Why We Travel

Posted on August 20, 2011 | 10 Comments

Move over, Tyler Hicks and Lynsey Addario.

The New York Times travel section carries a compelling photo by another born-and-bred Westporter.

Under the headline “Why We Travel,” the caption reads:

While traveling through Southeast Asia on a photographic tour, we stopped in Luang Prabang (Laos), one of the most charming cities I have ever seen.  I peeked in a window of a monastery, expecting to see attentive pupils, but instead caught this Buddhist technophile, framed in perfect Rembrandt-esque lighting.

The photographer is Susan Woog Wagner.

Yeah, I’m proud of my little sister!

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10 responses to “Why We Travel”

  1. Anonymous | August 20, 2011 at 1:02 pm |

    Fantastic photo! That region is captivating.

    I’m sure your sister asked before she shot him, so it’s simply that I don’t know that I am asking: what’s protocol for bloggers regarding photographing people? I know that most news media photographers, unless they are really deviant paparazzi, will introduce themselves and ask a subject’s permission. Or you have the case where they don’t ask but because of where the subject is, subject knows the probability media photographers are taking photos.

  2. Susan Woog Wagner | August 20, 2011 at 6:45 pm |

    Dear Anonymous,
    Usually I judge whether asking will ruin the candid moment, or not, but after I take the photo, I always talk to the subject and make sure they are ok with it!
    Susan Woog Wagner

  3. Susan Woog Wagner | August 20, 2011 at 6:45 pm |

    Thanks for posting Big Brother!
    I’m proud of you too!

  4. Anonymous | August 20, 2011 at 8:08 pm |

    that sounds like a perfect way to go about it;
    those instructions should be included with the sale of every camera 😉

  5. Fred Cantor | August 20, 2011 at 9:31 pm |

    Great shot (and it’s nice to see another Woog family member’s work in the Times).

  6. Amy Schafrann | August 21, 2011 at 7:31 am |

    I agree about the Woog family! Thanks for pointing it out Dan. I saw the photo but I’m excited to see Susie is in the NYTimes!

  7. Susan Farewell | August 21, 2011 at 10:39 am |

    Great photo! For our travel site, we require written permission from subjects if they are identifiable. Rather than pull out a model release on site and scare the person away, we generally show them the images and offer to e-mail them to them, requesting their permission to publish.

    • Anonymous | August 21, 2011 at 7:08 pm |

      sounds reasonable and respectful. again, every camera should come with these instructions.

  8. Linda Smith | August 21, 2011 at 4:18 pm |

    I know if Susan (and yes, this is a fabulous photo) stopped to ask first, she wouldn’t have gotten this spontaneous shot of the monk texting. The solution she offered was perfect. And no wonder you’re proud of her, Dan!

  9. pam | August 21, 2011 at 6:13 pm |

    I love this photo! great shot-