As a beginner, you have probably heard a lot about candid photos, especially how they capture that raw, “authentic” vibe. But what exactly does the candid photo mean, and how do you nail one? Don’t worry; we’ve got all your questions covered in this article!
In This Article:
What Is A Candid Shot?
Simply put, it refers to the act of capturing people in their natural state. The subjects themselves do not even realize they’re being photographed!
All these human moments are real-life and genuine — people laughing, interacting, or just being themselves — unlike traditional photography, where people are posed or directed. Since candid shots happen on the fly, they give viewers a real glimpse into the emotions and energy of a moment.
For example, at a wedding, instead of everyone stopping to pose, a candid photographer might capture the couple sharing a quiet glance, guests bursting into laughter, or kids playing off to the side. These photos feel authentic because they capture the true spirit of what’s happening.
Most importantly, the key to most candid photos is blending in. As the photographer, you would need to stay in the background and use longer lenses to capture those authentic moments from a distance. That’s the only way to make sure people aren’t aware of the camera! As a result, they do not change their behavior, and their emotions stay real and unfiltered.
Why Candid Pictures Make A Better Impression
Natural Interaction Between Subjects
One of the best charms about candid photography is how it captures people genuinely interacting with each other. When you ask people to pose for a photo, they usually shift their focus to the camera, and the interaction between them can feel stiff or forced. But with candid shots, you’re able to capture people just being themselves, whether they’re laughing, talking, or even just sitting quietly together.
Take a family photo, for example. You’d rather see a candid shot of two siblings laughing over an inside joke than them awkwardly standing side-by-side, right? That’s the real beauty of candid photos; they show people naturally connect and make you feel like you’re right there with them.
Rich Details of the Surrounding Environment
And here’s another fantastic highlight about candid photography! Unlike posed photos, where all the focus is on the people, candid shots let the surroundings play a bigger role to add even more depth to the project.
Let’s say you’re taking a candid shot at a farmer’s market. Instead of just focusing on the person buying vegetables, the photo might capture the bustling atmosphere: vendors selling their goods, the fresh produce piled high, and people wandering around. All these little details make the photo feel so much richer and, even better, become part of the story. You can almost feel the energy of the place yourself!
Capturing Motion and Action
From our own observation, most posed photos often feel flat because people are just standing still, holding their smiles. But candid photography highlights all the action! After all, it’s meant to capture people in the middle of doing something — dancing at a party, playing in the park, or laughing mid-conversation — and that makes the photo feel so alive.
Unplanned, Unique Compositions
Since nothing is staged in the first place, professional photographers have to think on their feet and capture decisive moments as they unfold. This on-the-spot approach results in photos with unique angles, lighting, and framing that you wouldn’t necessarily plan for.
And in fact, that’s how thousands of famous photos in history were created! They have gone beyond a simple shot to “immortalize” a glimpse of human experience in a truly creative, one-of-a-kind style.
5 Steps to Take Candid Photography
Step 1. Blend into The Environment
As mentioned above, the secret to great candid photography is to become part of the background so people don’t even realize you’re there with a camera. If they know you’re snapping photos, they might get self-conscious, and those natural moments will disappear!
Hence, the first step is to keep things low-key:
- Move around slowly, don’t make any sudden movements, and don’t hold your camera up all the time like a paparazzo.
- If you’re at a family event or a party, stand off to the side or find a comfortable spot where people won’t be paying attention to you.
- You don’t want to stand out, so wearing neutral colors helps, too. The idea is to let everyone get used to your presence so they act naturally.
Step 2. Use a Zoom Lens to Keep Your Distance
Another trick to getting great shots is to stay physically distant from your candid photography subjects.
That’s where a zoom lens comes in handy. With it, you can capture all the special, unplanned moments from afar without being in anyone’s face. (which further helps you stay unnoticed!). For beginners, we suggest a 70-200mm zoom lens, as it can let you photograph people across a room, park, or even from a distance at events.
Step 3. Anticipate Unposed Moments Before They Happen
In candid photography, timing is everything: you need to anticipate the genuine moments that are about to happen so you can capture them just as they unfold.
Keep an eye on how people are interacting—are they about to laugh, share a hug, or have a special moment? If you’re ready for it, you’ll catch that perfect shot. This takes a bit of practice and observation, but trust us; you will get used to it.
Let’s say you’re at a wedding, and you see the bride chatting with her parents. You can bet something sweet is about to happen – maybe a hug or an emotional tear. Position yourself and your camera ahead of time so you’re ready when that moment comes. Watching facial expressions and body language closely also helps you predict when those key moments are to be unfolded!
Step 4. Shoot in Burst Mode or Shutter Speed for Multiple Frames
Candid moments often happen fast — sometimes too fast for a single click. For that reason, shooting in burst mode (where your camera takes several shots in quick succession) is definitely a game-changer. It allows you to capture a series of frames in seconds, ensuring you don’t miss the best one!
Suppose someone’s telling a funny story; their expression can shift from serious to laughter in no time. Once the burst mode is turned on, you can capture that entire progression and later pick the photo where the emotion is just right! You’ll thank yourself later when you have lots of options to choose from.
Step 5. Pay Attention to Composition and Framing
Even though you’re capturing fleeting moments, that doesn’t mean you should forget about composition. How you frame your shot still matters, and good composition can take your candid scenes from average to stunning.
Look for natural lines, angles, or lighting that can help guide the viewer’s eye toward your subject. For example:
- If you’re at a café photographing a group of friends, think about framing them with the café scene in the background. You could place them slightly off-center to make the composition more dynamic.
- Or, if you’re outdoors, use trees, buildings, or any other elements around you to create interesting leading lines.
Plus, lighting is key — we are talking about soft, natural light here. Try to avoid harsh shadows on people’s faces! Also, if possible, you may take advantage of soft light coming through windows or during golden hour.
3 Extra Tips to Take Candid Photos
Use Silent Mode (If Your Camera Has It)
You know that loud click your camera makes when you take a photo? Yeah, that can be a total giveaway when you’re trying to be discreet! So if your camera has a silent or quiet mode, make sure you turn it on. The last thing you want is for people to hear the shutter and suddenly become aware of the camera, which can spoil the moment.
Photograph from Unusual Angles
Why settle for ordinary when you can mix things up with unique angles? Try stepping outside the usual eye-level shots and get creative!
For instance, you can crouch down to capture the world from a lower perspective or find a higher vantage point to showcase a bigger scene. Seemingly simple as it is, this approach will make your candid images much more interesting and twice as fresh.
Capture People in Reflection
Another cool yet lesser-known trick: use reflections! Instead of directly photographing people, try capturing them through reflective surfaces like mirrors, windows, or even puddles. Not only does it add a layered, more artistic feel to your photos, but you can also catch people more candidly without them even realizing it.
Conclusion
In this article, we’ve broken down the meaning of candid shots and shared many useful candid photography tips to help you kick off your first project. Still have questions? No problem! Our support team is just a message away, ready to help you out whenever you need it.
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