The stereotypes presented by the tourist board will only represent a small fraction of what’s really going on in a country. Very few Kenyans are Maasai warriors and Holland is not merely a collection of windmills and clogs.
It can be easy to fall into the trap of filming what you expected to before you arrived. Keep your mind open, read local papers, listen to what people are talking about and try to discover what matters to people. Search always for authenticity.
Forget the narrative that someone else has written about that place. Find different narratives that no one else has presented before. Try not to ask leading questions: sometimes, you may find people repeating the stereotypes back at you, because they think that’s what you want to hear.
Look for ways to challenge accepted norms. Renowned photographer Martin Parr’s iconic shot of the Leaning Tower of Pisa shows a host of tourists, all posing for the ubiquitous ‘holding up the tower’ snapshot in different positions. By stepping back and observing, Parr was able to shoot a world-famous attraction and present a social commentary simultaneously.
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