This video is about what I consider to be the most important things for people photography. People photography tips. Especially when traveling and photographing strangers.
How do you approach people? How do you build up your confidence? What to say if you speak the language? What to do if you don’t speak the language and you’re in a foreign culture? How to get people to be natural in front of the camera? Where do you look for people photo opportunities while traveling?
I also answer a couple of questions about people photography that are somewhat controversial. When I sent out an email to my subscribers, a huge number of people wanted to know.
As I mention in the video, there’s a free PDF guide to accompany the video. Your interest might be street photography of people, portraits, or photos of everyday life in remote areas. The aim of all this material is to help you become a more confident, better people photographer in all situations.
📸 My Travel Photography Course –
Here’s the link to the FREE PDF:
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This is the gear used to make the video:
Sony RX100V Even though the new version of this is out, I think that the older version is actually more suitable for videoing yourself.
Get the camera: |
Mavic Pro – |
Rode Mic – |
Adaptor (required) – |
I keep experimenting with the way I make these videos. I want to bring you into my journeys as much as I can. Please tell me what you think of this. Something I should keep doing?
Also, about that somewhat controversial couple of questions… I’ve love to know what you think. Share your stories, views, ideas.
Keep Sharing Really awesome videos……….
Great stuff Mitchell, as always. In terms of the "controversial" questions — do you use the same approach in terms of asking or not asking permission across all countries that you visit?
I did some research, and it seems that different countries have different laws in terms of when it is required to ask permission to take a photo, or publish a photo, etc. There is a great resource on Wikipedia about different laws across countries: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Country_specific_consent_requirements
Many thanks again — cheers, Leo.
who shoots the videos when the car is being driven?
It’s hard to take people photos unless I already know them which is great when it happens but terribly tough when I don’t know them. Scared or awkward maybe but it’s the biggest hurdle I can possibly imagine to even think of taking people pictures. If it’s just a tree or a hill it’s not as conscious as a human being. Just as light keeps changing through the day.. I believe expressions and emotions keep changing the same way. Best I can possibly imagine is a candid other wise I need to hear you talking about it
I can come work for you…?
Great video
Very inspiring and really keep me motivated to continue learning the art!! I really enjoyed your video. Thank you very much.
This is extremely helpful! I cannot thank you enough for all these tips. Thank you very much.
Sir .. from where i can download your ebook .. i really need that as i am pretty sure that it is going to guide me a lot ..
Hi Sir: I'm an enthusiast photographer and student of journalism. For me this videos are amazing and your explanations are very clear. Back when I was in the service I traveled to 17 different countries (including Georgia) and I wish I knew what you are teaching in these videos. Thank you.
And I forgot to mention: Yes, learning on how to make the mental switch is very useful. I usually feel quite shy photographing people and really appreciate the help!
This must be the best tutorial I've every seen. Thanks a lot. Really excellent work!
Thank you really enjoy your lesson and creative ways.
Hey Mitch, weird question… I was born in the former USSR as well, moved to Canada in 1990, I have a Canadian accent.
If you grew up in Belarus, why do you sound Australian?
I love your videos man! you are awesome!
I used to like taking photos of people too, and I think I did able to capture some which can successfully encapsulate people's emotions, but I later went into an ethical question and kind of paused my development in photography. It's that I don't know if I was "using" people (their looks, living environment, friendly characters which may serve them as a survival necessity, their lack of knowledge etc.) who has no choice in life (like many people in rural areas and less developed countries) to build my own assets for building relationships with others in my own society and to build my own fame, in an unconscious way. I really like to take good photos of people, but somehow the guilt which brought by this question paralyzed me, despite almost none of my friends share the same feeling. What do you guys think? What do you guys deal with this situation? What exactly is photography to you?
Btw, the feeling is like I can be happy and able to pursuit my happiness, because other unfortunate people are in pain, discomfort, and lack of options. I can carry on the emotions I have had on different people I had met by taking away the photos and manipulating the photos in any way I like, but that the other person will have to bear the loss of losing a relationship and face the failure of their strategies to build and keep relationships.
Exelent!
Your content is so good! I could easily pay for some of your youtube videos
Thanks for sharing your thought process..I do apppreciate the effort u take to make such lovely content.
Thank you for these videos, outstanding images! What happens though when someone wants to license portrait from your personal work for a magazine/book/newspaper? I've had that problem once that I had a portrait but no way of reaching out to the person in the image. I feld it wasn't the right thing to sell it to an agency so I declined getting published, although I could have donated the money. How do you deal with this issue?
I love your advice on how you approach people. In the segment on whether you pay people for photos, you mentioned that you do pay people when you get paid for doing commercial work, not personal. Does that mean you never get paid for personal work? Is your personal work merely for your love of photography. How do you make use of your personal work other than for your own enjoyment? Thanks again.
Photos are to look at, not listen to dialog…. immediate delete!!!
Love your unconventional approach to your videos. They are not only very informative, but the way you shoot them on the fly while in the middle of your exotic working environments, vicariously puts us in the middle of your adventures, and make very enjoyable travelogues. You not only talk about how you make your amazing photographs but you also remind and immerse us in the details of the most basic needs of transport, food, lodging, and most importantly, how to connect with people from all over the world on the most fundamental level.
First 5 minutes of this video is full of generalizations which are interjected with teasers and plugs. I have no idea how much longer this format continued but I gave up watching. Sorry.
In essence, read "How to win friends and influence people". If you have already, apply the books principles to your interactions in photography.
Great photos and video. I think I might buy your course.
love your videos Mitchell, very helpful ,just the kind of photography i love doing myself
I just found your channel and you are such an inspiration. Thank you for what you do.
The Tone and contrast of your photos are so perfect to me, is there any tips of your post production process, please make video about post processing technique.
Great video as usual.
You are a master photographing using natural light. Your images are amazing. Thanks for all the good advises. What a good way of living your life you have.
Safe journey. Cheers.
I have to respectfully admit that ur pics r awesome u really understand photography & what u do.. Nice to hear from pro like u a lot to learn for me… Thx a lot love ur understanding & play with light
Excellent work and great tutorials…inspirational
Your work is really awesome! I'am wondering if you could share how to edit photos like that. This natural look edit is killing me 🙂
Well done sir!