Re: [Leica] snapshot! insult or compliment?

["mdelman" <mdelman@rochester.rr.com>]

- ----- Original Message -----
From: "mdelman" <mdelman@rochester.rr.com>
To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Friday, March 23, 2001 7:28 AM
Subject: Re: [Leica] snapshot! insult or compliment?


> Hi gang, here's how I differentiate snapshots from more artful(?)
> photographs:
>
> Artful photographs:  These convey meaning to a broad audience.  Think of
the
> Life Magazine picture of the soldier kissing the nurse in Times Square at
> the end of WWII.  Everyone understands the meaning of that photograph --
the
> country's joy at the close of the war.
> In other words, the picture has narrative power.
>
> Snapshot:  A record of an event which has meaning to the people who are in
> the photo and the person who took the photo.  It has limited, or no,
> narrative value to people who participated.  Think of a typical
snapshot --
> two people, posed awkwardly, standing next to each other.  Are they
husband
> and wife? Friends? Are they happy? When and where was this picture taken?
>
> Do we know anything about the context of the above described picture?
Nope.
> It only has meaning to the people who are involved.  The photo will serve
as
> a memory trigger for those people who view it at a later date.  Example:
> That's picture was taken in the backyard of our aunts house the time we
had
> that big family barbecue..... yada yada.
>
> Let me know what the rest of you think.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ray Moth" <ray_moth@yahoo.com>
> To: "LUG" <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
> Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2001 9:32 PM
> Subject: Re: [Leica] snapshot! insult or compliment?
>
>
> > Henry wrote: Message-ID:
> >
> > >Mark wrote:
> > >I'm trying to figure out just how bad of an insult calling someones
> > images an
> > >snapshot is.
> > > snapshot (n.)
> > >1. an informal photograph, esp. one taken quickly by a hand-held
> > camera.
> > >2. Hunting. a quick shot taken without deliberate aim.
> > >3. Informal. a brief appraisal, summary, or profile.
> > >4. to photograph informally and quickly.
> > >
> > >
> > >Mark Rabiner
> >
> > I think it can (most often is) be an insult but does not have to be
> > (ought not be). Some folks only dig what I call "constructed
> > photographs" some only get giddy about what others might call
> > snapshots. There are some fine snapshots out in the world and about a
> > zillion times more bad ones. Just because it happened spur of the
> > moment does not make it worth less as a photo. And all the bad ones
> > really should not drag the good ones down.
> >
> > If its a good picture it is just that. Skill is required - not just
> > luck. Ted Grant's photo of Trudeau sliding down the bannister could be
> > a "snapshot" but it sure didn't happen because Ted's a goof.
> >
> > Its not about locking up a bunch of monkeys with a bunch of
> > typewriters.
> >
> > "Chance favors the prepared mind"
> > =====================================================================
> > Several LUGers have pointed out, in recent posts, that a photograph can
> > only be judged by a third party according to its appearance, not the
> > circumstances under which it was taken. A picture could be poor because
> > the photographer had insufficient time, was in an extraordinarily
> > difficult or hazardous situation, etc. but the end result will not show
> > this: all we see is a poor picture.
> >
> > IMHO, the term 'snapshot' should be considered an insult when used to
> > describe another person's photograph, especially if that photograph was
> > displayed or exhibited as a serious piece of work. The commentator is
> > saying that the picture exhibits the nature of a snapshot, that is, a
> > picture taken in a hurry without due preparation and forethought.
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> > =====
> > Ray
> >
> > "The trouble with resisting temptation is
> >  you never know when you'll get another chance!"
> >
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>
>