The snapshot as an art form

[DNG]

I'm not trying to pick a fight, or anything, but I do wonder about the utility of that definition. I don't think I ever take a photo without some regard to composition. Whenever I bring camera to eye I'm pretty sure that consciously or unconsciously I'm thinking on how I can make a "decent photo" (whatever that means) of the scene in front of me. Even when taking the most "snapshotty" of photographs.

Here's one that I took at a birthday BBQ for some friends' son last December, selected because its the only "family snap" shot I can think of that I have online (used as an illustration in a write-up I did on a new DSLR):



While hardly "art" or the best-composed photo that's ever been made, I do recall that I thought, albiet very casually, about how how I might go about taking the photo: making decisions about where to stand, what focal length and aperture to set and timing the shutter release to have the three people in frame "all in a row".

I also wonder whether intent is the best guide to deciding "what sort of photo" a photograph may be. Shouldn't the photo itself (or, perhaps for some, its position or inclusion in a sequence of photos) determine that, rather than the stated or imputed intent of the photographer?

It's all a funny business really. I have a couple of photos taken during a trip which I think are strong enough to "stand alone" as photos in themselves. Does that mean they aren't the happy-snap travel photos they "really were" taken as?

...Mike

I think that is a great snapshot....Who says a snapshot is a mindless act?
It may not be a museum quality photo, but a snapshot can be thought through and executed well, the above example illustrates quite well. 🙂

 

[morback]

One of my favorite photo books:
http://www.gestalten.com/books/detail?id=402881820693dcee010693dd0db3002b

All snapshots, great book if you're in the right state of mind.

 

[mackigator]

Two years ago the National Gallery in Washington DC ran an exhibit called the "Art of the American Snapshot" and there is a pretty good photo book of that exhibit. I saw the exhibit and I liked it in that not-going-to-drive-long-distance-but-still-good kind of way. I was reminded of it when I recently passed over the book in an independent book store. The book is also pretty good and I bet some will really like it.

http://www.amazon.com/Art-American-...3689/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1250040438&sr=8-2

Warning: a good bit of history of the snapshot, in words, is in that book + the photos.

 

[kbg32]

There have been many photo books published on the snapshot as a legitimate form of "art", and many exhibitions have been done on this subject. I think the reason why this hasn't come up lately, is the abundance of imagery that is being produced digitally - cameras, cellphones. etc.. As a matter of fact there have been books and exhibitions on the latter.

 

[charjohncarter]

Aren't most street photos just snapshots glorified with the respectability that comes with calling them art? hehe

Maybe, but here is one by the worst photographer in the world, my Dad. I think that time has something to do with 'snaps.' He took this and it isn't of my Mom or anyone that I know. But still, for once, he did a good "snap.'

about 1939-40:

fingerprint and all.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Maybe, but here is one by the worst photographer in the world, my Dad. I think that time has something to do with 'snaps.' He took this and it isn't of my Mom or anyone that I know. But still, for once, he did a good "snap.'

about 1939-40:

fingerprint and all.

That's actually a pretty damn cool snapshot!

 

[Spider67]

Maybe, but here is one by the worst photographer in the world, my Dad. I think that time has something to do with 'snaps.' He took this and it isn't of my Mom or anyone that I know. But still, for once, he did a good "snap.'

about 1939-40:

fingerprint and all.

I wonder what the reaction of his friends or your family was. Usually photo like that provoked (among my friends etc.) the question: "What did you make that for?!"
There was a horror of seeing privately made photos that showed anything else but groups, portraits of newly"borns" or .-weds and flowers...oh yes and the "Me&Ma in front of....(fill in tourist attraction).
Note: the problem was not about this kind of photos mentiones above but of the rigid discipline not to shoot anything else.
hence the snapshot as the first step to freedom.

 

[Chris101]

Cool pic Carter! I love seeing the odd photos my parents and grandparents took. They give my past some validity that their stories just hint at.

My own definition of a snapshot is broader than most I've read here. It is a spontaneous photograph. Ss's don't involve any set-up, but may have the cooperation of the subject(s) or not. The skill of composition or setting the camera is immaterial.