The world through a lens: Photo etiquette
As all photographers know, travel photography can be about more than safeguarding memories. Holidays are the perfect time to discover new cultures and customs, be outside of one’s comfort zone, eat new food, and, of course, really get stuck into the different lenses and ISO numbers. Coming home with that perfect picture of something or someone that fascinated you makes the enjoyment of the getaway last that much longer.
The way the local population expects you as a photographer to behave with your camera may be very different in countries other than your own. This Photo Etiquette may, however, not be easy to understand or adhere to, especially when it comes to photographing people as a subject, so we decided to have a closer look at what you might encounter…
When travelling, I find that shots of sights, animals and nature are often rewarding, but not enough. Photographing people gives a richer texture to the cultures you have visited. In hindsight, I have often regretted foregoing on a large part of the experience, simply because I did not know whether it was okay to take photos of people.
Not wishing to be photographed
Many people do not wish to be photographed, for many different reasons. Native peoples, such as some Native Americans in the US, might refuse being photographed because they believe a mirror does not reflect reality, but a persons’ soul. A picture, taken by a device that relies heavily on mirrors, may therefore capture and enslave the soul. Sometimes, this restriction only counts for infants and children, as their souls are fragile, and can more easily leave the body.
Others, such as some Caribbean cultures, believe that a representation of a person may be used in ‘sympathetic magic’ to cast voodoo spells on the person in question. Others again, especially in tourist areas, do not want to be in photos because, frankly, they are sick of them. Try to imagine how you would feel if a constant stream of tourists would come by your office and photograph you.
In some countries, such as China, taking someone’s picture without their consent is simply extremely rude. Others might feel they are not photogenic, and do not want their face to be splashed all over Flickr. And you need to be wary that some locations (places of worship, official buildings and structures, museums and military bases) may prohibit photography for security reasons.
If all that was not enough, you also need to consider the implications of a photo. If you might land someone in trouble for taking the photo (if photographing individuals at a political rally etc.) you might want to reconsider taking the photo. In other words, there should be a lot of prudence and respect on your part as the photographer.
Permission is key
Figuring out when it is okay to take a photo and when it is not will help you bring home more than just pictures of puppies, buildings and your travelling partner. The best way of finding this out is simply by asking. I have been asked for money in exchange for a photo on several occasions in India, and you will have to consider whether that money is worth the photo. If you deem it is not, just smile, shake your head and move along. Alternatively, they might ask you to buy something off them. Again, by all means do, if it is something you wanted, and if you think the price is worth the photo, if not, just keep going.
But, in general, rule number one is, get permission. It is essential that your behaviour and attitude is not one of right, but one of friendly coexistence. When you smile and nod while pointing at your camera, it is pretty clear what you want. This might sometimes mean that your photo will not be as spontaneous as you might wish, but at least you will not end up in sticky situations where the subject feels their personal space, or religion is violated. Especially on the topic of photographing children, you need to be very cautious, make sure to ask the parents or guardians for permission, no matter where in the world you are.
Rule number two is respect people’s wishes. If a person refuses your request of a photo, just move along and find other subjects. This will sometimes mean you do not get a photo at all, but do not try to sneak one in if someone has already said no. Never forget that there will be other opportunities for photos elsewhere.
Rule number three is that if someone asks you to stop taking photos, either verbally, by turning away, by looking uncomfortable, or by running for cover, as happened to me in Vietnam, stop. No matter the reason why someone might want you to stop, it is important that you keep in mind what Darren Rowse said on his blog: people are not tourist sites. They have feelings that must be respected. And you will only end up with photos of people with their backs turned to you, and minimal amounts of goodwill. It is just not worth it.
And finally, if you wish to finish a friendly exchange with a stranger whom you just took a photo of on a high note, you may wish to show them the photo afterwards if you have a digital display. It is not only courteous, but it has sometimes caused me to have a multitude of other subjects wanting to be photographed to see themselves on the little screen, including in Indonesia and Vietnam.
This article was written by Meke Kamps for Photocritic
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Insights, suggestions and comments
What about the whole issue about getting a model release? It’s hard enough for me to figure out when I need one on my own turf, much less when traveling to a foreign country.
Great subject. I have often run into these situations when travelling. Even here in my own backyard (DC metro area) I have had excellent opportunities for candid shots of interesting people, but passed them up on common courtesy. It’s so easy to see a great shot of an old man deep in thought at a war memorial or a child running through a public fountain, and I ache over how good some of those shots would be if I had the freedom to just shoot at will. In Africa, I ran into the “money for photos” issue a lot, and there are people such as the Massai that will not permit you to photograph them under any circumstances.
One more thing: In many countries there are rules on who you can post a picture of, on the net or in the papers. For instance, you CAN mail Facebook and link to an image of yourself, and say you never agreed to the picture being posted. They then have to remove it. Unfortunately, few people know this. When I made an account there, I found numerous (normal) pictures, but they were from parties. What if I was heavily drunk on those pictures? Would I then want them posted for all to see? No one told me they took pictures, no one asked if they could add them on FB. That is just so rude, I think. In in what interest to they need pictures of me (not a close friend, they are (not very good friends imo) friends of my boyfriend. It just seems that they think “it’s just pictures! who cares!”…
So a “rule” should be: Never take someone’s photo without consent, and DO NOT post them ANYWHERE without them knowing and agreeing.
As Brian here says, one could have good, candid shots, and if you only use them for your own pleasure (that sounds dirty though!) as a desktop image, who will know and care? But on the internet… everyone will know.
“freedom to just shoot at will” can usually only be stopped by using “common courtesy” – A man in thought or a child in a public fountain; the only thing stopping the photographer from taking those shots is himself. Either he’s shy or has a strict definition of “common courtesy”. Many people would just say they’re in public, so it’s okay, as long as I’m not in their personal space. They invented 200mm for a reason.
Thanks for the information. I travel a great deal and just got a New Nikon that I want to take travel pictures with. It is great to have these guidelines for photographing people. It will really help me get the most out of my photography
I have often considered getting a bunch of moo cards printed, so that in the eventuality of getting some shots of people that I think might get posted somewhere, or just out of courtesy. With an email address and a website address where the pictures are likely to get posted, the people might then feel like there is less of an intrusion.
I was wondering if this is something that is regularly done?
Hey that is a pretty good idea, Richard! Well worth doing, I think – and if nothing comes of it, at least you have some business cards, right? :)
Well said. It’s so easy to get caught up in the moment, and start shooting without realizing the overall impact. Especially in today’s world where images regularly show up on Flickr, a blog/website, or elsewhere. If you are going to post the image, or try and sell it, always remember a model release. It will save you grief down the road.
I really like that at least somebody thinks about photo etiquette. What a contrary to paparazzi.
We get involved with a large number of people doing wedding photography, I think someone should write an etiquette guide for how wedding guest with cameras and wedding photographers should interact.
Live and let live
Adrian
http://www.weddingphotoshot.com
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