I’m certainly no expert, but over my many years of travelling, I’ve been drawn to photographing people and faces in particular. I used to use a 200 mm telephoto lens to capture candid shots, but now I’m much more inclined to speak to people first, to create a connection and to ask whether they mind being photographed.
Photos of faces often bring tears to my eyes…I wonder about a person’s life: what were their dreams and have they achieved them? Has life been difficult or enjoyable? What have they been through or what is in store? What’s it like to live in their part of the world? Laughter is universal and can break language barriers.
I often like to photograph people when I see an opportunity, then ask for their email address so that I can forward the memories to them. The following photos are: a young journalist taking a moment in Mongolia, Chris meeting the long-neck tribe in Thailand and the intrepid Louise trying betel nut…
It is possible to predict a ‘photo moment’ if you have your camera ready, such as this woman carrying camel dung in India, the little boy enjoying his ice-cream in New Zealand and the small girl’s curiosity with the trumpet player at Hong Kong Disneyland.
Most of all, I love making a connection, sharing a laugh …. as with this market stall owner, bush mechanics in outback Australia, round the world Dutch cyclist, Mirjam jumping for joy at the top of Australia and a darling little Mongolian girl who came so close to the lens that one photo was just of her eyes….
At other times, it’s just about capturing a moment from my travels for my own memories. These following photos are of a cowboy and rodeo boys in Australia, young boys watching the sunset in Samoa and a Venetian gondolier.
I find the rich variety of people, faces and expressions priceless. Do you also love photographing people?
Jane, these photos are wonderful! The first photo, please tell me she has something covering her teeth and they are not rotted. Ouch! The shot of the 2nd little girl is precious, but all are lovely.
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Thanks very much for your comments Patti. In the first photo, the Thai woman’s teeth are seriously discoloured (I don’t think they’re actually rotted as well) from many years of chewing betel nut, which is quite a common tradition dating back thousands of years in many parts of Asia. I’ve also seen it in some Pacific Islands. It’s actually said to have a beneficial effect on dental cavities (in very much smaller amounts I would imagine!), but the possibility of mouth ulcers, cancers and gum deterioration caused by long-term use (not to mention the bright red discolouration) outweighs any benefits. Betel nut is apparently the fourth most common psychoactive substance after cigarettes, alcohol and caffeine with around 10 to 20% of the world’s population chewing it in some form. I think it’s used in some prescription drugs and in Australia is classed as a poison.
Aren’t the children precious?
I’d love to photograph people, but am concerned with privacy issues so I just snap crowds or the back of someones head.
Hi Mig,
I also have that concern and certainly like to respect people by asking them first and I am careful about which photos I share. I believe anyone is allowed to take photos of people in public places. There are, however, rules around what you can use the photos for, in addition to common courtesy and respect. If you’re genuinely interested in taking photos of faces and people, then I would suggest connecting with them first and asking whether they mind. I also like to take their email address and send the photos to them, simply to make a connection and to gift them with a memory. For the photos in this post, I’ve mainly asked permission. Most of the other photos were taken several (or many) years ago.
I hope that helps and that you can enjoy the pleasure of photographing people in the future. Thanks very much for stopping by. I appreciate your comments.
These are wonderful and so personal, too. It’s on my priority list to ask more people if I can take their portrait, but it always gives my stomach butterflies at first!
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Hi Sally,
Thanks so much for stopping by and I’m glad you enjoyed the photos. I know what you mean – I also find it difficult to ask people, but I think it’s like most things. Once you break out of your comfort zone and then keep practising, it becomes easier and it’s so worthwhile just to take that first step. I had some great practice with an ABC project “Portrait of a Stranger”, which I’ve also written a blog post about. (Actually I don’t think I’ve published it yet, because I’m not sure how to make the links work.) Here’s the link to the Flickr stream anyway. http://www.flickr.com/photos/60113563@N08/
I hope you can make that first step so that you know the pleasure of interacting with strangers by asking if you can photograph them. Perhaps you could start at a local weekend market or a friend’s party or something like that. Good luck.
What a fabulous set of photographs. Kids are always so photogenic and it’s a shame we adults are usually scared of the camera – or at least that’s my experience in North America. I love the laughing faces and the smiling eyes.
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Thanks Leigh. I especially love capturing those moments of joyous laughter. Yes, it’s sad when adults are scared of the camera and miss out on those precious memories.
GREAT faces! So interesting.
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Thanks very much Tam and thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Stunning captures ! These are really great photos, a photo can tell so much more than words.
Beautiful
Freya recently posted…10 extreme Travel Destinations
Thanks very much Freya. Yes – it’s true – a photo really can tell so much…
Lovely photos, Jane. I would like to take close-up pictures, too, but I’m too shy to ask strangers for permission. I read your reply to Sally. Thanks for the tips!
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Hi Freya, Thanks for your comment. I’m glad you found the tips helpful. I am adding a link to the post about my experience with asking strangers if I could photograph them. I participated in an ABC project, which was both daunting and a lot of fun. Breaking the ice is the hard part, but I believe photographing people can really help to make a lovely connection, which is especially nice if you’re travelling alone. http://inspiringwomenwhotravel.com/photographing-wendy-and-other-amazing-strangers/
Oh wow, I don’t know how I missed this a month ago, Jane! Amazing pictures and my favorite was the girl laying on the mat in the field with the hilltops in the background. I liked the solitude and serenity of it 🙂
Hi Mike,
Thanks so much for stopping by again. I love that photo too. It was one of those special moments that I just wanted to capture. Unfortunately I don’t have her email address – I’d really love to send that one to her. She is a young journalist who was travelling in Mongolia and I last saw her boarding the Trans-Siberian many years ago…
Gorgeous. A picture is worth a thousand words but an expression says it all!
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Thanks very much Tracey. I appreciate your lovely comment.
The teeth of the first one scared me a bit. LOL
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Yes, they are a bit scary – it’s a great advertisement for not chewing too much betel nut! But she has such a charming face and was a lot of fun to interact with.