How to take Candid Pictures

Capture the magic moment

Formal, posed photographs are important to document life's milestones. Graduations, family portraits, and school class pictures all call for posed photographs. But the pictures that capture life's unexpected, fun and magical moments are candids. Here are a few tips to take more candid photos.

Things You'll Need

• A digital camera
• a good eye
• children!
• patience

Instructions

1. 

   Carry your camera everywhere. Keep it in a purse, backpack or your car's glove compartment. That way you're ready when the moment arises.

2. For taking candids at events, don't be too obvious. If you make yourself too known, people will automatically pose because that's what they are used to doing. So stand back a little, use your zoom and don't talk to the subject very much.

3. 

   Try to take a picture of someone engaged in an activity. Children are great because usually they don't notice you there even without a camera. They're too busy having fun!

4. Attempt to capture the height of the moment. Don't shoot to0 soon or wait until the moment has passed. Anticipate the climactic moment and shoot! Take multiple shoots to compare later on. For example, a child is about to jump into those ball filled "tubs" they have at some fun zones. Capture the joy of the child's face mid-flight. Don't wait until after they have jumped and are just sitting in a tub of balls!

5. Try taking the pictures at unexpected angles. Candid photographs are special because they capture the intensity of emotions and the composition is interesting.