Smiles from Bangladesh Travel Photos
Continuing with my weekly theme of showcasing photos, videos and stories from Bangladesh, I’m reviving one of my most popular travel photo essay series: Smiles of X.
Research has proven that smiles are not only courageous, but they in fact boost your immune system.
It takes less effort (in terms of muscle movement) to smile than it does to frown; apparently, there are 19 different types of smiles ranging from polite social smiles to more sincere felt smiles.
Regardless, I hope this photo essay from Bangladesh will put a smile on your face.
This is part II of my smiles from Bangladesh series (click here for Smiles of Bangladesh part 1):
Photo Essay: Bangladesh Portraits
“You can never have a fast enough shutter speed to capture the smiling faces and motions of happy children.”
“Normally as a street photographer I have to discreetly take photos of people;
however, in Dhaka I was invited to take photos so frequently I actually had to turn down requests at time,
so that I could continue to explore.”
“This Bangladeshi boy wearing a hoody flashes a distinct smile on the streets of Dhaka.”
“An ecstatic group of children wave to me from on top of a building nearby the Sadarghat in Old Dhaka, Bangladesh.”
“This jolly looking Bangladeshi man with a distinctly long white beard clasps his hands together and smiles.”
“This Bangladeshi man proudly displays the birds in his hands in a hectic area of Old Dhaka, Bangladesh.”
“This cute boy was thrilled to have his photo taken as I was just randomly wandering around Old Dhaka, Bangladesh.”
“These two Bangladeshi men invited me to participate in a event for children held in the backyard of a home.”
“These two young men were beaming ear to ear grins when they approached me to take a portrait.
The smiles soon disappeared into more serious faces as I snapped this shot.”
“These boys huddled together and posed for a photo as I boarded a rowboat to explore the Buriganga River.”
“These three stooges were dancing, waving and smiling on board a larger vessel that we passed on the Buriganga River.”
“I’ll never forget these cute smiling faces :)”
“A cute Bangladeshi boy waves hello to me.”
“This man invited me over to take his photo but then shyly looked away
from the camera when it came time for me to press the shutter release.”
Hi Smuel!
Very jolly and happy faces of the people of Bangladesh, very nicely done! your photos are so alive that they represents true happy people indeed.
Interested readers can find out a lot of amazing photos of Bangladesh.
Smiling faces, even though or against all the poverty. Interesting photos, giving a different view on world.
Thanks Mark!
Beautiful smiling faces from Bangladesh!
People who are more interested about visited Dhaka where these photos were taken can check out this tour
Raw Hasan
Owner, Nijhoom Tours
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Samuel, I’m always amazed by your portrait skills. You capture such powerful and fun photos of people! When you wander around, do you ask to snap photos of people besides the ones that ask you?
Thanks Ryan!
It’s honestly a combination of both. When I’m taking candid shots I’m trying my best to not interfere.
Wow. Amazing photos. Absolutely well captured. I wish I’ve taken them 🙂 Keep up the good work!
Thanks Sab!
If you visit Bangladesh you’ll find the locals very open to having their photo taken.
Lovely photos. I’m definitely inspired to visit Bangladesh now! i bet those three stooges are a hoot to hang out with. Many Taiwanese people will invite us to photograph them, but when it comes time to say cheese they put on their most solemn face possible. Even my kindy kids do it! The end result is a picture where they look miserable haha.
LOL, that’s one of the main reasons I prefer taking candid shots of people (without them knowing) as opposed to posed shots.
These are wonderful photos, taking so much of the experiences of people through their smiles. Priceless! 🙂
Thanks Ria! Nothing quite like a smile 🙂
Such a lovely and simple idea – makes you realise how much happiness exists in the world, even when the news is focused on the bad. Would be nice to see more women in these pics though – where have they gone?! 😉
Thanks Kerry!
Unlike India, where women dominate the streets you seldom see many in Bangladesh out on the streets.
What a feel good post, I especially like the man with the birds, the movement in that shot is really sweet. =)
Thanks Jade! That shot with the man with the birds is kind of symbolic of life on the streets in Dhaka 🙂
Excellent photo essay, Samuel. Just a quick editing suggestion: The 5th photo – “We’ve got the money if YOU’VE got the time.” 😉
Hahaha…good idea Kevin 🙂
I am really intrigued by these shots. I am now motivated to try something similar. Thanks!
James, that’s awesome! All you need is a camera that can record video and software that can speed it up.
I could almost hear the laughter of the children in these images. What an amazing job you did in capturing these delightful photos. Smiles are indeed contagious; they put a smile on my face! Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Barbara!
Whenever I look at the photos I get a strong urge to revisit Bangladesh again soon.
So great to see so many smiling faces. Puts you in a good mood just looking at the photos. Awesome Post.
Thanks Dan! That’s much appreciated; I find it hard to be in a bad mood when surrounded by smiles.
There are a number of heart-touching images. I have enjoyed all. Can you give more pictures like this?
Thanks Stephen! I’m planning to share many more photo essays in the coming days 🙂
How lovely! So many happy people. Great series.
Thanks Kathryn!
I have many more to come soon 🙂
Beautiful photos! We have been told that Bangladeshi people are very warm and friendly as your pictures certainly demonstrate, so we’ve been considering adding Bangladesh to our travel adventure. Your posts have definitely piqued our interest.
Thank you! They are such a kind and warm people 🙂
Great photos – they really put a smile on my face as well!
Thanks Robin 🙂 I’m so glad to hear that 🙂
Your photography always makes me smile. My brother is a professional photographer with a huge focus on people, rather than the places, although he does that too. But you have very similar styles so it draws me even more to your work.
Thanks Marina!
I’d love to see some galleries from your brother!
It’s pretty cool how people are so open to engaging with you like that. As always, nice photos.
Thanks Tim!
I’ve honestly never been to a place where I had so many opportunities to take photos of people – both candid and posed.
Wow. It’s amazing to see their smiles, yet you walk down some of the wealthy country’s street and you are lucky to get a glare from someone else!
That’s very true Nicole! The same can be said about trespassing. In Bangladesh I was often invited into local’s homes.
Beautiful portraits! I never thought Bangladesh is an interesting country to visit. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Thank you! I hope you’ll get a chance to discover it yourself for the first time.
The man in the last picture gotcha good!!!
When I first started traveling out of the country, I thought I would’ve received resistance from people when it came to taking pictures. Of course, I would ask them and to my amazement, they would be so willing to smile and pose for the camera. Now, there was this one time in Paris that I got the shock (and scare) of my life. I’d never been cussed out in French before, but that day, I received a lashing…followed by ‘have a good day.’ *confused*
Wow! I’ve had a similar experience once when I took a photo without asking. Yikes!
Sam – what incredible photo’s; I really enjoyed this photo essay. My favourite is the fourth photo – the colours in the clothing is superb. Great work!
Thank you Emma!
Wow, you got some stunning shots! I love the one of the old man with the long beard. Great series. Great photos.
Cheers!
Thanks Dariece!
These pictures are so full of life and joy. Bangladeshis might be the most beautiful people in the world.
Thank you Colleen! They sure are a wonderful people 🙂
I’m loving this series Samuel. Really cool to see so many happy people from all over the world.
Thanks Brent! I’m looking forward to sharing more very soon 🙂
Wow. Some really great photos. I’m always amazed by how more often than not people are open and will agree to a photo if you ask them.
It never hurts to ask! You’re definitely right about that 🙂
Some really great photos there mate. Well done. 🙂
Thank you Chris!
Hi Sam,
Such wonderful photos. Love those smiling faces. They warm my heart. Bangladesh is always associated with poverty. I’m so glad to see through this post that although they’re poor they very rich in spirit. Goes to show that you cannot equate poverty with unhappiness.
Thanks! Isn’t that the truth. Some of the kindest people I’ve ever met lived in the most humble of conditions.