I think, Boris, that "snapshot" refers to the state of mind of the
photographer at the moment of exposure. It could mean to Shoot On
Impulse as in situations that arise so quickly that you don't have
time to think if you want to capture it. However, I think it's more
common to think of it as Shooting Without Involving Your Brain Too
Much.
I also think it has different meanings in different contexts.
In the context of describing one's own images, it is used as an excuse
for eventual weaknesses in the picture. It is like saying "don't go
harsh on me, because I didn't really put my soul in this one", or
maybe "this happened so fast I really had no time to think what I was
doing". It is also very convenient to resort to if a photo receives
harsh critique; "well it's just a snap anyway".
I would never have dared to classify another photograper's image as a
snapshot, though. In the context of commenting someone's pictures, I
think it is a very derogatory term. It's like saying "yeah, I can see
you didn't really think before shooting this".
In a "third person" context, the term becomes more general and
abstract. The things that comes to my mind are "family albums" as in
recording Who Dined With Your Family At The Last Grill Party At Your
Summer House, or maybe as randomly collecting images because you're
outside airing the dog anyway.
I would also argue that Lomography is not snapshooting. Simply because
a Lomographer is basically very mentally aware of the kind of pictures
that is recorded. :-)
Jostein
----- Original Message -----
From: "Boris Liberman" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, July 23, 2005 9:33 PM
Subject: What is snapshot? (seriously)
Hi!
Shel responded that my latest PAW was a good snap, nothing more...
While I accept what he said, he made me thinking...
What is a snap shot, really??? What is an opposite of snap shot???
Technically, with modern AF cameras the time spent taking the
picture itself is rather short... So what is a snap shot anyway ...
Let us be constructive, ladies and gentlemen. I realize this can
grow to a long thread and I want it to be peaceful...
Thanks a lot in advance...
Boris
