Snapshots ~ can you do it?
Wednesday, October 17, 2007 at 10:03AM 
Hugo, the cat that swallowed the canary • Click to embiggenLast week, I posted this entry about snapshots. Judging by the response - none - it went over like the proverbial lead balloon. Well, I'm not gonna give up that easily ...
Coincidently enough, after I posted that entry, I was across the lake in Burlington, Vt. and I stopped into a bookstore where I found a beautiful book, The Art of the American Snapshot ~ 1888-1978. The book is the catalog from an exhibit of the same name that is currently on view (10/07-12/31) at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.
From the book sleeve; "The impact of the humble American snapshot has been anything but humble. Any American who takes a snapshot contributes to the compelling and influential genre. Since 1888, when George Eastman introduced the Kodak camera, the snapshot has not only changed everyday American life and memory, it has also changed the history of fine art photography. The distinctive subject matter and visual vocabulary of the American snapshot - its poses, facial expressions, viewpoints, framing, and themes - influenced modernist photographers as they explored spontaneity, objectivity, and new topics and perspectives ... The publication shows that among the countless snapshots taken by American amateurs, some works, through intention or accident, continue to resonate long after their intimate context and original meaning have been lost."
The book is divided into time 4 periods, each with a narrative written by different authors. The text never veers into obtuseiness and it provides an interesting cultural perspective on the pictures from each era. Taken all together, this is very good stuff.
IMO,the pictures themselves make an interesting addition to our discussion here about 'vision' - it is very possible - in fact, IMO, quite probable - to make pictures that 'illustrate and illuminate' when you avoid thinking too much about 'making pictures' (especially the technique of making pictures). Simply pick a near-and-dear subject and, as the saying goes, "Just do it."
As the American artist and teacher Robert Henri stated; "There is no end to the study of technique ..." but "... technique can only be used properly by those who have definite purpose in what they do, and it is only they who invent technique. Otherwise it is the work of parrots."
FYI, and, IMO, this is a must-have book. It is available at a substantial discount - $32.92 ,instead of the cover price of $55 - at Overstock.com - if you go to Overstock.com by clicking here, The Landscapist gets a small piece of the action. When you get to Overstock, click on books, then art, then photography and then just type the book title into the search box.
and, PS I am going to the exhibit. I'll let you know the date just in case anyone would like to hook up.
and, oh yeh ... can you do it? - that is, shoot a snapshot? Or does the thought of doing so scare the crap out of you? Can you even shoot a snapshot with a 'fancy' camera? IMO, if you can't shoot a snapshot, you make good pictures either.
Reader Comments (7)
I have been reading your blog for months now and really enjoy it. But I must say that in the begining I was intimidated. But the more I read, the more it has changed the way I look at photography. I have been into photography since the 5th grade where I used my parents old folding camera and a box camera that I think was an Ansco. I got my first 35mm as a teen, it was an Agfa, and then in Vietnam I bought Yashicas and Nikons.
Today I still use Nikons a D50 and my wife has a D40, we also keep our trusty Fuji 5100 with us for B&W and I still have an old Nikon FTN Photomic finder that went to the 1980 Olympics with us and a nearly new 35mm Canon Rebel looking for a good home.
Sorry to ramble but as I said after reading you and looking at your pics, I took a look at myself and my work. Then last week I read a post in the blog "On Line Photographer" about a portfolio he reviewed and how it was like everyones elses. I looked at mine and thought, my god that is me and when I talked to my wife about it she also looked at her work and agreed.
As far as snapshots, when my mother died my brother sent me a large folder filled with snapshots taken at the old Storytown, Christmas, me with my first BB gun etc., and today I think anyone can throw the camera on auto and take a snapshot, IF they remember to also throw all rules aside.
Don
I am sure I can. Do I want to? No. Am I scared to death to try? No.Can you shoot a snapshot with a good camera? Sure, why not?
So it looks as though I can't make good images.
that's funny...I like older women too (and married one)! like father, like son I guess.
p.s. love the treatment and delicate dodging/burning.
hey Jim
You said you can but you don't, so, judging by your pictures, I guess that counts.
and, hey Scoop
happy to hear that you 'toughed it out' and that it made a difference for you. That makes what I do here seem worthwhile.
I can do snapshots. If anything, my candids are usually my strong point. Posed formals...I suck at. Badly. Here's my favorite snapshot of all time:
http://neutralhillsstills.ca/index.php?showimage=306
It went something like this...
[glance]
[!]
[ka-clik]
"Did you just take a picture of my ASS?!?"
"Um. Maybe."
My first photography job was running a copy camera on the night shift in a photo lab in 1972. (An 11x14 Burke & James with a 70mm electric back.) My favorite part of the job was making copy negs of snapshots. It was a treat looking at all those snapshots all night long. I got a proper snapshot camera (a Brownie Hawkeye) a couple of years ago and did some snapshots. I need to get it out again.
I have some negatives of snapshots from about 1936-1940. They are classic. Having your picture made was serious business then and costly. And the pictures and negatives were saved.