An appropriate place to start

[dingo]

I often here the expression 'its just a snapshot' spoken about a photograph as if the image was being viewed in a contemptuous manner, or flippant and dismissive. Such a shame really, since a good part of the 300 billion photos taken each year seem to fall into this category. A shame really. The first reference to the word was in and around the turn of the last century when Eastman sent forth to multiply the number of photographers on the planet. The snap shooter was seen as a casual photographer with little regard for intent or purpose but not in a derogatory sense. It was to complement the ease and casualness that was required for a photo to be produced. This annoyed the ****e out of the 'art' photographers like Stretzlig and Stiglitz who were only happy when you tried really hard. (see f:64). Even Picasso said that every photographer wanted to be an artist.
The snapshot has its place in photography. It is as important, possibly moreso, because the snapshot is a recording of the ordinary, everyday life and goings on of each of us. It is not necessarily viewed as a work of art of for its aesthetic qualities, nor for its drama or journalism. Its is, as they say, the first thing you grab in case of a fire.
My wife asked me what I would ensure left the house safely in case of a fire.
"Why, you, my dear" I quickly replied.
"How romantic" she responded, with a seductive smile that ensured a warm bed that evening.
"And on the way out can you make sure you pick up my cameras? I'll grab the whisky"
All of a sudden the bedroom froze over.

[dingo]

Still getting the hang of it here. I'll check my file size. Last time I looked it was smaller than I'd hoped.

[Isac]

Lovely tones in the B&W Dingo. Your file size is 1200 x 900 pixels and 1 Megabyte. I see you use PS for editing so if you save your file for the web, you can reduce the size with very little if any image quality.

[dingo]

Lovely tones in the B&W Dingo. Your file size is 1200 x 900 pixels and 1 Megabyte. I see you use PS for editing so if you save your file for the web, you can reduce the size with very little if any image quality.

Cheers Isac.
I have an action set up for saving files for posting. Generally it fits most occasions. I'll check and adjust if necessary.

Just a suggestion, old man. Look at the picture, not the tones. I don't give a flying fcuk about the tones once they have been produced to my liking. The intent is to produce an image of interest beyond the technical qualities. Sometimes I succeed, sometimes not.
As I might say to my students: 'if all you can see is the tones and sharpness, you might as well be blind' .

Don't mind my manner. I'm always like this.

xx

[seaslug]

At last some-one who cares about the subject matter!

[Isac]

Good comment Greg. Tones were just what I saw first and I always see a lot more in all photos. Besides the technical stuff like focus, exposure, depth of field, contrast, lighting etc, I also try to see what the tog sees and what he/she is trying to get us to see. I also look at framing, subject, where the eye is drawn to and also what appeals to me most about the image as in whether it tells a story or not. I don't always include this analysis or critique in my comments but it probably wouldn't be a bad idea. Cheers.

[sejac]

Very interesting read Dingo. Perhaps 'snapshot' is more about the intent of the photographer.

When Henri Cartier-Bresson was capturing the 'decisive moment' in his images, they were clearly not just snapshots although his method of working might be likened to that of a snap-shot shooter. No snapper today could come near Henri's beautifully crafted and composed images.

Love the first image. Talk about well composed, capturing the decisive moment. Brilliant stuff.

#2 is most engaging. Don't get cross, but I quite like the B&W tones as well!

Oh, by the way, we encourage polite, constructive criticism (CC) when people post here, but the "Snapshots!" section is for when people just wish to post something up without whiners saying what is wrong with it.

[dingo]

Cheers Charles. I'll get the hang of it. HCB was probably better known in his day because he was different. His book The Decisive Moment was originally call Photography on the Sly but the American publishers didn't like the uncouthness of the title. Like many of the photographers of that genre and period they wanted to record life as it appeared before them. That required quite a break from tradition. But tradition still persisted and runs parallel with the new. The idea of composition changed as well as the techniques and philosophy. Classical composition no longer applied. The approach was different, as was the tools. The snap shot no longer required formality of composition. It's impact relied on its connection with common occurrences and familiarity. Often there was a complete lack of aesthetics. Dark streets, prostitutes, dead bodies, the poor and underprivileged, the liars and thieves as well as the rich and famous. Blurry, ill conceived, poorly lit images had a different impact. We could look past the technical faults and read the story because we knew these people and places.