Five (5) tips to help you take better photos of people while you travel
After visiting Mongolia for years. I understood the relationship between the Golden Eagle and Eagle Hunter. It is a close relationship where the eagles are considered to be members of their family. I asked to see his eagle while we talked. It presented me with the opportunity to capture the tenderness between the two.
Experiencing a new culture can be an overwhelming experience as a photographer. You've seen photos posted by others that inspired you to travel. You want to capture similar images, and there you are, thousand of miles away from home in this foreign land, camera in hand, instantly intimidated and uncomfortable when you should be excited about this opportunity. This article should help prepare you for that moment. It will make you feel more confident and prepared, ultimately helping you walk away with an enriched experience with great memories on your memory card.
In the last seven years, I have led over 70 photo tours and workshops around the globe. I have photographed people from the rural nomadic people in Mongolia and tribes in Africa to street photography and models in Paris. Here is how I have been able to successfully capture images of people all over the world.
Here are my TOP 5 tips
1~ Research Before You Book Your Trip
Do some research. Identify companies that have repeatedly visited a location. Chances are they have experience photographing the cultures that you want to visit. Please do not make assumptions they are respectful when approaching other cultures. Call them, ask what their philosophy is regarding photographing cultures. What kind of photo opportunities do they offer you?
You should also research images from photographers that have been there before you. What do you like, what don’t you like. Create a folder of images you would like to take and show them to your guide so they understand what you are interested in doing.
Another thing to remember is model releases. Talk to the tour company and guides. Who will be responsible for obtaining the release? You might not intend to sell your images, but its better safe than sorry.
A Himba Woman in Namibia allows me to photograph her while she takes a smoke bath. We had visited an Orphanage and started talking to a few of the young women. One question came up during our conversation about how they bathe. The red ochre covered their body and it appeared to be a daunting task to bath as we know it. It was explained to us that they use scented smoke as their bath. Which we asked to see.
2~ Do that Research Yourself
Being aware of cultural differences in everyday situations can help you avoid faux pas such as arriving on time in a more laid-back culture or even things as entering a dwelling and walking the wrong way. Not knowing basic lifestyle rules can get you into some serious hot water, at a bare minimum, be sure you have educated yourself about the etiquette of another culture. If you cannot find local cultural idiosyncrasies that you're looking for on the web? Ask a local on the ground when you arrive. They're the experts on these topics! Let me give you two examples of how some seemingly insignificant occurrences are offensive.
1 ~ Did you know, pointing your finger at someone in Mongolia is telling that person that you want to kill them? It may sound strange, but... The motion of pointing your finger has historical significance because the index finger is used in the final act in killing sheep.
2~ Never ask three Asians to stand together to be photographed. I am unsure of the origins of the middle person in a photograph of three meeting his maker, but this superstition seems to feature heavily in Asian superstition
When it comes to taking pictures of the people themselves, it is always advisable to ask their permission beforehand. Respect their right to privacy if they decline your request. remember, you are a visitor, with an intimidating camera. Most of us really do not like to get our photos taken by complete strangers. ;-)
If you selected the right trip, there are probably set times and visits to focus on the people that live in the country you are visiting. Street photography aside, the only way to capture people is to visit them in their homes.
After visiting the same village for a few years, I felt comfortable enough to ask the juvenile tribesman how far they could throw their spears. Before I knew it we had 10 young men lining up to throw their spears as far as they could for us. The event has become an annual event on my visits. The same young men trying to outdo themselves and impress us.
3~ Do Not Just Show up and Shoot
Do not just show up, take photos, and head on to the next location. Taking impactful photos of people NEEDS to be done after creating a connection with your subject.
Think of it this way. You're at home, you have invited a friend to bring over people from a foreign land. They show up, start sticking a camera in your face while you sit in your living room, they don't interact with you, and POOF, as fast as they showed up, they are gone. How would that experience make you feel?
Don’t be that rude traveler. Your images are not going to create emotion. You will go home disappointed with what you captured.
4~ Make the Personal Connection
I can’t speak for others. I can only give you what I have learned from my experiences. Here is how I have managed to create personal connections that have produced what I think are impactful images.
Learning about the culture that you are photographing, from the people you are there to photograph is an enriching experience. I might even make jokes that get them to laugh. Give them prompts to get them to have real movement and real expressions.
When in Mongolia I like to sit down with my groups and talk. I like my groups to be able to ask questions about things like life in Mongolia, maybe ask questions about their daily lives. But most important is the introductions. I like my groups to talk about where they came from… share things about themselves and their families.
I choose to visit locations in Africa where it is set up with a local guide. I visit an orphanage in Namibia that appreciates our visit. They are paid for our visit, and the money stays in the village to help them take care of the mothers and children. It’s an excellent experience to interact with the people we meet.
In Tanzania, I have a few villages I like to visit. Over the years I have returned to see people I have seen for a few years. There is an instant comfort level when we show up. My groups get a guided tour through the village, and the young men know that I am going to take them out into the fields to show us how far they can throw their spears. Its fun, interactive and the laughs produce great images for everyone.
After years of asking and denied to take photographs inside the temple, I was finally allowed to take my groups inside the temple to take photos. You see, they made the assumption that we were like other groups that simply wanted to exploit them. With the help from my tour company, our visits turned into a boring visit to an interactive event where we not only witness prayer time, but we also get to sit down and talk to Monks of all ages about their lives and faith.
5~ Share the Images You Take
I encourage the people that travel with me to share the images they just took with our hosts. Let them see themselves on the back of your camera. It aids in creating that personal connection.
There you have it… 5 easy tips to take better photos when you are traveling.
I would love to take you on one of my cultural photo workshops. I continue to visit Mongolia and Africa.
We take care of everything. Payments, tips, model releases, and teaching you how to capture the images you hoped to take while on vacation.
You can see all our workshops here: https://muenchworkshops.com/