Taking pictures of people go into two categories.They are candid shots or portraits.
Portraits are the photos you take when your subject strikes poses.While the candids are when your subject is doing things naturally.
I would like to focus on taking candid shots.With this type of photography, their is an art form, and if you follow these steps you will be real happy with your work. This is from my experience as a San Diego Photographer.
First off, don’t get in their way. Most candid shots you take of course are going to be people going about their business, but the secret to taking a great shot like that is to make sure they are unaware of the shot.
Because often, if you let them notice you, you will miss the essence of that unguarded shot. So try hard to make sure they are unaware of the camera.
Another consideration is the setting or the environment.When you are going to take candid photos, the environment plays a big role.You want to capture your subject in their setting as naturally as you can with your candid shot. It’s that setting
whether it is their work, their house, or the street they are walking, helps tell a story of your subject’s life. This is especially important if you are going to be taking shots as a Wedding Photographer San Diego.
A third step you can do is to learn to anticipate behavior. An important part to being able to take candid photos of people who are acting naturally is to know what your subject will do next in a situation.
This will be beneficial to you if you are trying to catch a particular moment because you will be ready rather than miss the shot.Knowing their reactions and anticipating it so you can capture it on film is all about anticipation.
Finally, always be on the lookout for those moments when a person’s emotion will be expressed. Because after all, when taking these types of shots, that is the main thing you want to capture in these candid shots is emotion.
Look at what your subject is doing and see if it will be a moment that will express emotion. Such as an impatient expression at a stoplight. Or a joyous expression at an event. Every moment in time provides an opportunity to capture an emotion.Being alert of those moments will enable you to capture that moment in time that tells a story.
Taking candid photos is an art form for sure.Especially if your goal is to tell a story with your candid shots. Following these few simple steps will help you be on the road of capturing as many storytelling moments as possible as a photographer.