what is the difference between a snapshot and a photograph
Nov 2, 2011 11:03:37 #
Nov 2, 2011 11:10:28 #
In the past 20 years I have helped many 'newbie's' and mentored newbie's on 'field trips'. I have also started 2 photography clubs (different towns) with the express idea of helping those newbie's become better photographers. There is only so much help you can give over the internet with words. Many people need the personal contact with a mentor to fully understand their camera and photography (two different subjects).
Nov 2, 2011 11:53:57 #
DK: I agree, but I would like to comment on the quality of the discussion. I have "lurked" on other boards and never commented because of the rudeness and likelihood of being flamed. That has not happened here, even with a topic with no answer. I applaud this group.
Nov 2, 2011 12:27:37 #
MWAC wrote:
What I find funny is who the people that are fighting/arguing about what makes an image a photograph vs. a snapshot are, not the actual definitions. I have NEVER seen some of them offer help to the newbies trying to take their snapshots to the next level or even posted an image I would consider a "Photograph" by their own definitions.
Lots of hot air but little substance.
Lots of hot air but little substance.
What a snarky n unnecessary thing to say.
Nov 2, 2011 13:10:37 #
MWAC wrote:
What I find funny is who the people that are fighting/arguing about what makes an image a photograph vs. a snapshot are, not the actual definitions. I have NEVER seen some of them offer help to the newbies trying to take their snapshots to the next level or even posted an image I would consider a "Photograph" by their own definitions.
Lots of hot air but little substance.
Lots of hot air but little substance.
Hi MWAC, I originally asked the question from genuine confusion. I didn't mean to get people up in arms.
Nov 2, 2011 23:40:53 #
[quote=achesley]And, it's all in the mind of the beholder as to what you would call a great picture and, just another picture. Some of the ones I totally loved, were, at times, accidental.
A lot of my best photographs were accidental, but then there were some that were accidental and turned out to be the worst ones I've ever taken. I've learned also not to miss opportunities. If you think you see a potentially good photo opportunity, act on your intuition and take the shot. Later on you won't regret it.
A lot of my best photographs were accidental, but then there were some that were accidental and turned out to be the worst ones I've ever taken. I've learned also not to miss opportunities. If you think you see a potentially good photo opportunity, act on your intuition and take the shot. Later on you won't regret it.
Nov 3, 2011 07:50:22 #
Nov 3, 2011 09:56:46 #
In my film days all of my great shots were accidents.
If I got one or two images out of 36 I felt I was doing pretty well.
Today I know before hand if the shoot is great or not. I will still take the shot just for the memory, and I know I will never print them.
I think the statement that get too a lot of us is..."that looks like a postcard"
I prefer "that looks like a painting............
If I got one or two images out of 36 I felt I was doing pretty well.
Today I know before hand if the shoot is great or not. I will still take the shot just for the memory, and I know I will never print them.
I think the statement that get too a lot of us is..."that looks like a postcard"
I prefer "that looks like a painting............
Nov 4, 2011 15:05:42 #
Janice wrote:
lol - ok
quonnie wrote:
i think it's sorta like pornography. i can't define it but i know it when i see it.
lol - ok
Congress couldn't quite define it when they wanted to outlaw it with a huge law, so they had to watch several weeks of 24 hour days of it to be sure...
Nov 4, 2011 15:30:35 #
sparky192 wrote:
quote=Janice I see it said, both here and other p... (show quote)
But there are also 15,000 to 25,000 shots of a single Sports Illustrated model taken to get a dozen final shots to put in the magazine and even those are PhotoShop'd to death. Is that "Professional" world-renowned photographer an artist (as the public and his industry considers him to be) or a high speed snap shooter hoping to get a few photos that are usable (which is the reality of the photo shoot)? Is he carefully composing works of art every 2 seconds for a week, or is he continuous-frame-advancing as he does bulk quantity snapshooting to hope something comes out well enough for publication? It is VERY debatable as to whether traveling to a location, setting up a semi-fake posing set at that location, putting flashes on stands and adding reflectors, then shooting 3,000 files of the girl in that setting from every conceivable angle is art or a professional version of highly paid snap shooting.
I don't see a fine line between one and the other. I have as many excellent files that came out well after spending 15 seconds handheld as I do files that I spent a lot of time on with a tripod. Am I doomed to damnation in the burning fires of Hates for using my full auto preset and hitting on an exceptionally good photo that some consider to be artsy but it's actually a quick snap?
How or why would I define whether one is a snap or art? Am I evil and going to burn and be jabbed in the back by pitchforks in hell for all eternity for taking credit for the quality of an awesome accidental snapshot? Should I throw the awesome snapshots away to be a 100% honest artist and only the save true art that I put hours into?
Because photographers just happen to be humans seeking self-satisfaction and artistic release of some sort, but also gratification, admiration, and adulation for their "work" from friends and family (and sometimes from strangers), aren't we all likely to take credit for both our snaps and our art and not differentiate between them to anybody - most times even to ourselves? It doesn't take long to forget how much time I spent composing a photograph. Should I record that time in a journal so I can tell viewers how much time was spent to reach my photo's artistic level? Is there actually a linear relationship between time and effort spent versus the resulting product?
I'm thinking that "snaphot" is mostly being used as a derogatory term these days. Aunt Suzie centered in a photo while standing next to the Grand Canyon sign with most of the Grand Canyon blocked from view by her wool winter coat and hat, but her huge purse and the sign are the main focus of the shot - this is the somewhat humorous but mockable concept of a snapshot.
Nov 4, 2011 15:40:37 #
jepoplin wrote:
Janice, I think DK & buckwheat pretty much hit... (show quote)
And be honest... does she sometimes get better shots than you do?
:oops:
Nov 4, 2011 15:45:06 #
gzil wrote:
Your method is similar to what I do. When I was shooting weddings, I would worry so much about the images I took that I finally decided to dump them into a folder and not look at them for 2 weeks. After 2 weeks I was able to look at the images in a new light and I discovered that they were not as bad as I had originally thought. I still use that method and like you, if they still look good after 3 looks, I keep them.
In music and writing that's known as letting your product "go cold" on you so that you have less emotional involvement. It actually happens in a few days and doesn't necessarily require 2 weeks. Then you can go back and listen or read as a third party observer to find what all is actually wrong with the product and correct it.
Nov 4, 2011 18:52:18 #
marcomarks wrote:
quote=sparky192 quote=Janice I see it said, both... (show quote)
Excellent post. Made me smile and say "yeah"
Nov 5, 2011 09:26:24 #
" If you like the photo you make / take, you're there " longer you continue to take/make photos the more your skills will improve and the more you will like your photos and take fewer to get there. Being creative, informative, artistic,and remembering " Each moment is the first of a new series and I will remain attentive " and have FUN.
Making & Taking Photos
Nov 6, 2011 01:39:51 #
I remember an interview in the pre-digital days with a photographer who made lot's of money selling photographs. His advice was to take lots of pictures. He said that he used less than 1% of what he took. But, he said, "a frame only costs a few cents but the picture that you didn't take you can't sell."
I'd say do everything you can do to improve your skill, but don't worry about if people will think it's a snapshot. If it is 'snapshot' quality well then it is of value just a a learning tool of what not to do.
I'd say do everything you can do to improve your skill, but don't worry about if people will think it's a snapshot. If it is 'snapshot' quality well then it is of value just a a learning tool of what not to do.
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