John has set the challenge this week with – “Pick a Word.” You must choose a word that fits your topic and select three or four appropriate photos to share.
So, my word will be ‘Smile’. I’ve chosen four images featuring smiling traders. They’re all people we’ve met on our travels, that I’ve approached, and asked if can take a picture of them. They’ve all taken time out from their working day to pose for me.
I wouldn’t describe myself as shy but initially, approaching people to ask if I can photograph them, didn’t come easy. As time has gone by I’ve become more comfortable with it and apart from a few times in Marrakech (that’s a cultural thing) no one has ever said no.
Sometimes it can work against you, especially if you’re looking for a picture of the people working as they would normally. I once asked a policeman in Tuscany if I could photograph him. “Of course,” he replied and then put on a pair of sunglasses, puffed out his chest and then posed sideways on looking back towards me – a true pro. Not what I was really looking for but I don’t like taking candid shots unless it’s part of what’s going on around me. I’d rather ask than get caught out.
We’ve had some really good, funny interactions with people after I’ve asked them for photographs. The Melon sellers below are now friends and we make a point of seeing them whenever we go back to Rhodes. We took doughnuts for them last time and we left with a melon! They wouldn’t take no for an answer but those things are heavy and we had a five mile walk back to the hotel. We did manage to crack it open and eat some of it but about half of it went in a bin.
Thank you to John for hosting this weeks challenge. You can find out more about the Lens-Artist Challenge and how to take part here.
All images: ©Stephen Hyde 2007-2025 – All rights reserved.
Steve Hyde 
I have trouble asking people for permission to photograph them. Your work certainly shows you are comfortable with asking. Great word, and nice portraits to match.
Thank you John 🙂
Steve, I love all of these smiling people!
Thank you 🙂
What a great choice for the challenge Stephen! I loved every image and found myself smiling along with your subjects.
Thank you Tina. They were all lovely people. None of us spoke each others languages very well but got by, as you do. 🙂
The photos put a smile on my face. It’s wonderful to see happy people taking pride in their work.
Absolutely. Thank you Egidido 🙂
These photos put a smile on my face as well. Wonderful word choice.
Thank you Teresa 🙂
Great word Steve. I know what you mean about asking people to photograph, I hate doing it and avoid it. Good on you for doing it. You have captured some lovely smiles.
Thank you Leanne. Most of the time I just gesture with the camera and that seems to work.
What a happy post!
Thank you Dawn. 🙂
Contagious smiles 🙂 Thank you, Steve for the wonderful street photography.
A smile appeared on my face as soon as I started reading your post and it still remains. A great choice of word, much needed in our lives. The images are beautiful.
Thank you Ana, what a lovely compliment 🙂
oh I can imagine eating the melon – all fresh and tasty – and then getting in as much as you can and having to discard the rest…. mmmmmmm – and all the joy of just sharing doughnuts and getting a melon (and receiving can be crucial at times)
Excellent post with so many culture rich smiles – while my fav image is the first one because I love the bread varieties – we barely eat bread – but a few family members make sour dough and that I can enjoy – but that photo of yours makes me want to rip open a load and enjoy a bite