Monday, November 22, 2010

About taking photographs at markets

Unless people have obscure beliefs, which is not the case with the indigenous people here, we approach with the same respect that we would expect for ourselves. This means

1) Feel free to take shots of crowds and animals
2) Never stick the camera in someone's face as one would with, say a hummingbird.
3) When there is a purchase with a vendor, the relationship changes.
4) Never pay for photos.

Markets are difficult to photograph. But John has an awesome technique. He takes photos from the hip with a small point-and-shoot, making him inconspicuous if that is at all possible for us. No matter where we go around the world, we always stick out. :( It also helps that our camera has a wide angle lens; sometimes the woman next to the llama also gets in the frame.

I think our respect for people comes through. There is rarely any pushback.

Sometimes the woman next to the llama also gets in the frame.
Thursday Market - Guamote, Ecuador

4 comments:

Crash Eddy said...

Inspiration? From me? Thanks for this clear exposition of how to take photos in a foreign land. And most fortunate to've captured this lovely indigenous woman in her lovely hat.

Sun-Ling said...

Foreign land? The same protocol applies at the NC State Fair.

Crash Eddy said...

Well, S-L, the NC State Fair is sort of a foreign land, if you get what I mean.

Sun-Ling said...

@Ed, I have to agree with you on this one.

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