I finally figured out the secret to getting unobtrusive, local-feel-ish travel shots — using a small point and shoot rangefinder. Like most people, I've always felt most comfortable (and more in control, for my occasionally anal self) shooting with an SLR, feeling that you needed a big, expensive camera to get good pictures. Wrong.

The best pictures — street photography and travel shots, at least — are shot when you're not sticking out like a gigantic tourist with your big black SLR, with the telescopic, astrophotography-ready lens. Sure, the added control of an SLR, and the big zoom is a more attractive option at the start because serious amateurs get insecure about not having full control, and the option of sitting far away and shooting the locals from a voyeuristic stance is more tempting than having to brave your own fear of approaching strangers or being stared at.

But here's the thing: I realised over my weekend getaway that people are less likely to stare at you if you point your dinky little camera at them, than if you whipped out your full kit and stared down at them through your long lens.

It isn't rocket science, but it's amazing how this simple realisation has eluded me all this while.

Don't be fooled into thinking that a smaller camera is feebler than a larger one; many powerful (and pricey) rangefinders exist, like the G-series from Canon, or the very famous Leicas, if ever in doubt. If the price is what's stopping you, what could be better than the little Olympus XA2 I spent the weekend shooting with? It only cost me US$50 on Ebay, and it came in great condition. I don't know if they make these anymore, so I can't help you out with what one of those would cost brand new. But certainly far cheaper than a Leica, that's for sure.

And the pictures are quite, quite sharp. What's great is that I managed to catch all these locals candidly, and they hardly noticed me. And I don't know if it was my little camera, or my two attractive female friends I was travelling with, but people were more willing to be shot, as compared to previous travel experiences with monster cameras. Colour me puzzled.

The moral of the long story? Don't underestimate the humble point-and-shooter. Because you'll be surprised how many professionals prefer them over their "serious" gear when shooting for travel spreads.