Taking Great Candid Photographs
Sunday, July 20, 2008 @ 21:50
Candid photography looks a lot easier than it really is, and that's by design. A truly great candid shot appears as though the photographer just happened upon it and snapped it at just the right time. The subjects look very natural and appear to be completely unaware that the camera is focused on them.
Of course, good candid photography is an art form and it requires skill on the part of the photographer, as well as some specialized equipment. First of all, we recommend using the standard lens of 80mm on medium format, or 50 mm on a 35mm format film).
Be aware that in candid photography timing is everything. You can't just expect to click at anything that moves. So plan your shots and be patient in waiting for them to "happen." You can't force things here, not if you want to maintain a sense of naturalness to your photos. Great candid opportunities can be had with wedding photography, and more specifically during the bride's preparations before the ceremony. Remain unobtrusive so that the wedding party can forget you are even in the room. They will be so focused on their preparations for the ceremony that you will be easy to forget, and you can wind up getting some really great candid shots; that pensive look before leaving for the church, or that last moment of anticipation before taking father's arm to walk down the aisle. All these scenes make for great candid photography, and they will be the shots your customers will order more copies of than any other.
Also, children make great candid subjects. They are easily distracted and will be the first ones to forget the photographer is even in the room with them. Just make their acquaintance before the shoot, assure them that you are just there to take some pictures while they play and have fun, and then "disappear" literally, into the background of their lives. They will give you so many heartwarming shots that you'll end up wishing you could work exclusively with children as candid subjects.
