Photographing strangers on your travels

Almost everyone who travels takes photographs, whether with a camera or mobile phone. Out of all types of photography, I find taking photographs of other people the most challenging.

There are two schools of thought on photographing people. The first is that you should do it on the sly and zoom in to your subjects from afar. The second is that you should approach them, chat them up and ask their permission, and if they're not happy, to walk away.

Those who prefer not to ask say that most people don't like having a camera in their face as it's too intrusive and they're going to say no anyway, so one might as well take their photo without their knowledge.

The second group of photographers feels that it's best to engage their subjects, talk to them and put them at ease. That way, you'll have a better chance of taking a more relaxed photograph.

I tend to follow the second school of thought because I've always found it easier to tell someone rather than snap a photo from afar. I don't always bring a long-focus lens and besides, if someone caught my attention to make me want to photograph him, chances are he's an interesting person to speak to.

One thing to remember about taking photographs in a new place -whether in your home country or a foreign land- is that it's you who is the outsider. It's you who are 'intruding' into their space so it makes sense and is more polite to ask permission.

What I like doing when I'm walking along a street or visiting a village is to first walk through the area. I make myself conspicuous by making eye contact and taking photos of the scenery or the shops but not the people. At this point, my only interaction with them is just a smile and a hello.

When I reach the end of the street, I turn back and take the same route. It's only now that I start asking people whether I can take their photos. I figure that since they've already seen me walking through and showing interest in their 'home', they're more likely to say yes.

I suspect that the main reason people don't like having their photo taken by some stranger is when taking photos is the first thing they see that stranger doing upon his arrival.

We've all seen it- tourists snapping photos of tribespeople and their huts the minute they get off their bus or taxi. I know I've been guilty of this. Most of the time, these camera-wielding people mean no harm and are merely overwhelmed by their surroundings and want to take as many photos as quickly as they can.

But to the locals, all they see is a bunch of strangers intent on taking a piece of their home back with them without so much as a hello, a smile, or even checking if it's all right to take photos.

When I engage with the people I want to photograph, the easiest way to break the ice is to greet them in their language. If it's a woman who is wearing jewellery or an interesting dress, I usually complement them on what they're wearing.

One exception to asking permission is street photography. Street photography isn't merely snapping photos of people on the streets, it's capturing life on the streets. Photographers who specialise in street photography almost never ask for permission even for close-up photos because they won't get natural, unposed shots that way.

The second point is a little sexist: In general, women have an advantage over men when it comes to photographing children and women of certain cultures.

I've found that local women in Asian countries are more trusting of other women who approach them and their children for a photograph, compared to male photographers. On all the occasions I've travelled with male friends, it's been easier for me to get a nod from a woman.

Female photographers who want to document the everyday lives of local women, therefore, should take the opportunity to record moments that men might not have access to. I've never been to the Middle East or South America but I expect I'll enjoy the same privileges there.

If you're a man who wants to take photographs of a local woman, go up to her and ask for permission. There are few things more dodgy in a woman's eyes than a stranger trying to sneak a photo of her, no matter how good his intentions.

One final point concerns taking photos of children. What's important is to first make eye contact with the parent, if one is present. Don't ignore the mother or father. Engage in small talk with the parent, then shift your focus to the child.

After you're done chatting with the child, ask the parent's permission for a photo. Never photograph a child without first asking because you're going to risk enraging the parent, wherever in the world you happen to be.

*Anis Ibrahim also writes at Five Foot Traveller.