taking photo's

maybe an odd question, but it really varies country to country
how cool are Indians with people taking photos of them?
of Holy Men or of religious ceremonies, for example--
or everyday street scenes

from experienced photographers (unlike me)- any helpful tips?

i took a photo in Florence of a gypsy woman (without asking) and she approached with angry teeth and demanded money. I gave her 2 euros.
is that common in iiiiindia?

thanks

Indians are all too happy to have you take their picture. I've never been asked for money, nor have I given any. Most religious matters are photographable, and it will be clear and obvious which ones aren't. People always appreciate being asked, and the answer is almost always a smiling "yes."

Once I had my camera out in a neighborhood, on the beach, or in the market it was very often the case that I was approached by people (and lots of kids) who asked me to take thier picture. For some reason Indians seem to love having thier picture taken, even by strangers.

I found it difficult to point my camera at anything without a kid or five jumping into the frame. Adults are a little more reserved, best to get a smile and nod at least first. And if the person is very poor and begging for a living a couple of rupees is polite.

Good answers all.
Also If you are digital, they like to see the picture in-screen

On my latest trip to Ladakh, I could see the tensions created by some sorts of photographic view of the Ladakhis. The lady on the left shortly after I took this photo , suddenly snatched the hat and camera off the girl sitting next to me and made a marvellous skit about tourists , poking the lens up in to the faces of others etc. Yes , it was hilariously funny, but there was an edge to it and I was intensely relieved that I had asked before taking taking the pic , and they were happy about it.
When this kind of behavior is transported in to the temple grounds the tension could actually flare up : I saw a videocam wielding ...person being politely shown two times , with the sword, that he was in the way by a monk during chams dance. The third time the monk didnt stop and went over and thru the obstacle.

I am not arguing against what´s been said earlier in this thread, this is the kind of response you can expect if take the moment to stop and think about what you are doing and interact with people instead of just using them , which you already have done beforehand. Asking will not only make it possible to take that shot , you will often be invited to another you weren´t aware of. Photography is a great way to connect with people, a bridge builder... but there are some wrecking crews about. Building principles is easy , just ask yourself how you would feel about it and talk to people.

In some locations you may have to brace yourself to what you see other tourists do.Nothing wrong in showing your reaction when it really gets overboard too, just before the chams incident I confronted another videot who disrespected the central altar and removed him from the scene.

I agree about shooting photos inside temples. I did not take pictures of ceremonies nor did I even go into the rooms where these were taking place. Also I noticed that I was not welcome to take photos of the covered central area in the Madurai temple where brahmin men were sitting together. I took one from a distance but then noticed that they were scowling at me while one was pointing me out.

Most temples that I visited did not even allow me inside since I was obviously not hindu.

One of my friends who took me around to see the temples was a Catholic priest. He was helpful in letting me know what I could photograph and what I should not. As a side point he also mentioned that anyone can visit a catholic service in India and take photos of anything they want, in fact the clergy welcomes non-catholic visiters.

I'm not sure about other religions, muslim, parsee, etc. and thier policies on visitors or photo-taking. I guess the best thing to do is ask.

Apart from that I found that Indians loved being photographed, even asking me to take thier picture and posing for me. No one ever asked to be paid except that you have to buy a special ticket to take photos at most museums and temples I visited.

oh wow. i wouldve have gotten quite uncomfortable.. though it really is so understandable. especially as tibet, and Ladakh have become much more popular recently for visitors;
i will be spending several months in ladakh volunterring in a school.. so that is very good to know. any other suggestions? i guess there is only so much you can say asides from "just ask."

oh and merchant.. you are a documentary photographer? and from new york! hoorah for new yorkers
what was your story in Ladakh, if you dont mind my asking?

Here's the instance in Madurai that I mentioned about where my camera was not welcome. At first I thought he was waving hello at me until I noticed the scowl on his friends face.... at which point I quickly moved on to look for friendlier subjects.


Of course I have hundreds of other pics where people (not in temples) were more than happy to be snapped.

There was a similar thread not too long ago that you may find helpful.

These catholic ladies, on the other hand, were asking for me to take thier picture at the Palm Sunday procession... I love this photo

On the other hand ...

I have been shouted at for taking photos - even though the lady market trader wasn't really the subject of the photo, more part of the framing. I apologised and moved on.

Dodi, those look like regular temple goers. If the one guy is scowling, I don't think he is doing so for some religious reason. Maybe you have interrupted his nap.

Don't stick your lens into people's faces just like that is often the wise way to go in unfamiliar surroundings, even if in your lens they're in the perimeter.