In various places in the world, there are moments that hold many stories, whether they are touching, fun, sad, or just moments of interaction between individuals that are immortalized in an instant. In candid photography, this is the art of capturing spontaneous moments that radiate authenticity and honesty from each photo. The term “candid” comes from an English word which means “honest” or “open”. This candid photography highlights the most sincere and natural moments, as opposed to photos that are staged and prepared down to the smallest detail. The subject to be photographed is not aware of the presence of the camera

in that place, this is what creates the spontaneity and purity of the atmosphere, this is what differentiates the art of candid photography from others.

History of Candid Photography

The art of candid photography has deep roots, especially thanks to the legendary photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson, who introduced the concept of the “decisive moment”. This concept refers to certain moments in life that have a broader and deeper story if captured at the right time, sensitivity to the environment, and the ability to see everyday beauty. Henri Cartier-Bresson believed that having a sensitivity to the environment and a keen awareness of everyday beauty was very important for photographers. By being more sensitive to the spontaneity of life, trained photographers to accept the unpredictable nature of their environment, it is also possible to document more authentic human experiences that can resonate with the viewer on a deep level.

With the rapid advances in camera technology, the ability to capture precious moments has also become easier and more efficient to do. Candid photography has become easier for the new generation of photographers thanks to modern cameras with features such as fast autofocus and high-speed shooting. This allows more and more new generations of photographers to explore these techniques, such as documenting spontaneous interactions and genuine emotions with their smartphones and digital cameras. This accessibility not only expands this type of photography, but also encourages other creative communities to celebrate the beauty of everyday life, as well as encouraging individuals to share their unique perspectives in tangible photographic works.

Instructions for doing Candid Photography

The first tips for starting candid photography are that you need to choose the right location, such as at a festival, social event or market, places like this are the ideal choice for getting natural and emotional photos of human interactions, things like that create moments- precious moments that are good to immortalize. Studying the surrounding environment and observing its dynamics is also very important in candid photography. Apart from that, using an unobtrusive camera, such as a small camera and no need to carry other complete equipment, makes it possible to get interesting photos without attracting the attention of the subject, so that the moment still looks genuine or authentic. You also need to pay attention to maintaining etiquette when taking candid photos, being polite, not intrusive, and

respecting the subject’s privacy; If a photographed subject seems too personal, then it is better not to photograph it.

Conclusion

The art of candid photography is one way of implementing art by capturing moments that are usually overlooked in everyday life which can become a valuable work of art. With every photo we take, we not only record these moments, but we also relive those unexpected moments, and serve as a reminder of the preciousness of these moments in our ongoing lives. Practicing often and learning the right techniques will enable anyone to uncover the hidden beauty around them and create visual narratives that have deep meaning. So, prepare your camera, explore various corners of life, and prepare yourself to capture moments that you usually miss that can become photos that have deep meaning.

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Referensi :

Henri Cartier-Bresson. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Accessed from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_Cartier-Bresson

International Center of Photography. (2018). Henri Cartier-Bresson: The Decisive Moment. Accessed from https://www.icp.org/exhibitions/henri-cartier-bresson- the-decisive-moment

My Wedding Magazine. (2012). Working in Candid Photography. Accessed from https://weddingkumagazine.wordpress.com/2012/06/14/berkiprah-di-fotografi- candid/

Dataword. (2024, November 1). Candid is taking photos secretly, here’s the explanation. https://katadata.co.id/berita/lifestyle/62c267f4872fd/candid-adalah- pengambilan-foto-secara-diam-diam-ini-penjelasannya

Magnum                Photos.                (n.d.).                Henri                Cartier- Bresson.https://www.magnumphotos.com/photographer/henri-cartier-bresson/

Kumparan. (2023, December 1). The meaning of candid in taking photos and tips for getting them. https://kumparan.com/pengertian-dan-istilah/arti-candid- dalam-pengambilan-foto-dan-tips-mendapatkannya-21fn5NctkZF

Kompas Corner. (2017, April 23). Candid photos: Young people’s favorite photo style.                  https://muda.kompas.id/baca/2017/04/23/foto-candid-gaya-berfoto- kesukaan-anak-muda/