Candid expressions

Am I the only one that always ends up with odd expressions on people when shooting candids or dance shots? I always feel that the images are unflattering and dont want to show them or include them in an album.

Some things to bear in mind:

1) if they're unflattering enough to be funny, some of these shots might be enjoyed the most by the bride and groom. Obviously pick your spots and try to get a sense of how they would respond (and whether the subject themselves would be game) to these kinds of photos (I sometimes point this out during the wedding and some are like: oh yeah--we totally want those !)

2) keep things predictable when possible. See that dude make his girlfriend laugh ? And you missed the shot ? Line up and get ready (exposure should be set by now) and wait a few seconds; it will probably happen again. In other words: watch, and then anticipate.

3) if you see that e.g. a table of guests seem to be super glum and not having a good time (at least at that moment) -- just move on to where the energy is a little higher.

4) in scenarios for which you don't really have control about what people's faces are doing (dance shots are a good example) shoot more photos (and burst if possible) to give yourself more to choose from.

5) don't feel like you have to return all photos.

Thanks for the reply, Chris. Seems like good advice. As for number 5, I usually return what most cosider a low amount of photos.

I have some candids from a wedding a couple weeks back and some of them look awful. Some of these people have really odd expressions and look weird. BUT I think they look like that all the time, I think I caught them as they are. The really creepy looking old man that kept giving me the hairy eyeball turned out to be the head pastor. I guess he just looks creepy. Some of them I deleted because they just looked too weird....

Kronie wrote in post #16048895
I have some candids from a wedding a couple weeks back and some of them look awful. Some of these people have really odd expressions and look weird. BUT I think they look like that all the time, I think I caught them as they are. The really creepy looking old man that kept giving me the hairy eyeball turned out to be the head pastor. I guess he just looks creepy. Some of them I deleted because they just looked too weird....

See, thats what I end up with a lot. A frozen moment where the pretty girl looks like shes transforming into Frankenstein. Shes really just singing along with gangnam style.

JakAHearts wrote in post #16048930
See, thats what I end up with a lot. A frozen moment where the pretty girl looks like shes transforming into Frankenstein. Shes really just singing along with gangnam style.

Shoot in burst mode. Depending on camera you can get 3-14 frames in that time.

Also pick the good times for the candids - when you know they will be smiling such as when a video is playing or when they are giving the toast. Don't take candids while they are eating/talking as the odds of getting a good one drop.

Getting good candids is harder than most would think. I might get 1 good in 6 for eg. It also depends on the person/people, some just pull funny faces that are almost unnoticeable in normal movement. I have many clients requesting lots of candids and I'm sure they think it's relatively easy. Yes, as said above candids whilst eating are virtually impossible.

benji25 wrote in post #16050335
Shoot in burst mode. Depending on camera you can get 3-14 frames in that time.

Also pick the good times for the candids - when you know they will be smiling such as when a video is playing or when they are giving the toast. Don't take candids while they are eating/talking as the odds of getting a good one drop.

I'd go opposite route. I don't shoot burst I time my pictures. I watch people, how they are interacting with others and you get used to picking your moments,

That and I always shoot whilst people are talking the odds increase of getting good candids. Shooting with a long focal length you can watch several tables at once. You look for the types of conversations people are having and choose those with the emotions you want to capture.

As for eating they never serve all the tables at the same time. There is always one or two waiting to be served or who have already finished their course. I shoot candids all the way through the reception and generally get a shot of virtually every guest present.

It's called the Beyonce syndrome.

JakAHearts wrote in post #16048757
Am I the only one that always ends up with odd expressions on people when shooting candids or dance shots? I always feel that the images are unflattering and dont want to show them or include them in an album.

That's what happens with real people in dynamic uncontrolled situations. Facial expressions change from moment to moment based on what the people are experiencing and not what a photographer wants.

If you want consistently flattering images, you'll need to take total control of the situation and turn it into a controlled shoot where people stop and pose.

memoriesoftomorrow wrote in post #16050669
I'd go opposite route. I don't shoot burst I time my pictures. I watch people, how they are interacting with others and you get used to picking your moments,

That and I always shoot whilst people are talking the odds increase of getting good candids. Shooting with a long focal length you can watch several tables at once. You look for the types of conversations people are having and choose those with the emotions you want to capture.

As for eating they never serve all the tables at the same time. There is always one or two waiting to be served or who have already finished their course. I shoot candids all the way through the reception and generally get a shot of virtually every guest present.

That's amazing Peter! This must add up a lot to the number of photos to deliver to the B&G, especially 200+ Guest wedding.

Tigerkn wrote in post #16051522
That's amazing Peter! This must add up a lot to the number of photos to deliver to the B&G, especially 200+ Guest wedding.

I deliver 600-900 images on average. Most weddings over here tend to be around the 80-120 guest mark. It is actually not that hard to do. You just work the tables ahead of the courses being served.

bbvdm wrote in post #16051440
It's called the Beyonce syndrome.

Hahahahahaha. Nice.

I'm sorry but this is BS . If it was impossible to do, there'd be no great unposed photo's - and there are hundreds of thousands.

DC Fan wrote in post #16051478
That's what happens with real people in dynamic uncontrolled situations. Facial expressions change from moment to moment based on what the people are experiencing and not what a photographer wants.

If you want consistently flattering images, you'll need to take total control of the situation and turn it into a controlled shoot where people stop and pose.

It's a skill to learn like any other. And whilst it's not easy, it takes no more understanding than posing or lighting or creating empathy or any of those other portrait photographer skills.

The problem IMO occurs when people start with the word 'candid', it sounds simple and almost accidental. If you use the word 'reportage', all of a sudden it sounds like it's a deliberate act, like it takes some studying and understanding.
Like this...

memoriesoftomorrow wrote in post #16050669
... I watch people, how they are interacting with others and you get used to picking your moments,

That and I always shoot whilst people are talking the odds increase of getting good candids. Shooting with a long focal length you can watch several tables at once. You look for the types of conversations people are having and choose those with the emotions you want to capture.
...

Your ears are as important as your eyes, and the light and shape are still important too. You position yourself in the right place (for the light) and watch what's happening. You can't do it by just pointing the camera at random people and machine gunning.