At the comic book convention I was chatting with some costumed women and we were talking about how there’s different styles of the people taking photos of us. Some come up and ask first. Others just snap the photo before we notice them. Then there’s the ones that walk by and snap, in a drive-by type shot. We laughed about feeling violated, but we knew going in costume that we would be targetted.

I don’t have a problem taking candids of strangers. Usually they don’t know I did it though.

About three years ago, I got a digital camera. I was never really a shutterbug, and owning a camera still hasn’t made me much of one.

I mostly take photos when I’m visiting with family or friends. When I’m with my family, there are enough other shutterbugs that we are all used to, at some point, gathering around and taking grouped pictures. First, by family unit (father/mother/kids), then an entire group shot.

When I take my shots, though, I made a rule to myself that I would only try to take unposed photos. So most of my photos are when other people are conversing, eating dessert, doing some activity or task, playing in the yard, sleeping, watching TV, or having a good laugh. Candids.

I try to keep it to a minimum, as this style of photography is so against the family grain, that it is bordering on becoming annoying to them, because they are “never ready” for their picture.

I am lucky in that I get a handful of good shots over the course of an afternoon or evening. But mostly I miss the best moments, because I don’t have the camera primed to shoot. I get a lot of blurred, ill lit, or poorly framed pictures.

I commend you on your ability to get these serendipitous shots off, with a clever eye to them. They are wonderful. :)