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08/31/2004 02:21:51 AM · #1 |
I'm gearing up to head off to an orphanage/mission in mexico. While I'm there I'll be shooting images for their website, annual report, and newsletters. I'd love to pick up a few tips on portrait and other etiquette with strangers (especially those in obviously destitute conditions), advice for keeping things from being stolen, and tips for getting the best pictures in general. Thanks! - Daniel
Message edited by author 2004-08-31 02:26:36. |
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08/31/2004 01:07:27 PM · #2 |
| also, any tips for shooting kids when you don't speak enspanol? |
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08/31/2004 01:13:02 PM · #3 |
Hi teknon...
I don't have a lot of experience with this, but I just came back from Honduras and took some pictures in a town of 400 people (mostly kids) that didn't have running water, electricity, etc. Very poor conditions...
I found that it took the kids a while to warm up to us but once a few showed some trust, we had a blast! I would take their picture and show them the display and they couldn't stop giggling!
Sample:
Message edited by author 2004-08-31 13:15:01. |
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08/31/2004 01:27:48 PM · #4 |
| Would be real nice if you would learn a little "Espanol." |
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08/31/2004 01:38:48 PM · #5 |
| good call on showing kids their own pictures, thanks |
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08/31/2004 01:39:12 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by dickwilhelm:
Would be real nice if you would learn a little "Espanol." |
Yes, I remember them very eager to call me their 'amigo', so certainly learning some friendly words/phrases would show your sincerity. |
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08/31/2004 01:45:00 PM · #7 |
| Yes, it doesn't take much effort and, in addition, the kids will love to help teach you. |
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08/31/2004 02:24:30 PM · #8 |
| Some advice: If they form a mob and start chasing you, run. |
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08/31/2004 02:32:30 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by teknon42:
also, any tips for shooting kids when you don't speak enspanol? |
Aim for the legs, they can't chase you if you don't score a kill.
OK, That was just wrong. Sorry, I couldn't leave that one alone.
But seriously, A little candy will get you further than a little money. But keep the candy in a bag, not your pocket, and stick to local, recognizable brands. Kids love candy, but not many kids will try unknown candy from strangers.
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08/31/2004 02:38:29 PM · #10 |
I've spent a lot of time oversees and in south/central America. The best bet is
1) show them the image in your LCD!!!
2) smile
3) candy
number 1 works better than magic!
(learn how to say "would you like to see?")
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08/31/2004 02:45:20 PM · #11 |
Daniel, I am American and have lived, with my wife, for a number of years in Mexico.
Learn some basic phrases, with good accent, which directly relate to your mission. ALWAYS ask permission of the adult with the children before taking their picture. There are some areas of Mexico where people DO NOT want to be photographed.
My F707 digital has been great to work with children as they have always loved to see their own picture in the LCD screen. After a while, with a group of kids, they will relax and you can shoot as much as you wish.
If you are to be in an area for some time, and have the ability to produce color prints, a nice shot of the local jefe, the village priest, etc. will give you some brownie points.
Just go in nice and easy - hopefully with a local bilingual contact - relax and look friendly and you will get along in fine style.
PM me if I can be of assistance.
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08/31/2004 02:53:25 PM · #12 |
Was in Mexico for our church several years ago, spent most of my time working in the Barrios (sp?) with the kids. Better than candy -- go to your dentist and ask if he would donate the free tooth brushes and tooth paste they get from their vendors. (They get A LOT!) These kids don't have tooth brushes or share one with their families (yech!) We had kids following us for miles so they could get their very own tooth brush.
We also found that bubbles are great ice breakers. |
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08/31/2004 03:10:11 PM · #13 |
Learn the local language for Hi or Good morning/afternoon/evening; How are you?; I am , or I am Mr. ; What is your name/her name/his name?; and May I take a picture of you/your child?.
With very small children, play peek-a-boo or some other "silly" game that doesn't require language; with older children either just smile and use your eyes to "speak" to them - like flirting, but with a different purpose - or, again, do something "silly" like looking at them while cocking your head to one side like a curious dog; wiggle your fingers in a "hello" type gesture; hang a spoon on your nose - with children, silly things like that really break the ice.
Take along some bottles of "bubble stuff" ( soapy water ) and some "bubble wands" for making bubbles. Blow some bubbles yourself and kids will gather around - or take some of those long skinny ballons and a pump and learn how to make very simple balloon animals. Make one and approach and give it to a child ( again, always asking permission via body language from an adult ). When playtime is over, you should be able to take pictures of any of them wherever you encounter them from then on. ( By the way, in many underdeveloped areas, you will find that the adults will be as eager to participate as the kids, so be sure to extend an invitation to them to join in ).
Get people interested/curious about what you are doing. Photograph things around them first as though they, themselves, were not THE 'target', then gradually bring them into your field of view and move in closer as they "grant" you permission with their body language and eye contacts.
Ask permission if you feel it appropriate. You can do that without language by merely pointing at, or raising your camera toward them, and nodding while shrugging your shoulders and raising your eyebrows as if asking a question. To re-iterate, ask the adult for permission before asking the child.
Use a telephoto lens when all of the above are not possible.
Bribes ( candy and money ) should only be used as a last resort.
Here are just a few of the photos I was able to take in the Amazon region of Brazil last year.
  
Good luck - and be sure to show us some of the fabulous photos that I know you will be taking.
Ron |
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08/31/2004 04:56:00 PM · #14 |
Originally posted by RonB:
Learn the local language for Hi or Good morning/afternoon/evening; How are you?; I am , or I am Mr. ; What is your name/her name/his name?; and May I take a picture of you/your child?.
With very small children, play peek-a-boo or some other "silly" game that doesn't require language; with older children either just smile and use your eyes to "speak" to them - like flirting, but with a different purpose - or, again, do something "silly" like looking at them while cocking your head to one side like a curious dog; wiggle your fingers in a "hello" type gesture; hang a spoon on your nose - with children, silly things like that really break the ice.
Take along some bottles of "bubble stuff" ( soapy water ) and some "bubble wands" for making bubbles. Blow some bubbles yourself and kids will gather around - or take some of those long skinny ballons and a pump and learn how to make very simple balloon animals. Make one and approach and give it to a child ( again, always asking permission via body language from an adult ). When playtime is over, you should be able to take pictures of any of them wherever you encounter them from then on. ( By the way, in many underdeveloped areas, you will find that the adults will be as eager to participate as the kids, so be sure to extend an invitation to them to join in ).
Get people interested/curious about what you are doing. Photograph things around them first as though they, themselves, were not THE 'target', then gradually bring them into your field of view and move in closer as they "grant" you permission with their body language and eye contacts.
Ask permission if you feel it appropriate. You can do that without language by merely pointing at, or raising your camera toward them, and nodding while shrugging your shoulders and raising your eyebrows as if asking a question. To re-iterate, ask the adult for permission before asking the child.
Good luck - and be sure to show us some of the fabulous photos that I know you will be taking.
Ron |
Bubbles are Natures version of the "Smiley Face" and almost always get everyone in a good mood.
In addition to Ron's excellent suggestions, I suggest taking along an inexpensive (less than $100) 1 or 2MP camera and let the kids take pictures of you and each other, and make some provision for getting them a print (or disk) of the picture they take. By letting them participate you turn it into one group activity, rather than a you and them one. Maybe make up some contact forms to keep track of whose pictures you take, or even releases. See if the place will support a web page of the kids' photos.
For an excellent account of a "Gringo" getting involved with a remote village in Mexico (not to mention being one of the best medical self-help books ever published) check out Where There Is No Doctor published by The Hesperian Foundation.
Also, check out Lonny Shavelson's work from Guatemala and other remote and exotic places (San Francisco?) ... he might be able to answer some questions by email.
Message edited by author 2004-08-31 16:58:13. |
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08/31/2004 05:35:33 PM · #15 |
Originally posted by ericlimon:
1) show them the image in your LCD!!!
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Very True, #1 works wonders |
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08/31/2004 08:50:16 PM · #16 |
| thanks everybody for the advice--i'm sure that it will be very valuable! |
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