All photographs are snapshots.
I'm saying nobody can tell by looking at a photograph how it was taken. Apart from long exposures all phoptographs are taken in a split second, and even long exposures haver their starting point decided in an instant.I often get the impression when a photo is called a snapshot ( taken quickly without any thought ) it is not the same as a set piece professional studio photo. So do you mean the latter are still only snapshots bearing in mind setting up the studio the lighting the camera angle etc
It seems to me that you can usefully relate it to firearms (though I’m not sure that is the origin) where I would describe it as a shot of opportunity, ie a target is briefly seen and a shot taken. Time does not come into it in the sense that you may have waited a long time for the opportunity to present itself and you may have anticipated the opportunity and prepared for it.
I‘m sure most people can relate this to certain kinds of ‘street photography’ .
Despite all the foregoing, I think most people here use the term to describe a photo taken carelessly and without much consideration. .
It seems to me that you can usefully relate it to firearms (though I’m not sure that is the origin) where I would describe it as a shot of opportunity, ie a target is briefly seen and a shot taken. Time does not come into it in the sense that you may have waited a long time for the opportunity to present itself and you may have anticipated the opportunity and prepared for it.
I‘m sure most people can relate this to certain kinds of ‘street photography’ .
Despite all the foregoing, I think most people here use the term to describe a photo taken carelessly and without much consideration. .
If you need to ask that question you really need more ofI was just wondering how much time must one spend on taking a photo so it can no longer be called a snapshot?
Dave
With all due respect the question was not how it was taken
It's only "art" if you spent hours on it.I suppose I just get hacked off by the notion that a hastily taken 'snapshot' is a lesser photograph.
I don't see why it should. The Collins National Dictionary (page 462) gives the definition: "hasty shot; photograph taken by giving instantaneous or very quick exposure". Most pictures these days fall into the second category and are none the worse for that...So calling it a snapshot makes me feel like I've failed.
I don't see why it should. The Collins National Dictionary (page 462) gives the definition: "hasty shot; photograph taken by giving instantaneous or very quick exposure". Most pictures these days fall into the second category and are none the worse for that...
I really resisted mentioning HCB in my reply! But I would classify much of his work as snapshots, some he waited for the juxtaposition of elements and others he seized a moment quickly. I don’t see “snapshot” as derogatory, though I agree, as I mentioned, that many people think it it implies a lack of care, but that depends on the snapper’s actions.I suppose I just get hacked off by the notion that a hastily taken 'snapshot' is a lesser photograph than one which has been thought out and planned for ages and reacted accordingly.
I like 'snapshots' they can have a liveliness in their serendipity that carefully planned photographs lack. Having been brought up on HCB's 'decisive moment' and stress on geometry in his pictures it took me a long time to understand the visual value of embracing chance and accident in to my photographs. Silly when you think that was exactly what influenced painters such as Degas in photography's earlier years.
Nice snapSomeone just commented on my Instagram post 'beautiful snapshot' - which grinds my gears and feels almost like an oxymoron. I definitely see it a slight reserved for trolls.
Google tells me what I already feel about the word 'snapshot'
What is a snapshot picture?
“Snapshot – A photograph that is shot spontaneously and quickly, most often without artistic or journalistic intent.”
I intend all my photos to be artistic in some-way. So calling it a snapshot makes me feel like I've failed..
Here is the image.. when I saw Newt here, a little pup with a big shadow, I did not ignore the opportunity - i had to fetch the camera, put a card in it and already knew how I was going to photograph it.
The Spirit Within by Daniel Cook, on Flickr
So: would your opinion be that the three examples given above and say these three more are not photographs?On the other hand a photograph is composed by the photographer as to how he/she wants the result to be - their competence growing with experience. That is; exposure, shutter speed, composition etc. are given a considerable amount of thought as is the processing of the photo after it has been taken.
Someone just commented on my Instagram post 'beautiful snapshot' - which grinds my gears and feels almost like an oxymoron. I definitely see it a slight reserved for trolls.
Google tells me what I already feel about the word 'snapshot'
What is a snapshot picture?
“Snapshot – A photograph that is shot spontaneously and quickly, most often without artistic or journalistic intent.”
I intend all my photos to be artistic in some-way. So calling it a snapshot makes me feel like I've failed..
Here is the image.. when I saw Newt here, a little pup with a big shadow, I did not ignore the opportunity - i had to fetch the camera, put a card in it and already knew how I was going to photograph it.
The Spirit Within by Daniel Cook, on Flickr
Shall I drag Winogrand into this? After all he must have been a snapper as he had trouble holding his camera level.I really resisted mentioning HCB in my reply! But I would classify much of his work as snapshots, some he waited for the juxtaposition of elements and others he seized a moment quickly. I don’t see “snapshot” as derogatory, though I agree, as I mentioned, that many people think it it implies a lack of care, but that depends on the snapper’s actions.
Maybe. But are the pictures worth a second glance or are they what I call 'one-liners'? The sort of picture you look at and think is clever/witty before moving on never to return? A lot of contemporary 'street' photograph strikes me as being just that sort of stuff repeating the currently fashionable tropes....more than just a snapshot that turned out ok.
Maybe. But are the pictures worth a second glance or are they what I call 'one-liners'? The sort of picture you look at and think is clever/witty before moving on never to return? A lot of contemporary 'street' photograph strikes me as being just that sort of stuff repeating the currently fashionable tropes.
Would you never frame a snapshot even if it was a good picture?I'd happily put my best street work on the wall, they are not fire and forget snapshots.
Would you never frame a snapshot even if it was a good picture?
The strange thing with family (and a lot of other) snaps is that they increase in 'value' with time. What would you do with family snaps?Personally if it was good enough to be framed, then it would need to be artistic - if it was an 'artistic snapshot' that was taken with no artistic intent, that would be rare - but I might allow it
I am not a person who would ever frame "family snapshots"
The strange thing with family (and a lot of other) snaps is that they increase in 'value' with time. What would you do with family snaps?
No prints in a drawer or album?There's just my wife and two dogs, we won't have children, social media is as far as those go.