How To Take Candid Travel Portraits: Travel Photography Tips

Impressive monuments, sacred ruins & imposing architecture really in a lot of ways define certain locations.  However, it´s often the people of a region – specifically the locals – interacting naturally that really offers insight into the culture, lifestyle & general morale transpiring at that exact fixed moment in time.  It´s what is often referred to as candid photography.  Capturing the moment in a natural way where the subject is unaware of the presence of the photographer or the fact that even a photo is being taken of them.  In a lot of ways it´s one of the most perplexing and challenging genres of travel photography.

Specifically, as a photographer, you´re faced with the daunting task of trying to capture that perfect shot, gesture or facial expression with a subject who is not acting in a rehearsed manner, all the while trying not to blow your cover!  Furthermore, the concepts of ethics come into play where you feel an obligation to respect the individual and not intrude upon his or her space.  Moreover, it´s not the type of photography where you can recompose, adjust settings and try it again.  If you miss the golden opportunity it´s gone forever.

Thus, it begs the question, why on earth would you ever want to consider taking these kinds of shots?  Well, at least in my opinion, they often make for some of the most dynamic and enduring photos to show others.  They´re not pretentious, composed or artificial in any way, shape or form.  They´re truly storytelling photos in every sense imaginable.  Finally, they´re your own unique photos.  Somebody can take a photo of the Eiffel Tower from the same vantage point as another, but it´s never possible to capture a candid moment more than once.

Anyhow, I´ve personally been focusing in on this type of photography recently & would like to share some travel photography tips and suggestions regarding equipment and techniques that can be used to capture these kinds of moments with your camera to dazzle your audience on your top travel blog.

How To Take Candid Travel Portraits

EQUIPMENT

Optical Zoom / Telephoto Range

Starting off with equipment, one of the most important features is what is referred to as optical zoom or telephoto range of your lens.  Specifically, this refers to your camera/lenses capacity to zoom in on a subject without compromising image quality.

Typically, a consumer level basic point and shoot camera has only a 3X range allowing you get in a bit closer but not really close enough for this type of photography.  To remain in stealth mode you don´t want to get too close to your subject.  Being able to stand further away enables you to not intrude upon the personal space of your subject and more importantly ensures you don´t blow your cover.  Otherwise, you might just get a big nasty grimace from the individual(s) you are taking a photo of which in all cases is best avoided.  When caught, all you´ve managed to do is offend the individual causing them to act unnaturally – hardly candid photography!

Anyhow, getting back on topic, in recent years there has been the introduction of two new genres of point and shoot cameras which are ideal for travel.  The first being a compact superzoom point and shoot camera.  This type of camera typically is small enough in size to easily fit into your pocket yet has a powerful enough telephoto capabilities allowing you to get up close.  Typically, these cameras offer 10X or greater zoom capacity.  The second type of camera is what is called a premium superzoom point and shoot camera.

The body resembles that of a dSLR and often has enhanced manual features and a greater zoom range starting at around 20X.  Finally, the last category of recommended cameras is a dSLR itself, the full sized digital camera with interchangeable lenses.  When equipped with a lens that extends to 200mm (over 10X optical zoom) it provides the ability to get in tight while offering the best image quality, operational controls and performance.

Below are pictures of a typical model of each type of camera along with a quick summary of the pros and cons each has to offer:

Compact Superzoom

Pros:

1)    Cheapest

2)  Most pocket-able & easiest to carry around

3)  Least likely camera to be noticed since it is the smallest

Cons:

1)  Least manual controls for shutter speed & aperture

2)  Lower quality image than dSLR because of smaller sensor size

3)  Slower performance (time you press shutter speed to when the actual picture is recorded by your camera – in other words, the least likely to capture the exact split second moment)

Premium Superzoom

Pros

1)    Longest zoom range (20X or more)

2)  dSLR like controls over aperture and shutter speed

3)  Quality ergonomics (fits comfortably in your hands)

Cons

1)  Far too large to fit in your pocket

2)  Small sensor size (does not offer image quality of a dSLR

3)  Sometimes close to double the price of compact model and pushing into the territory of the price range of an entry level dSLR kit

dSLR equipped with 200mm lens:

Pros

1)    Best image quality with largest sensor

2)  Top performance (often able to shoot 3 frames a second or faster)

3)  Most manual controls over aperture and shutter speed

Cons

1)    Most expensive

2)  Largest and most noticeable camera

3)  Typically comes with a kit lens that does not extend to 200mm.  Thus, often necessary to buy a separate lens (added expense)

Techniques

Approaching Your Subject

Okay, so now you´ve got the camera that allows you to get up close without actually brooding over your subject.  It´s now time to discuss manners in which you can take these candid shots without being noticed.  In a lot of ways, it´s really not terribly different than if you were asked to spy upon a person.  Although, that sounds kind of shady, if you have that type of mentality where you don´t want to be observed you´ll likely avoid doing such things as approaching your subject head on, making it totally obvious you´re wielding a camera & taking photos or wandering around aimlessly like a lost tourist sticking out like a sore thumb.

Instead, you´d be more likely to consider taking shots at a 45 degree angle across from your subject, trying to blend in with the crowd, using props such as a garbage can, park bench or lamp post to stand behind and not staying in any one place for a long period of time noticeably firing away shots.  It´s something that takes time to master.  It´s as much of an art as it is a specific skill.  At times, especially when you first start out, your subjects are going to notice you taking photos of you blowing your candid moment.  The whole concept of this travel photography tutorial and technique is being stealth.

At certain times, this will be offensive to these individuals and you´ll get a dirty look or a scowl.  Don´t let this discourage you from trying again.  Instead, improve your craft and consider the following suggestions I have posted in the last section of the article that deals with these awkward moments.

Live View & Fully Articulating Screen

Some premium superzoom cameras and dSLRs now have what is called a fully articulating screen with live view.  What this means is that you can compose your photo without having the camera held at eye level looking through the optical viewfinder.  Instead, you can have the camera dangling around your neck at chest/waist level.  By articulating the screen so that it is facing upwards you can look down as though it appears you are reviewing a picture or changing something with your camera settings.

While in Chicago recently, I sat down at a park bench at a place called Navy Pier where there were lots of fascinating events and people constantly wandering about creating an impressive scene.  As I sat down at a nearby park-bench, I found that by having my camera on my lap and looking down at the articulated screen I did not give the impression that I was taking photos.

I was able to capture many candid shots without a single person noticing what was going on.  It´s another feature along with technique to consider when purchasing a travel camera.

Respect / When Problems Arise

1)    Consider the culture and environment of where you are taking photos.  In certain cultures, there is a very negative association with having a photo taken.  Take extra care when shooting in these kinds of environments and consider not taking these types of photos at all.  For example, in South America, some Andean cultures believe you are stealing the spirit away from the individual.  However, when I was taking photos of football fans watching an Argentina game at a public square the fans were totally digging it and even posing (obviously not candid) at times for that extra shot if they noticed I took a photo of them.

2)    Perfect your technique so that you are not sloppy.  If people are noticing you more often than not you´re obviously performing rather poorly in this area.

3)    Take your shot and move on.  Don´t hover in one area or fire away senselessly without consideration of your subject.  You´ll be noticed and this is when you really move into obnoxious/rude territory.

4)    If you get caught in the moment and sense that somebody is offended obviously stop what you are doing immediately and move on.  If they approach you kindly offer to delete the photo and show them that you´ve done this.  Even if you can´t speak the local language you can visibly show them you´ve deleted the shot and didn´t mean to offend them.  Finally, in certain cases, you can offer to share the photo with the individual.  They may just wonder why they had their photo taken in the first place.  When you offer to share it they might react positively and it could even lead to new friendship.

Conclusion/Final Thoughts

Candid travel photography is something that I thoroughly enjoy.  I feel it really tells the story of what is going on in a way that just isn´t captured with the artificial pose or inanimate object.  However, it´s not without controversy.  There are those who have the staunch opinion it is rude, intrusive and inappropriate under ANY and ALL circumstances.

I ´m certainly not somebody who slots into that polarized category; however, with that being said, I do feel that slapdash technique, arrogance and/or an aggressive approach is without a doubt obnoxious and deplorable behaviour.  If you´re going to master taking these types of shots you should not be getting noticed very often and when that odd case occurs that you have, the utmost respect and courtesy should be shown on your part.  Anyhow, everybody has their own style, technique, and approach to taking photos.

It´s what makes it a true art-form.  Best wishes to all in your pursuit of this fascinating hobby 🙂

Samuel Jeffery (Nomadic Samuel) 😛