Candid photography… most of us have accomplished this already whether we know it or not! A quick whip-out of the iPhone at a party to capture the expression or interaction between one or more guests is typical of candid photography. Candid photography captures life in motion.
In a more professional setting photographers can be engaged to photograph family or corporate events to shoot candid photographs of participants. Whether it be a child’s birthday party, a 21st or engagement party or corporate event this portrait genre of photography will work.
This style of photography crosses into a lot of other genres and can also form a portion of the photographs at events. For example, candid photographs of friends and guests at a formal event are often the ones that are more memorable than the formal photographs where the participants are posed by the photographer and are looking directly into the camera.
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Candid photography captures personality and emotion
A candid photograph captures the personality and emotion of the subject informally and in a non-posed style.
Candid photography is also accomplished during street photography but is more likely to be performed at events where participants are aware that there are cameras at the event but have not been asked to formally pose for the photographer. Parents often photograph their children candidly at home, in the park or other place.
A candid photograph captures the personality and emotion of the subject informally and in a non-posed style.
One of the pitfalls of this type of photography is that as soon as the subject becomes aware they’re being photographed candidly their manner and disposition is likely to change and the chance of any further candid lost.
It is inconspicuous
Some photographers make candid street photography their passion and share the results on social media pages such as TikTok, Facebook and Instagram. and on their website as a portfolio. Other paid photographers are contracted to shoot candid shots like as those listed above such as parties and other family and corporate events. Depending on the situation flash is used less often than would normally be expected.
As soon a flash is used the subject is likely to turn in that direction, losing any further candid moments. An exception would be wedding portraits where a flash is expected, so is less likely to disrupt the candid composure.
Have fun with candid photography!
Candid photography captures emotion in a natural way.
