Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/12/04
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I generally don't recommend the stereotypical tourist route as tourists tend to shoot and run. Quite often if you invest a few minutes and are really interested in the people and things you want to photograph..... they are more than willing to let you take pictures. You won't always get the shot you wanted and sometimes they'll refuse.... but with a bit of persistence... you'll find willing subjects and there are always more subjects just around the corner.. I've found that there are times when you get more cooperation when people know you are a photographer. Some people think it's rather strange that you as a tourist want to take pictures of them to hang on your wall or in you photo album.... but when you tell them you are photographer... they are more than willing to allow you to photograph them. For some cultural events or festivals here in Ecuador, I pull out my Domke vest, EOS 1n with motor and a 70-200 2.8L lens and I have free reign to get anywhere in the street, past police and event barricades. People will smile at me and not growl or turn away and I would never get access to those shots if I looked like a tourist. On the other hand, some feel that since you are photographer, you are going to sell the image and make a lot of money so they might be more willing to cooperate for a tourist. On the other hand, they may not like having their picture taken period. So.. Sometimes you want to look like a photographer, Some times you don't..... Almond joys have nuts.... Mounds don't.... In case you are wondering......I'm suffering from candy withdrawal again...... Best of light.... and chocolate...... Back to the darkroom...... Duane Birkey HCJB World Radio Quito Ecuador http://members.tripod.com/~Duane_Birkey/index.html