Candid street photography, or candid portraits, can be some of the most interesting photos captured in everyday places. Heading out into the crowd with a camera is exhilarating and intimidating at the same time. Great photographic scenes play out on the streets right before your very eyes, but people are quick to recognize the camera and ruin the opportunity. Being covert without being creepy — it’s all part of the game we call street photography (and quite different from traditional portrait photography).
Discover how to achieve the best results for candid street photography. Find photography tips that will help you to capture great natural street scenes.These tips will help you see those decisive moments and learn to trust your instincts.
1. Location, Location, Location – really this is what it is all about. Choose places where people interact with one another and times when they are present.
2. Stolen Moments – anticipate moments between people before they happen.
3. Revise the Revisit – street photography is not all about spontaneity, if you see a scene with potential don’t be afraid to keep coming back to it until you get the shot. I’ve used this technique from time to time with good results. Find a spot that you like, something with an interesting composition, pattern, or background. Now envision somebody in that scene as you’d like to take the photo. Get all set up… and wait for it. Somebody will eventually walk into the scene and you’ll get your shot.
4. Life Through a Lens – ‘exaggerating perspective will help set your subject in context and provide a more forgiving depth of field’ – use a wide angle lens (or even a fisheye). Not all portraits need to be up-close and personal. Use a wide lens from time to time and capture more of the surroundings than the person — but use the person as an anchor for the composition.If you want a good candid, keep a bit of distance from the subject. Once people are aware of your camera, they’re likely to pay more attention and your chances of getting a true candid go down. I’m not saying you should roll around with a 400mm lens, but anything under 85mm or 100mm is going to be fairly close-range
5. Fortune Favors the Brave – sometimes the best thing you can do is to get close to your subject .If you’re going to take candid photos of people on the streets, be prepared to get caught. Also be prepared for anything from a friendly conversation to unfriendly confrontation to physical assault. All I’m saying is be mindful. This can be a little confronting but will produce powerful images.
6. In the Background – what’s goign on behind your subject can actually ‘make’ the shot. A lot of times it’s hard enough to get a good candid shot of the subject, so worrying about the background seems secondary. But if you find a good strong background, get the composition all set up and wait for the subjects to enter the scene. Billboards, signs, graffiti and other visual elements can really make a statement in a shot.
7. Less is More – don’t take too much equipment and travel light. It’ll make you less obtrusive and you will be able to move around for the best shot quickly. Things can move quickly on the street so if you’re not ready you’ll miss lots of opportunities.
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