Photography in Tibet – people shooting

Photography in Tibet is of course an indispensible part of your Tibet travel. In Tibet, most people would agree to be in your photos. But, you’d better ask for their permission first before you shoot them to show your respect and avoid any unnecessary trouble. Today, I will share you some information for photography in Tibet – people shooting.       

1. In the plateau, humans have special artistic appeal. If you want to take good pictures of these people, you need first find and grasp their own different characters and then display them in your pictures.

The features of different Tibetan group:

Tibetan children: there’s lovely redness from plateau on both of their faces, and their bright eyes reveal their toughness and struggle against destiny.

Tibetan girls: dressed in gorgeous national costume, they are gentle and quiet as well as a sense of wildness beauty. To avoid to be hurt by the strong sunshine, these lovely young ladies wear gauze masks.

Tibetan men: there’s a saying that the most beautiful Tibetan men are the Kham men. Their faces are red and black and have quite clear contour. They are bold and unconstrained. They have long hair and usually use red lines to fasten it, except on the horse race. On the horse race, their hair is not fastened on the head and they flow with the wind. They are very man on the horses.

Tibetan olds：in monasteries, you can always see the old Tibetan pilgrims. The scars on their hands and faces record their whole hardworking life. And their expressions tell their devoutness.

Tibetan women: they carry their children on their backs working hard in the house, in the field and in the pasture. And they are also the warm and enthusiastic receptionist when there are visitors.

2. Then, how to take good photos of people?

(1) to have good communication with your “model”

You should respect the people you shoot. Before shooting the Tibetans, you should ask for their permission first and after you shoot, you should show your thanks towards them. You should have a good communication with your “model” and that may help you get good pictures. When shooting the Tibetan children, you can take some candies with you to help communicate with those children. You should know that the Tibetan children are quite willing to appear in your photos.

(2) photography skills                                   

After good communication, you should also be good at using all kinds of photography skills.

The shooting angle is very important. For example, if you want to shoot Tibetan men, then elevation shooting can help express their height and strength.

The choice of light can help express people’s characters and usually, frontlight shooting is not recommended, while sidelight is highly recommended.

Besides, you should pay attention to select and distribute the color of your model’s clothes and of the environment.       

In one word, in the third pole, Tibet, there are enormous beauties and miracles and no matter what means you choose to enter Tibet, your feeling and thoughts about life are all in depth. And you’ll need to spend years to fully know Tibet and its beauty. If you would like to know more about photography in Tibet or other advice for your Tibet tours, you may feel like to return to Tibet travel advice.