6 Tips for How to be a Culturally Sensitive Travel Photographer

By: Karthika Gupta  

There is a little wanderlust in all of us. Everyone, at some point in their lives, wants to travel the world and experience all its beauty for themselves. Travel opens the mind to many different possibilities, and makes us more tolerant and conscious as humans. What might be simple, normal, and mundane to some, might be unique, challenging and exciting to another. In the words of Gustave Flaubert, “Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny space you occupy in the world.”

On a particular assignment in Chennai, India last year, the whole community came out to see what 

I was doing and soon I found 20+ willing subjects to photograph!

As photographers, travel and photography are very much intwined. Photography is a way to capture and communicate the sense of place and people. Our images help immortalize our experiences in travel. This is particularly important when we travel to places outside of our cultural comfort zones. Every moment and every experience is new, and the need to document and preserve them sometimes takes over simple basic common sense. I admit that there have been times when all I’ve done is experienced a place or an event through the back of my viewfinder. My camera has been strapped to my person like my life depended on it, and I have always come back feeling less than happy. The fact that I missed all the little nuances outside the line of vision of my viewfinder, weighs quite heavily on my mind.
Even beyond the obvious need to really experience a place, is the question on when is it okay to take photos of people and places, especially when traveling to other countries? Many times there are major cultural, social and economic differences between the photographer and the subject being photographed. Perhaps the best way to answer that question is that responsible photography is very much like responsible travel. Armed with a thorough knowledge of the place, an interest in cultural enrichment, an open mind, a pleasant attitude, some common sense and a smile, photography abroad—just like travel itself—can be a very fulfilling experience.
Here are some basic guidelines on how to be a culturally sensitive photographer when traveling

1) Knowledge is key

Invest time before traveling to research the customs, and photography norms of the place you will visit. Customs vary not only by country, but by region and religion as well. Understand and appreciate the diverse cultural context, and be respectful of these differences. A little research prior to your journey, goes a long way in avoiding disappointment and despair when you find out that certain photography restrictions exist in the places where you are traveling.

I stumbled upon a religious ceremony on a recent trip and soon found myself to be the official 

photographer of the ceremony – the cultural enrichment was unlike anything found in any guidebook!

2) Be personable and communicate your needs

Self confidence, an open attitude, and a genuine smile, are important wherever you travel. People will generally respond to you with the same attitude that you show them. Be open and honest about your need to photograph something or someone, and more often than not, people will respond positively to you. I have found that most people love to have their picture taken. If you are uncomfortable or nervous about something or someone, it’s best to just leave the camera in your bag.

I let my camera do the talking and was rewarded with one of the most genuine portraits I have ever taken.

I was grabbing a quick meal before going to the airport in Jaipur, India and this lady was very curious about me and my gear. I promised her a photograph in exchange for a smile and I absolutely adore this image!

3) Get permission

Almost everyone around the world knows what a camera is, and what it can do. Even if you don’t know the language, simple hand gestures and pointing to the camera, can take you far in terms of communicating what is it that you are seeking.
Not understanding the language should never be an excuse to photograph an unwilling person. As a photographer, the responsibility of asking for permission before you click the shutter rests solely on you. If you have time, learn some simple phrases, related to photography, in the language of the country in which you are traveling. This will not only allow you to communicate more directly with your subject, explaining why you want to take a photograph, it shows your interest in learning at least some of the local language.
Sometimes use your camera as an ice-breaker. Take a picture and show people the photos you’ve taken of them, and you will find that photography instantly becomes more fun and less intimidating. More than anything, respect the fact that “No” really does mean NO. Yes, I understand that there is another school of thought of whether asking for permission will ruin the composition of an image. And while a lot of photographers will argue one way or the other, I am of the opinion that if you are taking a picture of a person, you should make every effort to ask permission – either before or after.

I made the mistake of not asking this lady before photographing her and as she walked by me, she yelled at me for being rude and taking her picture – lesson learnt!

4) Travel without taking pictures

Take the time to really travel without obsessing over capturing every minute of every day with your camera. Spend time exploring your surroundings, and your body and mind will thank you for it. Even if you are on assignment, build in some down time to your schedule. Not only does it help you relax, but also recharges those creative juices so you are more productive when you do get back to work!

5) Know your gear

This one is one of the basics of photography, no matter what your genre. You should know the workings of your camera inside and out. When you are traveling and have strangers pose for you, that is not the time to start trying out different settings and fidgeting with your gear. People begin to loose patience and often get leery of you and your abilities. They are more likely to simply walk away, rather than waste their time with a stranger who does not know how to operate his/her camera.

These men were intently discussing the price of wholesale fruits and vegetables at the Chennai 

Flower market and I had exactly two seconds to take this image – this image is literally SOOC 

(Straight out of the camera).

6) To pay or not to pay

Perhaps, one of the most controversial situations while traveling abroad, is the question of giving money to people you photograph. There is always that one uneducated, desperate tourist who gives money to get what they think is an award-winning prized photograph, and soon it becomes a lucrative business in the local community. This can get quite uncomfortable and unsafe for other photographers traveling through the same places.
I prefer engaging people openly, and sharing my story and my need for a picture. I find that in most cases people are more than happy to share their story, and to be heard. I too, walk away more culturally and emotionally enriched with the experience. However, if someone expects money for a photograph, then the decision becomes less of whether to pay and more of whether to take the photo. That is a judgement call that each of us needs to make on a case-by-case basis, while being mindful of the example we are setting for future travellers and photographers.

I remember one instance last year when I was traveling in India with my kids. We were visiting a temple in Southern India, and for some reason a lot of teenagers starting taking pictures of my five year old son. They would come and ask me if they could take a selfie with my son. Initially it seemed innocent enough, and my son posed with them. Soon it was getting to the point of being creepy, and I had to refuse. As a parent, I was extremely uncomfortable with having strangers take pictures of my kids. This experience taught me a very valuable lesson – value and respect people’s personal space and personal preferences.
What are your thoughts on this topic? Do you ask for permission before taking photographs of strangers when you travel? Or do you just take the picture and move on? What other things to you take into consideration to be a culturally sensitive travel photographer?

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