What Do You Mean By Candid Photography?
For a professional model or someone who is very comfortable being on camera, posing becomes second nature. Professionals are trained to pose in ways that enhance their physique and make the shots look good. Most people are not familiar with these techniques. But does that mean they can’t look good on camera? Absolutely not. Each one of us is unique, with features that define our appearance. It is the job of a candid photographer to capture these in the best way possible.Â
As a candid photographer I have to observe, anticipate, and then react. Observe and understand people, their behavior, their personality in a short time. Using those observations I can try to anticipate their reactions in different situations during a wedding function. I have to be ready with my finger on the trigger to click at just the right time, where I can capture a glimpse of their personality without them being conscious of my presence.
Many of you will be familiar with candid photography, however, let us look at what this genre of photography has in store for us.Â
Why Is Candid Photography Important For Weddings?
Capturing candid shots of the bride and groom along with the guests is a great way of preserving memories which could be cherished over time. Candid shots bring out the natural essence in reminiscing the special occasion of couples, which is undoubtedly their wedding day. Here are some of the other reasons why Indian wedding candid photography has managed to emerge as one of the important genres of photography at weddings:
Helps capture the best moments: Candid photos always cater to bring out the best in couples as they are shot when they are least expecting it. However, it does require a skilled professional to take such photos, as candid photography is quite different from traditional and typical classic photography.Â
Kills the nervousness of couples: Most couples become camera conscious and as a result, their poses appear to be fake and their expressions seem stressed out. In such scenarios, candid photos are best suited so that couples could enjoy their wedding day without experiencing any hindrance from the part of the wedding photographer.
Reflects the emotions of the people: Not just the couple but guests at the wedding ceremony as well, are great subjects for clicking candid photos. This is because, for candid photos, the candid wedding photographer turns invisible and seems to capture your moments without you having any knowledge of it. Therefore, this type of photography brings out the real emotions and expressions of all the people captured in the candid wedding photos.Â
What is the Difference Between Traditional and Candid Photography
Another genre of photography that runs parallel and is popular is traditional wedding photography. Let us take a look at the differences between these two categories of photography:
- Candid photos are clicked in such a way as to portray a scene without having to stage it. On the other hand, traditional photography is staged where all the people stand or sit in accordance to get clicked.
- Candid photos can be taken from different angles and positions; however, a traditional photo always focuses on the subject to be the center of attraction. For example, in wedding ceremonies, traditional photos will always locate the bride and groom to be in the center while the rest of the guests would be encircling them or beside them.
- Candid photography can be toned as the informal one while traditional can be called the formal toned genre. Emotions in a candid photo seem naturally reflected while in traditional photos they seemed staged.
Pros And Cons Of Candid Photography
Till now we have just encountered the features of candid photography and it being superior over the traditional way of clicking photos. Yet there are some negative points to the category of photography which we will discuss below along with summarizing the pros of candid photography.Â
1. The best way to capture genuine expressions, emotions, and interactions is through candid photography.
2. Clients cherish such moments more as they are spontaneous and natural.
3. Capturing kids candidly works best since they are always moving and unprepared for posed shots.
1. Candid shots can be challenging for both the photographer and the client.
2. A candid photoshoot can be time-consuming due to experimenting with angles, locations, and positions.
3. The number of natural poses is limited, and too many can appear staged.
Tips To Start With Candid Photography
Professional and premium candid photographers often jot down a series of tips for clicking candid photographs of their clients to bring out the best in them. Given below are some of the pro-tips for excelling in clicking candid shots in an occasion:
- Take as many pictures as you can. Even if the poses and expressions seem to be similar, yet keep on clicking so that you can, later on, shortlist the best candid photography.
- Make sure you avoid using the flash for clicking candid pictures as it might make the client or the model camera conscious and as a result, you fail to click the pre-planned candid shot.
- Try out various positions and angles where you turn photographer for your subjects. Avoid standing in front of the model and staging the scene.
- Check out the background elements and also focus on observing the surrounding so that you can capture the minute details being carried out in the surrounding of your subjects.
Candid photos can be taken both indoors as well as outdoors. However, before going for a candid photoshoot outdoors, you should check out the venue before the shoot.
Yes. Nowadays, professional photographers offer a wide range of products like 3-D portraits, customized photo books and customized photo puzzles along with providing wedding films and albums to couples. These products can be used as décor pieces at home. 3D portraits are like miniature models of the couple that can be placed on any surface like a sculpture. Photo books can be placed on your coffee table or side table for guests to browse through, when they visit. A photo puzzle is a fun activity for a couple to do together or even with friends and family. The puzzle is made using an image of your choice. Once the jigsaw puzzle is completed it can be framed on the wall like a photograph. That way it serves a dual purpose of being an activity and a memory to cherish.*
