Tuesday Tip: Capture special moments with candid photographs in your yearbook
This is the time of year to be taking lots of photographs. After all, they are the foundation of your yearbook. Students and teachers naturally turn toward a camera and smile, so it’s easy to include posed pictures. But to take your yearbook to the next level, work to include candid photos that capture this year’s special memories.
First a definition: a candid photo captures a moment when people are engaged in an activity but not looking at the camera. The best candids tell a story by including action and emotion. Position the camera so your image contains the subject’s eyes and what they are doing. Get as close as you can.
Look around the room and find a couple of people engaged in the activity. Find the best spot to stand, so you can see their faces and what they are doing. Get as close as you can without disrupting them; then frame the shot and wait. Wait for the critical moment everyone has been waiting for, and then take four or five photos quickly.
Pay attention to the light and the background. Ideally, you want the light falling on your subject. So if there is a window, try standing in front of it with the light source to your back. Eliminate busy or distracting backgrounds if possible.
Here are a couple of candid shots to try:
When the volleyball coach talks to the players between matches – get up high in the stands so you are shooting down from above. Get the girls eyes and intense concentration. Then get the cheer before they go back into play.
If you’re at a high-scoring football game, stand in the endzone facing your team. When a player comes in for a touchdown, they are running straight toward you. Focus on the player with the ball. If you can, get the fans or coaches cheering in the background.
Find an academic class doing a group activity. Sit on a stool in front of a group, so you’re on eye level. Frame your shot and wait for a moment when everyone laughs, smiles, or groans. It’s the emotion that you want.
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