How to Respectfully Approach & Photograph People with Ira Block

It’s important to be respectful when approaching and photographing strangers. Documentary photographer and Sony Artisan Ira Block shares his portrait photography tips when it comes to capturing people in different cultures. What are your experiences when taking travel portraits?

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[BandH]

What are your experiences when taking travel portraits?

[rlbowman]

Thank you, Ira, for taking the time to remind all of us that we are really not out to get secret photos. while we do not need signed model releases, asking if one can take a person's picture and then not taking one if they say "no" is truly being respectful. Having lived for three years in Belize and two and a half in Albania and from those countries visting many others, this attitude has always served me well. Getting to know some of the people behind your photos makes them even richer when your review them and show them to others. --Richard Bowman

[anthonymiller]

I'm warming up to the idea that people in landscapes is a good thing...😁

[johnbradley]

Great tips Ira, thank you for sharing. Will definitely save this video for future review. Stay safe, stay well.

[AnotherNerdHere]

Thanks Ira! Always good to hear tip from those that are actually doing it. Love your photography.

[VivekPatwardhan]

Good tips. Thanks. Enjoyed watching and learnt something new.

[jensatcinciwine]

Good tips. Love the Cuba shots. I miss travelling there.

[jamesmsalilwa]

Thanks for these useful tips. Recently I've been considering starting travel photography in different countries. It has added a lot in my strategic approaches.

[NAXFL]

I've done a lot of photography at events where people working expect to get their photographs taken. That said, you can gain a lot of favor by following a few polite rules.
1) Always ask anyway.
2) If they are working for tips, tip them.
3) Never get in the way of their job. If a paying customer approaches step back and wait.
4) Don't take too long. Have your camera ready and take the shot fast. They have a job to do and might get in trouble if they are posing rather than working.
5) Always offer to send them a copy of the pictures and follow through on that.
If you follow these simple rules you'll gain a lot of future good will for recurring events.

[millerdp]

A nuance in my thinking… Photography should not be something you do TO people…but something you do WITH them.

[joycelatham]

Great ! The silent shutter is awesome advice. How do you handle people that don’t want their photo taken ( family members) yet, act excited about their photos at a later date?

[melbawells]

Is it a good idea to send them a copy? Old question I've had for years.

[romiemiller]

A silent "shutter" is one advantage of the new Nikon Z9. It doesn't have a mechanical shutter and no mirror to clack. But the main reasons I'd like to upgrade from my D800 is the much improved sensor and glass. Image quality is a biggie with me. The D800 silent shuttter is actually a less noisy shutter.

[dovidell]

The much maligned ( by full framer's ) 18-140 kit lens used by APS-C folk, means no more carrying around a 28-70 AND a 70-200 lens, the latter being more than a little conspicuous .The it lens may not be a rock star when it comes to absolute quality, BUT IT IS discreet compared to carrying around a glass factory that pros seem to prefer ( their loss ) .
In the good old days, a 90 degree lens adapter connected to a tele-photo zoom, via a T mount was also a good option to have

[michaelchicolabarbera]

I found by experience that being able to simply say; Hi, Goodbye, Please, Thank You & My name is in the target or native language seems to open quite a few doors.

[doxfie.]

the most important tip is to know the legislation. doing and sharing street photography in europe is not that simple because people do have rights.

[AlexPaniago]

The Best Teacher, you are. - Maybe the next tip is to carry an image rights assignment agreement. And a collection of postcards with assorted photos of you to give in return.

[vernonalvares]

Ira... loved ur style & simplicity in putying out those tips.. cheers, vernon_alvares_photos_edits Mumbai India

[johncall]

I read the title and I was trying to figure out what the heck an Ira Block is and how do you know who has it. 😂

[bridges]

Great suggestions except for the language part. It's great if you can do it, but I have enough problems with my own English language! Learning even a few words from a foreign language might be beyond my ability.