When I first arrived in India, I was hesitant to ask people to let me take their picture. I didn’t want to be the ugly tourist and treat them as objects. If I did decide to take a picture I would ask permission. Most often the response I get is very positive, and even enthusiastic. Older people, who look very serious, will brighten up when I ask. I am finding that it opens the way for many positive interactions.

I am also glad that I brought a digital camera. It allows me to show the picture to the people immediately. I am glad to be able to share that with them, since I won’t be able to send prints to everybody I photograph.
Pretty much any group of kids will go crazy to get to be in a picture. “One snap!” they say. They will continue to say this until your camera is full. They will also climb over each other to get to see the picture on the camera. I have had some moments in crowds where I thought I’d be crushed by kids.