TIPS FROM THE PROS: Candids & Characters

Storytelling in photography requires a mix of detail shots and context — sometimes interacting with a subject, sometimes standing back to capture the whole scene.  Candid photography is all about photographing life as it happens, rather than staging scenes and posing people, and was the approach needed for my recent photo assignment “Winter Garden on a Saturday.” 

Here are a few tips. Put them into practice next time you’re out and about with your camera.

Don’t be shy: Candid photography includes interacting with people! But don’t pose your subjects — that will just result in stiff grins and awkward body language. Engage them in conversation, watch them work, ask questions and let them be themselves, taking photographs as you go.  

Because you’re not controlling what people are doing, be patient and shoot a lot. The right look, head turn or expression can be fleeting, and you’ll need to be ready.  Shoot in bursts — you could even try putting your camera in high-speed advance mode. After a while, your subjects will get used to the camera firing and be less self-conscious. Take portrait shots, zoom in for interesting details — something they’re working on for example — and go wide to picture them in their environment.

ABOUT THE COLUMNIST

Photographer and cinematographer David Haynes has traveled the world capturing iconic images for organizations such as National Geographic and the BBC. His work can be seen in magazines and newspapers, on book covers and in private collections.

Now he’s sharing his skills with us in a new “cut and keep” column on everyday photography.