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candid

candid

16 4.7
Taken without the person knowing to show them looking natural and not posed
  • adjective
  • /ˈkændɪd/
translation icon : espontáneo
  • Unobtrusively observing and photographing life and work in a village can lead to interesting candid portraits of the inhabitants of the village.
  • candid portraits
  • candid shots

Yes, we had the producers taking candid shots.

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Examples

  • But Michael says that the best family photos he takes are the candid, informally posed shots.

    Blog text (24)
  • A telephoto lens is very good for capturing candid shots of people.

    Academic text (2010)
  • Hey, can you, like, take a candid photo of me and the train station?

  • Let's get a a nice candid shot of the troops.

  • But your interest is in my more candid photographic work.

  • Many prize-winning portraits have been candid photos taken of interesting people all over the world.

    Academic text (1995)
  • A Hero's Welcome is a candid photo of a serviceman being reunited with his family.

    Academic text (2005)
  • And, of course, schools are unbeatable places for candid portraits of children, even though backgrounds often tend to be cluttered.

    Academic text (2000)
  • Martinez's backstage photographs of California beauty pageants are more candid and less centered.

    Blog text (6)
  • During the family picnic, I took a candid photo of my children playing in the park.

Compounds

A small camera that takes photos without attracting attention

How Natural

spontaneous
187 4.2
candid
16 4.7
informal
98 3.1
posed
4.1
staged
4.3

Surface Forms

candid positive

Etymology

Candid, when used for a photo or interview, comes from the Latin candidus 'white' or 'bright', giving the idea of being natural and open. So a candid photo or interview shows people unposed and honest.