Peter Aitchison is a renowned travel and street photographer whose work is widely collected and hung in various prestigious UK galleries. QCG President Anne Pappalardo will be undertaking a photo walk in Manchester, England, with Peter later in July, and took the opportunity to ask Pete a few quick questions that might help us to improve our travel and street photography:
People (in the shot) or no people?
Hmmm too general …. If the shot works it works.
Best tip for asking to take a stranger’s portrait?
Smile!! Show the camera, be upfront.
Tell them why you want to take the pic, tell them they look great.
What’s in your kit and why?
Ok I shoot Fuji …. Don’t like the company but the gear is good.
XPro 2’s and X100F.
I only use prime lenses.
Favourite country for street and travel photography?
Wow that’s tough… but I have got to go with India.
Black and white or colour?
Ah!!
I tend to look at countries in BW or colour …. So for instance, India colour (but not portraits).
Paris BW, NY BW, Manchester BW ….. etc
But again it’s general and if the question means what do I prefer it’s going to be a good, contrasty BW.
Do you lean more towards art or journalism in your shots?
I like to think art but I def have a journey streak in me from my press days.
Best travel and street photographic tip.
Wear great shoes!
Pete’s exhibition at Gateway Gallery has just concluded but his images from that exhibition (a beautiful mix of Manchester street shots and travel portraits) can be found here: http://online.pubhtml5.com/ozmt/bihr/
In late October/early November Pete will take a small group to Rajasthan, India to attend the annual five-day festival that is the Pushkar Camel Fair. Festivities include moustache-length competitions and camel races, and there’s even a camel beauty pageant - an incredible spectacle and a photographers dream! The trip also takes in Delhi, Jodphur which is known for its intense blue buildings and brightly dressed locals, as well as Udaipur for a few days to explore this Holy City with its magnificent lakes and temples.
If you’d like to join in full details can be found here: https://www.peteraphoto.com/trips/india-2019.html
Image from Pete’s current trip where he’s working Las Vegas in 100 degree temps.