Candid Portrait Protocol

When and where can you take a candid portrait on the streets of Ubud in Bali? How close can you approach? Do you ask permission first? Are there different 'rules' for males and females, young or old? Should money be offered in exchange for photography? What weight do you give to a religious or military presence?

There are probably as many views on these questions as there are photographers. Views expressed here are personal, based on 30 years of candid portrait photography. Here are my guidelines:

  Respect the culture, norms and local practices where you are shooting.

  Seek permission first and gain agreement. You will gain access 80% of the time but lose some spontaneity.

  If you see a 'classic' shot i.e. a one in one thousand shot, shoot first as unobtrusively as possible, then approach the subject for further shots.

  Use an 'acceptable' person to gain entry to a shooting

zone eg local guide, family member.

  Avoid exchanging money, however if the subject is

particularly cooperative, you may offer some other reward eg     photos, pencils.

  Remember, portrait photography is as much an exercise in communication skills than simply point and shoot

  Always carry a communication talking point -  a phrase book, map or miniature flag. For me, nothing works better than a wallet size family photograph! It works wonders!

  Avoid wearing clothes that brand you or scare subjects away - eg gaudy 'tourist' clothes and lots of jewellery or battle fatigues!