3 Basic Rules for Great Candid Photography

[candidrachel]

Thanks guys for some great tips! You've given me something to aspire to!

[RichardTaylor]

@ Athas_orm
For starters try it with people you know when you are out & about.

Here are some examples.
(1) A a street stall during Chinese new year.

The lady on the right is my wife. Canon 350D (Rebel XT) + Tokina 12-24 lens.

(2) Same camera lens combination and same festival.

The man and woman are friends of ours.

(3) Again my wife in a chocolate shop in Vienna


Canon 350D (Rebel XT) + Canon 17-85 IS lens.

Hope this helps.
Richard

[PhotoBlazr]

It's great that people find this post useful!

@Athas_orm: your question brings up an excellent point.

The situation you describe (with the 3 women walking by) is a situation that even 'advanced' street photographers would handle with sensitivity, and possibly a bit of trepidation. As you said, they will want to take a photograph without offending the subjects or making them feel uncomfortable or 'violated', and at the same time capture the candid nature of the scene. So the fact that you feel that you won't be able to capture such a shot is understandable.

It's easy for people, including myself, to fall into the habit of thinking of the final 'result' they want ((ie. shooting amazing candids in this case) as being reachable in one giant step, without realizing that to get to that result there were many small easy-to-reach steps that people before them actually took. They may thus feel a little overwhelmed to even begin the journey as all they see is one big giant step they need to overcome.

So i'll just remind you to focus on taking the smaller steps at first and before you know it you'll be way ahead. As Richard said, try starting off with people you know and build up from there. You'll find that each time you venture out, you will gain more insight and confidence in this type of photography and before you know it, when you see 3 morroccan women walking down the street, you won't even think twice about taking their photo.

[Rajev Charudutta]

Thanks for the useful Tips.

I have done lots of candid photography at family functions (weddings, parties, get-togethers etc). Its true that people take you for granted after a while and forget your presence. I think they seclretly like being photographed. In fact they started to treat me like someone hired to cover the event ( oh let him do his job ). A lot of people were curious to see their pics, and asked for it. Grateful too when I emailed them their pics.

What was lacking in my pics was, patience i.e. the second tip. I was not waiting long enough to get the right expression or composition.

The aperture priority tip was also very useful. Though right now I just own a point & shoot, maybe in future.............

[candidrachel]

Once again thank you so much for such informative experience. I went into town today with my daughter and used my eyes as the camera as I can't take candid photos with her around as she is too loud and distracting and saw so many wonderful opportunities like a guy wearing red trousers, white backpack and blue hair - hey the union jack flag lol! Also, a couple of old folks chatting I think they hadn't seen each other in a while cos I caught a snippet of their conversation. Elderly folk always make the most compelling candids. There were teenagers hanging out together and families out for strolls. There was a tramp sitting down with his dog. I saw a painter having a rest sitting on his ladder rolling up a cigarette and a lady sitting alone and having a smoke outside a cafe. It was street photography heaven!

Next Saturday I'll definately take the camera out and this time ON MY OWN. My daughter like to come with me taking photos but street photography I can't do with her as she gets right in the way of shots and as you know with candid photos you have to be quick! I end up yelling "Out the friggin way" which draws attention

[Gearscout]

I'm a little surprised the main article didn't address Shutter Priority. To freeze outdoor shots, I'm usually set at 1/250th and an appropriate ISO for the day.

Small camera bag? How about NO camera bag?

28mm works well if you're unafraid to get up close. Street Photography at 400mm isn't really street photography! A 14mm is one of my favorites.

The wider angle lenses allow you to include context in the photograph. Where is this being taken? What are the circumstances that may contribute to the expressions on faces or highlight the contrast between the individual and the environment they're in?

Almost exclusively in Landscape orientation.

Move in fast, snap and SMILE. The less self-conscious you are, the more relaxed they will be. Try to look like you were supposed to be there. Don't CHIMP after taking the shot -- i.e. don't instantly look to see the shot on your camera's LCD screen!

Just my thoughts...

[candidrachel]

Went into town this morning to do some street photography and took this shot. I like it. I also like the way I captured the little boy behind him smiling!

What attracted me to the other guy was the way his cigarette was hanging out of his mouth and his bright red jacket!

[RichardTaylor]

@ candidrachel
Both good catches.

[jgredline]

Originally Posted by Gearscout

I'm a little surprised the main article didn't address Shutter Priority. To freeze outdoor shots, I'm usually set at 1/250th and an appropriate ISO for the day.

Small camera bag? How about NO camera bag?

28mm works well if you're unafraid to get up close. Street Photography at 400mm isn't really street photography! A 14mm is one of my favorites.

The wider angle lenses allow you to include context in the photograph. Where is this being taken? What are the circumstances that may contribute to the expressions on faces or highlight the contrast between the individual and the environment they're in?

Almost exclusively in Landscape orientation.

Move in fast, snap and SMILE. The less self-conscious you are, the more relaxed they will be. Try to look like you were supposed to be there. Don't CHIMP after taking the shot -- i.e. don't instantly look to see the shot on your camera's LCD screen!

Just my thoughts...

Agreed on all points, though I use Aperture priority at F/8-F/11 with ISO ranges from 800-6400 depending on conditions.
More here.
=Capture a stranger street style=

[jgredline]

Here is a little blurb I wrote for my website that will never be finished. ''sigh' anyway, it pretty much goes along with the OP and others.

I know there are many folks who have never done any street shooting and in particular capturing a stranger or strangers...

For those of you that have, you know the challenge, rush and excitement in doing so...In capturing that very cool moment.. For those of you that have not, you don't know what you’re missing...



These are my opinions regarding technique around the web and hence I can only share what works for ‘’me’’. These tips should not be considered Gospel... The biggest problem I see with street photography is that there does not seem to be a solid definition of what it is. ''My definition' of Street photography changes all the time...What it is today, may be different tomorrow. The important thing is that it shows something about what is going on. Street portraits are another style I enjoy. I love capturing emotion. Good and bad and sometimes mean. A street photot does not have to contain a stranger or a candid image of a person...Blank streets and many buildings can tell amazing stories all on their own. Composition is important but there are plenty of acceptation as sometimes there is no time to compose and frame. Most of the time a grab shot is all there is…I have these as well and I am glad I have them……Is there a wrong way to do street shooting? Personally, I don’t think so…; Though I have seen some really bad ones…Many of those bad ones I have taken myself.. The important thing is to have fun!







I would say that the most important thing to have when shooting strangers, candids or scenes that define a moment is not equipment, but confidence…For some it comes easy and for others it is a struggle…As for me, I do not have a problem with confidence, but still I do get into ruts and when I do, I call it a day and try again another day…Go to the same places over and over again as being familiar with certain places will boost your confidence. The locals will get to know you and not even notice you after a while. The scenes are always different as people are always different…Blend in. Be a Chameleon..Look like you belong…Take special attention to detail. If your in an upper scale area, dress the part. If your at the beach, dress the part. If your in a poor area, dress the part...Don't stand out..







When looking for shots, if I come back with ‘’one’’ good capture, I am happy as a clam. When I come back with a few and by a few I mean 4 or 5, I have had a very good day. There are many times when I go out and come back with nothing worth keeping. I am in the club that deletes 90% of my images and this is not to say that I have a 10% keeper rate. It is more like 4-5%. With the majority of my keepers being film. Go figure. I am also not a machine gun shooter. I don’t use burst mode. (Personal preference). I try and get the shot. I suppose if I used burst mode, I would have more keepers, but that is simply not my style.







Equipment. I get asked this allot and also read about this allot. It seems that people can get real dogmatic about this…Well, I to have my opinions and can only share what works for me…One of the biggest things that comes up is film VS digital. I would say to use what ever it is that makes you more comfortable. Comfort is king when street shooting as it goes hand in hand with confidence. I myself use a variety of tools.









My favorite tool for street shooting is my Pentax ME SUPER with a 17mm, 24mm, 28mm or 40mm prime lens....(In fact, they are cheap enough that I have three of them all set up slightly different...) I love this combo because it is a really small and light SLR that has a quiet shutter.. With its fast 1/2000 shutter speed, I can take advantage of ASA 400-800 speed films at F/8 to F16..This is important to me because I use hyper focal or zone focusing, making it a true point and shoot with exceptional sharpness from 5 feet to about 25 feet…I also use a 50F/1.4 or 55F/1.2 lens…More and more I have started to use a 28 or 35mm lens as well, …By using film, I am also forced to really pick my shot and try and nail it because every picture I take cost me money..I literally approach shooting film with the mind set ‘’is it a picture I would buy’’…Silly? ..Maybe, but it works for me. My keeper rate with film is far better than with digital.







When I use my DSLR’s, I have found that my favorite lenses are my Sigma 10-20mm or 17-35mm...Now in saying that, my new favorite lenses are my 24mm primes.. These seem to be working better for me as I can get really close, personal and I get better shots….

I don’t use telephoto lenses as they are simply to big, heavy and bulky and scream….’’look at me’’..This of course is a personal preference, but each person has to decide what he/she is more comfortable with..Telephoto lenses will also let out the creepy vibes that must be avoided at all times…







Surprisingly, many of my best captures have been caught with my G9, G10 or SD780IS Yep ..Point and shoots. They are the easiest things to use in many situations…I also use a couple of bridge cameras. I have a Fuji S9100 and Fuji S100FS...Both are great cams, but get little use because of their size...





Things that I do and don’t do….. Don’t think to much, just shoot. If you think, you will likely miss the moment and or chicken out. Don’t hide, but be obvious. If you hide, you will let out creepy vibes and peoples senses will be directed at you...be friendly and smile allot. Talk to people..The most common thing I hear when taking folks pictures is ..’’sorry, I got in your shot’’..I just smile and chuckle…I have found that when people ask me why did I take their picture, I am honest with my reason .. Lying does not work well for me as I am a lousy liar. I always get caught so I avoid it. Most people are happy to have their picture taken, They just don't know it...especially the ladies. There are times when I will ask a stranger if I can take their picture..Though not often, because I prefer the true candid…When I shoot street performers, I try and catch them candidly, but I pay them after wards. They are out to make a living and I can appreciate that…When I shoot people that are down on their luck, I will not walk away and leave them empty handed..This of course is me…



All n all be friendly and your state of dress is also important I think. I avoid wearing hats when I can unless I am in a place where most people are wearing them. I never wear sun glasses. I always carry minimal gear…Though there are times when you will want to purposely carry much gear to look like a pro…I do this allot for events such as protest marches, or movie premiers etc…

Now enjoy.