Capturing a Subject's True Self on Film: Dexter Yarbrough Talks about Candid Shots

Though he would not suggest stalking celebrities to take pictures of them, Dexter Yarbrough loves taking candid shots as they make the subject look very natural. “Taken during your subject's unguarded moments, candid pictures often turn out exceptionally well. If you want your shots to capture the natural behavior of your subjects, then go for candid shots,” the professional photographer and founder of DJY Photography says.

From Dexter Yarbrough's Photos

Candid photography is best described as un-posed and unplanned, immediate and unobtrusive. This type of photography is opposed to stalking subjects such as in animal photography, sports photography, or photographic journalistic intrusion. A photographer taking candid shots is close to and not hidden from its subjects. Focusing on spontaneity rather than technique, candid photography is about photos usually shot without a lot of technical equipment or any time taken setting up the shot. Photographers such as Dexter Yarbrough who love taking candid shots focus not on the camera, but on the current task they want to capture.

From Dexter Yarbrough's Photos

Another thing that makes candid photography work over classic portrait photography is that in portrait photographs, the subject is aware they are being photographed so they tend to become self-conscious and stiff in the desire to look good in the photo. Yarbrough adds that a candid shot that focuses on the subject’s eyes will tell those who will later look at the photo something about the subject. “A good portrait will contain at least one element that reveals the subject’s personality, attitude, unique mannerisms, or any of the other features or traits that form the individual nature of the person. A good way to capture a sense of these traits is to take a candid photo of your subject,” he says.

From Dexter Yarbrough's Photos

More information about Dexter Yarbrough is available at www.djyphotography.com.