Bangkok Insider Photo Workshop

I’ve enjoyed leading a few Bangkok Photo Workshops recently and have invariably been impressed with the level of the participants’ expertise and especially with their level of enthusiasm. Most recently I spent the morning with the effervescent Suzanne exploring the Pak Klong Talaat market, photographing the impressive reclining Buddha in Wat Pho and, finally, capturing the view from atop the vertigo-inducing steps at Wat Arun. The slideshow below showcases a small selection of Suzanne’s images.

All photos Copyright Suzanne Baker © 2008 (except photos of Suzanne, © Gavin Gough)

One of the best things about going out photographing with somebody else is seeing their confidence grow, especially when it comes to photographing people. I was chatting with Matt Brandon recently when the subject of photographing people cropped up. He and I are both regularly asked how we go about photographing people and it seems to be an area that a lot of photographers feel hesitant or uncertain about. I almost wish there was some special formula or secret handshake that only accomplished photographers were aware of, then I could write a book revealing the secret and retire to a South Pacific island on the proceeds.

The truth is that it’s usually as simple as looking a person in the eye, grinning like an idiot and asking “can I take your photograph, please?”. I think it sometimes helps to be a man simply because many cultures have a historical tendency to show more respect for men but that’s a sweeping generalisation and certainly doesn’t mean that women don’t also have advantages in situations where I might struggle. Ultimately, my advice is this: show respect, be confident, accept a “no” as graciously as you would a “yes” and try to make the experience as enjoyable for your subject as it might be for you.

If you want more specific advice or to try it out for yourself, come to Bangkok and walk around the market with me. I guarantee that you’ll feel much more relaxed about photographing people by the time we stop for an iced tea.

Posted on Friday, January 2nd, 2009 at 8:00 pm. Filed under: Photography, Workshops Tags: bangkok, slideshow, thailand RSS 2.0 feed.