via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Someone asked in another post the difference between a snapshot photo and a photo that could be considered an artwork photo? Please be advised that I don't care how you photograph or what you photograph; if you are happy with what you do then keep on doing it. This post is for those photographers who might be newer to photography and have the same question and are interested in progressing in their art photography journey (if you don't do art photography then simply exit the post). If you have something to add that is constructive, then please do so, otherwise just keep moving on to other posts. In my next post, since someone told me this is the best way to do this, I will include some photos and a link to my Lightroom website where INTERESTED people can read about the process I undertook for the experiment. The question motivated me to take a shot of something very mundane to see if I could make it an interesting shot that might fall into the art photo category.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

I decided to use a pencil to illustrate the difference between a snapshot and artwork. Here is the first paragraph of the text, the rest can be found at www.viathelens.net, my Lightroom website. I've also included some photos and the rest of the photos can be found at the same website. I've found that some people on this forum can only take in short paragraphs of text and people get "flamed" when they actually try to write something of interest that adds to our photography education.

Paragraph 1:
1. In general my process is I see something I like about something, an object, or some scene. I take a snapshot of the scene or object, without rearranging anything or giving much thought to where I'm standing or changing lenses: I snap the shot. I look at the photo and determine if I like it, did it turn out the way I wanted it to? If not, I continue on. In this case, I'™m using a pencil to illustrate my process. (Note that I do not always go through this process but I wanted to define the difference, in this case, between the snapshot and the art photo.)

I have only included the first photos and the last photos here.

Please don't respond with "that is not art," as the exercise, which is what it was, was designed simply to assist people in seeing how one subject can be shot and viewed very differently with some effort put into it. The exercise was designed to help beginners understand how to assess their own images and how to work toward creating more interesting photographs and is not meant to offend anyone, or imply anything about anyone or their photographs.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

You might find this interesting:

https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&channel=mac_bm&source=hp&q=snapshot+esthetic&oq=snapsho&gs_l=psy-ab.1.0.35i39k1j0l3.981.2180.0.4736.9.7.0.0.0.0.185.572.0j4.4.0....0...1.1.64.psy-ab..5.4.572.0..0i20k1.j7gQlUUllHg

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

If the goal is to produce an artwork photo, I think the snapshot step can be skipped altogether.
For example, when I am shooting with my film camera, taking an initial snapshot is very impractical, as I cannot review the snapshot until much later - after it is processed. Instead, I pay very close attention to what I see in the viewfinder. Use DOF preview (if available), and simply bracket exposures whenever I'm unsure about the required exposure setting. All this can be done with digital photography as well, rendering the snapshot unnecessary. Of course there's nothing wrong with taking an initial snapshot. However, to me it does not seem to be a particularly efficient way to achieve an artwork photo.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

The issue being put forth here is taking only a snapshot and walking away versus trying to take a photograph with more interest. Many beginners simply walk up to something, bend somewhat over it, and take a snapshot. The intent was to try and help them to progress beyond that as someone asked the initial question. So, saying "go ahead and take that snapshot, " but then look beyond that. Many beginner photographers just don't think beyond that initial snap. The intent was not to say, always take a snapshot, but instead move beyond that snapshot you just took.

SeaCastle Loc: Daytona Beach / Toronto

Well first I would offer the age old "art is in the eye of the beholder."

My four year BA Fine Arts degree and a decade of editorial photo work has created a focus on composition which for me seems to present automatically in each and every shot I take. DOF can create specific subject refinement within the composition.

Even the most mundane of subject matter can become "art." It is simply the final product that is left to the viewer or judge to evaluate as to the subjective nature.

dp75

"Someone asked...."

I think it is a good point. Thank you.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

You are asking an unanswerable question. What is art?

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

I'm taking a photography class. What I took before were snapshots, what I call record shots of where I've been, whom I was with, and what we were doing. Going back through my albums I see some that might be art but most are in the category of "oh, boy, another mountain."

Now I am an artist. I pay attention to composition, lighting, and technique. I now end up with some that are "oh, boy, another..." but a higher percentage are art right out of the camera. For straight photos, good composition seems to be the main key. If you start out with that, then even something ordinary can become art. If you like tinkering it's easier to create with a photo that's already art.

travelwp Loc: New Jersey

If someone hands you a bunch of photos and you see one that you think should be shown in a local gallery, it doesn't matter how the photo was taken, and it doesn't matter with what equipment was used either, you have evaluated it as art.

canon Lee

Art is what stimulates the mind. Photography is not art but a capture of what exists. Post production is more like art, as it adds the photographers intent and creativity. I have been painting for most of my life, & I can say that not all of my work sells. Some times a creative person just needs to express his intentions. attached is a painting that didn't sell.

Spirit Vision Photography Loc: Behind a Camera.

Very true. Oftentimes, a work of art requires no more time or effort than the casual snapshot.

Spirit Vision Photography Loc: Behind a Camera.

"Photography is not art" Only after post production is applied?

russelray Loc: La Mesa CA

I like how Edgar Degas defined art over 100 years ago: "Art is not what you see but what you make others see."

Spirit Vision Photography Loc: Behind a Camera.

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