Travel Photography - "Would you take my picture?"

I recently read some articles where people were discussing how to say no to travelers asking to have their picture taken. I was a little shocked at this and how annoyed people were getting, until I realized they were talking about people who ask to have their picture taken with YOUR camera. I thought they were referring to people who hand you their camera asking for help taking a photo.

This got me wondering, does it annoy anyone when a tourist asks you to take their photo for them (with their own camera)? Personally I can't see why it would. I've been asked here in Halifax and also while I was in Rome and I happily take their photo. So far, on my travels, I've always had friends or family to take pictures of me but if I was alone I'd hope asking someone wouldn't be annoying.

Thoughts? And has anyone ever been asked and had an odd experience? Example: person wanted to pose really funny or something.

Just curious :p

I've never had any odd experiences. It never bothers me in the slightest when someone asks me to take their photo with their camera. Of course, it usually happens to me when I'm taking photos with my own SLR, which is large and impressive-looking to the non-enthusiast, and gives them the false impression that I'm some sort of pro photographer.

I've never had any odd experiences. It never bothers me in the slightest when someone asks me to take their photo with their camera. Of course, it usually happens to me when I'm taking photos with my own SLR, which is large and impressive-looking to the non-enthusiast, and gives them the false impression that I'm some sort of pro photographer.

A while back I was in Zermatt and saw/heard an American couple fretting over how they wished they had brought a camera so they could get a picture of themselves with the Matterhorn in the background.

I offered to use my camera to take their photo and email it to them. The girl was thrilled but her husband looked at her and shook his head 'no'.

What, I was going to spam them, use their email address to track them down and kill them? :rolleyes:

People are weird.

My problem is people want to take pictures of me. Asia and Africa are the worst.

I'm in Shanghai now, and had some aggressive folk, yesterday. Ended up just walking away to escape them.

Last year in Kathmandu, I had over 100 people following me. Perhaps I should turn my Buddha like physique into a paid photo op business. :)

My problem is people want to take pictures of me. Asia and Africa are the worst.

I'm in Shanghai now, and had some aggressive folk, yesterday. Ended up just walking away to escape them.

Last year in Kathmandu, I had over 100 people following me. Perhaps I should turn my Buddha like physique into a paid photo op business. :)

Ummm.......

What makes you so sure those weren't pickpockets...?

My problem is people want to take pictures of me. Asia and Africa are the worst.

I'm in Shanghai now, and had some aggressive folk, yesterday. Ended up just walking away to escape them.

Last year in Kathmandu, I had over 100 people following me. Perhaps I should turn my Buddha like physique into a paid photo op business. :)

We've had the same experience in some of the more remote parts of India: scores of people wanting to take our pictures, sometimes just jamming their camera phones into our faces and firing away. Several times people have put their babies in our laps and happily shot away while the little one has been screaming with fright in a foreigner's grip.

Cheers,
T.

Ummm.......

What makes you so sure those weren't pickpockets...?

Not pickpockets. When the same thing happens to you in 15+ countries, it becomes pretty standard.

You obviously have not had the sort of attention, I have.

We've had the same experience in some of the more remote parts of India: scores of people wanting to take our pictures, sometimes just jamming their camera phones into our faces and firing away. Several times people have put their babies in our laps and happily shot away while the little one has been screaming with fright in a foreigner's grip.


Yup, not always fun. I had one Indonesian guy in Bali ask for a pic with his 83 year old mom. He was nice, so no problem. However it turned into 10 pics with the whole family.

I've always thought about lugging along a travel tripod because I always have a hard time finding something to latch the gorilla pod to. In popular tourist areas I'd probably have no problem but in others, carrying a tripod with an expensive DSLR screams ROB me. I'd probably be more bummed about losing the CF card and pictures than the actual camera/lens thanks to insurance.

We've had the same experience in some of the more remote parts of India: scores of people wanting to take our pictures, sometimes just jamming their camera phones into our faces and firing away. Several times people have put their babies in our laps and happily shot away while the little one has been screaming with fright in a foreigner's grip.

Cheers,
T.

We had the same experience in Cairo. Mrs GHF in particular at the Egyptian Museum while I was off at work. Apparently school girls were amazed that a woman - a Caucasian woman at that - would dare to visit the museum alone.

I don't mind when someone asks me to take a picture with their camera. It provides me an opportunity to sharpen my skills (or lack thereof) and work on composition. I will admit it does feel good those times when they look at the picture I have taken and express their pleasant surprise with the result.

A friend of mine who is a wedding photographer says that, back in the film days, before we could see out pics instantly, he would mess with people who asked him to take their pic by taking a good, and also taking a couple of odd ones like zooming up tight on women's breasts or men's groins or super tight on a nose or ear. When they got their film developed, they'd be in for a surprise.

To the Budda Man...

This message without a picture is worthless
:D

+1 It lets me practice technique, and it's my little way of promoting tourism here. I usually travel by myself or with one companion, so it's always nice when people to return the favor.

Nowadays with smart phones so ubiquitous there's no reason not to take photos. If one does forget the camera, there often are equally ubiquitous gift shops in touristy areas that sell overpriced disposable ones.

A friend of mine who is a wedding photographer says that, back in the film days, before we could see out pics instantly, he would mess with people who asked him to take their pic by taking a good, and also taking a couple of odd ones like zooming up tight on women's breasts or men's groins or super tight on a nose or ear. When they got their film developed, they'd be in for a surprise.

How "nice" of your friend to waste other people's film and money.

How "nice" of your friend to waste other people's film and money.

Yeah, I ended my friendship with him over that. I mean, in the film days, a roll of 24 exposures cost me as much as $3, and processing was as much as $7, meaning that each frame cost a whopping grand total of $0.42! How DARE he waste such exorbitant amounts of other peoples' money, and how DARE he waste 0.5 seconds of their time taking additional pics! The scumbag!

[ /sarcasm ]

No, but honestly it's not a nice thing to do...

My problem is people want to take pictures of me. Asia and Africa are the worst...:)

Why do they want these photos? I just returned from Korea with my wife and son and several times people wanted us to take pictures with their family and in one case a group of college students wanted to take a group picture with us. Nobody is aggressive and we are not famous or attractive. I allowed the picture but said that I wanted one with them on my camera in return. They were definately not pickpockets.

As far as the orignal topic I have always been happy to take pictures for other people and occasionally ask the same of others. Nobody has ever declined.

Keba

In Indonesia this past week I was interviewed by students probably ten times and they all wanted a picture with me afterwards. This was for their English language class. Obviously, I didn't mind.

Also, while in Burma, my boat driver at Inle Lake asked if I'd take a picture of his girlfriend (that I had met over tea) and get it printed so that he could have a picture of her since he had no camera. I obviously did this for him as well.

Chris

Why do they want these photos? I just returned from Korea with my wife and son and several times people wanted us to take pictures with their family and in one case a group of college students wanted to take a group picture with us. Nobody is aggressive and we are not famous or attractive. I allowed the picture but said that I wanted one with them on my camera in return. They were definately not pickpockets.

As far as the orignal topic I have always been happy to take pictures for other people and occasionally ask the same of others. Nobody has ever declined.

Keba

My supervisor once went to mainland China while he was serving in the US Army and encountered the same phenomenon. He said that, in mainland China, at the time, it was so rare for the people to see a Caucasian foreign visitor that getting their pic taken with the visitor was a novelty, like getting your pic taken with Mickey Mouse or in front of the Great Wall or Taj Mahal.

This might explain the phenomenon in some countries; foreigners, particularly those of non-native races, are such a novelty that the native people want pics to commemorate the occasion.

...
Last year in Kathmandu, I had over 100 people following me. Perhaps I should turn my Buddha like physique into a paid photo op business. :)

To the Budda Man...

This message without a picture is worthless
:D

Jaimito Cartero:

Just out of curiosity - during your Asian travel did anyone ask if they can rub your belly?

...until I realized they were talking about people who ask to have their picture taken with YOUR camera.

I don't know why anyone would want to take a picture with my camera. It's small, silver and pretty standard-looking. I'm sure there's more interesting scenery with which to take a picture. Besides, their taking a picture with my camera would probably involve letting them hold it, and I'm reluctant to do that.

Mike

How "nice" of your friend to waste other people's film and money.

Yeah, I ended my friendship with him over that. I mean, in the film days, a roll of 24 exposures cost me as much as $3, and processing was as much as $7, meaning that each frame cost a whopping grand total of $0.42! How DARE he waste such exorbitant amounts of other peoples' money, and how DARE he waste 0.5 seconds of their time taking additional pics! The scumbag!

[ /sarcasm ]

Is it ok for someone to take money from you without asking? How about these: Someone pushes an elevator button for you they reach into your "wallet" and take a dollar. Someone holds the door open for you, they take 50 cents out of your "bank account". Someone gives you directions, they help themselves to whatever amount THEY think you should be able to afford. All without your knowledge or permission. Sound like a good idea?

Jaimito Cartero:

Just out of curiosity - during your Asian travel did anyone ask if they can rub your belly?

No, they just do it, unfortunately. I've had Thai immigration agents do it. I try to have a sense of humor about it.

Just yesterday, in Shanghai while at the Superbrands mall, I was waiting outside a shop leaning on the railing. A Chinese guy nearby, came over, and gave my shoulder a firm hand on it. Then he proceeded to try and do the belly rub, which I moved away from. I'm not a germophobe, but hate to just be treated like a piece of meat.

That was one problem in Kathmandu. Old ladies and kids would come up from behind, and sneak a belly rub, and then run off. Maybe if I could get $20 each time, I wouldn't mind so much. :)

To the Budda Man...

This message without a picture is worthless
:D
Paypal me $50... ;)

No, they just do it, unfortunately. I've had Thai immigration agents do it. I try to have a sense of humor about it.

Just yesterday, in Shanghai while at the Superbrands mall, I was waiting outside a shop leaning on the railing. A Chinese guy nearby, came over, and gave my shoulder a firm hand on it. Then he proceeded to try and do the belly rub, which I moved away from. I'm not a germophobe, but hate to just be treated like a piece of meat.

That was one problem in Kathmandu. Old ladies and kids would come up from behind, and sneak a belly rub, and then run off. Maybe if I could get $20 each time, I wouldn't mind so much. :)

No you are not being treated as a piece of meat. You are being treated as a live Budda, most honourable!

However it is normal to request a fee just like the incense fee at the temples.

I don't know why anyone would want to take a picture with my camera. It's small, silver and pretty standard-looking. I'm sure there's more interesting scenery with which to take a picture. Besides, their taking a picture with my camera would probably involve letting them hold it, and I'm reluctant to do that.

Mike

Haha pretty sure the article was talking about people who have professional looking cameras and set ups when they travel. Fellow travelers see this and think "s/he's a photographer! He can get an awesome pic of me with his camera and e-mail it to me!" :P

My problem is people want to take pictures of me. Asia and Africa are the worst.

I'm in Shanghai now, and had some aggressive folk, yesterday. Ended up just walking away to escape them.

Last year in Kathmandu, I had over 100 people following me. Perhaps I should turn my Buddha like physique into a paid photo op business. :)

I actually enjoy it when people in China ask to take my photo. I've convinced myself it's cause I look like Colonel Sanders. Even made a 30 secon movie to illustrate:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4_SwY6GXnA&feature=youtube_gdata_player

I've never had any odd experiences. It never bothers me in the slightest when someone asks me to take their photo with their camera. Of course, it usually happens to me when I'm taking photos with my own SLR, which is large and impressive-looking to the non-enthusiast, and gives them the false impression that I'm some sort of pro photographer.
I live in Seattle just a block from an iconic overlook of the skyline. I'm asked many times to take couples pics and love doin it.

I actually enjoy it when people in China ask to take my photo. I've convinced myself it's cause I look like Colonel Sanders. Even made a 30 secon movie to illustrate:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4_SwY6GXnA&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Well, that's fine when they actually ask. 80% do not ask. While at Universal Studios in SIN last year, I got dozens of folk trying to sneak pictures. It gets old after awhile.

Haha pretty sure the article was talking about people who have professional looking cameras and set ups when they travel. Fellow travelers see this and think "s/he's a photographer! He can get an awesome pic of me with his camera and e-mail it to me!" :P

;)

Mike

Haha pretty sure the article was talking about people who have professional looking cameras and set ups when they travel. Fellow travelers see this and think "s/he's a photographer! He can get an awesome pic of me with his camera and e-mail it to me!" :P

I got stopped twice within a couple of minutes on a cruise a while back while carrying a DSLR with flashgun by people asking for their photo to be taken, assuming I was a ship's photographer. As the askers didn't speak much English I just snapped them as it was faster. I hope they didn't complain at the photo gallery the next day that the photos didn't appear :p

To the OP: I'm happy to help if someone asks to take their pic (with their camera). On many occassions I've asked "would you like me to take your picture?" when I see someone that obviously wants a picture with the background where they are. If they're going to be nervous about that (like..I'm in NYC and it's a young couple from Asia and a great 'couple' photo-op) I'll change it to "would you take my picture if I take yours?" and offer my phone / camera.

Why do they want these photos? I just returned from Korea ...
Presumably you aren't asian, or you wouldn't ask. If that's correct...imagine how unusual and interesting a tourist from Asia would have looked in smalltown USA in the 50s. Several people would take a picture, and talk about the visit. Well, now YOU are the exotic looking foreigner. Your clothing, body, and face look exotic to them. If you aren't Asian, they probably think you look JUST like a movie star...that you barely resemble. Or they might think you look silly...or scary...or tall...or fat.

In Japan and Korea, late at night in bars I'm very accustomed to people wanting to take a picture with me. During day, regional tourists will take a picture of me. Koreans are often VERY direct and open, not embarrassed to ask for a picture with you.

I actually enjoy it when people in China ask to take my photo. I've convinced myself it's cause I look like Colonel Sanders. Even made a 30 secon movie to illustrate:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4_SwY6GXnA&feature=youtube_gdata_player

:eek:
^^^
Since you like travelling and the popularity of KFC in PRC I would approach them about being a paid spokesman to finance your travels.
:D

I live in Seattle just a block from an iconic overlook of the skyline. I'm asked many times to take couples pics and love doin it.

Kerry Park?

I love taking photos when requested... I don't even mind when they ask for a certain scene/object in the background. The only time I get irritated is when they look at the photo and then ask for it to be taken again because they didn't like the composition (I'm a semi professional photographer) but I still grin and bear it :)

I love traveling and am a tourist for the majority of my life so I completely welcome and encourage tourists and the attendant requests with no complaint whatsoever :)

Why is it that South East Asians do ask for their photos to be taken with Westerner's? What is the fascination? The only thing I can think is that there are very few of them in that part of the world but they still cannot be that rare.

You don't see people in the UK wanting to have their photos taken foreigners.

I've been asked to pose for pictures a few times myself - Singapore and Indonesia come to mind. In Indonesia, it was a group of girls in their teens who lived in a non-touristy area, and they said we were the first Americans they had ever met.

During a visit to a remote village in Namibia, we had some time to kill. There were a bunch of kids around playing on a broken canoe. I took their pictures, and then (what was probably a bit daring), I let them take whatever pictures they wanted with my SLR. I held the strap so they didn't drop it, put it into Auto and just let them snap away. They loved taking pictures of me, my companion and all their friends - probably the first time they've actually held a camera.

During a visit to a remote village in Namibia, we had some time to kill. There were a bunch of kids around playing on a broken canoe. I took their pictures, and then (what was probably a bit daring), I let them take whatever pictures they wanted with my SLR. I held the strap so they didn't drop it, put it into Auto and just let them snap away. They loved taking pictures of me, my companion and all their friends - probably the first time they've actually held a camera.


I think it's awesome that you allowed the kids to do this. They're probably still talking about it.
It's always amazing to me to think that others don't have some things that we take for granted. I've been a photo bug for alot of years and am never without a camera. When my kids expressed interest in my equipment, like at age 4 or 5, I gifted them a plastic 'toy' camera of their own (but they worked). So when I was in India and kids, even young teens, came up in droves, asking me to take their picture with my camera, I was happy to have this interaction and did so. When showing them the result on the screen, they would shreek and be so happy! I sometimes handed them my camera and let them take some shots- It was so worth it for me to give them this simple enjoyment and it also gave me some great memories and a reminder of how blessed I am to have the gift of travel.

As someone who does > 75% of his traveling solo (and has therefore gotten VERY good at the arm length photo) I am more than happy to take a picture of other people with their camera. Often I will volunteer instead of waiting to be asked. Karma points, you know?

Funny, I was just thinking about this -- I almost took a last minute trip alone and wondered how would I get pics of myself climbing the pyramid at Tikal with my camera? I dont want to leave it with someone I don't know...

I've taken pics of others with my camera twice. I'd do it again, as long as it didn't get out of hand.

Once I was in Barrow Alaska, and met a couple who were there on their 25th wedding anniversary. The guy was insistent on taking the polar bear plunge: Pepe, who runs the northernmost Mexican restaurant in the world, will give you a certificate if you submerge yourself in the Bearing sea. They had a little point and shoot, I had my Nikon DSLR. Emailed them the pictures. Pepe also gives you the certificate that says you crossed the arctic circle. He seems friendlier if you eat in his restaurant first. I don't think Pepe is his real name....

Second, touring Rome on a shore excursion from a cruise with 3 other couples in a van we hired (much cheaper than the ships excursion, and more flexible). The newlywed couple's camera battery died. Posted a few hundred, some with them as portraits, plus most of everything we saw, to some online site and gave them the password.

Once I was in Barrow Alaska, and met a couple who were there on their 25th wedding anniversary. The guy was insistent on taking the polar bear plunge: Pepe, who runs the northernmost Mexican restaurant in the world, will give you a certificate if you submerge yourself in the Bearing sea.

Pepe must either have really good eyesight or failed geography in school. The Bering Sea is a part of the Pacific and its nearest point is something like 800-1000 miles from Barrow ;-)

Barrow is on Beaufort Sea, which is a part of the Arctic Ocean.

Cheers,
T.

I often travel alone. I look for a person or group and ask if they want me to take their picture then get them to return the favor.

To OP, since he mentions Halifax...

Last Nov while walking around the harbour area in Halifax one bright morning a young man asked me to take his picture. I had a big DSLR around my neck so I guess he figured I wouldn't mind.

He then proceeded to lie face down, nether side up on a nearby bench, and gave me a pose that made me a bit less comfortable than I was. He was facing me and after one shot proceeded to pose in similar positions in a few more.

Ive been asked (and I have asked people) to take pictures so no issues with either of them, in fact I often ask couples especially when I see them struggling with trying take self-portraits.

On our trip to China last November, we had three blonde women in our group and my did they get a lot of attention. Everywhere we went people wanted to have their photos taken, especially with the youngest of them (who was in her mid-20s and easy on the eyes).

Here's a typical example (https://picasaweb.google.com/116512525102845922203/ChinaIPhonePhotos#5677385289782588274), this with one of the women a bit more, er, mature. I could see where it would start to get a bit annoying after awhile. To say that many boldly stared would be an understatement. I cannot imagine something similar here in the US that would be seen as generally socially acceptable. But I don't travel expecting to find things the same as home. Why bother traveling then? It's experiences like this that make it interesting!

Getting back to the original issue of taking photos for people, yes, I'm asked to do it sometimes (especially when I've got the long lens on my camera) and sometimes I will even volunteer, when I see couples trying to figure out how to get themselves into the picture holding it by themselves.

Of course, it usually happens to me when I'm taking photos with my own SLR, which is large and impressive-looking to the non-enthusiast, and gives them the false impression that I'm some sort of pro photographer.

Back in the film days I carried a Nikon with a lens other than 50 mm, to most civilians that says "you know more about photography than us" and I would often get asked to take group shots with their camera so everyone would be in it.

I don't mind when someone asks me to take a picture with their camera. It provides me an opportunity to sharpen my skills (or lack thereof) and work on composition.

In the film era when they could not see it immediately, I enjoyed taking pics with their cameras. As a semi pro I knew I could probably take a better pic than them. Even though these encounters are over in seconds, I always made sure to use a good angle and composition with attention to the background. So when they got the pics developed at home, there would be one really nice shot on the roll. The one I snapped. :D

I have no issue with taking someone's photo with their camera, not sure why anyone would. Did it just the other day.

Back a few years ago in college I was walking across campus to get to work at the buttcrack of dawn on a Saturday so no one else was out when a prospective student from China who was visiting the campus approached me and asked me to take his picture. I did and he was eternally grateful for it. If I can take 30 seconds out of my day to make someone happy, then I'm happy.

It used to be nice getting to play with all sorts of different cameras. Now it seems people just hand you their iPhone and say "You know what to do"

... Now it seems people just hand you their iPhone and say "You know what to do"

People used to ask nicely. Unless I am in the middle of a shoot I usually don't mind.

NOW???? These happened in the last 2 years:


I was shooting a scene and someone just step into the photo, his spouse handed me her iphone and said "You know what to do". So I made a phone call.

At Bermuda I was counting down the sunset on a beautiful sunset day at the waterfront when a couple asked. I said "Sorry I am busy right now" and was greeted by angry words about my ancestors.

until I realized they were talking about people who ask to have their picture taken with YOUR camera

odd, never seen/heard about this

odd, never seen/heard about thisI have, as it happened to me in Bucharest.

I still have the photograph and still wonder why a couple I did not know wanted me to take a picture of them with my camera — especially as I have no way to contact them...

odd, never seen/heard about this

I have, as it happened to me in Bucharest.

I still have the photograph and still wonder why a couple I did not know wanted me to take a picture of them with my camera — especially as I have no way to contact them...

I offered once.

I was hiking in Nevada and happened to meet a nice British couple on holiday, who turned out to have forgotten their camera that day. So I snapped a shot of them and gave them my card; I told them to simply email me when they got home, and I'd send them the picture. No strings attached, no charge, nothing fishy... They never contacted me, though.

I am 28, blonde hair, blue eyes, and very white skin and most places I go in asia I get alot of attention. After traveling to china 5 times, philippines 3, and thailand once I have gotten use to all the attention and it does not bother me. When I talk to my friends about my trips to asia I tell them that I feel like a rock star. I have found that the closer you get to a major city the less attention you get unless your at a mojor tourist attraction which has non local people.


On our trip to China last November, we had three blonde women in our group and my did they get a lot of attention. Everywhere we went people wanted to have their photos taken, especially with the youngest of them (who was in her mid-20s and easy on the eyes).

Here's a typical example (https://picasaweb.google.com/116512525102845922203/ChinaIPhonePhotos#5677385289782588274), this with one of the women a bit more, er, mature. I could see where it would start to get a bit annoying after awhile. To say that many boldly stared would be an understatement. I cannot imagine something similar here in the US that would be seen as generally socially acceptable. But I don't travel expecting to find things the same as home. Why bother traveling then? It's experiences like this that make it interesting!

Getting back to the original issue of taking photos for people, yes, I'm asked to do it sometimes (especially when I've got the long lens on my camera) and sometimes I will even volunteer, when I see couples trying to figure out how to get themselves into the picture holding it by themselves.

I was shooting a scene and someone just step into the photo, his spouse handed me her iphone and said "You know what to do". So I made a phone call.



That is awesome. I learnt how to take photos on an iPhone (other people's) when in the US last month.

I took heaps of photos for people and got them to take one of me in return. All good fun.

When in Shanghai in 2010 I was taking a photo of the railway station and saw a local standing behind me whilst his wife was taking a photo of us both. I motioned him to come to me and shook his hand while his wife took a photo or two. The look on their faces was priceless.

I am 28, blonde hair, blue eyes, and very white skin and most places I go in asia I get alot of attention. After traveling to china 5 times, philippines 3, and thailand once I have gotten use to all the attention and it does not bother me. When I talk to my friends about my trips to asia I tell them that I feel like a rock star. I have found that the closer you get to a major city the less attention you get unless your at a mojor tourist attraction which has non local people.

"Joe"s are very popular in rural PH.

I've always known that I probably appear in way more people's pictures that have been taken with me unintentionally in the background than I know of photos taken of me intentionally by people I know. This is kind a weird conundrum in that the are likely way more random images of me and my travels than there are intention or "ordered" images.

For some reason I often got asked to take pictures of people with their cameras, and from time to time have just offered on my own when I see two people that are (seemingly) looking around for same. After some number of requests, I started asking people if I could take a picture of myself after I take a picture of them. Sometimes it was a goofy face, sometimes it was a straight face, other times they took the picture of me This way, they would have to explain to their friends and family where they met this "weird" man in a random place and whatever they could recall about me. In this way, I figure I'm in about 50 or more random strangers "ordered" picture streams than I would appear for any other reason.

Note: Since the widespread use and availability of facial recognition software, I only take their picture with their camera only and no longer my own - really don't want/need my face popping up in an Internet-wide image search with no context as to how I know that person or why/where I was at the time. ;)

Note: Since the widespread use and availability of facial recognition software, I only take their picture with their camera only and no longer my own - really don't want/need my face popping up in an Internet-wide image search with no context as to how I know that person or why/where I was at the time. ;)

A similar reason could be for the OP story by the Matterhorn, maybe they were not supposed to be together there, if ... would find out somehow... :o

Pepe must either have really good eyesight or failed geography in school. The Bering Sea is a part of the Pacific and its nearest point is something like 800-1000 miles from Barrow ;-)

Barrow is on Beaufort Sea, which is a part of the Arctic Ocean. I tend to get irritated, since I'm trying to get my own. And coz I'm an irritable dude.

But Barrow is one of the few places I asked someone to take one for me. Here's the scene: I'm standing in the Arctic Ocean. There's ice floating on it. The wind is blowing from the north (pole). i.e. it's friggin cold.

She spends about five minute - "which one do I push?" "what do you want in the background?" etc.... moving around till she finally takes it.

Nearly had to be carried out.

I sometimes offer to photograph people who are clearly positioning themselves with one person out of the picture doing the photography -- they nearly always appreciate the chance to be photographed as an entire family or group.

OTOH, I have lived in SE Asia for nearly 1/4 century and routinely reject random requests to be in a photo with strangers by saying something along the lines of "What for?"

Generally, what happens is that the person takes the photo of you home and boasts to their acquaintances that they have a new "friend". So, my opinion is that participating in their photo supports what is probably (but not necessarily) a harmless social lie. What for?

However, in the days of Facebook, you are likely to see your photo posted very soon after they take it and probably re-posted by friends of friends. Comments in languages you don't understand are likely, too. Is that something you want to expose yourself, too? Next time, say no thanks.

True story just last month... A coworker from Portland was at Pão de Açucar (Sugarloaf) in Rio de Janeiro by himself taking pictures of the sunset, and as is common there from my own experience, people will offer to take a picture of you with your own camera so you don't have to do the awkward arm-reach self photo. Another American and his partner offered my coworker as such, they talked and realized they're all from Portland, the American is there with his partner whom I know well, and long story short they all three realize they have my acquaintance in common. A great "small world" story for all of us....

As has been made clear, in Asia (China in particular, in our experience), finding locals who ask for pics with westerners is not at all uncommon, even in the big cities.

We hired a guide on our first visit to Beijing a few years ago, and he warned us that locals might approach us to pose for photos, especially at the major tourist attractions (e.g., Summer Palace, Great Wall, etc.). We just gave each other an, "Oh, sure, right, whatever" look and laughed it off. Sure enough, within an hour, a pair of siblings (tourists from a distant, rural area) spoke with our guide, and before we knew it, we were posing for photos with them. Of course, we asked them to reciprocate so we could come home and show everyone the adorable Chinese college kids who asked to take a picture with us! We later learned that it was far more likely to happen to westerners who are accompanied by Asians. And, since one of us is fair skinned, blue-eyed, light-haired and (relatively) tall, we're even more likely to be targeted.

If you're overweight, you'll also get a lot of attention in Asia. It's an even more uncommon sight than being a Westerner. We've found that most Asians are not at all shy about pointing out a person's physical uniqueness (e.g., "You're so fat!" or "You're so tall!" or "You're so white"), which is not intended as an insult, but just a statement of fact or observation, and sometimes a compliment (especially if mentioning whiteness). We've been told that it's also a way of "helping" you to save face. Like, "I'll point out that you're fat and laugh (nicely) to help relieve you of worry or embarrassment over people looking at you and thinking about the fact that you're fat." Sort of like getting getting the elephant out of the parlor. Or something to that effect. ;)

Funny story.....

Was at the top of the Eiffel tower with my Mom and right after taking her photo a couple (maybe German?) near by asked if I would mind taking "photos of us"...when I said no problem they gave me their camera and said "Just keep taking a lot of them and I'm sure one will turn out o.k."

Well very quickly as I started take photos they started getting more and more "touchy feely" and by the third photo the guy had his hand down her blouse on her BREAST....

I was so shocked I stopped and handed them back the camera said something like "hope you like them..." and shuffled off with my mother who was still staring in disbelief!

I usually go out of my way to ask people if they want their photos taken (with their own cameras). If I see a Dad taking a pic of the family I ask If he wants me to take it with him in it.

I ask b/c I'm the photographer in the family and I know how hard it is to find someone who actually knows how to take a decent picture w/ my SLR. We were just in Barbados and taking pictures at sunset... saw a guy w/ a decent SLR so I asked him to take pictures. I set the camera for him, but he put the flash down and didn't know how to focus so they came out like crap!!!!!

I've never had any odd experiences. It never bothers me in the slightest when someone asks me to take their photo with their camera. Of course, it usually happens to me when I'm taking photos with my own SLR, which is large and impressive-looking to the non-enthusiast, and gives them the false impression that I'm some sort of pro photographer.

That's exactly how I feel.

...and I thought I was the only one. :D

Not even traveling, I had a very pleasant experience this weekend.

I went to Baltimore's Inner Harbor to enjoy the Sailabration festivities commemorating the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 and the penning of our national anthem by Francis Scott Key. I took photos of the sailing shops in port, and enjoyed an airshow which included a performance by the US Navy's elite stunt flying team, the Blue Angels.

While waiting for the Angels to begin their show, I had staked out a spot by the rail along the waterfront, and a man with an infant daughter walked up next to me. He saw my Canon 50D with battery grip, held out his own Nikon D7000 and asked, "Would you mind?" I replied, "Not at all," and took a couple of what I think will be very nice snaps of the man and his daughter with the Harbor in the background. He stood there for another 10 minutes and we talked photography. He told me, "I always look for people with elaborate cameras to ask for pictures, because I figure they know how to operate one of these [meaning an SLR]." Which is by no means a foregone conclusion, or course :D.

All in all, a pleasant experience brought about by a shared enthusiasm for photography.

Back to a subject mentioned in the first post -- people asking you to take pictures of them with your own camera -- this is one of my favorite photos. Mrs. PTravel and I were walking through Jaisalmar when these kids asked if we'd photograph them:

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/26333_108647422484375_2626860_n.jpg

I went to Baltimore's Inner Harbor to enjoy the Sailabration festivities commemorating the 100th anniversary of the War of 1812 and the penning of our national anthem by Francis Scott Key.I believe you meant to say the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 — unless you have been living for quite a long time...

I believe you meant to say the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 — unless you have been living for quite a long time...

Quite right. I have fixed it.

In my own defense, I must point out that the 1 is right next to the 2 on my keyboard. :D

My problem is people want to take pictures of me. Asia and Africa are the worst.

I'm in Shanghai now, and had some aggressive folk, yesterday. Ended up just walking away to escape them.

Last year in Kathmandu, I had over 100 people following me. Perhaps I should turn my Buddha like physique into a paid photo op business. :)

Brings back memories, my wife is blonde so whenever we're in Asia there's a queue of people who want her picture or a photo with her! I do love when you're away from the beaten path though in developing countries and people are fascinated by your camera and want you to take photos of them so they can see

While waiting for the Angels to begin their show, I had staked out a spot by the rail along the waterfront, and a man with an infant daughter walked up next to me. He saw my Canon 50D with battery grip, held out his own Nikon D7000 and asked, "Would you mind?" I replied, "Not at all," and took a couple of what I think will be very nice snaps of the man and his daughter with the Harbor in the background. He stood there for another 10 minutes and we talked photography. He told me, "I always look for people with elaborate cameras to ask for pictures, because I figure they know how to operate one of these [meaning an SLR]." Which is by no means a foregone conclusion, or course :D.
Why would a Nikon user think a Canon user would be smart enough to operate a DSLR? :D

Why would a Nikon user think a Canon user would be smart enough to operate a DSLR? :D

I figured it was because Nikon users are so naive they can't tell the difference :D

I'm a dyed-in-the-wool Canon guy, but I liked the feel of that Nikon. It was solid and tight, had a razor-sharp view through the viewfinder (he was using the 18-105 kit lens), and had a hair-trigger on it. He said he had "adjusted it that way" for speed, so he could capture pics of his toddler as she ran about at warp speed. I didn't know you could adjust the sensitivity of the shutter release on any SLR.

If people ask if they can take MY picture I usually politely decline.

However, I've had two other experiences recently that I figured I'd share.

One was in Hong Kong where a guy and his wife(?) asked me to take their picture and when I said ok the man reached into his backpack and pulled out a Nikon D4 with a very expensive lens and speed light on it. He handed me the $10,000 setup like it was nothing and he didn't look like he'd have a chance in h*ll of catching me if I chose to run with it. I had a Nikon D5100 around my neck at the time, so maybe it was a "birds of a feather" kind of thought process even though my camera wasn't worth 10% of what his was.

The second was in the Philippines where a youngish (16-19 year old) girl talking to her friends in front of a convenience store asked if I would take her picture. I had nothing better to do so I snapped a few pics (still standing there in front of the store, nothing dodgy) and then asked her where she wanted me to email/send them. She said she didn't. She just liked having her picture taken. I wasn't sure if I was getting set up for some kind of extortion or something so I deleted the photos as soon as I went around the next corner but nothing ever came of it.

Why would a Nikon user think a Canon user would be smart enough to operate a DSLR? :D

Why would a Nikon user think a Canon user would be smart enough to SPELL DSLR? :D

My wife and I were in Khabarovsk, Russia in 2008. I was taking a picture of her in front of one of the Cathedrals, and this newly married couple runs up and jumps in the picture with her. We later found out that a tradition in this area is for the Bride & Groom to go around town and take pictures, and have their picture taken by others. Made for a neat story.


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7254/7532139550_051c36d95d.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/65356735@N04/7532139550/)
Russia 2008 147 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/65356735@N04/7532139550/) by BeachBumBad (http://www.flickr.com/people/65356735@N04/)

We have very very few photos of us both together in locations as it's usually hub taking a picture of me and vice versa.

Only time we ask someone to take a picture is if they have a camera of a similar ilk to ours. I feel a little more confident handing my dSLR over to someone else with a decent looking camera, be it a good point and click or an SLR. Stereotyping / profiling aside, it makes me feel a little more comfortable at handing over a camera.... as I can't run very fast ;-)

I'm always more than happy to take other peoples photos with their own cameras or phone and let them pose how they want. I quite often volunteer my services if I see them struggle as we've all (mostly) been in that position one time or another!