I know there have been threads on this before but could someone please tell me what makes a "snapshot". I spend a lot of time composing and setting up my photos but I keep getting comments like "looks like a snapshot to me". I think that is meant to be a criticism but I not quite sure. LOL If I understood the comment, maybe, only maybe, I would be able to change it. Since I work hard on getting the photo just the way I want it I probably couldn't change it but would like to understand. I've learned a lot from the comments but this one I don't understand. Thanks for your help.
it was originally coined by one of the founders of Kodak I believe, during a hunting party. People that fired their guns or took pictures without paying much attention or taking much care, were taking 'snap shots'
I always belived it to be from the term 'shapshooter' - and old fashioned term for a photographer & something to do with the mechanical noise the camera made? Thought I read that somewhere - who knows..
Grandma I disagree with all the above - sorry, must say this or you may strive to never take a shot with flash at 6ft height and at f22
A shot taken at 6ft tall can be the best angle depends on what you shooting more than anything.
A harsh flash can be nice in portrait work for example, if you bump it up and aim for a high key image.
As for DOF, noooo - architecture and landscapes are great taken at small tiny apertures, you want everything crisp.
To me a snapshot is a photo taken with no thought on composition - lighting or anything. just a quick take with no thought.
The term is used as a criticism, but snapshots can be better than some set-ups on many occasions.
Just my thoughts.
Well, once again, I spoke in general terms given a subject matter, and now it is being applied to every form of photography.
Forgive me for not being verbose or articulate enough.
To add, I think that voters here - in general - use the term to describe, like Gordon said, a photo that is just rattled off.
Further, there is value to snapshots... given that they are at least in focus, and of an interest level that they continue to mean something to you or others over a matter of many years.
Believe me, I have snapshots like that. Yet, I have recently gone through my photograph stockpiles (and, yes, they are piles) to get rid of the not so great and terrible ones that don't add to my life, that have no more meaning, or have counterparts on the sale roll or day that tell the story better.
My original post here was not supposed to be all encompassing. It was merely another description added to the building list to give GrandmaEMT the idea.
