Lotus blossoms at Baroda market
Going to a new environment can be intimidating for photographers. I can say this because I know that professional photographers feel as I do. I attended a lecture given by two top women travel photographers and they gave us their ‘recipe’ for overcoming the desire to just lie in the hotel room or sit in a coffee bar rather than head out to the streets and footpaths looking for ‘the shot’.
One way to overcome this obstacle is to go to a market. There will be colorful stacks of fruit and vegetables. Maybe there will be live chickens or ducks, too. The vendors are often too busy conducting business to be aware that your lens is trained on them. Once you have a couple of photos tucked into your memory card, you are in the mood for the hunt and you’re off and running.
Here are some lotus blossoms shot in a market in Baroda, India. At first the place seemed like a kaleidoscope of action and colors. I couldn’t find anything that compelled my attention. I felt in the way at times when I blocked the path. Then I noticed these flowers and to get myself to relax, I took a few shots. (I wish now that I had taken more. ) The vendor noticed me shooting his flowers and was pleased and willingly posed for me. Smiling and welcoming, he helped me to feel less inhibited about speaking to other vendors.
Everyone says they love to shoot markets, but getting a good shot is not always easy. If you have a wide angle lens, the job is much easier. You can stand near an interesting local, point your camera toward the vegetables, flowers or whatever is being sold and include the vendor without him knowing. It’s an unusual viewpoint. It may be slightly distorted thereby increasing interest. Try it.