Everything you need to know about Candid photography

When I was new to this photography world, I heard something so-called “candid-photography“, but at that time I don’t know what is the actual meaning of the word “candid”.

yeah, I know the meaning of Candid but I don’t know it’s one of the most popular types of photography.

so after some time, I learned everything about candid photography, I also learn how to capture it and the real meaning of candid photography or you can say candid shot.

If you don’t know anything about the candid shot or candid photo and want to know some amazing candid poses then this article is for you.

this article also helps you if you want some good tips on candid photography.

now without talking more, let’s get started.

Everything you need to know about Candid photography

First of all, let’s know the proper meaning of a candid shot / candid photo.

here is what the wiki says about candid photography…

A candid photograph is a photograph captured without creating a posed appearance: Wikipedia.

get it ??, hmmm you want some real definition right ?!! here you go…

So, in my language of photography, candid photography means capturing a photo of an object without telling the object.

let me give you one simple example of a candid photograph ( after getting the example the right way, I am pretty sure that you’re already capturing candid photos ).

now back to the main point, did you ever capture photos of your friend without telling them ??, remember those random clicks, which look more awesome than your friend’s real photoshoots.

also if you love to do street photography, then you must be captured some unknown people’s photos without telling them.

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yes, I am talking about those images, if you still don’t get what I am saying don’t worry I am attaching some good examples of some candid shots in this article.

here are some simple examples of candid pictures with some candid poses.

I love kids

these two pictures are captured by me, using Canon 1300D.

the first one does not look candid but believes me it’s a candid photograph.

because this little girl not looking at the camera, she was just playing with the outside people and the glass.

this is another one…

See more candid photos on My Instagram feed

and this one…

Photo by Dimitri de Vries

credit: unioneleven

after seeing those images hope you get that you only need to capture the genuine feelings of any object without telling them.

Find more candid poses

you can call it as some unplanned moments also.

now let’s learn and know some easy tips to capture candid photographs.

Ways to capture candid photographs

here are some important points which you need to take care of.

before thinking to capture some awesome candid shots.

using these tips you can archive mastery over candid photography very easily.

Tips to archive mastery over Candid Photography

so here are some important tips that I would like to share with you guys if you want to capture some awesome candid bangers…

Play with your subject

This is the first thing and very important practice you need to do every single day if you want to capture some good candid shots.

if you are new to this photography world then this step is very essential for you.

first of all, you need to find your subject, it can be anyone.

you can select your friend, mother, father brother or even a small baby.

as I said earlier if you select your friend then you can surprise them and capture that moment.

you can even give chocolates to your little brother and capture that time too, there are lots of different ways available to play with your subject.

all you need to do is thinking creatively, that’s it, and that’s very easy for you if you’re a photographer I guess 🙂

Stay alert

if you are an experienced photographer then you are always alert to find some good ways to capture some awesome shots.

so if you want to capture some real candid then you must need to stay alert every single time.

that means at the end or anytime when you find a good exposure to your object then you can easily able to capture some good shots.

Get set ready and shoot

it’s not super easy to look at one object and wish that he/she acts and poses like you think and imagine.

that’s very hard to capture your imagination in living things.

so before you start shooting candid photos, first you need to make your gears ready to shoot.

so when you find the perfect angle and time then you can easily capture some awesome candid photographs.

your camera gears contain everything like tripod stability (if you have any), exposure, ISO, and all manual settings.

Know how to manage your DSLR | A-Z full guide with example

Fake candid photography

this type of photography is a very easy & popular way to capture candid photographs.

So here’s a well-written definition of Fake candid Photography/Photo.

A fake candid photo is made up, like if you want to capture one candid photo of any person then first you are going to inform him/her about the shot or pose which you’re looking for.

and then you capture it and show your audience like you captured that image without that other person’s (your model) knowledge.

if you want to capture some candids of your friends then can do fake candid photography.

now what is fake candid photography !!?, hmm so you’re capturing random photos of your friend and your friend also knows that you are capturing.

but he acts like nothing happening around him/her, but when someone saw that image he thinks that it’s a candid photograph.

let me give you one simple example of a fake candid pose.

this trick works a lot of times.

just tell your friend to start walking in front of you. ( from long distance ) without giving any attention to the camera, and you just start capturing.

that’s it, here is the final result of fake candid photography.

credit: handandarrow

A prime lens is not enough ??

many of my readers are students and me too, so we know many people don’t have enough money to buy zoom lenses or perfect lenses because they are a little bit expensive.

so if you own 50MM prime lens then it is okay, you can still able to capture some good candid shots.

but sometimes you can’t get the shot that you want, because of the focal length of your lens.

if your object is not in the range of your camera lens then you can’t able to shoot it with good clarity.

or even if you somehow manage to capture it, then you can’t able to get that blurry background and some cool effects and the quality.

which we need to capture good candid pictures.

so if you own a prime lens then it’s ok ( best I guess ), but a zoom lens is better to capture your objects with long ranges.

with the prime lens, it’s very hard to capture your friend’s emotions without telling them, hope you get that ( not every time 😀 ).

but in the end, it all helps you to capture good candid shots.

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Communicate with your modal

you can even talk with your modal while capturing photos.

so you can capture more outstanding candid photos.

Learn To Take Good Portraits

Burst mode is the key ??

these days many smartphones contain these features.

and many people say that you can capture candid photographs using burst mode is quite easy.

just press the button and you are capturing good candid photographs, is that easy ??

if you are asking me then my answer is ‘ it works 5 / 10 times ‘.

yes, it’s a better option but you can’t get the clarity and satisfaction which you get after capturing candid shots with your DSLR camera.

Just capture

this is the golden key if you want to master candid photography.

practice practice practice, yes that’s all you need to do.

just find a way to do candid photography, like if you are going to a marriage function then take your camera with yourself.

or even going for a walk then take your camera with you, just take it everywhere.

capture some candid photos of your relatives and couples, and ask for suggestions and learn from it.

these days you can find great candid shots while attending any marriage function.

after some time you can easily master this type of photography and became a PRO.

just do not forget your camera, that’ it.

if you follow all these all tips then it’ll definitely help you to capture great candid shots.

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hope you guys like this article on candid photography, share some of your candid shots below in the comment box have a nice day thank you 🙂

About Author

Manthan

Hi, I'm Manthan I'm a professional photographer and founder of photographywith.com. this site hosts all of my writing on photography stuff like blogs, reviews, editing, and much more. whatever I learn new, I publish here as a blog with some good and easy examples. Cheers, Manthan

photographywithdc@gmail.com

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