Accepted Ways of Street Photography in Sri Lanka

[kithsirica]

I've seen some other photographers here, so wanted to get some rules, tips, tricks regarding street photography in Sri Lanka.

• First is safety and not getting your camera stolen, what do you consider the risk of someone grabbing your camera and making a run with it? My main lens is usually a canon 70-200mm... it's white, so it does attract a lot of attention. I plan on hauling it in a bag at all times and having the neck strap on.

• Taking photos of random people on the street, what are the accepted ways. Are they usually ok with it, or do they get pissed?

• It's been a while since I got back to Sri Lanka, and with the tight security and everything, are what type of places are off limits. I remember last time I was there, the police made a fit about me taking photos of the Port... what other places should I worry about?

• Any other tips / tricks related to street photography in Sri Lanka?

Please suggest any and all other information regarding street photography in sri lanka. That'll be my focus since it's so rare I see good photos of the real/busy streets and marketplaces there.

 

[GTRZ]

Normally you need permission from police to take photos in public places in Sri Lanka, you may take pics in countryside.

 

[**cut]

 

[kithsirica]

Normally you need permission from police to take photos in public places in Sri Lanka, you may take pics in countryside.

Government buildings I can understand, but I find this hard to believe in public places (this would outlaw taking photos anywhere outside your home then, doesn't make sense).

 

[Nash_Node]

I've seen some other photographers here, so wanted to get some rules, tips, tricks regarding street photography in Sri Lanka.

• First is safety and not getting your camera stolen, what do you consider the risk of someone grabbing your camera and making a run with it? My main lens is usually a canon 70-200mm... it's white, so it does attract a lot of attention. I plan on hauling it in a bag at all times and having the neck strap on.

• Taking photos of random people on the street, what are the accepted ways. Are they usually ok with it, or do they get pissed?

• It's been a while since I got back to Sri Lanka, and with the tight security and everything, are what type of places are off limits. I remember last time I was there, the police made a fit about me taking photos of the Port... what other places should I worry about?

• Any other tips / tricks related to street photography in Sri Lanka?

Please suggest any and all other information regarding street photography in sri lanka. That'll be my focus since it's so rare I see good photos of the real/busy streets and marketplaces there.

There is NO RULE saying that you can't take pics anywhere in this country.

You can take and I know many who roam around with a camera in their hand clicking everything that they see nice.

However, be warned that as you said COPS do make a fit about certain things if you point you lens at. Hence, apart from the immediate "high security" zones such as Around Fort, Kolpity, Slave Island, Gall Face.. you are pretty much in the clear of things.

Taking pics of random people is not a big issue. I know a guy who makes a living out of taking pics of people doing their daily activities. But this guy uses a small Digi camera and an incredibly steady shooter whom you won't even notice that he took a pic of you (we call him the Voyeur pervert)

I am "yet" to come across anyone who got his camera stolen while it's on his/her hand.

Trust me.. I know people who walks around with 2000$ Cannon's in their hands with gigantic lenses. Usually the defacto rule of getting something stolen in Sri Lanka is not when you are "Looking" ! this is definitely NOT Chicago or any province of Cossack to have bold criminals like that !

 

[pcguru]

 

[sudunone]

I usually wear the neck strap when the camera is in my hand. At other times I keep it in my haversack. This means I cannot take a picture as soon as I see something interesting, but I prefer to keep my camera safe. And myself.

When I go on 'photo tours' I usually go with a friend. When I do go on my own, I make sure I'm not an 'isolated visitor'. If some one suspicious approaches, I withdraw as fast as I can, but pretending that I didn't notice them. I once faced such an incidence while photographing a historical site-that 200-500m seemed to be the longest distance when several bad looking men approached me slowly.

I usually don't photograph main cities like Colombo-I don't want any trouble from policemen. But I do photograph outstation small cities. I know of guys who do photograph Colombo city and also people they meet on streets but they all happen to be professional photographers.

 

[kithsirica]

There is NO RULE saying that you can't take pics anywhere in this country.

You can take and I know many who roam around with a camera in their hand clicking everything that they see nice.

However, be warned that as you said COPS do make a fit about certain things if you point you lens at. Hence, apart from the immediate "high security" zones such as Around Fort, Kolpity, Slave Island, Gall Face.. you are pretty much in the clear of things.

Taking pics of random people is not a big issue. I know a guy who makes a living out of taking pics of people doing their daily activities. But this guy uses a small Digi camera and an incredibly steady shooter whom you won't even notice that he took a pic of you (we call him the Voyeur pervert)

I am "yet" to come across anyone who got his camera stolen while it's on his/her hand.

Trust me.. I know people who walks around with 2000$ Cannon's in their hands with gigantic lenses. Usually the defacto rule of getting something stolen in Sri Lanka is not when you are "Looking" ! this is definitely NOT Chicago or any province of Cossack to have bold criminals like that !

Thanks, that's great to hear.

Only down side was, I was hoping to catch the 'high security' areas like that... not the security aspect, but just the busyness of the city and area there. Maybe I'll be able to find busy packed places similar to that elsewhere.

yeah, I don't really want to get my gear stolen, that would seriously suck. and yeah, I'd be one of those guys, my main camera would be a 7d with a 70-200 2.8 is... also known as the theif magnet since it's so easy to spot from miles away

 

[rajeewa.bandara]

HAHA MAARA WEDE

 

[kithsirica]

I usually wear the neck strap when the camera is in my hand. At other times I keep it in my haversack. This means I cannot take a picture as soon as I see something interesting, but I prefer to keep my camera safe. And myself.

When I go on 'photo tours' I usually go with a friend. When I do go on my own, I make sure I'm not an 'isolated visitor'. If some one suspicious approaches, I withdraw as fast as I can, but pretending that I didn't notice them. I once faced such an incidence while photographing a historical site-that 200-500m seemed to be the longest distance when several bad looking men approached me slowly.

I usually don't photograph main cities like Colombo-I don't want any trouble from policemen. But I do photograph outstation small cities. I know of guys who do photograph Colombo city and also people they meet on streets but they all happen to be professional photographers.

Probably a good idea to have someone tag along, you're right. Also a good idea to take a tripod everywhere you go... just so you can take a swing and hit someone if it does come down to it tripods are truly multi-purpose

 

[Nash_Node]

Probably a good idea to have someone tag along, you're right. Also a good idea to take a tripod everywhere you go... just so you can take a swing and hit someone if it does come down to it tripods are truly multi-purpose

Tripods are a big NO NO mate !

remember that !

It's more the ARMY than the cops make a shit storm about it .. they go totally bezzerk when they see a guy with a tripod ! .. casue funny enough they think usually a high powered sniper gun always accompanies a tripod !

You have a better chance of taking a picture of the president house and walking away rather than walking by with a tripod !

 

[netlife007]

what ?

 

[Samantha567]

______

 

[optigiose]

Is Sri Lanka a better country for Living??????

I wanna know what do you think?

What if you were born in a different country other than Sri lanka?
If sri Lanka is not the best ,then what is the best country?

Guys who live in foreign countries are welcome to contribute.