What is a Snapshot?
Dec 21, 2018 17:22:27 #
With derision in her voice she says "Henry only takes snapshots". Later in the evening he says with awe, "Did you seen Mary's photographs?" Can anyone tell me what a snapshot is, when a snapshot becomes a photograph or when a photograph becomes art?
Dec 21, 2018 17:39:00 #
For me a snapshot is when you do not put a lot of thought into it.
A photograph is when you put a lot of thought into it before pressing the button.
Art - That's very subjective.
What do you think?
A photograph is when you put a lot of thought into it before pressing the button.
Art - That's very subjective.
What do you think?
Dec 21, 2018 17:45:00 #
ricardo7
Loc: Washington, DC - Santiago, Chile
I'll be somewhat sarcastic:. Digital pictures are snapshots.
Pictures made from film and printed in the darkroom are potentially photographs. Possibly even objects of art.
Pictures made from film and printed in the darkroom are potentially photographs. Possibly even objects of art.
Dec 21, 2018 17:50:40 #
RichardTaylor wrote:
For me a snapshot is when you do not put a lot of thought into it.
A photograph is when you put a lot of thought into it before pressing the button.
Art - That's very subjective.
What do you think?
A photograph is when you put a lot of thought into it before pressing the button.
Art - That's very subjective.
What do you think?
I went to a photo club meeting last week. The quotes in my post were verbatim except for name changes. Since I can't read a picture takers mind I have no idea what went into the picture. The term snapshot is used derogatorily in most cases. I am also known as Mr. I Have No Artist's Eye" so my question was not meant to be smart a..
Dec 21, 2018 17:55:29 #
Curmudgeon wrote:
With derision in her voice she says "Henry only takes snapshots". Later in the evening he says with awe, "Did you seen Mary's photographs?" Can anyone tell me what a snapshot is, when a snapshot becomes a photograph or when a photograph becomes art?
For me a snap shot is when you just point the camera and push the button.
A Photograph is when you consider the subject from different angles and perspectives, take into account the foreground and background and select the composition that best conveys what you want to say and/or expresses your feeling.
Dec 21, 2018 17:59:24 #
RichardTaylor wrote:
For me a snapshot is when you do not put a lot of thought into it.
A photograph is when you put a lot of thought into it before pressing the button.
Art - That's very subjective.
What do you think?
A photograph is when you put a lot of thought into it before pressing the button.
Art - That's very subjective.
What do you think?
No doubt that a snapshot by your definition might be unplanned, but turn out to be an incredible and great photograph.
Does it matter why the picture was snapped, or how the image was created?
Dec 21, 2018 18:02:31 #
Curmudgeon wrote:
I went to a photo club meeting last week. The quotes in my post were verbatim except for name changes. Since I can't read a picture takers mind I have no idea what went into the picture. The term snapshot is used derogatorily in most cases. I am also known as Mr. I Have No Artist's Eye" so my question was not meant to be smart a..
That's ok.
I do have some snapshots, however for most of my photography I like to think I have worked on it a bit.
My only "srt" pics are photographs of things that look a bit "arty, usually found in nature.
Dec 21, 2018 18:09:06 #
Kmgw9v wrote:
No doubt that a snapshot by your definition might be unplanned, but turn out to be an incredible and great photograph.
Does it matter why the picture was snapped, or how the image was created?
Does it matter why the picture was snapped, or how the image was created?
You are right, it doesn't matter, all that counts is the end result. Sometimes you can get "lucky".
Dec 21, 2018 18:12:12 #
Curmudgeon wrote:
With derision in her voice she says "Henry only takes snapshots". Later in the evening he says with awe, "Did you seen Mary's photographs?" Can anyone tell me what a snapshot is, when a snapshot becomes a photograph or when a photograph becomes art?
...this is like the nature/nurture controversy...I love it...I’m in...how about a photograph is a creative experiment...and a snapshot is just a recorded image...either one could be good...but it is the creative process involved that makes them different...
Dec 21, 2018 18:18:00 #
Several definitions:
1. Snapshots are those taken as records of family events that will not be shared with other than family members, because no one else will care.
2. Snapshots are those pictures taken by someone who does not care to learn anything new about photography.
(The medium, film or digital, does not matter. The instrumentation (cell or DSLR) does not matter.)
3. Snapshots are those pictures that do not come up to someone else's standards, usually without explaining how or why.
3. A form of derision between photographers.
4. Snapshots are what most people who do not call themselves photographers call all pictures that they take.
1. Snapshots are those taken as records of family events that will not be shared with other than family members, because no one else will care.
2. Snapshots are those pictures taken by someone who does not care to learn anything new about photography.
(The medium, film or digital, does not matter. The instrumentation (cell or DSLR) does not matter.)
3. Snapshots are those pictures that do not come up to someone else's standards, usually without explaining how or why.
3. A form of derision between photographers.
4. Snapshots are what most people who do not call themselves photographers call all pictures that they take.
Dec 21, 2018 18:31:14 #
Dec 21, 2018 18:31:40 #
For my own collection, I think of my shots that are merely record shots as snapshots. They may be of beautiful subjects but they're just images for memory-making or data collecting. What I reverently call my "photographs" are ones I feel more invested in, ones that I have taken or processed with an eye to the art of them.
Dec 21, 2018 18:39:37 #
Etymologically, a "snapshot" is a casually taken photograph usually made with a hand held camera.
As far as I am concerned, the word has no negative connotations- it doesn't necessarily mean a BAD or poorly crafted picture but I wouldn't apply the term to a masterpiece or an especially artful photograph, however, I won't take offense of someone calls my best work snapshots- especially if it's a client who is willing to pay me hundreds or thousands of dollars for MY snapshots!
Perhaps is just a figure of speech, a colloquialism or an unsophisticated term that some folks just apply to any photograph- or any candid or impromptu image.
Maybe some folks become offended if someone calls their photographs "snapshots" or "snaps" or say things like God forbid "snap my picture" instead of "make my photograph" or better yet, "create my portrait"! Some photographers are taken aback if you say "take" pictures rather than "make pictures"...sorry "MAKE PHOTOGRAPHS"! Such snobbery?
So... some years ago I was at my professional photograhers association convention and attended a sales/marketing seminar. The speaker advised us to always use the CORRECT terminology because it "AIN'T PROFESSIONAL" to do otherwise. On the no-no list was "SHOOT"- we don't shoot anyone, we PHOTOGRAPH them. Don't say "PROOFS", they are "PREVIEWS" or worse "DEBUT IMAGES". They're not even 'PHOTOGRAPHS" anymore they are "IMAGES"! "PICTURES"? totally taboo! You can have a "TURKEY SHOOT" but not a "PHOTO SHOOT" they are "SESSIONS or SITTINGS" and of course some smart-ass stands up and says "suppose the customer wants a full length SHOT and wants to stands up for his SHOOT"! AND NEVER ask for a sitting fee or a deposit- ask for an "INVESTMENT"!
Way too many EUPHEMISMS for me! I prefer to speak plain English or what ever normal folks in my geographic location understand! I figured that if I adopt all theses "words" nobody is gonna know what the hell I am talking about. So...if someone comes in and asks me to "take snapshots" at their wedding or "take pictures" of their products, as long as they like my work and my style and know how to write a check, I ain't gonna correct their terminology any time soon!
Well- the next day at the convention I took in a lecture on contracts and the legal aspects of the photography business. The lawyer that was giving the class advised us to create contract forms and work orders in PLAIN UNDERSTANDABLE LANGUAGE so that there's no ambiguity and misunderstandings and to avoid "legalese" !
I should talk- I am frequently "accosted" around here by the "grammar and spelling" police and the "science squad"! People often write "I shoot Canon" or "I shoot Nikon" and I like to answere "I once shot with a Krasnogorsk" and they say "isn't that a Russian assault weapon". "Nooooo" I reply with a smirk, it's a Russian made motion picture camera"!
Ain't photo-slang fun!
As far as I am concerned, the word has no negative connotations- it doesn't necessarily mean a BAD or poorly crafted picture but I wouldn't apply the term to a masterpiece or an especially artful photograph, however, I won't take offense of someone calls my best work snapshots- especially if it's a client who is willing to pay me hundreds or thousands of dollars for MY snapshots!
Perhaps is just a figure of speech, a colloquialism or an unsophisticated term that some folks just apply to any photograph- or any candid or impromptu image.
Maybe some folks become offended if someone calls their photographs "snapshots" or "snaps" or say things like God forbid "snap my picture" instead of "make my photograph" or better yet, "create my portrait"! Some photographers are taken aback if you say "take" pictures rather than "make pictures"...sorry "MAKE PHOTOGRAPHS"! Such snobbery?
So... some years ago I was at my professional photograhers association convention and attended a sales/marketing seminar. The speaker advised us to always use the CORRECT terminology because it "AIN'T PROFESSIONAL" to do otherwise. On the no-no list was "SHOOT"- we don't shoot anyone, we PHOTOGRAPH them. Don't say "PROOFS", they are "PREVIEWS" or worse "DEBUT IMAGES". They're not even 'PHOTOGRAPHS" anymore they are "IMAGES"! "PICTURES"? totally taboo! You can have a "TURKEY SHOOT" but not a "PHOTO SHOOT" they are "SESSIONS or SITTINGS" and of course some smart-ass stands up and says "suppose the customer wants a full length SHOT and wants to stands up for his SHOOT"! AND NEVER ask for a sitting fee or a deposit- ask for an "INVESTMENT"!
Way too many EUPHEMISMS for me! I prefer to speak plain English or what ever normal folks in my geographic location understand! I figured that if I adopt all theses "words" nobody is gonna know what the hell I am talking about. So...if someone comes in and asks me to "take snapshots" at their wedding or "take pictures" of their products, as long as they like my work and my style and know how to write a check, I ain't gonna correct their terminology any time soon!
Well- the next day at the convention I took in a lecture on contracts and the legal aspects of the photography business. The lawyer that was giving the class advised us to create contract forms and work orders in PLAIN UNDERSTANDABLE LANGUAGE so that there's no ambiguity and misunderstandings and to avoid "legalese" !
I should talk- I am frequently "accosted" around here by the "grammar and spelling" police and the "science squad"! People often write "I shoot Canon" or "I shoot Nikon" and I like to answere "I once shot with a Krasnogorsk" and they say "isn't that a Russian assault weapon". "Nooooo" I reply with a smirk, it's a Russian made motion picture camera"!
Ain't photo-slang fun!
Dec 21, 2018 19:40:23 #
Dec 21, 2018 20:08:32 #
Curmudgeon wrote:
With derision in her voice she says "Henry only takes snapshots". Later in the evening he says with awe, "Did you seen Mary's photographs?" Can anyone tell me what a snapshot is, when a snapshot becomes a photograph or when a photograph becomes art?
According to the Dictionary of the Internet:
snap·shot /ˈsnapˌSHät/noun 1. an informal photograph taken quickly, typically with a small handheld camera. 2. a shot taken quickly by a hunter.
There you go, and considering some of the most memorable photographs in history are snapshots, there's nothing wrong taking them.
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