How to Be a better Candid Photographer

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12 June 2009

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Taking photos of people fall in to two categories.They are candid shots or portraits.

Portraits are the photos you take when your subject strikes poses.While the candids are when your subject is doing things naturally.

I would like to focus on taking shots that are candid. There is an art to this form of photography and if you follow these few steps, you will be pleased with your work. This is from my experience as a San Diego Photographer.

First off you don't want to get in the way.Of course most of the candid shots will be people minding their own business, but the secret to taking a great photo is to make sure they don't know of you taking the shot.

Because often, if you let them notice you, you will miss the essence of that unguarded shot. So try hard to make sure they are unaware of the camera.

Another thing to consider is the setting or the environment.When you are going to take candid photos, the environment plays a big role.You want to capture your subject in their setting as naturally as you can with your candid shot. It's that setting
whether it is their work, their house, or the street they are walking, helps tell a story of your subject's life. This is especially important if you are going to be taking shots as a Wedding Photographer San Diego.

A third thing to consider or do is anticipating behavior. An important part of taking candid shots of people acting naturally is to know what your subject may do next in a given situation.

This will help you if you are trying to catch something in particular because it will allow you to be prepared rather than miss the shot.Knowing how they are going to act in a given situation and then capturing it is all about anticipation.

Finally, always be on the lookout for those moments when a person's emotion will be expressed.Because if you think about it, when you take these photos, the main thing is trying to capture their emotions in these shots.

Take a look at what your subject is doing and think about whether or not it's a moment that will express an emotion.Such as an expression of impatience at a stoplight.Or a happy expression at an event. Every moment in time provides an opportunity to capture an emotion. Being prepared for those moments will help you capture and tell that story in that moment of time.

Taking candid photos is an art form for sure.Especially if your goal is to tell a story with your candid shots. Following these few simple steps will help you be on the road of capturing as many storytelling moments as possible as a photographer.