Portraits Galleries

Portraits on Demand : You can’t walk very far in India with a camera before you hear, ‘Hey you! How about taking my picture?’ Sometimes they point to a friend and tell you, with a giggle, 'take his picture'. Sometimes they stop right in front of you and smile but refuse to let you pass. They don’t need to say anything. Many times they’ll engage you in a chat about where you come from and what you’re doing in India and about anything else; they daren’t ask for a picture but it is obvious that they want one made. Typically, I have found these requests distracting. From time to time, if the person had an especially compelling face or was particularly demanding, I’d oblige. But mostly I’d pretend I hadn’t heard or simply smile and wave back. One of my reasons for hesitating hitherto has been the knowledge that I would be unlikely to fulfill their accompanying request to send a copy of the picture, ‘very soon.’ My pockets have filled, during my trips to India, with scraps of paper on which are scrawled names and addresses of people whose portraits I’ve taken. I let them accumulate, feeling guilty in the knowledge that I’ll never remember who was who, but not daring to toss them away. Weeks after the trip the scraps linger on in my wallet or a drawer. They become dim and torn. Eventually, I toss them away. But I feel bad, as if I’ve betrayed a trust. It was becoming a burden to my ongoing enjoyment of making pictures in India. Thankfully, digital cameras have changed everything. Now the second request for a copy is usually forgotten in the joy and surprise of seeing their image pop up instantaneously on the screen. They laugh. They call friends around to have a look and nine times out of ten thank me profusely. I feel much better and in the process have discovered a new way to explore India as a photographer. On a recent trip to India I decided that I would respond positively to every cat call and request, regardless of whether the subject was classically ‘photogenic’ or not. This gallery is devoted to showcasing the the faces of ordinary Indians who have wanted to have their portraits made. Some acted up but mostly they posed with a serious expression. Some shared their names and other information with me. Others didn’t. Usually I would ask them if they were ready but sometimes I just shot. This is an ongoing project. I hope you enjoy.

Portraits on Demand

You can’t walk very far in India with a camera before you hear, ‘Hey you! How about taking my picture?’ Sometimes they point to a friend and tell you, with a giggle, 'take his picture'. Sometimes they stop right in front of you and smile but refuse to let you pass. They don’t need to say anything. Many times they’ll engage you in a ...

Updated: Jun 25, 2007 5:58am PST