---
type: "Article"
title: "Photo Poker – When to take a photograph and when to ask first"
description: "As a photographer more often than not you ask yourself whether you should grab that special moment and take the photograph right away or you better ask first and then try to catch up with the opportunity now gone. It’s pretty much a poker game at times. Here’s how I try to seize those specialRead More"
resource: "https://travelmemo.com/italy/photo-poker-when-not-ask-people-photography-puglia-italy"
author: "Walter Schaerer"
publisher: "Travelmemo"
photo_count: 7
tags: ["Contributions", "Italy"]
entities:
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/italy"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/experience-travel"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/culinary-tourism"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/lodge"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/resort"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/round-trip"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/author/walter-schaerer"
generated: { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/walter-schaerer", at: 2026-07-04T13:39:47+00:00 }
verified:
  - { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/katja-birrer", at: 2011-11-12T17:26:03+00:00 }
timestamp: 2026-07-04T13:39:47+00:00
---

# Photo Poker – When to take a photograph and when to ask first

> A personal reflection on the etiquette of street and property photography during a road trip through Puglia, Italy, using real encounters at masserias and towns to illustrate when to shoot first and when to ask permission.

## Destination
Puglia, Italy — including Masseria Cimino, Ostuni, Borgo Egnazia, and Masseria Bagnara.

## When to go
The author visited in October, just after the summer season, finding resorts quieter and staff more available and welcoming.

## Why visit
Puglia offers picturesque countryside estates (masserie), whitewashed hill towns, and upscale resorts, making it a rich destination for travel photography and sightseeing.

## What to see
- **Masseria Cimino** — A country house estate with a photogenic setup; the authors' first stop on the Puglia round trip.
- **Ostuni** — Known as the 'white town,' visited the day after Masseria Cimino.
- **Borgo Egnazia** — A beautiful resort a few minutes from Masseria Cimino, open to curious visitors with a welcoming concierge.
- **Masseria Bagnara** — A notable masseria recommended by several locals; the proprietor gave a proud personal tour and invited the authors to a lengthy Italian-style luncheon.

## What to do
- **Exploring masserie** — Many estates are gated but will open to politely curious tourists; asking permission often leads to guided tours.
- **Travel photography** — The article explores balancing candid shots with asking permission, using Puglia encounters as case studies.

## Good to know
Many of Puglia's resorts and masserie are hidden behind closed gates but are often accessible to tourists who simply ring and ask. Visiting in October means the summer rush is over and staff tend to be more relaxed and accommodating.