Be comfortable with your camera and yourself: Don’t broadcast self-doubt. Learn your camera. If you are comfortable with your equipment, you can focus on relating to your subjects. Your confidence in yourself will instill confidence in them.
Tune into the local frequency: Get a feel for accepted local norms and expectations. Conform your manners to local custom. Find the local bulletin boards or chat up the grocery store owner.
Dress appropriately: Fit in with the social scene. Wear a costume if you’re shooting at Mardi Gras. Dress for church if you are going to church. It is one of the most visible ways to show respect for local sensibilities.
See the good in bad weather: It’s a cliche, but it’s true — rain, snow, and fog transform the world and make pictures of unique mood and beauty. But make sure to go prepared: a simple baggie works wonders for keeping a camera dry.
Move in close and make friends: Don’t act like a spy. Put away the telephoto and become part of the moment. Successful people pictures almost never happen from across the street.
Try the local food: Share a snack or a meal, but also share the customs. Seasoned National Geographic photographers have one rule: take at least one bite.
Understand the social contract:Your subjects are giving of themselves and you’re getting. Don’t abuse their gift. Build a relationship with a person first, even if for 30 seconds, and then do the picture.
Challenge yourself to see things differently: Get in the middle of things. Climb something for a different view. “Dance around a tea cup” — find a scene and take a picture from every conceivable angle.
Give yourself an assignment: If you have a reason for taking the pictures, you’ll feel more comfortable and your subjects may enjoy contributing to something worthwhile.
And, last but not least, try, try, try: Shoot one good picture. Then find another way to shoot the same scene. Then find yet another way. Dan Westergren claims three times is a charm.
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