Tips for Capturing Candid Moments in Photographs

Pictures are the best way to keep memories alive. Photography is an activity that brings joy to people while they are participating in it and for years and years after. Everyone knows that the best pictures are often the ones that are candid but catching a "kodak moment" on your camera can be tough. Often times, these moments come and go too quickly to be captured by a camera and then they are gone forever. To have a better chance at catching these moments and preserving them, follow these tips.

Always have your camera

It's safe to say that trying to take a picture without your camera will be a complete failure. To be able to capture precious moments of your family and friends, always have your camera nearby. If you have to leave the room to go get your camera, whatever you wanted to get a picture of it will be over by the time you get there, unless it's an inanimate object.

Point your camera where you think something is going to happen

A lot of times, you have to anticipate the moment before it actually comes. If there is a lot of moment involved, like if you are trying to take pictures of a sporting event, try to position your camera a little ahead of what you're trying to capture. When the moment comes, you'll be ahead of the game and get to capture a moment that everyone else will have missed.

Adjust shutter speed if possible

Many of the professional cameras do not have a problem with a slow shutter speed, but not everyone can afford a professional camera. If you can adjust the shutter speed on your camera, put it at the fastest it can go to ensure that you will not still be pressing the button when the moment passes you by. If your camera has this option, you will likely find it in the camera settings.

Put your camera on continuous shooting mode

Again, not every camera has this option, but it is fairly common on most basic digital cameras. When you are trying to shoot someone or something that is moving, putting your camera on continuous shooting mode gives you the best chance of getting a great outcome. Continuous shooting mode means that the picture will take picture after picture without any pause (while you are pressing the shutter button). Doing this will also allow you to see the movement through your pictures.

Use the zoom feature

Sometimes you are not always involved in the moment you are trying to photograph. If you find yourself on the outside of this moment, instead of getting close and interrupting and possibly making it seem less genuine, use the zoom feature on your camera. Every recent digital camera model has a zoom feature, and even most of the older ones do too.

Blend in with your surroundings

This goes along with using the zoom feature. If you want to photograph a truly candid moment, the best way to do so is to blend in with your surroundings. Try not be noticed by the subjects of your photograph. Try to get as close as you can without attracting too much attention to yourself.