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I visit Tecate, Baja California almost every month. There is a lovely town square where locals and tourists mingle. There is a foursome that plays dominos each month. During my visit last weekend, I asked them if I could take some photos. They agreed, and quickly resumed their game, not paying me any attention.
Here's one of my favorite shots. I converted it to black and white and added a slight sepia tone for a more timeless feel. I will bring them copies when I return next month.
Most of us (myself included) are very reluctant to take pictures of strangers that we meet on our travels. Or, if we do, we might think that using a telephoto lens and being surreptitious is the way to go. Well, believe it or not, most people are flattered to have their photo taken.
The way that I think works the best is to simply extend a conversation that you might have naturally. If you're talking with someone, it's pretty easy to mention that you're doing a photography project on the area and would they mind being in a photo. Nearly everyone will say yes.
I try very hard to return with a photo to give to the person (if it's a place I frequent), or mail one. Here's a photo I took of Alcario Benavidez, who was visiting the ruins of a bar where he used to hang out as a cowhand in Montoya, New Mexico.
I still receive correspondence from his cousin, who is grateful for the photo, since he passed away two years ago.
Please come to the Ordover Gallery this Thursday night, for the opening of the two-person show featuring the works of photographers Lew Abulafia and Sharon Anthony. Lew is a superb nature photographer and Sharon is an expert bird photographer. Lew has won a nationwide nature photography competition and Sharon has published a beautiful calendar of birds of the Batiquitos Lagoon. It is sure to be a wonderful show. For more information and directions, see the Ordover Gallery website.
I will have four tennis photographs showing, including this one of Rafael Nadal:
How often do you hear photographers say: "I wish those people would leave so I could take a picture!"
If this sounds like you, next time consider how you could incorporate people into the shot to make it more interesting. People, if nothing else, can add a sense of scale to a landscape, and ideally will inject personality into the shot.
Here's a shot of the St. Louis Arch. When I saw the group exercising at sunrise, I knew I had a more interesting picture than one of just the arch.
I have been on trips with professional photographers when they bemoan an overcast day. Now, a sunny day gives blue skies, but overcast days are simply wonderful for soft lighting. There is no better lighting for portraits or flower photography.
Here is a shot of rancher Kurt Kelling, on his ranch near Santa Rosa, New Mexico, along an old stretch of Route 66.
