roger allen Loc: another planet

your thoughts on composing a photograph as opposed to a simple snapshot -
roger -

bobmielke Loc: Portland, OR

In simple snapshot placement of the main subject isn't necessarily a priority. You're just capturing a moment in time, a snap shot.

With a photograph you decide the main subject, the background, and whether it will remain in focus or not by determining your lens opening that controls that focus area(depth of field). In composing a photograph you want to structure it so that the viewer's eyes move through the photo to your main subject. Controlling light, dark, blur and sharpness and the position of the main subject all contribute to that end.

user2071 Loc: New England

It's a thin line. Sometimes a great snapshot is called photojournalism. Sometimes it's art.

Maybe the difference lies in the intent of the shooter.

Snapshots are not "thoughtful" or taken with "intent." Photographs are, even bad ones. True there are such things as happy accidents, but usually it's while you are trying to take a photograph, not when you are snapping pix of the kids and puppies in the backyard.

ShakyShutter Loc: Arizona

There's picture take'n and then there's photographing. Some people never graduate from snapshots no matter how hard they try. And some people take photographs with every shot. I think the difference is in the caring about the result. Some people refuse to take a bad picture regardless of purpose.

Composition is not always what differentiates a snapshot from a photograph. Sometimes you just need a picture of a picture of a dog or cat to show someone without turning it into a masterpiece.

user2071 Loc: New England

I think everyone is right.

But there IS a small matter of talent. I know we hate to talk about that, but some people can take photos because they see them, they have an eye. You can't buy that. You can't even learn it. It's a gift. You can develop it, if you have it, but if you don't? You'll never be a photographer.

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

I agree with you to a point on this. I don't think I will ever be a "great" photographer. I don't naturally have the "eye", but I think that with practice I can learn much of what the person with the natural ability just does without thinking about it. I may never be intuitive, but I can learn and I can take good if not great photos. I think I am still a photographer, I just have to work a lot harder at it.

user2071 Loc: New England

Don't give up quite yet. Sometimes, you don't know what you can do until you suddenly discover that you ARE doing it.

roger allen Loc: another planet

Hey Mama ! you can start by not speaking you will never be a great photographer- that isnt so - I dont believe you can't be a great one- i believe you can - I dont think it is something you are necessarily born with - i think it is something you can become , other wise why would some teacher some where say you must " train your eye to see in black and white or to see in the ready made composition. you are half way there by simply picking up your camera and shooting
roger -

user2071 Loc: New England

I did NOT mean to imply that if you don't discover the moment you pick up a camera that you are going to be a Great Artist that you should give up. Heaven forbid!

Even if you DO have a gift, you'll never know it if you don't try to use it and gifts are gifts, but you still have to learn the craft. You can certainly take a little gift and make it a lot bigger by looking at what others have done and figuring out how they did it. Studying the work of great photographers one of the best ways to learn and all you need are books of photos (borrowed from the library) and your eyes.

I don't think everyone has it in them to be great, but most of us have it in us to be GOOD. Sometimes, VERY good.

In the real world, a lot of determination and a bit of a gift will often often trump the accomplishments of someone with a bigger gift who never makes the effort. Those who try hardest often finish first. We are not all equally gifted, but we all have it in us to maximize what we ARE given.

I consider myself someone with a bit of a gift, but a hard tryer. I've learned by copying the composition of those who ARE great. I have a little talent, but that big special talent that can take you into greatness? Not me ... but I am good enough to hang on a few walls and fill my world with pictures of things I love.

If ONLY great artists developed their talent there would be precious few people shooting photos or, for that matter, writing books. The world isn't run by a few super talented folks: it is populated by people who had some talent and worked at the craft. Effort does count.

This started because we were discussing greatness as it pertains to composition. Becoming one of those select few who are obviously masters is different than learning to be a better photographer. The quality of greatness is special and rare. The rest of us do the best we can with what we've got. We're not all going to be giants, but we can all do well.

There are people who REALLY can't shoot a decent picture to save their lives. We all know them. For them, there is the snapshot and THAT'S where this thread started.

I just wanted to add one thing: I don't need to believe I am going to be great to love what I do. It isn't running myself down, it's recognizing that I am part of the majority -- people who have some talent and love taking pictures. Every once in a while, I take one that is special, but I'm old enough to recognize my limits. If at this point in my life, I don't know what I can or can't do, I am hopeless. And frankly, there are few people I find more annoying to be around than people who are sure they ARE great ... and they aren't.

henrycrafter Loc: Orem Utah

Snapshooters click shutters
Photographers COMPOSE images

roger allen Loc: another planet

bottom line : if it pleases you then it is a good photograph.
i have discovered i grow bored with some of my prints and they seem to not hold my interest after capture. I tend to think that is a good thing because then I can push myself to get a better result and to look for better subjects -
she is right in saying look at the old timers , the old greats from matthew Brady ( civil war ) to the ones in the 1940's and you will learn a lot
just be happy and shoot - its good for the soul
roger

henrycrafter Loc: Orem Utah

Dinamic composition implies scope or activity beyond the borders of the picture.

What is happening behind the mountain?
Is it a fire? A blazing sun? A nuclear attack? What?
This type of composition should be designed to lead the viewer’s imagination toward the mystery of wonder.


Static composition implies the pictures egocentric direction

For example this picture is all about the deer with the background having secondary importance. Who is the deer watching? What is the deer thinking? Is the deer on alert? It is all about the deer. In static composition the attention is on the central image.

Dynamic composition


Static composition

Hiskid.58 Loc: Erie, PA

You don't take a photograph, you make it.
Ansel Adams

A great photograph is one that fully expresses what one feels, in the deepest sense, about what is being photographed.
Ansel Adams

There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs.
Ansel Adams

Here are some thoughts on the subject from a master.

I think both have their place and can be visually stimulating. I've ended up with some great images that were mistakes. I've had some well thought out compositions that when viewed after capture, I wondered what I was thinking.

user2071 Loc: New England

I've had a LOT of these. Actually, most of my pictures are deletes. But I live for those few that have that special something.

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

Thank you Roger, you are right. Other than my daughter I am probably my own worst critic.