7 Tips for Taking Portraits of People while Traveling – ipadguides

I am a shy person.

Taking pictures of people in unfamiliar places I’ve never known before, it’s scary for me. But therein lies the challenge bro and sis!

For some people it may be trivial. But, for those who are still shy or afraid when taking pictures of people when traveling, you are not alone!

Because when we can conquer that fear; you will be rewarded with wonderful photographs.

So, let’s look at a few tips from me.

1. Ask for permission if possible

This is the first challenge, ask permission. It’s not as difficult as asking for permission from the prospective mother-in-law to take her daughter, really. For this we really have to be brave.

If we are afraid, we will usually try to take a quick snap shot without disturbing the person. So let’s gamble with the photo. If it’s good, thank you, if it’s not good, this is what you usually get.

For that, tips if you want to ask permission, for example, like this:

• Just smile a little and raise the camera as if to take a picture According to experience, yes, it’s definitely allowed — if the person really doesn’t mind being photographed, they’ll actually smile back at us — even when the person speaks a different language from us. Just remember to smile a little, yes, if most of you will be mistaken for a pedophile. But look at the conditions too, if it’s like in the Baliem Valley, Papua; just get ready to receive an invoice after photographing their smile. For such conditions, negotiate first before shooting.
• Talk first without camera. Small talk like asking what they are doing, or telling them where you are from, asking if you have eaten yet, asking how was your last ex, asking anything as long as you are not possessive, the important thing is to lighten the mood.
• If we buy something from them, Usually the atmosphere melts right away, especially if you buy it with the carts.
• Photographing small children, if there are parents, let them first. In Indonesia, this is not a problem, but there are some countries that completely prohibit photographing small children.
• It’s okay if they refuse. It’s their right, even if they are angry or don’t like it, just relax. Just smile and excuse me. There are still many opportunities to shoot from afar with a telephoto lens. *stabbed*

2. Be ready

Get your camera ready before approaching. That is like camera settings, need to use flash or not, check again that the memory and battery have entered. It’s really not funny when we approach people, eh, it turns out that the camera battery was left at the hotel. It’s like we meet a cute girl who likes us, but we forget to wear clothes.

3. Be Human

Treat the subject of your photo the best you can. They are human too — just like us. Don’t treat them what you don’t want others to treat you.

As for me, I never take pictures from a distance or take pictures of people who really don’t want to be photographed.

If you promise to send the photos to them, keep your promise don’t just php. If we keep our promise, then the next photographer who comes after us will be welcomed with a smile there..

And don’t forget, sometimes it is best to just leave the camera behind and enjoy the ride.

4. Portrait or Environmental Portrait?

It depends on which friends you like. I want to take portraits with isolated faces. Or add background elements to the subject. For portraits, you may need a lens of 50 mm and above, for the environment it is usually in the 24-35 range or according to taste.

I myself prefer environmental portrait with a 28 mm lens.

5. Don’t be afraid to direct our ‘model’

So if you get permission from the person, and you feel like your current position is not comfortable, try to direct it a little politely. Suppose there is a light leaking on the left, you slide it to the right a little. Or he’s holding a traditional cigarette that looks interesting in a photo, ask him to smoke it.

Sometimes, they are not even comfortable being photographed if we direct them. For that, try to direct them while making them laugh to feel comfortable.

6. Pay attention to the light

Do not use the built-in flash unless you are taking pictures of people outside in the hot sun during the day. Because if you use a flash during the day, it actually helps explain a dark face, because the light is coming from above. Or if you have to use flash, use off-camera flash and trigger to use flash from any direction.

Just like landscape photos, portrait photos also need attractive light like the overrated golden hour. For portraits, even cloudy weather is good weather. Just try it.

7. Practice!

Practice makes perfect. People are everywhere, so while there are still people in the world feel free to practice. Or you can also join the 100 stranger challenge — the challenge of photographing a hundred people for 100 days. So every day we have to get acquainted with strangers and take pictures of them.

Interesting right?

Thanks!