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When I travel oversees I see so many interesting people. I take lots of pictures when I travel but usually they are of buildings and scenery. What is really interesting about foreign travel is the people. I wish I would have stopped the people and asked if it was alright to take their picture. But maybe that would upset them. Or maybe it would be a compliment. Who knows.
If a traveler from oversees stopped you in America and asked to take a picture of you, how would you respond?
How about asking them if I could take their picture and offer them money for the rights?
When I travel oversees I see so many interesting people. I take lots of pictures when I travel but usually they are of buildings and scenery. What is really interesting about foreign travel is the people. I wish I would have stopped the people and asked if it was alright to take their picture. But maybe that would upset them. Or maybe it would be a compliment. Who knows.
If a traveler from oversees stopped you in America and asked to take a picture of you, how would you respond?
How about asking them if I could take their picture and offer them money for the rights?
Ideas?
I would appreciate being asked, but I wouldn't pose for a picture. I would question the intent.
If you are merely a traveler taking pictures for your own enjoyment you may take pics of people in public places, as long as you don't harass them or invade their privacy. Their acceptance of money should not be misconstrued as a contract. A model release is needed if you ever use the photo commercially.
I have never asked to take someone's picture. However many times when I saw someone taking a group picture I have offered to take the picture so that person could also be in the picture
I've been doing this for decades. If I can take a photo from afar without someone seeing me and it's unintrusive, I do it without asking. If I want to take a closeup photo, I'll ask permission first. Most of the time, I get a yes. I've learned a few icebreakers along the way. If I'm in a shop and the shopkeeper is interesting, I'll buy something first, even if it's something small. Then I chat with them a bit, ask for a photo, and usually he or she will say yes. If I see a total stranger on the street who looks interesting, I'll try to talk to them first. I will compliment them and tell them I like what they're wearing. They will often be flattered at the attention and say yes to a photo. Children will often trip over themselves to get their photos taken, at least in the countries I've visited.
If I'm in a less developed country and am in a village where most of the people are poor, I'll often give a tip in exchange for a photo. It is usually gratefully accepted.
You might as well ask. The worst that could happen is they say no, and you're no worse off than before. The best that could happen is you first strike up an interesting conversation, then get a photo and come away with a nice memory.
I just take pictures of everything I like. Never ask for permission, unless it's private setting, like a store, building interior, malls, a private event etc. Everything else what is visible/accessible for the public (streets, parks, buildings exteriors, public events, landscapes etc) doesn't need anyone's permission. It might wary from country to country, but generally that's photographers right.
You should get familiar with this document: http://www.krages.com/ThePhotographersRight.pdf
Outside the US, check the local laws.
When I travel oversees I see so many interesting people. I take lots of pictures when I travel but usually they are of buildings and scenery. What is really interesting about foreign travel is the people. I wish I would have stopped the people and asked if it was alright to take their picture. But maybe that would upset them. Or maybe it would be a compliment. Who knows.
If a traveler from oversees stopped you in America and asked to take a picture of you, how would you respond?
How about asking them if I could take their picture and offer them money for the rights?
Ideas?
I've done it plenty. But usually I spend a little time interacting with them first, then when I ask they almost never say no. If they don't speak English I might just smile and gesture with my camera.
Occasionally in public or crowded areas I'll sneak a few with my zoom lens. But in dicey areas, with possible drug dealers or prostitutes who wouldn't want to be photographed, I don't.
With people who appear to be homeless, I may well offer them cash and sometimes they ask. And sometimes people ask for a copy of the photo, so I'll take their emails and promise to send them digital copies, they are usually delighted to hear back from me.
The most difficult are the nubile young females, they know their looks have such value that they may not want to give a pic away for free or at all. And they are less likely to engage with strangers anyway so...
Different countries have different levels of comfort re: photos. The more urban/modern, the less willing to be photographed.
I'm sure as hell not travelling the world to take selfies or put my companion(s) in every frame, those are the worst travel photos of all. And the more walking and talking I do, the better my photos are.
Kind of along these lines, when I look at all of our past family pictures, you occasionally see random people in the background. They are not the subject of your picture, but just were there, or walked into your picture frame when you pushed the button.
I always wonder who they were, where they were from, and their life story. Same thing applies when I see someone taking a picture and I realize I'm going to be an unknown person in their photo album. Where will be image be stored for the next 100 years. How many people will look at that picture and wonder who I am etc....
I don't know, strange perhaps, but it's just the way my mind works.
[quote=Gypsy-Moth;44339954]I've been doing this for decades. If I can take a photo from afar without someone seeing me and it's unintrusive, I do it without asking. If I want to take a closeup photo, I'll ask permission first. Most of the time, I get a yes. I've learned a few icebreakers along the way. If I'm in a shop and the shopkeeper is interesting, I'll buy something first, even if it's something small. Then I chat with them a bit, ask for a photo, and usually he or she will say yes. If I see a total stranger on the street who looks interesting, I'll try to talk to them first. I will compliment them and tell them I like what they're wearing. They will often be flattered at the attention and say yes to a photo. Children will often trip over themselves to get their photos taken, at least in the countries I've visited.
If I'm in a less developed country and am in a village where most of the people are poor, I'll often give a tip in exchange for a photo. It is usually gratefully accepted.
You might as well ask. The worst that could happen is they say no, and you're no worse off than before. The best that could happen is you first strike up an interesting conversation, then get a photo and come away with a nice memory.
I rarely take pictures of people but one comes to mind in Cozumel. We were walking around and I saw a mother and a baby and her mother by the door to their house. We stopped and talked to them for awhile and I just snapped a picture. They smiled and didn't object. It still sparks a fond memory of a pleasant exchange between strangers that made a connection.
I really do prefer scenery shots though.
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I rarely take pictures of people but one comes to mind in Cozumel. We were walking around and I saw a mother and a baby and her mother by the door to their house. We stopped and talked to them for awhile and I just snapped a picture. They smiled and didn't object. It still sparks a fond memory of a pleasant exchange between strangers that made a connection. 
