Learn how to get great candids from the pros.
Topsyain't turvy: Whenshooting from the hip, try holding yourcontemporary point-and-shoot camera upside-downfor better control. On most, the buttonswill fall directly under nimble fingersrather than awkward thumbs.Wantto shoot exciting pictures that can be memorableand fun to take? Shoot candids. Come to thinkof it, how many great pictures of people aren'tcandids?Themajor problem faced by almost every neophytecandid photographer is lifting the camera toeye level and shooting people—those you knowand those you don't know—without posing themor asking permission. How do you overcome timidity,fear—or sheer panic? Practice! At first, perhapseven without film. Go ahead, you'll find thatfew people bite!
Atleast not hard. You may discover some peopleare disturbed by your shooting. Remedies: Asyou take more pictures in a variety of socialsettings, you'll gain confidence, self-assurance,and will win people over with your enthusiasmand good will. It works every time—almost.
Ofcourse, there are times when you don't wantto attract notice, and blending in is an importantcandid tactic. Don't walk into a room with flashblazing away. Take your time. Linger until youand your camera become part of the scene. Whenpeople become accustomed to you and your gear,they'll accept you and behave naturally whenthe picture-taking starts.
Thebest candids are often made by wading in closewith wide-angle lenses (or zooms)—from 24mmto 35mm. This physical intimacy will carry overvisually to your pictures.
Thetele end of your 70-210mm zoom also has itsplace in candid photography. Try pulling a vignetteor detail from a large crowd scene—two peoplekissing or gesturing in mid-conversation. The210mm setting is perfect for excising just thepictorial elements of interest and croppingaway the rest. Long focal lengths also helpyou keep your distance from people who mightbe distracted by your close presence, a whirringmotor drive, or a clicking shutter. Your lensisn't long enough? How about purchasing a tele-extender?
Foranother fun way to shoot candids, check outour tips for shooting with a concealed camera.
Isthe scene too dicey for a straight candid approach?Conceal your camera! Here's how.Shootfrom the hip:Hold your camera discreetly by your side andshoot in one direction while looking in another.A wide-angle lens (24-35mm) or setting is bestwhen you can't frame via the finder.
Concealthe camera:The ways for hiding a camera on your personor property are limitless. With a little creativity,you can hide a camera under your clothing, ina hollowed-out book, even in a folded newspaper.
Concealyourself:As suggested, you can hide the camera, but itmay be easier to hide your entire person. Shootfrom a second-story window, a window table ina restaurant or, like Superman, from a phonebooth.
Shootquickly:Discreetly preset focus and exposure, and tryto estimate composition. At the decisive moment,flick your camera up to fine-tune framing andfire.
Shootremotely:A handful of cameras today, in many price ranges,feature infrared remote-release capability.With a tiny transmitter tucked discreetly inyour palm, you can fire a freestanding camerafrom across the room without ever getting nearit.
