That’s the question!
As an amateur photographer I’ve not as yet developed the ability to pose people to make them or me feel comfortable, for some having a camera in hand is close to being the “boogy man”! It’s hard work gaining peoples trust, getting them to relax – just a little! Probably why I have developed such a love of candid portraits, people let their guards down, emotions on show!
Maybe that’s why children make such wonderful subjects, they haven’t as yet developed the vanity that makes them self conscious………..you know………….”don’t take my left side, it makes my nose look big”.
Sometimes the studio portrait that is produced may have superb lighting, amazing props, be sharp and composed beautifully, but, the emotion is not there, the eyes are empty or have a cynical coldness, the image lacking emotion.
In candid shots I look for the warmth in the eyes, the laughter in the face and an open and generous smile, or even a thoughtful and pensive look. They’re always there it just takes extra time and patience and observance to find them and capture them, especially in the right light.
With children, generally, their actions are open, uninhibited and mostly with wide eyed innocence, unless of course they have been up to “no good”, you don’t know what it may be, but you just know that something is not quite right!!!
So for me the candid portrait, whether it be adult, child or group, tells a story, hopefully, the viewer will be drawn to that image because it evokes an emotion, a smile, a laugh or even something that reminds them of someone, something, a time or a place, such is the ability of photography capturing in an instant a palpable emotion without the need for words or touch – why I love the candid capture.
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