Candid means being honest and open, sometimes in a direct or blunt way. It can also describe photos taken without the subject posing or being prepared.
From Latin 'candidus' meaning 'bright, shining, white,' which took on the figurative meaning 'pure, sincere.' English first used it for fairness and lack of bias, then for frank honesty. The photography sense developed in the 20th century for 'unposed' shots.
The jump from 'shining white' to 'honest' shows how many cultures link light with truth and purity. A 'candid' photo is one that isn’t dressed up or fake, just like a candid comment. The word reminds you that we often imagine truth as something clear and brightly lit.
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