Tips for taking candid portrait shots

[Ruchika_2011]

Candid portrait shots are quite interesting. They capture the true personality of the people in the photographs. Please help me with the tips for taking great candid shots.

[ElCapitanoAwesomo]

its typically something you do without intending to. i guess a trick to get them if you're having a shoot, and you want those candids, make them comfortable. have a conversation with them, and then grab a shot or two when they aren't paying attention. sometimes they can be INCREDIBLY unflattering, but sometimes, you capture something great.
also, pay attention to the moment, and whats going on. its hard to describe what i mean. i tend to get more candids in group events versus with only one or no other people around, mostly because no one is really aware of the camera. thats another thing, which ties into one of the earlier points of making them comfortable infront of the camera, sometimes, its better if they arent aware of it at all. i know some people who, as soon as they see a camera, they pop the same, stupid, bland pose (unfortunately, my father is one of these people! ><).

dont focus too hard on trying to grab the perfect candid. you lose sight of some of the great moments in search of the perfect one.

[Carsten]

Well, my first advice on getting good candid shots it to not plan to take good candid shots. What makes candid shots so awesome is that they are unexpected, by the subject and often by the photographer. The best candid shots are when you are completely distracted by something, and all of a sudden something catches your eye, you grab your camera, make the shot and come home with that shot being the best one of the day. The very best advice I can give is when you are lurking around with your camera looking for a candid shot, it is behind you.

But if you insist on getting some advice to think about, here is what i've learned.

1.Candid shots are much easier when you are not the center of attention, when you are shooting a wedding, or an important event people will always be calling your name saying "hey come get a photo of this!" or "where is the photographer, hes gotta get this", Always being in demand and having to please everyone else makes it really hard to get candids.

2.Candids are much easier when you can dissapear, and become in visible, don't draw attention to your self, don't flash a giant camera, don't talk or make a bunch of noise, just walk around, observe carefully, and take photos as needed.

those are both tips on event candids, here is a tip for getting candids of a specific person.

1. Get your subject engaged in something more interesting than getting their photo taken, take your subject somewhere they will get so engaged in something, they will completely forget you are there. Not only will you get good candids, but the subject will love you because you captured them doing something they love and that interests them.

2. "pretend i'm not here", never, ever works.

those are somethings i've learned over time, here are some tips to keep in mind when your going out to shoot candids.

1. fit in, dont stick out like a sore thumb, the more you fit in and dissapear the faster people feel comfortable around you.

2. Try to be the 2nd shooter, or un-paid shooter, that way your not always in demand and actually have time to walk around and observe.

3. if on a 1 on 1 shoot with a subject, find something the subject loves and do that, get them distracted so you can capture the real moments.

[Ruchika_2011]

Thank you so much for the tips. In fact I was searching for candid photography tips and came across a nice article on candid photography. The article provides some practical tips and so I thought to share it with you. Check the article.