Travel & Humanitarian Photos
The vocabulary of photography reveals a truth that we would all do well to heed. We might “take” pictures, “grab” frames, some of you might even “capture” or “steal” a quick photograph from time to time. That one-sided result is one that Roman philosopher Seneca would have disapproved of. He said, no doubt predicting that one day I would be sitting in a hotel room in China, looking for a suitable quote to reinforce my point for this blog post, “There is no delight in owning anything unshared”.
And so it is with photography. And so too it is with life, I’m certain, but we’ll stick to the photographic principle for now. One of the great delights of my work, indeed, one of the reasons that I’m a photographer at all, is that I never tire of the shared joy that photography brings. Any photographer who has enjoyed street photography will have encountered that nervous feeling when a great shot presents itself but we know that in order to obtain it, we’re going to have to ask permission from a potential subject. My students often report feeling uncertain, wondering if they are taking advantage or going to cause offence. Well, there’s a simple answer to that poser. If you feel that you are taking advantage or that you’re causing offence then you probably are. And there’s a simple solution too. Street photography of the nature that I enjoy works best when it is a collaborative effort, when the person on the far side of the lens is as much a part of the picture-making process as the photographer.
I encourage students to make the photography the second thing that happens in an encounter on the street, in the market, wherever. The reason that I’m often fortunate to find willing participants for photographs is, I think, because I genuinely enjoy the banter, the chat and the laughter that meeting new people brings. I’d be just as friendly, just as interested in people even if I didn’t have a camera with me. And that’s the secret – if we can call it a secret – the objective should never really be to make a photograph, it should be to enjoy making a new, albeit brief, friendship. If that works and if you feel comfortable then your new photographic partner will feel comfortable too. Then, the photography becomes a means to preserve that precious encounter and is a natural progression of events.
I hope I’m not making a big deal about it unnecessarily. It’s simply that this is the most common issue raised during photography classes and workshops. I’d suggest that when we make the photography our prime objective, we will inevitably struggle. Despite the fact that I’m often meeting people of very different cultural backgrounds, who might speak different languages and who may lead lives vastly different from my own, it’s very easy to see that we inevitably share a common humanity and it’s the identification of this link, this bond, that leaves us both wanting to record the moment.
That’s taken ten times longer to write than it takes to happen in practice. Remember this, if nothing else: it’s all about sharing. Share a smile; share a pot of chai; share a seat; share a theatrical sigh and mop your brow to indicate how very hot it is today; just share.
With that in mind, I’ve taken to carrying a small Fujifilm instant camera so that I can leave a memento. If I’m right and the process of making a street portrait is a shared endeavour then it’s also right that both parties should get to keep the result. I don’t make a print every time, often it’s enough to share a look at the LCD screen in my camera (and I’ll give a quizzical look to indicate that I’m open to reviews and critique) but I’ll make several prints in the course of a day’s street photography.
I also find that once my new-found partner can see the results, they’ll be much more willing, enthusiastic even, to move location, shifting to a position with better light or a more favourable background so that we can create an improved image. It’s all part of the process.
So, find a way to share, that’s my advice. B&H stock this camera and it now comes in shiny piano black. The film is relatively inexpensive and I guarantee that when you’re passing a print to a camel trader in the desert of northern India you will have made a friend for life.
Two schoolgirls in Nepal enjoy sharing the results after posing during a shoot for an NGO
A market trader in China and a tea picker in Darjeeling, India
This widow, in Vrindavan, India was clearly deeply touched by her small gift
Red hat, red shirt, red jacket, sitting in front of a red wall in China. If that doesn’t deserve a print, I don’t know what does.
This 90 year-old lady in Yunnan, China watched her print emerge from the camera with wide eyed delight. An hour after this picture was taken, I saw her on the street, still firmly clutching the print and showing it off to a friend.
I think this is the most emphatic series of images you’ve shown us. I love it, and I’ll learn from it. I tried to do something similar by travelling with a Selphy printer, but there was too much trouble getting it up and running, so this camera really seems like a great idea. And the post itself: Spot on!
Excellent post Gavin,
As a photojournalist, I agree with all your words. A friend of mine has a good sentence to resume this way of living (not just working) “I don’t like to steal pictures, I prefer photograph friends”
Best regards from Barcelona.
Enlightening post. I wish I had thought about getting an instant camera during my travels. It would have made the experience so much more interactive, especially in countries you don’t speak the language.
This is an excellent post that all photographers, especially of landscape, would be well to heed. While they may not have anyone to “share” with, it builds good karma to approach the world with a sharing heart rather than one on the take. My father and his pioneering mentors referred to “making” photographs rather than “taking” them or “shooting” them, for some of the same reasons.
Gavin, good words! I wish I would have had an instant camera when I was in Fiji. I did mail the printed photographs to a “friend” I photographed there, but there is no way for me to know if they received them! This is so much better. Observation and interaction is always a better way to more compelling photographs!
I’m just an amateur but whenever I photograph people on the street or at events without them knowing I feel uneasy, feel like I’m using them. and I don’t want my photos to appear as if I’m passing judgment on them by the mere fact I’ve singled them out thru taking their photo … talked to numerous photographers about it who say it’s public area so free game. reading this article tho I get why I’ve felt at odds. cheers.
and love the idea of passing on instant photos, especially people who invariably don’t have photos of themselves … wicked. those photos above are charming, endearing and special. as celebratory and loving as ones you’d get at a wedding.
What a great post and very inspiring story and photos. I’m so glad I found your article.
I really liked this!
grouchomarx
A beautiful idea, well played out and with stunning results. I love it, truly inspirational.
Hi Gavin,
i also feel invasive when wanting to make.. (well said David), a photo in public.I very much like this sense of sharing that you describe above.The photographer minimises the risk of being agressed, and he gets to make a foto in a more relaxed state of mind.The photographed gets a print, or at least a respectful approach (rare these days), and both of them get to make a new friendship.Its a win-win situation.
Keep up the good approach mate.
See you.
What a great post! Really love the pictures of your new friends with their photos.
Gavin – I discovered your blog via a thoughtful comment on DPS. This is such a fabulous idea! I love that the company finally released the camera in black too.
Just want to add that one need not travel to developing countries to find folks with whom to share photos. The digital divide exists everywhere. I have a photo project going on at an elementary school where close to 95% of the kids live in poverty. Their parents can’t afford cameras, nor do they have internet access. I usually ask the subject’s parent if he has an email address – if not, I get a home address so I can mail them pics.
Great post, thank you!
Simply love the idea of of polaroid. It will surely open up more door for photos opportunity, most importantly the people you took are happy. ^^
This is a lovely idea and you can see how happy they are in the photos to have their photo in hand.
Amazing photos.. actually gave me chills. I have a fujifilm instax and about to start off on some long term travel myself. I was becoming a little apprehensive about dragging it and the film along but this is inspiring! Thank you so much!
I just bought one for my trip to india, we’ll be in Varanasi for Diwali. Great Diwali gifts on the Ghats……
My thoughts exactly. Last time I was in India (2008), I had a small selphy photoprinter with me. I still needed to go back to my room to make prints, but it was already huge fun to come back with them and hand them out.
This year I will take a battery powered printer with me. It’s the largest part of my luggage (if you include all the paper and toner cassettes), but it’s so worth it!
It’s a win-win-win situation. People get some prints, I get better photos, because they are more willing to have their photo taken, and last but not at all least: It’s huge fun for everybody involved!
I love win-win-win situations!
P.S.: Sorry for the other comment. My comment belongs here, not at #2.