Photographing rural life and capturing the village folks engaged in their day-to-day activities may seem an easy task but there’s a lot more to it than simply pulling the trigger. To get interesting captures of ordinary situations one requires sharp observational skills, good sense of composition and a little bit of creativity. So if you are keen on making the most of your next trip to the farmlands, here are some tips to get you started.

Photo by Partha Pal | Fotoflock Gallery

Storytelling
Because rural life is so different and intriguing to anyone who hasn’t experienced it, great photographs need to tell a story about the place and the people therein without having to sport elaborate captions or lengthy explanations. The photographs must have intent behind them i.e. they need to be shot with a story in mind rather than the other way round. Great rural photos are never just random snapshots of scenery or people. One needs to be able to look beyond just what meets the eye. For example it is rather difficult to photograph a tribal ceremony unless you know the significance of each of the rituals being performed. Only if you know what each act means, will you know what the most interesting part to capture is. Similarly unless you know about the struggles and hardships that farmers in rural areas face, how can your photographs portray them correctly? Taking the photograph is just the beginning. The final objective of the photographer should be to understand, elaborate upon and create intriguing and empathetic images of his subject.

Photo by Amitabh Dabhoya | Fotoflock Gallery

A successful rural photograph can be made up of several visual elements. If the shot includes people, they are no doubt the most important element, but you don’t have to show them up-close to get a great shot. For a good composition, the people in the picture can be reasonably far away and don’t have to be engaged in an interesting activity. Keep an eye open for an interesting background and compose the shot such that it enhances the scene. Experiment with several viewpoints and angles, both vertical and horizontal. For example, a picture of a farmer looking at his lush green farms in the background would make a great shot despite the fact that nothing interesting is happening in the foreground.

Taking pictures of people is usually simple: just frame and shoot. But to take great rural portraits pay attention to the finer details like gestures, expressions and surroundings. Don’t just snap away! Pay attention to what is happening and wait for the right moment when the above elements come together. Look for a perspective or viewpoint that excludes distracting elements.

Photo by Bikas Das | Fotoflock Gallery

Rural photography etiquette
Taking snapshots of every rural inhabitant in a colourful costume may seem like the best way for a hurried tourist, but it leaves behind a bad impression. In many countries taking pictures of people without asking them first is offensive, and travellers should be respectful of local customs. This is all the more true of rural people in India. Be mindful of local sensitivities before you start shooting candid shots of people, especially rural women. One way to do this is that when you first draw your camera out and start clicking photographs, start with landscapes. A camera usually draws attention in a rural setting and you are likely to soon have an audience of men, women and children alike. As they stand there watching, gently change your compositions to include them. They are unlikely to mind if you then include them in the picture as they took the first step and approached you. However, if you sense the slightest hint of annoyance, discontinue right away. If you shoot with a digital camera, a sure-shot way to build rapport with the natives is to show the images to the people present at the scene on your camera display. This will help you earn their trust and may also pave way for some candid photography.

The gear
While many enthusiasts prefer to shoot only with their DSLRs, having a small compact too can come in handy for rural photography. For one, compacts are less intimidating and attract less attention. For another, they often allow you to shoot on the sly.

Photo by Ajay.K.Shah | Fotoflock Gallery

However, if the opportunity permits and you are shooting with a DSLR, a fast lens like a 50mm prime (f/1.8 or f/1.4) can work great for village portraits. Telephotos too can be used for portraits but they tend to give the image a very flat feel. For landscape shots, a wide angle in the range of 18-24mm is ideal. Going wide beyond 18mm may produce distortion which may not be ideal for rural photography. Also avoid carrying a lot of equipment as it is likely to draw a lot of attention.

	Quick Read: Because rural life is so different and intriguing to anyone who hasn’t experienced it, great photographs need to tell a story about the place and the people therein without having to sport elaborate captions or lengthy explanations. Keep an eye open for an interesting background and compose the shot such that it enhances the scene. To take great rural portraits pay attention to the finer details like gestures, expressions and surroundings. In many countries taking pictures of people without asking them first is offensive, and travellers should be respectful of local customs. A sure-shot way to build rapport with the natives is to show the images to the people present at the scene on your camera display. A fast lens like a 50mm prime (f/1.8 or f/1.4) can work great for village portraits and a wide angle in the range of 18-24mm is ideal for landscape shots.