When I was new to the photography world, I heard something so-called “candid photography”, but at that time I didn’t know what is the actual meaning of the word “candid”.
Yeah, I know the meaning of Candid but I didn’t know it’s one of the most popular types of photography.
So after some time, I learned everything about candid photography, I also learned how to capture it and the real meaning of candid photography or you can say candid shot.
If you don’t know anything about candid shots or candid photos and want to know about 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 a subject without telling the subject.
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 capture some unknown people’s photos without telling them.
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 believe me it’s a candid photograph.
This little girl was not looking at the camera, she was just playing outside with 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 subject without telling them.
You can call them unplanned moments too.
Ways to capture candid photographs
Here are some important points which you need to take care of.
Before thinking of capturing some awesome candid shots.
Using these tips you can achieve 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.
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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 think 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 need to stay alert every single time.
This means at the end or anytime when you find 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.
It’s very hard to capture your imagination in living things.
So before you start shooting candid photos, first you need to get 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 gear includes everything such as tripod stability (if you have any), exposure, ISO, and all manual settings.
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 that 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.
He acts like nothing happening around him/her, but when someone sees 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 a 50MM prime lens then it is okay, you will still be 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 won’t be able to shoot it with good clarity.
Or even if you somehow manage to capture it, then you won’t be able to get that blurry background and some cool effects and the quality.
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 for capturing 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.
Communicate with your model
You can even talk with your model while capturing photos.
So you can capture more outstanding candid photos.
Burst mode is the key ??
These days many smartphones contain these features.
And many people say that capturing 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 rule 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 you.
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 them.
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 become a PRO.
Just do not forget your camera, that’s it.
If you follow all these 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 🙂
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