5 Tips for Successful Candid Photography

[Reyed Mia (Apprentice, DIU)]

5 Tips for Successful Candid Photography

1. Let people know why you're there. When someone sees a photographer, their first instinct is to smile and pose (or cringe and run away, depending on the person.) If they know ahead of time that you're a candid photographer, they'll hopefully staunch that urge to turn to you as you snap the picture.

2. Pare down your equipment to the bare minimum. The more clunky stuff you have to carry around and set up, the more you'll be noticed. Plus, it'll be harder to capture those quick, spontaneous moments. If you can manage it, leave behind your tripod and reflector. Keep your DSLR on a strap around your neck and store extra memory cards or small lenses in a bag on your shoulder. You should be able to weave through the crowd without setting anything down or calling attention to yourself.

3. Stick with natural light. Do you know what one of the most distracting things about photography is? The flash. If your subject didn't notice you before, she definitely will once you take your first picture. Instead of blinding all of your subjects, rendering candids impossible, use natural light whenever you can.

4. Split up photography time by taking pictures of objects. Even if your key job is to take pictures of people, split up the time by capturing non-human subjects. This'll give the humans a break—plus add some interesting shots to your portfolio. At a wedding, snap a shot of the shoes, bouquet or place settings. At an outdoor concert, get a shot of the empty stage, ticket stubs or merchandise table.

5. Act nonchalant when noticed. Even if you're silent as a mouse, you may still get noticed as you take candid pictures. Every time someone spots you and looks to the camera, lower it and turn away. Act like you're done with that shot and move on. You can come back to them again when they're distracted.

Source: https://digital-photography-school.com/make-yourself-invisible-5-tips-for-successful-candid-photography/