Some folks are great at this. I read Mr. Kurk Tuck's blog about his adventures in Austin creating wonderful portraits full of life and expression. http://visualsciencelab.blogspot.com/
I also read Mr. Chris Willson's blog chock full of photos showcasing the vibrant culture of Japan. I first discovered his blog when I was researching photos taken with Pentax gear, the brand I've been using for SLRs since high school. http://travel67.wordpress.com/
Both photographers create a connection with their subject that allows the true spirit of that person to shine through.
I lived overseas for seven years before returning to the United States, where I'm able to indulge my interests: landscapes, wildlife, and landmarks. The last few years in Asia there weren't many sites to inspire me, but there were many fascinating people that I met. However, I'm not a good people photographer; I tend to lay back and observe rather than interact when making photographs. I have never wanted "me" to be in the photo, even if it's a reflection of me or my presence to color the image. It was only when I realized that I couldn't shoot my preferred subjects that I've had to find ways to grow as a person and photographer.
Conversely, I discovered that approaches I used for photographing people applied to landscapes and wildlife, such as moods, "good side," and energy of the subject. I hope it has paid off in my most recent batch of uploads.
Matt
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