Earlier today, I was in a conversation with an armature photographer who had just started photography a year ago when I asked him whether he could take candid photos. He paused… a while later, he replied with a question; what is candid photography? It sounded a little awkward to have asked as a photographer but not the majority know the meaning or that something such as candid photography exists. A candid photo is beyond just snapping a shot of someone that isn’t expecting it. But instead, candid photos require a little bit of planning, strategic positioning, the right angle, and the right gear, among other things.
WHAT IS CANDID PHOTOGRAPHY
In candid photography, things happen unplanned, unlike portrait photography where everything is deliberate and intentional. Everything in candid photography every moment happens naturally. All you do is watch to see how things play, position yourself and let your shutter click do justice. This is you documenting things as they happen rather than you controlling your subject to react or position in a specific way.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR CANDID PHOTOGRAPHY
- Use The Right Gear: With any camera, you can take amazing candid shots, you only need to have it with you at all times and the key component of candid photography is the lens. Yes! the lens. Using long lenses will enable you to hang back from the scene and allow you to see things unfold naturally. Think about it, if you’re some feet away with a 35mm lens trying to take a candid image of someone dancing, they won’t dance well or even stop as they would if you’re more feet away with your 70-200mm lens. In essence, the longer the lens, the more space created between you and your subjects, and the more space there is, the more likely your subjects are to be candid with what they’re doing. One great advantage of using a long lens is that even though you’re far away, you don’t lose the intimacy of the moment. With the reach of a 70-200mm lens, you can still frame close-up shots to capture the emotions and feelings of the moment, which will allow you to create compelling and candid moments.
- Always Pay Utmost Observation: As it is important to have a long lens so as it is more important to be able to take note of photo-worthy moments. This means that you need to be patient and painstakingly observe the moments that seek attention. This will require you to have an eagle eye with which you can scan large crowds to find that single person or multiple people who are enjoying a candid moment. Your eyes have to be trained to notice and see things in an unpleasing situation after training your eyes to survey the scenes you need to ask yourself basic questions like, Is the light interacting with the subject? What is the best angle from which to create a candid shot? Are there obstructions in the background? Are there interesting foreground elements that will improve the image?
- Never Be Too Far From Your Camera, Keep It Close: You lose moments when you don’t have your camera with you or at your disposal. Candid photography is all about moments that can never be regained. It is not advisable to have your camera in your bag especially when you’re at the scene and your eyes are already scanning through the scene instead keep your camera out and ready to bring to your eye at a moment’s notice.
- Select The Most Suitable Camera Settings: Always have it in mind that every candid photography situation is typically different and each scene or moment requires a different camera setting approach. Always adjust your trio to the lighting condition of the scene to have high, sharp, and quality photos.
- Always Find A Great Position To Get Your Shots: One great way to get the best in candid photography is to always position yourself strategically, It is best to position yourself rather than waiting to spot candid moments.
