CANDID PHOTOGRAPHY

is photography that focuses on spontaneity rather than technique, on the immersion of a camera within events rather than focusing on setting up a staged situation or on preparing a lengthy camera setup.

Candid photography is best described as un-poesd and unplanned, immediate and unobtrusive. This is in contrast to classic photography, which includes aspects such as carefully staged portrait photography. Candid photography catches moments of life from immersion in it.

Candid photography is opposite to the stalking involved in animal photography, sports photography or photographic journalistic intrusion, which all have a focus on getting distant objects photographed, e.g. by using telelphoto-lenses. Candid photography's setup not hidden. People photographed on candid shots either ignore or accept the close presence of the photographer's camera without posing. This type photographs normally documented at children's birthday parties and on Christmas morning, opening the presents; the pictures a wedding photographer takes at the reception, of people dancing eating, and socializing with other guests.

Some professional photographer develop candid photography into an art from, capturing the "decisive moment" in everyday life over a span of several decades. Almost all successful photographers in the field of candid photography master the art of making people relax and feel at ease around the camera, they master the art of blending in at parties, of finding acceptance despite an obvious intrusive element - the camera. This is certainly true for most celebrity photographers. It could be argues that candid photography is the purest form of photojournalism. There is a fine line between photojournalism and candid photography, a line that was blurred by photographers such as Bression and Weegee. Photojournalism often sets out to tell a story in images, whereas candid photography simple captures people living and event.

Equipment for candid photography is lightweight, small and unobtrusive rather than big and intimidating, in most case a point-and-shoot-camera can do the job. Its best to take candid shots where the sun provides the light. The down side to the smaller digital camera is: Due to built-in flash light, many of the candid shot taken after dark, usually left the objects with shinning, greasy facially expression instead of fun and joyful natural look, this because the flash beaming onto people's faces. It is important to have a professional grade flash light and proper dome to provide softer but bright lighting when taking photographs at evening or night.