Tom

I often travel alone and enjoy taking photos. However, I get bored of taking photos of buildings, statues, and other landmarks. I would prefer to take some pictures that include local people. A picture of Big Ben is nice, but a picture of a child holding a balloon with Big Ben in the background is better. A picture of a local decked out in his best lederhosen. Anyway, what is the proper etiquette for taking these types of photos? Should you always ask before taking the picture or just shoot away?

Ana

I would shoot away. \<BR><BR>Nevertheless, it is also interesting to have YOUR OWN pictura taken. What I usually do is approach possible subject with a smile on my face, and ask if they'd be so kind as to take my picture. And I've never had anyone say no.<BR><BR>Ana

ryan

Tom, <BR>I'd be careful about shooting photographs of children without checking with their parents. Unfortunately, we all the real nutjobs in this world, I'd be concerned if I saw a strange man shooting photos of my son.

Ana

Tom:<BR>I would agree with Ryan on taking kid's pictures without parental approval. It's some crazy times we're living in. But still, when you approach with a smile, and ask politely, you should have no problems.<BR><BR>Ana<BR>Ana

Laura

We agree with you, Tom, and try to get as many candid shots of people as we can. But there is something else we do that might interest you......we ask people to take pictures of us, and then as soon as they are done, we ask them if we can take a picture of them. These are wonderful mementos. The bonus is that the people always say yes, they still are feeling good about doing something to help a visitor to their country so their smiles are huge, and they always want to talk with you for a few minutes. Sure makes that particular moment stay in your memory.

kelvy

I have a Nikon w/a standard 35-70mm lens but got a 300mm lens before my recent trip to Italy, mostly for this very reason...easier to be discreet from a distance if you're shooting just one person (I killed an entire b/w roll shooting hottie cafe waiters around Piazza San Marco this way...hummina hummina!) Other faves from that same day were taken from above the entry portal of St. Mark's (up by the horses)...a little boy running among the pigeons below, lovers leaning against a column in a quiet embrace, artists who are engrossed in their sketchbooks...nice stuff. Get a big lens, find yourself a perch, and go for it! On the flip side, I was asked a number of times while in Italy if I would pose in front of this building or that monument, each time by Japanese tourists - I found it kind of odd, and felt a bit like I was getting my mug shot taken, but played along. Usually I've found that a single person (a stranger) is mostly disconcerted when asked if I can take their picture; the big lens lets me skip that step and get a natural shot. Any more than one person, though, it's usually enough to give 'em a big smile and say, "Wow, you guys look great! May I take a picture?" Bigger groups can be the most fun: I had a blast snapping a bunch of chefs on a working vacation in Florence who were out for a stroll in their toques and whites!

kate

I saw a lecture recently by the well-known British photographer Martin Parr, who is famous for taking documentary style shots of the British at play (white bodies on the beach at Blackpool, that kind of thing).<BR><BR>Someone asked him just this question, and he said you should, wherever possible, ask first. It saves causing offence, and people are generally very amenable. How you do this and still get a natural shot is, I guess, down to the skill of the photographer.

Barb

I usually always ask before I shoot. In some Eastern cultures its considered stealing the person's soul to take a photo of them. Also many people are happy to take shots of you. Just find a nice friendly looking family to snap one and ask away. Also we tend to always get photos of the chefs/owners/waiters of every restaurant we eat at because we tend to linger and talk over dinner with these folks every night.

Joanne

Situations obviously alter cases, but I agree with Kelvy in terms of shooting at a distance. I dislike posed photos, i.e. someone standing in front of a monument, etc. Much prefer for example a bunch of children sitting on the lions in Trafalgar Square. How could anyone object to my shooting from a distance what was in essence a picture of the square with the children included because they were there. We occasionally ask someone to take our photos together, since we travel alone, but have never then asked to photograph them. I try to be discreet taking pictures so I won't offend anyone, and much prefer those photos with locals included just going about their business.<BR><BR>j <BR><BR>j

BOB THE NAVIGATOR

Hello Tom, After 21 trips to Europe and many rolls of slides I have recently edited my best people shots down to one tray of 80. I call it " The Faces of Europe". It is my favorite tray since many of them are taken with wonderful background as well.<BR>I almost always ask permission, but sometimes candid shots just happen. One very old gentleman I asked in Taormina asked me if I was German or American. When I told him Americano, he was quick to say yes. Interesting !

Nancy

In Montepulciano this last spring, I asked a little group of senior-aged women if I could take their picture by mostly gesturing with pidgeon Italina.<BR>They were all perched in a row on a wall with the church in the background. I was thinking National Geographic. <BR>They all declined and laughed and waved me off. So as I was walking away they had a little conference and then sent a delegate to stop me. They had changed their mind and put on lipstick and combed their hair and posed. It is one of my favorite pictures, because it brings back such a lovely memory.

dan woodlief

Obviously it depends on the situation. If in a culture that is less accepting of cameras and photography, I would ask if by any chance at all the person might see me taking the photo, so that I wouldn't offend. At least point at the camera and get a nod. In other places, I just shoot for the most part. If I find it hard to take a candid without being spotted, I will either act like I am taking a photo of something else and then grab the shot as quickly as possible or have my wife act as a decoy (she is used to this by now) and zoom past her. I would say for candids it is easier to just shoot away, but it is often a good idea to ask and get people to look you in the eye for a different type of shot (much like a lot of the portraits you might see in National Geographic). I am careful with children because I don't want to give their parents the wrong idea. I have asked parents before if I could photograph their children because I didn't want to look like a stalker. Photos of sights are great, but I am finding more and more that I prefer photos of people over anything else.

Walter

I saw signs in the Delphi Museum that basically said "It is forbidden to take pictures of other visitors/patrons in the museum". I just found it odd and have never seen these type signs or restrictions before in other Greek or European museums. Just thought I'd mention it. Regards, Walter

stop!

When you take my picture you steel my soul!

Stop

steal

nancy

As long as you keep in mind cultural differences,<BR>I think just snapping away is OK<BR>and as others have said ,<BR>can result in some great shots.<BR>I took two pics at the Abbezia of Montecassino last summer.<BR>One, was an elderly gentleman,<BR>dressed in tie and jacket, <BR>sitting under some trees, <BR>reading a local newspaper.<BR>the other a shot of 3 young men,<BR>walking away from the Abbezia entrance.<BR>Two were carrying very sizable, video cameras<BR>I think they were shooting a commercial or something.<BR>The one in the center was just <BR>drop -dead gorgeous!!!!<BR>Both shots,<BR>just bring back the flavor of Italy when I look at them.<BR>Point being,<BR>if I had asked, those shots would have been so different.<BR>I think, just keeping in mind cultural issues,<BR>and also,<BR>If you were the person in the shot,<BR>would you be offended?<BR>

Jim Tardio

You're right, Tom.<BR><BR>Travel photos with local people in them are what gives you the flavor of the place.<BR><BR>Some approaches I take are to ask if they mind posing with my wife...and then have my wife slip out of the picture after a few shots. Ask for directions. Ask for recommendations for good restaurants...in short start a conversation with them. Be interested in their goods if they're vendors.<BR><BR>Or simply just ask or motion to the camera. At heavily visited locations the locals are used to this and generally don't mind. With a wide angle lens they could be in the picture and it looks like you're not pointing the camera at them.<BR><BR>If you're really dedicated you could hire a local to show you around. Since they live there and speak the language, they're able to approach folks easier than you can.<BR><BR>I've found that most folks are happy to have their picture taken. It just takes a little effort on your part.<BR><BR>http://www.jimtardio.com

Sarah

I always imagine how I would feel if someone from another country was staring at me in my hometown with a camera in tow. I don't think I would like it and I would think it arrogant of the photographer to do this.If they are asking that I stand in a photo as many Japannese have done when I lived in Hawaii or Europeans have done at Rockefeller center & UN or Middle Easterners have done when I am in their countries, then I usually agree. I actually think it's cute if it is not too frequent. Of course always ask unless an individual is at a distance and will never see you taking a photo. We all know these moments are bound to happen do you yell across the street and really piss the individaul off or do you just shoot. YOU SHOOT. But yes it is bad taste if your focus is exploiting someones life style in your photo. And Lederhosen? please buy a post card, frequently that is an elderly persons attire. Having said that I do recall some 20 years ago a guy waiting for a bus with me allowed me to photograph him in this outfit. But I was talking to him about other things I did not walk up to him and say, "pardon me but you look so cool in your get up!!! Can I photograph you?" ...Rude and bad taste that would be.

dan woodlief

Good point about the wide angle lens Jim. It works wonders. I was able to include vendors and many others in recent photos by using one, and they really do think they are not in the shot. Of course, the opposite of that is that many other tourists will be oblivious of the fact that they are in the way of a shot you are setting up because they have no idea your lens is that wide. It requires some patience and attention to the edges of the frame. <BR><BR>I have found vendors on occasion to be very unfriendly if you are taking photos of their wares but not showing an interest in them. I had this happen in Charleston, SC and in Prague at the Charles Bridge, and you would think they get used to the cameras at these places. I have also had vendors ask if I wanted to photograph them to try to get me interested in what they are selling.<BR><BR>So you are dealing with two issues: (1) Politeness and cultural sensitivity and (2) How to be inconspicuous - maybe use a smaller camera (such as a range finder) or nice point and shoot type, stay away from the large pro-type zoom lenses, and use a long lens or wide angle, and be casual in the way you observe the subject. If all else fails, get close, use a wide lens, hold it with the lens toward the subject, look away, push the shutter button, and cross your fingers. Helps if you have a quiet camera model.

Fan

Jim Tardio, your web site of your pictures is wonderful. Are you a professional photographer? Everyone at my office is oohing and aahing.<BR><BR>Also, great tips everyone!