By: P. SATHESH RAJ
Smartphones have made it possible for everyone to indulge
in photography. Be it professionally or not, smartphones have paved the way for
many to snap those significant moments of their life – holidays, celebrations,
birthdays, adventures – those moments for which one might not have a return
ticket to, those moments which will be cherished when one starts walking down
the memory lane.
Many who
have been doing photography for a while would have one or two tricks up their
sleeves dealing with people and unfavorable situations to secure their
‘million-dollar picture’. However, those new to the art and spur-of-the-moment
photographers might stumble and find themselves at crossroads between wanting
to capture the moment and offending others while taking it.
Whether
using a smartphone, DSLR or a polaroid to get a snapshot of a priceless or not
so priceless moment, there is proper etiquette in photography that a shutterbug
or a photographer wannabe can observe to make the photography experience a
smooth sailing ride for everyone involved.
After nudging some photographers
and surfing the net while concurrently drawing on my personal amateur experience,
here is a compilation of SIX basic
guidelines you should bear in mind whenever you embark on your next attempt at
capturing a moment (if you have not observed them already).
These would come in handy especially when you are at somewhere unfamiliar and
making attempts to seize the moments.
1. Adhere to the rules
If a particular place such
as a mall or museum clearly puts up a ‘No Photography’ signpost, you strictly
abide by them. Do not be tempted to break the rules. If you don’t find any
visible signposts around prohibiting you from taking your shot but you have
been approached by someone from the place asking you to put away your cameras,
then that’s also your cue to put your camera away. In your best interest,
avoiding confrontation is a wise move especially in a place with different sets
of governance and cultural practices. You may find
certain rules not so straightforward, and it is best you stick to the local rules.
You would definitely have to look out for the signs around hospitals, police
stations, army barracks and military areas. If they say ‘No Photos’, then No
Photos, PERIOD!
2. Ask for permission
Get the green light for you will be invincible. Once you have asked for
permission from the right person, i.e. the local village head, a community
leader, organizing committee member or any authorized personnel from an association
– you are definitely set to go snapping. Upon getting approval from the right
person, you can be certain that your back is covered to an extent. If someone
comes up to you and tells you that you can’t take photographs, you don’t need
to have any qualms as you can nicely let them know that you have got the
approval or clearance to take pictures at wherever it is that you’re at. You
will be self-assured so go and get the approval first. Do exercise caution
while asking for permission during funeral rites as you don’t want to offend
anyone in such a ceremony. Be subtle if permission is granted to take pictures
of the deceased or the mourning members of a family. You certainly don’t want to
beat yourself up too by becoming the cause of someone’s death. So if you ever
see someone sick and lying on their deathbed counting their time, do them a
favour by not clicking.
3. Accept NO for an
answer
Rejection is definitely a
bitter pill to swallow. But, remember what doesn’t kill you only makes you
stronger. For every NO that you receive, it is every step closer you are to
becoming a much stronger person than who you were. So, with that in mind,
accept the fact that not everyone will be comfortable in front of a camera and
it is ok to let go of that person who says no after you’ve given your best shot
at convincing them for a photo.
A tech-site, Digital
Trends said, “Not everyone feels photogenic all the time. In fact, surveys have
found that most people are camera shy. There are also certain cultures where
people don’t like being photographed. Be prepared for the consequences when you won’t take
no for an answer.”
It is pretty much evident that one will have to master the art of
accepting NOs after having sought permission and live with it, tall and proud
for life must go on. There is always another option.
4.
Articulate the magic words, ‘sorry’ & ‘excuse me’
A friend of mine who is also a photographer from One Vision
Pictures said, one will learn to say ‘sorry’ and ‘excuse me’ quite a lot. For
those who have been dabbling in photography for quite some time would have
known about these magic words and how to aptly use them. Be the little angel
and put your good shoes on and be at your best manners for they would prove
magical.
There’s no harm in earning a good spot in someone’s heart
especially in an unchartered land. Remember first impressions matter. You don’t
want to be that abrasive person wondering around a room or street capturing
pictures without saying ‘sorry’ and/or ‘excuse me’.
These words can bring you places. If you’re lucky someone
might just tell you where to go to capture more of your greatest moments which
could add to your collection of masterpieces. As a stranger you possibly would
not have known about the existence of a location so worthy of your shot.
By uttering these words in an event, someone could also show
you the best location to take pictures from where it could cover a wider angle
of the audience that you need to capture. Be nice to people and people will be
nice to you.
5. Avoid flash when it’s
not needed
It is irrefutable how a flash can be really helpful to get
some shots especially when you want to snap in a dim area. Nonetheless, please disable the flash setting. It can be
frustrating when you try and click your DSLR but it just doesn’t snap because
of the lighting. It is fine. Being frustrated is still a better option than
ending up blinding a few people in a dark room with the flash on and having
their wrath unleashed upon you. Also, if you are trying to get pictures of some
adorable furry (or scaly) friends probably in a zoo or in any animal sanctuary,
turning on the flash and frightening them would be the last thing that you
would ever want to see happen. You’ll end up losing more friends and this time
from the animal kingdom too.
6.
Ask before posting the pictures on social media
Finally, once you’ve successfully seized all your
beautiful (and some not so beautiful) moments and would like to show the world
of your feat of extraordinaire, remember to ask again. If you’ve taken pictures
with someone, seek for their consent. Tell them that you’re going to post them
on Facebook and Insta the pictures to get many likes and ask if they have no
qualms about it. Some would have absolutely no issues about it and you can be certain
that you can go ahead and upload on your many social media sites. However,
don’t be surprised if there are some of who don’t want the limelight. Not
everyone is a fame monster. In that case, just keep the pictures to yourself
and cherish it.
