Photographs of People
 
I think that to take good pictures of people the photographer should have a genuine interest in other people. The photographer probably likes observing other people and is not afraid to cross that invisible barrier that often keeps people at a certain distance from each other.
 
Portraiture is about how you relate to people.
 
Portraits can say a lot about the person you are photographing - their tastes, likes and dislikes. Put the person at ease. Learn something about the person by speaking with them. It is important to ask the person's name, if possible before you start to photograph. Ask where they are from or what their favorite possessions are. If possible, try to incorporate something about the person into the photograph.
 
During one encounter with an armed group of Afghan resistance fighters that didn't seem at all pleased about my presence, I approached one soldier and started to ask questions about his Soviet assault rifle. The group started to smile and I immediately sensed that my presence was accepted.
 
In a rather remote African village I wanted to photograph children from the village. When they saw me approaching, they started running away in obvious fear. I was told that this was the first time that they had seen a white man. That, and the fact that I had a devious-looking camera around my neck. I took some candy from my pockets, kneeled down to their level, and called to them. They eventually came and we shared some candy. The ice was broken. By just getting to their level we were communicating as equals.
 
If need be, have an assistant with you who is from the area. This is all the more important in some foreign countries. The assistant can help if translating is needed and can also tell you about the local customs. Be a true friend to the people you want to photograph. Spend time with your subject until they relax and you'll get a truer picture of them.
 
In some Islamic countries such as Afghanistan, photographing women and girls (even people in some areas) is often a crime. Observing a woman unveiled in the home is extremely rare. The photographs I have taken of women were often accomplished with the permission of male members of the family.
 
Have patience, but when you are photographing, work quickly and efficiently. Keep calm and remain pleasant, even if you are seeing red with anger. Do not be callous nor an intruder at the scene.
 
At the scene of a rocket attack in Kabul, I quickly appraised the situation and then commenced taking photographs. A young child had been killed and several others wounded. With what I hoped was decency, I photographed the victims parents in their distress at losing their child and home. Later, the mother of the dead child brought me to a room and asked me to photograph her deceased son. The mother made it so clear that she wanted me to tell the world of the tragedy that had destroyed her life and that of her family.
 
Harry Hayes