Travel Portraits

I do not usually take portraits of people. I'm more interested in food, scenery and architecture. As a rule I try not to have people cluttering up the scene. I do have some portraits but that is usually of my family and I don't ask them - I have to sneak up on them as often they don't like to have their photos taken. Especially the teens.

I will sometimes take photos of taxi drivers or guides, and they are usually happy to have their photos taken as they know that they will be in my blog eventually. Sometimes I do street photography, but I don't make a big production out of it.

I love street photography and portraiture, particularly in places like India. There's a picture on every street corner!

Yes, I do sometimes try to appear insignificant and 'sneak' a shot, zooming in on a place or person. Mostly, however, a short lens, a smile and a nod towards my camera will provide a perfect portrait. Sometimes, if they're selling something, I might discuss it with them and maybe buy it too. Oh, and I'm always sure to show the subject their picture.

I love candid street photos that do or do not involve individals. I like to take large street scenes. Or photos at monuments. Many times when I return to edit them I find fascinating people that I might not have noticed in the photo. I usually crop a copy and bring up the portrait. Sometimes I do "sneak" a photo as you described it. But the fun ones are the ones I find by mistake when I edit. I often wonder how many photos I end up in on strangers cameras. Who knows I may find myself in some ones photos on a travel web site one day.

Larry