollar for looking thing. He is a smart kid, he sells books and souvenirs outside the temples in Cambodia, and then goes to school at night. One of the many amazing kids I met there.
On the next post I'll be sharing some tips to keep in mind so that your photos of people look great. Until then, I hope you enjoyed this post. I wanted to write something else and ended up with this. Now I want to go travelling again!
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