Photographing People in Their Environment

Photographing people in their own environment can be very rewarding, especially when you are on holiday. Generally strangers are only too willing to be in your shots - particularly if they are in an area where tourists are commonplace. However, if you want to photograph someone close in you should always ask their permission first. There are several reasons for this:

- it is polite. If your manner is friendly they will not feel threatened.

- once they know they are the centre of interest in your photograph, they are much more likely to do what you ask of them. This is important because, although they may be attractive and their environment interesting, they may be standing in a less than ideal place and would be much better framed if you asked them to move slightly to one side, or perhaps onto a step. You might be able to get a better background by moving yourself, but if you creep about in a furtive manner you are likely to upset them and make them uncooperative if you do finally decide to ask them to move. In this case you will have lost the chance of a good photograph.

- once you have gained their confidence, they may show you another area or aspect of their lives which you would otherwise overlook. This may well prove more interesting than the original scene.

- having gained their cooperation and moved them into the position you want, look carefully at the light falling on their faces. Are they in bright sun which creates ugly shadows under their eyes and noses? Or is the sun behind them and shining into the lens? In either case do not be afraid to move them again. You may never get another chance.

Willis J. Watson is a freelance writer since 2006, living in United States and he writes about his great passion...digital photography for about 4 years. If you want to read more informations about Digital Sports Photography and also read more reviews about Digital Photography Classes, you can check out his websites.