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It’s always fun to click candid photos (or be caught in the frame ourselves). Imagine trying to capture a friend mid-laughter or snapping your doggo in a playful mood. It sounds like an exciting and challenging task, right? Well, the result could be a blurry mess or a shot that deserves a spot on the wall at home, you never know.

But, today we are only focusing on candid masterpieces. The “r/AccidentalArtGallery'' subreddit, in their own words, is the ultimate destination for such spontaneous (read: accidental) shots. Whether it's a candid photo resembling a Medieval painting, Pop Art, or an Ice Age cave drawing, they've got it covered. Keep scrolling to check out pics that we find truly captivating.

#3

The Way My Windscreen Froze

The Way My Windscreen Froze

Liamers Report

We all know the struggle behind getting a good photo: finding the right light that doesn't make you look like a ghost or a potato, trying to find an aesthetic background and let's not forget about the stress of trying to coordinate outfits or make sure everyone's eyes are open.

Studies show a staggering 1.72 trillion photos were captured in 2023. Which means every single day, between 4.1 billion and 4.7 billion photos are snapped globally. Within the 47,564 photos taken every single second lie those rare moments when you might accidentally capture a masterpiece, just like the ones featured in this post.

#5

On My Morning Drive To Work This Morning

On My Morning Drive To Work This Morning

tmartinez76 Report

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#6

Misty Sunrise In Finland 📸raija Kokkola

Misty Sunrise In Finland 📸raija Kokkola

stalwart_rabbit Report

Photography is all about storytelling. And candid photos show intimate moments of a tale beautifully. Usually, when we pose for pictures, the classic "say cheese" prompt leads us to put on a smile and strike a nice pose. But what if people were in their natural element, unaware of the camera's gaze?

Candid photos favor spontaneity over techniques, ambiance over production, and context over explicit messaging. But it’s not always easy to get one, is it? The secret to taking spontaneous photos is to always have a camera or phone at hand. That means, when the moment comes, you can easily snap a few shots, and (if everything goes smoothly) get a fantastic result.

#7

Birds On Limbs

Birds On Limbs

pbj831 Report

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Mavis
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fun fact: birds with no visible difference between the sexes (males and females look the same) usually stay with the same partner for life eg: swans, eagles, penguins. Unlike these little birds who are swingers baby!

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#8

Ever Since My Niece Saw Toy Story, She Shouts “I’m Leaving!” And Then Peeks At Her Room Like This

Ever Since My Niece Saw Toy Story, She Shouts “I’m Leaving!” And Then Peeks At Her Room Like This

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#10

Oranges Photographed Through The Glass Pane Of A Greenhouse

Oranges Photographed Through The Glass Pane Of A Greenhouse

reddit.com Report

#11

Et Ascendit Cattus

Et Ascendit Cattus

Kubrick_Fan Report

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Sue Denham
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Everybody was Cat Fu fighting . . . Come on, everybody, sing along with me.

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Sometimes it takes a lot of tries to be able to get a good click, and this is especially true for candid photos. It’s helpful to put the settings on burst mode. This allows you to get multiple photos in quick succession with just one press of the shutter button. And you can easily seize those precious moments: the stolen glances, contagious laughter, and subtle tension that make each instant unforgettable.

And when capturing rainy scenes, bustling traffic, or the world around us, the burst mode helps to get every detail and movement with precision. Imagine you're standing on a busy street, trying to capture the energy of the moment with your camera. As the cars zip by and people hurry past, you are able to freeze the scene - the blur of motion, the splash of raindrops, and the vibrant colors of the city.

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#14

Cat Covets Whole-A*s Duck, Vermeer, 1659

Cat Covets Whole-A*s Duck, Vermeer, 1659

OppositeDirt Report

#15

Window Frame = Picture Frame. The View From My Bedroom

Window Frame = Picture Frame. The View From My Bedroom

TechnoGlobeTrotter Report

Another way to find a good subject is to go to places with lots of action - markets, train stations, festivals, parties and places of work are all good places. In such settings, you learn how to work with natural lighting and discover lots of opportunities to capture interesting photos. As people go about their daily routines and activities, one just needs to wait for the right time and opportunity.

#17

My Daughter's First Loose Tooth - Reminds Me Of A Modern Day Norman Rockwell

My Daughter's First Loose Tooth - Reminds Me Of A Modern Day Norman Rockwell

rem256 Report

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Kat
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This would be a great one for them to recreate; when they are all grown up.

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#18

Reminds Me Of Magritte

Reminds Me Of Magritte

Orion-- Report

Even though candid photos are spur-of-the-moment, you can research and find a good time to get the perfect click. Some things are easy to anticipate because they are predictable. For instance, if you want a mesmerizing photo of the sunset, you know exactly when it’s going to happen. Then you can look for great spots with clear views of the horizon. While spontaneity is important for authenticity and charm, taking a moment to focus on the details gives clarity.

#19

Polar Bears At An Abandoned Soviet Weather Station

Polar Bears At An Abandoned Soviet Weather Station

OppositeDirt Report

#20

I Took This Picture Of Some Ducks And It Looks Like Part Of A Painting

I Took This Picture Of Some Ducks And It Looks Like Part Of A Painting

TheWittyShad Report

To add a twist to your photos, consider changing your perspective. Instead of shooting from eye level, try getting closer to the ground or maybe go higher by climbing stairs or standing on bridges. Have fun and try to capture a unique perspective while remaining discreet. Getting a perfect shot during that split second of time requires you to get creative.

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#23

My Windshield Looked Like A Watercolour

My Windshield Looked Like A Watercolour

Rain_in_Arcadia Report

#24

The Taste Of Glory

The Taste Of Glory

CrunchyMemesLover Report

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M O'Connell
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This seems like a particularly trustworthy group when it comes to what something tastes like.

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Let's say you're at a crowded market, you stand upright and snap a few photos of the vegetable vendors at eye level. While these are nice, they don’t exactly turn out to be masterpieces. Now, if you switch things up and change the angle of the lens, you are able to get colorful displays of produce as well. The result? A visually striking image.

But don’t put too much pressure on yourself, you never know when you might accidentally get a beautiful pic. Have you ever unintentionally captured something interesting? Out of these pictures, which one did you like the most?

#25

Suloszowa - A Small Village In Poland, Caught From Birdseye View

Suloszowa - A Small Village In Poland, Caught From Birdseye View

Wisienn Report

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#26

This Picture Out Of Palestine Looks Like Something From A History Book

This Picture Out Of Palestine Looks Like Something From A History Book

Import Report

#27

Hector By The Fireplace

Hector By The Fireplace

NoMorePie4U Report

#29

Got My Grandpa's Old Film Developed And Found This!

Got My Grandpa's Old Film Developed And Found This!

fortyfourtwentytwo Report

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Karina
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The plot they built their house. If you look closely you can see grandpa inbetween the trees, kicking the ground to make sure its good.

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#30

If I Fits, I Turns Into A Non-Newtonian Fluid And Just Sort Of Oozes Cuteness

If I Fits, I Turns Into A Non-Newtonian Fluid And Just Sort Of Oozes Cuteness

punctuation_welfare Report

#31

A Bit Of Fluff On My Blanket That Looks Like A Man Running Up A Hill

A Bit Of Fluff On My Blanket That Looks Like A Man Running Up A Hill

DeathbyIndianman Report

#33

My Countertop Looked Like A Still Life Painting Today

My Countertop Looked Like A Still Life Painting Today

beka_targaryen Report

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#34

Ukrainian Cows [accidental Absurdism]

Ukrainian Cows [accidental Absurdism]

kumachaaan Report

#35

The Creation Of Adam, Michelangelo, C. 1508-1512

The Creation Of Adam, Michelangelo, C. 1508-1512

quichequiche Report

#36

A Bison Wallows In The Dust On The American Prairie Reserve, In Central Montana. Credits: @amytoensing

A Bison Wallows In The Dust On The American Prairie Reserve, In Central Montana. Credits: @amytoensing

saain666 Report

#38

🔥 Hardening Lava Making It Seem Like Bodies Are Going Into Hell 🔥

🔥 Hardening Lava Making It Seem Like Bodies Are Going Into Hell 🔥

mrmseeks Report

#40

My Printer Made One Last Page Before It Died

My Printer Made One Last Page Before It Died

evanroden Report

#41

It Popped Right Off

It Popped Right Off

jetfire1115 Report

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Marianne
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This looks like what happens in the catastrophe rainforest in New Zealand. All the plants cling to each other at the mountain side and when one falls, it takes everything with it.

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#42

He Is Risen

He Is Risen

OppositeDirt Report

#43

My Coffee Break At San Francisco Moma Yesterday Turned Into An Accidental Portrait Of Covid Society

My Coffee Break At San Francisco Moma Yesterday Turned Into An Accidental Portrait Of Covid Society

FNFollies Report

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WindySwede
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

'la société solitaire' (2020) by Moma (b. 1968). Oil on canvas. (Just invented a story around it 🙃)

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#44

Standing Rock Protest. Looks Like A Painting, But It’s A Photo

Standing Rock Protest. Looks Like A Painting, But It’s A Photo

CoeurdePirate222 , ryanvizzions Report

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General Anaesthesia
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Dakota Access Pipeline Protests, also known by the hashtag #NoDAPL, were a series of grassroots Native American protests against the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline in the northern United States that began in April 2016. - Wikipedia

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#45

Looked Like Lady Liberty Leading The People To Me

Looked Like Lady Liberty Leading The People To Me

VanGoghsSeveredEar Report

#46

The Miserable Facade Of Post Modernism In One Photo

The Miserable Facade Of Post Modernism In One Photo

BeardedGlass Report

#47

Hornets Nest That Formed Around The Face Of A Wooden Statue That Was Left In A Shed

Hornets Nest That Formed Around The Face Of A Wooden Statue That Was Left In A Shed

1lousylay Report

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helenfelton2907
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I believe hornets'nests to be beautiful creations -give them something to work with and they get even better!!

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#49

Tried To Take A Picture Of The Capitol Building In Dc Through The Pouring Rain

Tried To Take A Picture Of The Capitol Building In Dc Through The Pouring Rain

tominator68 Report

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#51

Iraqi Protestors Take Over Government Buildings And Sit On The Chairs Of The Elected Officials That Failed Them

Iraqi Protestors Take Over Government Buildings And Sit On The Chairs Of The Elected Officials That Failed Them

reddit.com Report

#52

Was On A Roadtrip To Vancouver And Accidentally Did A Double Exposure

Was On A Roadtrip To Vancouver And Accidentally Did A Double Exposure

reddit.com Report

#53

Sandstorm In Rajasthan

Sandstorm In Rajasthan

Javier_Ronaldo Report

#55

Son’s LEGO Were In A Bucket Of Water And Chalk. Result Of Me Drying Them On A Table Outside

Son’s LEGO Were In A Bucket Of Water And Chalk. Result Of Me Drying Them On A Table Outside

bakedbeans2 Report

#56

This Photo I Took Of A Flower And Ink Looks Like A Van Gogh Painting [oc]

This Photo I Took Of A Flower And Ink Looks Like A Van Gogh Painting [oc]

FPSamuraiG Report

#57

She Just Don't Care

She Just Don't Care

ValentinBoss Report

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WindySwede
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

'Girl with a Cat Earring', Johannes Vermeer, b.1632, painted 1665.

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#63

Oregon Wildfires Making It Look Straight Apocalyptic

Oregon Wildfires Making It Look Straight Apocalyptic

RavenRosie Report

#65

Monument Valley

Monument Valley

OppositeDirt Report

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#68

Do You Think This Works? Macro Photo Of A Oil In Soapy Water

Do You Think This Works? Macro Photo Of A Oil In Soapy Water

SpliffKillah Report

#69

Photo Of A Dog Through A Screen Door Looks Like A Painting

Photo Of A Dog Through A Screen Door Looks Like A Painting

Boris740 Report

#72

My Bathroom Window

My Bathroom Window

kevincroner Report

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Mike Rodrick
Community Member
6 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ANOTHER abstract! These people could sell these as prints.

#73

I Found A Beach Photo I Took At University

I Found A Beach Photo I Took At University

Kubrick_Fan Report

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Adrian Perlman
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

looks like the late 90s. i don't know why. that's just what the 90s looked like though

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#78

My Boys Posing For A Renaissance Painting

My Boys Posing For A Renaissance Painting

abbey_rez Report

#79

It Feels Like An Anti-War Painting

It Feels Like An Anti-War Painting

Mittenstk Report

#80

The Conference Of The Babushkas

The Conference Of The Babushkas

NKVDawg Report

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#82

Eggs Outside In Walker,mn With -50 Windchill

Eggs Outside In Walker,mn With -50 Windchill

itschmells Report

#84

My Friend Took This Picture Of His Skylight. It Even Looks Framed

My Friend Took This Picture Of His Skylight. It Even Looks Framed

firetothislife Report

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Mike Rodrick
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cover the sky with something or add something & you have another abstract.

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#85

Neighbour's Cat Looking Through My Bathroom Window

Neighbour's Cat Looking Through My Bathroom Window

i_am_atoms Report

#86

Sunrise Landscape Made By Moss And Rust

Sunrise Landscape Made By Moss And Rust

SurpriseThere1 Report

#87

A Blurry Shot From My Way To Work This Morning Is Mildly Constable-Esque

A Blurry Shot From My Way To Work This Morning Is Mildly Constable-Esque

feathersoft Report

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#90

Photo From John Mulaney's Twitter Of A Neighboring Apartment Playing His Special, Comeback Kid, That Resembles An Edward Hopper Painting

Photo From John Mulaney's Twitter Of A Neighboring Apartment Playing His Special, Comeback Kid, That Resembles An Edward Hopper Painting

IF**kedUpLastTime Report

#91

The Fireplace Was A Little Too Hot Last Night

The Fireplace Was A Little Too Hot Last Night

ketchuppacket Report

#92

The View From My Apartment's Window On A Rainy Day [oc]

The View From My Apartment's Window On A Rainy Day [oc]

desicyberpunkdude Report

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#93

Rain Or Shine We Won’t Give Up

Rain Or Shine We Won’t Give Up

indistinctly Report

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#95

This Print My Dusty Jeans Made On The Chair Whilst I Ate My Lunch

This Print My Dusty Jeans Made On The Chair Whilst I Ate My Lunch

stenno1 Report

#96

Mayor Of Kharkiv Speaking To His People

Mayor Of Kharkiv Speaking To His People

ownworldman Report

#97

No Filter. A Motel In Nsw Australia In Middle Of The Day

No Filter. A Motel In Nsw Australia In Middle Of The Day

AcceptableJunket Report

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Timbob
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh yeah? Then where are all the venomous snakes, and creatures that can bite your feet off ?

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#99

[oc] My Phone Glitched As I Tried To Take This Panoramic Shot In Sedona

[oc] My Phone Glitched As I Tried To Take This Panoramic Shot In Sedona

69TakenUsername69 Report

#100

Denver Airport Today

Denver Airport Today

jazztruth Report

#101

Casual Day In Japan

Casual Day In Japan

yciin7 Report

#104

(Oc) My Husband Sent Me This Picture To Show Me He Was Getting My Car Washed

(Oc) My Husband Sent Me This Picture To Show Me He Was Getting My Car Washed

Bear_Freckles033 Report

#105

Five Guys Awnings About To Be Installed Could Be A Modern Art Installation (2019)

Five Guys Awnings About To Be Installed Could Be A Modern Art Installation (2019)

isademigod Report

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#106

White Circles Were Painted On The Lawn In Brooklyn's Domino Park To Help Sunbathers And Picnickers Keep A Safe Distance

White Circles Were Painted On The Lawn In Brooklyn's Domino Park To Help Sunbathers And Picnickers Keep A Safe Distance

LauraKellyDesigns Report

#107

Celebs’ Reactions When Lady Gaga Took The Stage Wearing Her Meat Dress For The First Time

Celebs’ Reactions When Lady Gaga Took The Stage Wearing Her Meat Dress For The First Time

drukqsx Report

#108

Random Piece Of Toast I Found While On A Walk (Oc)

Random Piece Of Toast I Found While On A Walk (Oc)

patricksmayonnaise Report