Tricks to taking better Candid Shots

Taking pictures of people go into two categories. They are either portraits or candids.

Portraits are the shots when your subjects are in poses. While the candids are when your subject is doing things naturally.

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

First off, don't get in their 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 think about is the environment or the setting. When you are taking a candid shot, the setting plays a vital role. You want the candid photo to be able to capture the subject in their setting as natural as possible. It's that settingwhether is is their house, their work, or the street they are on, will tell a story about your subject's life. This is especially important if you are going to be taking shots as a Wedding Photographer.

A third tip to think about is to anticipate 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 will react and being able to capture that is all about anticipation.

Finally, always be on the lookout for those moments when a person's emotion will be expressed. Because after all, when taking these types of shots, that is the main thing you want to capture in these candid shots is emotion.

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 impatience shown in an expression at a stoplight. Or a joyful emotion displayed at an event. All moments in time give you the opportunity to truly capture an emotion. Being alert of those moments will enable you to capture that moment in time that tells a story.

Taking candid photos is an art form for sure. Especially if you truly want to tell a story in 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.
Justin Keller is an experienced San Diego photographer.
He has been helping couples capture their wedding day as a San Diego based Wedding Photographer