Candid Photo Tips

Jatt

Jatt

High T Punjabi BVLL / Sultan of Delhi
Joined
Jan 19, 2025
Posts
5,408
Reputation
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Shooting Techniques

In this section, I list the various shooting poses I use, discuss why I like each pose, and rate the poses for getting different types of shots.

1. Scratching the Elbow

This pose is really useful and it looks really natural. Basically, you want to pretend to scratch your elbow with one hand while holding your phone with the other. This method is what I use for 90% of my photos. Your hands should look something like this (pretend there’s a phone in their right hand):



woman-scratching-her-elbow-hand-white-wall-background-104808221
woman-scratching-her-elbow-hand-white-wall-background-104808221800×533 30.6 KB



This is by far my favorite shooting technique. If you’re bold enough, you can use it to get real up close and personal with your subject, like this:



0F3827AD-6A07-4285-8BC8-81C809CBB717
0F3827AD-6A07-4285-8BC8-81C809CBB717828×1124 168 KB



You can also use it for full-body shots from a short distance away:



elleav
589×1334 129 KB



2. The Backpack Strap

For this method, you must be wearing a backpack. Pretend to use the straps to hold the backpack up; hold your phone in either one of your hands.



Backpack
Backpack800×533 55.4 KB



This shot is really similar to the first one, but is less efficient since you need to be wearing a backpack. Here are a few shots I’ve taken using this technique:



Woman
Woman828×1386 228 KB


123612286_151219203377720_2027172749268416968_n
480×847 68.2 KB



3. The Shirt Pocket

Self-explanatory. Stick your phone in the pocket on a shirt. A little suspicious, but you can get nice photos. This one is really good for cashiers and other store workers.

shirt


Here are the types of shots that I take with this method:



FD459B26-8837-4BBA-BB8E-F78DDDFEEBEA
FD459B26-8837-4BBA-BB8E-F78DDDFEEBEA828×991 176 KB



4. The Phone Call

This one is alright. Basically, you pretend to take a phone call; secretly, you’re filming. I’ve gotten decent shots with this method but it’s hard to get a good angle and you have to pretend to talk on the phone. This technique can be useful for very specific situations but really is not my favorite.

phone


5. The Desk Phone

The only thing this technique is good for is taking candids of cashiers. Basically, you just set your hand and phone down on the desk, phone pointing towards your subject. Here are a couple of shots I’ve gotten using this method:



waRN.PNG
waRN.PNG753×631 146 KB


kai.PNG



How to Not Get Caught

It is really easy to not get caught. Everyone in today’s world has a phone, so the majority of all women will not react at all if they see you holding yours. My biggest tip is act natural and confident! These techniques I described are natural looking ways of holding your phone. Never point your phone straight at them unless you’re absolutely sure no one can see you or you deliberately want to be caught. If you do get called out, deny it until your last breath. Everyone has a phone after all, and just because you’re holding one doesn’t mean you were using it to take pictures, especially if you’re holding it in a way that looks natural.

General Tips

1. Know when to accept your losses.
This was the hardest part for me. I used to try and get a decent photo no matter the costs, and it once ended really horribly. Some subjects will simply be impossible to get a good photo of. Learn how to tell when you’re not going to get a good shot and GTFO!.

2. Act Natural
This might be hard for some people, including me. When talking to cashiers or workers, try and make natural conversation. It will draw focus away from your camera. When you’re walking behind someone, don’t look at your phone and try not to look at your subject. Just like it’s rude to point, it’s a bad idea when you start to point your camera.

3. Don’t Focus on One Subject for Too Long
Try not to follow a subject for more than a few minutes. Trust me, when the guy who was walking behind someone follows them around the mall and into multiple stores, it looks a little suspicious. Get your good videos and photos, and then GTFO!

4. Hide the Screen

Use an app or simply turn your brightness all the way down when taking photos. Your subject might not see but people behind you will definitely notice.

Best Areas for Candids

  1. Target
    Target is probably the best place for taking candids. College-aged girls and expensive products combine to make the perfect melting pot of rich, vain, and attractive shoppers. Also, it must be a store policy to hire the most beautiful cashiers and workers you’ve ever seen.
    target
    target743×1063 181 KB
2. The Mall
The mall is similar to target in that it’s filled with self-absorbed women trying to spend as much money as possible. This usually means they’re attractive - expect lots of blondes in leggings! There are also multiple different stores, each one with different employees. Pro tip: try Forever 21, Aeropostale, and H+M for the most attractive workers.

3. Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart is nice because there are always lots of subjects to choose from; however, you’re going to have to dig deep to truly find any good ones. The workers are usually hotter than the shoppers.

B5350376-A162-4A88-9C4F-86F10DF0385F
B5350376-A162-4A88-9C4F-86F10DF0385F828×1101 221 KB



4. Out in Public
Take a walk on the wild side; catch some fresh air and hit up downtown for lots of good opportunities.

124053313_607987083227795_8324688547314678994_n
384×928 72.4 KB



Other Thoughts

Overall, I hope using this guide increases your confidence and quality. Let me know if any of these techniques work for you, and definitely share the photos you take using my tips. As a last note, asking employees which way the restroom is always makes for a nice shot:

wa
wa828×1312 175 KB



Good luck and happy shooting!
 
  • JFL
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  • Hmm...
Reactions: deadstock, WKW, LegendaryKennen and 4 others
BOTB worthy?
 
  • Hmm...
  • +1
Reactions: mutismcel and bottleofwater
What does all of this mean
 
@User28823

will be using the discreet app one day :feelshah:
 
Shooting Techniques

In this section, I list the various shooting poses I use, discuss why I like each pose, and rate the poses for getting different types of shots.

1. Scratching the Elbow

This pose is really useful and it looks really natural. Basically, you want to pretend to scratch your elbow with one hand while holding your phone with the other. This method is what I use for 90% of my photos. Your hands should look something like this (pretend there’s a phone in their right hand):



woman-scratching-her-elbow-hand-white-wall-background-104808221
woman-scratching-her-elbow-hand-white-wall-background-104808221800×533 30.6 KB


This is by far my favorite shooting technique. If you’re bold enough, you can use it to get real up close and personal with your subject, like this:



0F3827AD-6A07-4285-8BC8-81C809CBB717
0F3827AD-6A07-4285-8BC8-81C809CBB717828×1124 168 KB


You can also use it for full-body shots from a short distance away:



elleav
589×1334 129 KB


2. The Backpack Strap

For this method, you must be wearing a backpack. Pretend to use the straps to hold the backpack up; hold your phone in either one of your hands.



Backpack
Backpack800×533 55.4 KB


This shot is really similar to the first one, but is less efficient since you need to be wearing a backpack. Here are a few shots I’ve taken using this technique:



Woman
Woman828×1386 228 KB

123612286_151219203377720_2027172749268416968_n
480×847 68.2 KB


3. The Shirt Pocket

Self-explanatory. Stick your phone in the pocket on a shirt. A little suspicious, but you can get nice photos. This one is really good for cashiers and other store workers.

shirt


Here are the types of shots that I take with this method:



FD459B26-8837-4BBA-BB8E-F78DDDFEEBEA
FD459B26-8837-4BBA-BB8E-F78DDDFEEBEA828×991 176 KB


4. The Phone Call

This one is alright. Basically, you pretend to take a phone call; secretly, you’re filming. I’ve gotten decent shots with this method but it’s hard to get a good angle and you have to pretend to talk on the phone. This technique can be useful for very specific situations but really is not my favorite.

phone


5. The Desk Phone

The only thing this technique is good for is taking candids of cashiers. Basically, you just set your hand and phone down on the desk, phone pointing towards your subject. Here are a couple of shots I’ve gotten using this method:



waRN.PNG
waRN.PNG753×631 146 KB

kai.PNG



How to Not Get Caught

It is really easy to not get caught. Everyone in today’s world has a phone, so the majority of all women will not react at all if they see you holding yours. My biggest tip is act natural and confident! These techniques I described are natural looking ways of holding your phone. Never point your phone straight at them unless you’re absolutely sure no one can see you or you deliberately want to be caught. If you do get called out, deny it until your last breath. Everyone has a phone after all, and just because you’re holding one doesn’t mean you were using it to take pictures, especially if you’re holding it in a way that looks natural.

General Tips

1. Know when to accept your losses.
This was the hardest part for me. I used to try and get a decent photo no matter the costs, and it once ended really horribly. Some subjects will simply be impossible to get a good photo of. Learn how to tell when you’re not going to get a good shot and GTFO!.

2. Act Natural
This might be hard for some people, including me. When talking to cashiers or workers, try and make natural conversation. It will draw focus away from your camera. When you’re walking behind someone, don’t look at your phone and try not to look at your subject. Just like it’s rude to point, it’s a bad idea when you start to point your camera.

3. Don’t Focus on One Subject for Too Long
Try not to follow a subject for more than a few minutes. Trust me, when the guy who was walking behind someone follows them around the mall and into multiple stores, it looks a little suspicious. Get your good videos and photos, and then GTFO!

4. Hide the Screen

Use an app or simply turn your brightness all the way down when taking photos. Your subject might not see but people behind you will definitely notice.

Best Areas for Candids

  1. Target
    Target is probably the best place for taking candids. College-aged girls and expensive products combine to make the perfect melting pot of rich, vain, and attractive shoppers. Also, it must be a store policy to hire the most beautiful cashiers and workers you’ve ever seen.
    target
    target743×1063 181 KB
2. The Mall
The mall is similar to target in that it’s filled with self-absorbed women trying to spend as much money as possible. This usually means they’re attractive - expect lots of blondes in leggings! There are also multiple different stores, each one with different employees. Pro tip: try Forever 21, Aeropostale, and H+M for the most attractive workers.

3. Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart is nice because there are always lots of subjects to choose from; however, you’re going to have to dig deep to truly find any good ones. The workers are usually hotter than the shoppers.

B5350376-A162-4A88-9C4F-86F10DF0385F
B5350376-A162-4A88-9C4F-86F10DF0385F828×1101 221 KB


4. Out in Public
Take a walk on the wild side; catch some fresh air and hit up downtown for lots of good opportunities.

124053313_607987083227795_8324688547314678994_n
384×928 72.4 KB


Other Thoughts

Overall, I hope using this guide increases your confidence and quality. Let me know if any of these techniques work for you, and definitely share the photos you take using my tips. As a last note, asking employees which way the restroom is always makes for a nice shot:

wa
wa828×1312 175 KB


Good luck and happy shooting!
So despicable
IMG 1573
 
  • +1
Reactions: Abdullahm06
@asdvek remember the candid website
 
  • +1
Reactions: asdvek
Meanwhile me photoshopping my face on Tyler Maher's frame and posting it in a dating app 😂
 
  • JFL
Reactions: Jatt
it took me a while to figure out what this thread was really about
i thought you were talking about taking pics of yourself for dating apps and ig etc
then i was like why tf he got pics of random girls in there not even doing the pose hes talking about
 
  • JFL
Reactions: Jatt
  • JFL
Reactions: Jatt

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