- Image by fabiogis50 via Flickr
Taking photographs of people when they are unaware is called candid photography. Part of the reward of photography is capturing the emotion of a person or a group of people unwittingly. Photojournalists that work for newspapers and magazines are paid to get candid shots of their subjects to print in their publications, for maximum effect. The majority of the most famous photographs in history are candid shots. Ones the quickly come to mind are “War’s End Kiss” and (*Disclamer*–the following photo is graphic and is intended for mature audiences only) “Villagers Fleeing a Napalm Strike, Village of Trang Bang, Vietnam, June 8.” Taking candid shots may seem easy but there are some techniques in the photography world that will make your candid shots more worthwhile than just a quick snapshot.
Obviously your first step is to locate the subject you’d like to photography and keep them in view while they aren’t aware of it. You’ll need some agility and guile. If you have a SLR camera (which I’m assuming you do) you’ll need to be shooting in automatic focus mode with an auto focusing lens; if you have to manually focus the camera you’ll be too slow to get that perfect shot. If you’re operating a point and shoot camera, then you’ll most likely already be in an auto focusing mode.
As you might’ve guessed, in candid photography you will have to rely on the hand dealt to you when it comes to lighting. You probably will not be in a controlled environment so you’ll have to adjust to the light around you; another reason for shooting in auto mode. One thing you can do is choose your angle. This is where awareness of your surrounding comes in to play. Knowing where you need to be in anticipation of that great shot is key in capturing an above average candid photo. You can’t just be a fly on the wall, stay active in and be ready to move at a seconds notice.
Over time, you will learn to be an astute observer. This will allow you to capture the entire gamut of human emotion; happiness or disappointment, tears and all. You will find that your eyes will scan the landscape very quickly looking for that perfect moment. It may try your patience at times but will be very rewarding in the end once you’ve captured that perfect image.
Like I stated before, it is very important to always carry a camera with you at all times. You never know when the perfect opportunity will present itself for the shot you’re looking for. It can be extremely upsetting when you want to take a picture and realizing you don’t have your camera with you. This has happened to me on a few occasions and the disappointment served as motivation to remember it at all times now.
So in review, putting yourself in position for the shot is the most important thing you must learn in candid photography. As time goes on, you’ll learn more of the basics of photography and that will allow you to make better decisions and allow you to react more quickly when prime opportunities present themselves for a great candid shot. Last but not least, like a good boy scout, always come prepared. Bring a camera wherever you go and you will not be heartbroken over a lost chance. Candid photography takes some patience but in the end is one of the most rewarding aspects in all of photography.
