How to Capture People You Don’t Know When Traveling

Today we are fortunate enough to have a guest post from bloggers, David and Anna Smith of  www.interfaceimages.com

About the Authors

David and Anna Smith are World travel and fine art photographers, Bloggers, photography and fabric arts workshop leaders, key note speakers and cruise ship guest lecturers. Visit their Interface Images to access their World Travel Photography Tips & Photo Adventures Blog, Celebrate the World Fine Art gallery and online photography classes. Blog subscribers get a free photo class.

© 2016 David and Anna Smith 

Local people add color and excitement to travel pictures so photograph them....an intimidating idea to many of us. When I judge images at photo competitions over 90% of the images are flowers, animals and mountains because they don't talk back to you. It is people and local culture who make the world photo rich and interesting so make every effort to capture them in their environment. Here are some tips to help you how.

A few tricks:

• Let children pose themselves - they’re natural;
• Say “Touch heads” if our subjects know each other and you will always get a smile and a laugh. 
• Want a friend for life? - exchange contact info, send/email photos.
• Using a digital Camera? The BIGGEST icebreaker by far is to show them the picture you took.  Everybody likes to look at themselves..

© 2016 David and Anna Smith

On Location:  Relax, study your site for interesting subjects, get people to be used to you and that you are a photographer with a camera and using it!  When you arrive at a scene for the first time you are like a rock falling into a still pond and causing huge ripples everywhere.  If you have the time, hang out, relax, sip a latte, let the "ripples" subside and others will soon get used to you.

Shoot around your subject, then move closer & SMILE.  Engage in friendly conversation (if you can in their language) “I love your hat” “Can you help me find ---?”  After establishing any type of relationship with your subject such as making a purchase, giving them a tip or simply chatting ask  “may I take your picture?” or if there is no common language, point to your camera then your subject with  a “may I?” gesture.  If there is a negative response – move on, there are billions of people in the world left to photograph.  The first poses are often stilted or unnatural - get your subject to hold and show you something or interact with others and plan on taking several shots to get a good one.  Come back later and try again, the second time your subject will be more natural and relaxed.

© 2016 David and Anna Smith

Be aware that different cultures react differently to foreigners and photographers.  Don't violate cultural or religious taboos on photo taking - research this before you arrive. Don’t feel obligated to tip unless you really want. Bring home town pins, flags, mementos to hand out. In high traffic tourist locales tips can attract amazing subjects dressed in local costumes for better images. I carry loose dollar bills in my pocket and willingly hand them out if a tip is requested. Give street performers a tip and you can take photos of them all day, like the following tango dancers in Buenos Aires.

© 2016 David and Anna Smith

Street photography is a popular genre where subjects don’t know they are being photographed. Sometimes photographers are too shy to approach people so they shoot serendipitously or there is no opportunity to interact with your subjects before shooting. In a photo rich setting, watch and prepare for candid shots and practice your camera technique at home to be ready for that once in a life time opportunity, like this one of women fruit sellers in Antigua, Guatemala. David had 2 seconds to grab a shot before they turned down a lane and lost forever. 

© 2016 David and Anna Smith

I often use a fun group photo technique while traveling so BOTH the photographer(s) and the subjects can be in the same shot. I call this Dave’s Smile Circle and unlike selfies which are limited to a few people you can easily capture up to 10 people at once (depends on the camera lens and zoom out setting).  This technique works indoors or outdoors with smart phones, simple point and shoot or fancy SLR cameras..

© 2016 David and Anna Smith

Here’s how it’s done:

1. Set the camera timer to about a 10 second duration. Look for the clock/timer symbol
2. Force the flash on to lighten up the faces with the typical strong back lighting from the sky or overhead lights. Look for the lightning bolt symbol or pull up the popup flash (or use an external dedicated strobe flash set at ETL/ATL).
3. Set the cameras focus method to multiple point or face detection. If left on the default center spot focus setting the camera will not focus on the faces but on the sky or background
4. Set the lens to the maximum wide angle possible to fit all people in the shot
5. Remove the lens hood, if any, as the wide angle lens setting will cause a shadow in the lower half of the image created by the light of the popup flash hitting the lens hood
6. Place the camera on the floor/ground pointing up. Protect the camera led screen with piece of paper or cloth under it if necessary 
7. Ask your subjects to gather round the camera facing down so their heads form a ring of faces over the camera. Ask them to touch heads. This always invokes laughter and merriment.
8. Press the shutter button, and then join the ring and encourage the group to smile, laugh, making funny faces, etc. Remember the timer setting so don't have people laugh/giggle until just before the shutter goes.
9. Check the shot for composition, smiling faces and retake as needed. Your subjects will totally enjoy the effect and willing participate in more shots.
10. Show everyone the best shot and they will remember the event forever with a smile

No need to travel afar, watch for local festivals and special events.  When people get dressed up for parades and cultural festivals, they are really saying "take my picture".  Don't get there just for the parade - get there for setting up and post parade interaction. If you are on a tour be sure to photograph your traveling companions doing things, your tour guide and any local hosts or entertainment events.

© 2016 David and Anna Smith

Model releases are required if the image is used for commercial purposes (ads, corporate brochures/websites) but are not usually necessary if used for editorial purposes (travel stories, Blog or magazine articles). Check your local requirements. I carry model and product releases translated in the local language and have them signed if I am doing a commercial shoot locally or when traveling but not when I am just having fun with people I meet.

Remember -A memorable portrait is really a moment in time between a photographer and a subject and is an effective tool to get to know, experience and appreciate people and cultures around the world.

People photography adds human interest to Blogs, social networks, digital photo books and slide shows. Using the above techniques will help you take pictures of people you don’t know.