This relates to something I was thinking the other day. I was trying to think why I've been frustrated photographically since returning from travelling in India and Pakistan, and I think I hit on it. Over there, with my camera around my neck (and the fact that I am British) I was an oddity and people were automatically interested in me. The fact that I spoke Hindi and Urdu caused even more amazement, and immediately meant that people were either asking for me to take their picture, or incredibly responsive when I did. The rapport was automatic. This would even apply to candids--inevitably someone sees you shooting, but more often than not they smile, raise a glass, or do something equally charismatic. I think this is also something to do with the way people are in public over there--the distinction between public and private is not so rigid. This extends from people using the street as a toilet to their attitude towards passers by. Now, I don't know if anyone else remembers the TV show 'Gladiators', but in it one round involved contestants climbing into these big hamster balls, and bashing each other until they fell over. Walking down the street in Britain is like being surrounded by these atlaspheres (and being in one yourself). Everyone is closed off--this has some good effects, e.g. it's nice not to have people going to the toilet in the street, but it also has some bad effects, e.g. candid photography is a good way of getting yourself in trouble, and there's no point even asking people to take their portrait. So in an informal, non-studio context, I guess the key must be either to find a way past the atlasphere, or to travel a lot. The best halfway point I've come across yet was going to a wedding, when everyone drops their guard for a while. If I get permission from my Sister in Law I'll stick some pics from there up to illustrate; here is one from Pakistan which illustrates perfectly the immediate familiarity I was talking about
Incidentally, great idea to start this forum, and some lovely portraits on this thread. I especially like 'lord of the badgers'' first one, with the parka coat button.