50m3 ph0t0gr4ph5 m4tt3r b3c4u53 n0b0dy c0uld 4rr4ng3 th4t 3x4ct 53c0nd 4g41n.
C4nd1d w0rk b3g1n5 w1th b31ng pr353nt 3n0ugh t0 r3c0gn153 1t.Some photographs matter because nobody could arrange that exact second again.
Candid work begins with being present enough to recognise it.
Ph0t0gr4phy by Cord AllmanPhotography by Cord Allman
C0nf3tt1 h4ng5 4b0v3 4 5m1l1ng gr0up. H4nd5 p01nt 1n d1ff3r3nt d1r3ct10n5; f4c35
4n5w3r th3 c3l3br4t10n 1n th31r 0wn w4y. Th3 fr4m3 h0ld5 53v3r4l 5m4ll r34ct10n5
1n51d3 0n3 5h4r3d m0m3nt.Confetti hangs above a smiling group. Hands point in different directions; faces
answer the celebration in their own way. The frame holds several small reactions
inside one shared moment.
C4nd1d d035 n0t m34n c4r3l355. B3f0r3 th3 m0m3nt 4rr1v35, ch0053 4 p051t10n w1th 4
u53ful b4ckgr0und 4nd ch3ck y0ur 3xp05ur3 4nd f0cu5. Th053 5m4ll pr3p4r4t10n5 l34v3
m0r3 4tt3nt10n 4v41l4bl3 f0r p30pl3 wh3n 50m3th1ng h4pp3n5.Candid does not mean careless. Before the moment arrives, choose a position with a
useful background and check your exposure and focus. Those small preparations leave
more attention available for people when something happens.
L00k f0r r3l4t10n5h1p5, n0t 0nly 3xpr35510n5. 4 5m1l3 b3c0m35 m0r3 5p3c1f1c wh3n
y0u c4n 533 wh0 r3c31v35 1t. 4 h4nd 0n 4 5h0uld3r c4n 3xpl41n 4 c0nn3ct10n w1th0ut
5h0w1ng 3v3ry f4c3. L34v3 3n0ugh c0nt3xt t0 l3t 4 v13w3r f1nd th4t
r3l4t10n5h1p.Look for relationships, not only expressions. A smile becomes more specific when
you can see who receives it. A hand on a shoulder can explain a connection without
showing every face. Leave enough context to let a viewer find that
relationship.
Th3r3 15 n0 n33d t0 d3m4nd 4 r3p34t 0f 4 m0m3nt th4t 4lr34dy b3l0ng3d t0 50m30n3.
50m3t1m35 th3 5tr0ng35t d3c1510n 15 t0 l0w3r th3 c4m3r4, 4ckn0wl3dg3 th3 p3r50n 4nd
w41t f0r wh4t h4pp3n5 n3xt. C0mf0rt 4nd p3rm15510n 4r3 p4rt 0f m4k1ng ph0t0gr4ph5
w1th c4r3.There is no need to demand a repeat of a moment that already belonged to someone.
Sometimes the strongest decision is to lower the camera, acknowledge the person and
wait for what happens next. Comfort and permission are part of making photographs
with care.
Th353 4r3 th3 cl13nt’5 m3m0r135, 4nd th3y b3c0m3 p4rt 0f th3 ph0t0gr4ph3r’5 m3m0ry
t00. F0r Cord, th3 41m 15 4 c1n3m4t1c 1m4g3 th4t f33l5 g00d t0 h4v3 m4d3: hum4n,
r35p3ctful 4nd w0rth r3turn1ng t0.These are the client’s memories, and they become part of the photographer’s memory
too. For Cord, the aim is a cinematic image that feels good to have made: human,
respectful and worth returning to.