photo etiquette

zoltan_nbsmba · Oct 8th, 2005, 18:39

Dear IMers!

Would you please advise me about etiquette in relation with taking photos? I would like to avoid getting into uncomfortable situatons when it comes to taking photos of people, especially women.

Thank you in advance.

seventies'hippy · Oct 8th, 2005, 19:07

A search of our photo forum answers your question HERE

LuAnnandJawahar · Oct 9th, 2005, 22:58

the quick and simple answer is: it you are feeling uncertain, simply ask permission.

happysnapper999 · Nov 2nd, 2005, 05:07

Another point worth noting is how you take your pictures, stance etc. It is better to think about the photo before you take it, lift the camera, click and move on with a nod or a smile if needed.

All too often the taking of a picture becomes such a performance and attracts attention, especially of children. A good photographer blends in and doesn't stick out.

Merchant · Nov 2nd, 2005, 05:23

Photography is just another form of human interaction. How you present yourself determines the reaction you will get.

Indojingai · Nov 2nd, 2005, 05:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoltan_nbsmba

Dear IMers!

Would you please advise me about etiquette in relation with taking photos? I would like to avoid getting into uncomfortable situatons when it comes to taking photos of people, especially women.

Thank you in advance.

A lot of people in India have not seen a camera (rural areas, digital cameras esp.), so there may even be a situation where they keep asking you to take their picture.

In cities, in general no one gives a *hit if you take a picture of them.. from a distance at least.

lotus blossom · Nov 2nd, 2005, 06:55

i find it a bit tricky, depending upon the situation. last time i was in india i was more comfortable with it, and would generally just lift me camera up a bit, a friendly gesture that i wanted to take a photo. i prefer candids, but that is not always feasible. people mostly nod in agreeance, but there have been some ocassions where the subject (all women) have said no. and then there are those areas where everyone wants their photo taken.

happysnapper999 · Nov 2nd, 2005, 17:33

All good documentary photographers spend time with their subjects before even bringing a camera out. If you are staying in an area for a length of time you will always get better shots than just doing the equivalent of a drive by shooting. Trust is everything.

cyberhippie · Nov 2nd, 2005, 17:46

Totally agree happysnapper, I don't do people so often, as I'm no good at it but yeah treating the subject like a human being, instead of just snapping away seems like the best course of action.
Especially in India where if you ask for a photo, most will say yes then put on their sternest "schoolphoto /passport face" not a great picture.

My job in the picture below picture was to make the kids laugh, we had spent all morning getting to know the girls and their mums in the fishing villlage at Puri and my mate got some really nice shots.

Also it's not everyone who wants a camera stuck in their face I've been refused manys a time from locals who just didn't want their picture taken, Uh Uh no way!!
Try and respect this, I do

P.S. we eventually got "choti" at the back, to come out for a photo as well!!

happysnapper999 · Nov 2nd, 2005, 18:27

Nice picture cyberhippie. I look forward to many months of photographing in India. Here's a shameless little plug of the Touareg people....

Oct 8th, 2005, 18:39	#1
zoltan_nbsmba Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Singapore (expat) Posts: 30	photo etiquette Dear IMers! Would you please advise me about etiquette in relation with taking photos? I would like to avoid getting into uncomfortable situatons when it comes to taking photos of people, especially women. Thank you in advance. __________________ "You must be the change you want to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi

Oct 8th, 2005, 19:07	#2
seventies'hippy Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: UK Posts: 2,127	A search of our photo forum answers your question HERE __________________ . . . My Photo Gallery

Oct 9th, 2005, 22:58	#3
LuAnnandJawahar Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Delhi/U.S. Posts: 664	the quick and simple answer is: it you are feeling uncertain, simply ask permission. __________________ Reject violence.

Nov 2nd, 2005, 06:55	#7
lotus blossom re-member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: revolving around the sun standing still Posts: 1,893	i find it a bit tricky, depending upon the situation. last time i was in india i was more comfortable with it, and would generally just lift me camera up a bit, a friendly gesture that i wanted to take a photo. i prefer candids, but that is not always feasible. people mostly nod in agreeance, but there have been some ocassions where the subject (all women) have said no. and then there are those areas where everyone wants their photo taken. __________________ Not all who wander are lost

Nov 2nd, 2005, 17:46	#9
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,012	Totally agree happysnapper, I don't do people so often, as I'm no good at it but yeah treating the subject like a human being, instead of just snapping away seems like the best course of action. Especially in India where if you ask for a photo, most will say yes then put on their sternest "schoolphoto /passport face" not a great picture. My job in the picture below picture was to make the kids laugh, we had spent all morning getting to know the girls and their mums in the fishing villlage at Puri and my mate got some really nice shots. Also it's not everyone who wants a camera stuck in their face I've been refused manys a time from locals who just didn't want their picture taken, Uh Uh no way!! Try and respect this, I do P.S. we eventually got "choti" at the back, to come out for a photo as well!! Attached Thumbnails

Nov 2nd, 2005, 05:07	#4
happysnapper999 Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bristol Posts: 79	Another point worth noting is how you take your pictures, stance etc. It is better to think about the photo before you take it, lift the camera, click and move on with a nod or a smile if needed. All too often the taking of a picture becomes such a performance and attracts attention, especially of children. A good photographer blends in and doesn't stick out.

Nov 2nd, 2005, 05:23	#5
Merchant Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: New York Posts: 2,096	Photography is just another form of human interaction. How you present yourself determines the reaction you will get.

Nov 2nd, 2005, 17:33	#8
happysnapper999 Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bristol Posts: 79	All good documentary photographers spend time with their subjects before even bringing a camera out. If you are staying in an area for a length of time you will always get better shots than just doing the equivalent of a drive by shooting. Trust is everything.

Nov 2nd, 2005, 18:27	#10
happysnapper999 Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bristol Posts: 79	Nice picture cyberhippie. I look forward to many months of photographing in India. Here's a shameless little plug of the Touareg people.... Attached Thumbnails

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