Autumn is here

Autumn is here. For those who live north of Florida, the changes are evident, and you have shown us those changes with a bunch of colorful pictures. For those of us who live in Florida, those changes and colorful trees are not as visible or as beautiful. Our state is always green.

Well, probably I'm being overdramatic here. You can see leaves falling from the trees and some changes in their coloration. Winter does not leave all trees here naked like in the North, and probably that's a plus.

The point here is that, even in evergreen Florida, autumn is beautiful.

Why Posed Photos Can Never Compare to Candid Pictures

There is something truly special about a candid picture. It captures a moment that feels alive, natural, and unplanned. While posed photos have their place in photography, they often lack the emotion and honesty that a candid shot brings.

You can't replicate this moment between father and daughter.

When people pose for a photo, they usually try to look their best. They adjust their posture, fix their hair, and smile for the camera. The result might be a technically perfect image, but it often feels too controlled. In those moments, the person is aware of the camera, and that awareness changes everything. The expressions become practiced, and the feeling becomes distant.

The eye connection in this photo can't be artificially created. 

Candid pictures, on the other hand, tell real stories. They show people when they are relaxed, surprised, laughing, or lost in thought. These moments reveal the personality and emotion of the subject. They are full of life and truth. You can almost hear the laughter or feel the tension in a candid shot, something a posed image can rarely offer.

In photography, timing is everything. Candid photography depends on patience and observation. The photographer must anticipate moments before they happen. It is not about controlling the scene but about being ready when emotion shows itself. That is why candid photography feels more authentic and spontaneous.

The authenticity of this moment can't be replicated by giving instructions.

Even in events like weddings, sports, or wildlife photography, the most memorable images are often the candid ones. They show connection, passion, and humanity. They remind us that life is made of fleeting moments that cannot be repeated or staged.

A posed picture might capture how someone looks, but a candid one captures who they are. That is the difference that makes candid photography so powerful. It reflects truth, emotion, and the beauty of being real.

All the photos in this article were taken at the last event. But there has never been an event where I walked away without capturing many of these moments through the lens of my camera.

One of those special moments!

In the past ten years, I have taken more than a thousand pictures of our grandkids, and only a few of them are posed. From my experience, you cannot ask a child to smile. It is like when the “Terminator” tried to do it, you can immediately tell it is not real. Children simply do not know how to fake a smile, and that is what makes their genuine moments so special.  

Beyond the Sport

Without any doubt, I have developed a passion for sports photography, which is strange because, other than the Olympic Games, I do not follow any sport and do not practice any either. But there is something beyond the competition itself that attracts me to this genre, it is the human aspect of sports photography.

The above picture illustrates what I am trying to explain here. I have taken good pictures of both of them fighting or demonstrating their kata, and I love those pictures, but these moments where I capture them in their deep meditation before the action are priceless to me.

 

This year, I have photographed many competitions, and while other photographers at the events were focused on capturing the action, I often took the time to look for candid moments. To me, they are just as important, if not more, than the action unfolding during the event. Maybe for the parents or the organizers these pictures are not as significant, but to me, they are every bit as intense and intriguing as what happens on the tatami.

After all, you can predict what the end result might be in a sports event, but you will never guess what is going on in their minds before, during, and after the event.

Without the candid pictures, a sports event to me would lose all its appeal. Keep that in mind if you ever think about hiring me.

Best Picture From Last Weekend

 I ended the weekend with more than 300 pictures. You can imagine how hard it is to select the best one. But to my eyes, this one is a wow type of picture. Do you not think? 

Editing your wildlife pictures

Sometimes, people assume that you should not edit your wildlife pictures, that editing is only for human portraits and landscapes. They are wrong. You can enhance any of your pictures, no matter what the subject or topic is. Here is an example of how a wildlife picture, in this case of a bird, is edited to achieve better and more appealing results.

 

Do not waste your hard earned money

Probably most of you are going to relate to this article published on the FStoppers page, talking about those items that any new photographer buys and how they are often a waste of money.

 

Spectacular Sunrise

There is something magical about those quiet moments just after dawn, when the first rays of sunlight break through the trees and paint everything with a warm golden glow. This scene stopped me in my tracks. The soft light filtered through the moss draped branches, highlighting the textures of the old oaks and the path ahead.

I took this photo on a peaceful morning walk, when the air was still cool and the world seemed to wake up slowly. The golden light touching the leaves and tree trunks reminded me why I love photographing nature. It is not just about the scenery, but the feeling of calm and wonder that comes with it.

Sunrises like this one are fleeting, lasting only a few minutes before the light changes completely. But that is what makes them special, a gentle reminder to slow down, look around, and appreciate the beauty that nature offers every day.

As I approach 12 years of photographing wildlife and landscapes, moments like this remind me how rewarding it is to keep exploring, learning, and capturing the quiet beauty of the natural world.