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Question: Snaps shots: Is it art, craft or just by chance a great shot!?
Here it is gang!.!.!.does it take skill to be a snap shot artist!? And is it true that "photographers" hate snap shot artists or is it they don't understand a snap shot artists craft!?Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
By it's own definition, no, it doesn't take special skill to be a snapshot artist!. Snapshots are photos captured with little time and planning put into composition and other technical elements of the photograph!. By, this definition, I believe it would be a craft with most positive results coming by chance!.

A snapshot artist would be one who specializes in capturing the unexpected without a large focus on the technical!. The line, though, becomes blurred as a photographer gains technical insight and incorporates his/her technical knowledge into shooting snapshots instinctively!. It would be at this point where the photographer might cross-over into the realm of photojournalism or candid photography!. This is when the 'chance' turns into 'technical', and I believe once you gain enough knowledge and have enough practice, this happens beyond our control!.

But, all in all, photography is art!. So, if the photographer deems his/herself a snapshot artist, then so be it!.

BTW, I'm a photographer, and I don't 'hate' snapshot artists!. Although, I should add that the term "snapshot artist" is very rare!. I'm happy for anyone who enjoys photography and especially for those who capture images they can be proud of!Www@QuestionHome@Com

The determining factor in my book is this: Can you do it again!? If you luck into a good shot by accident, there is no skill involved, just persistence!. If you can understand how to control the lighting, the focus, the depth of field, the contrast and any other factors to successfully recreate the shot more than once, then there is skill involved!.

There is a difference between having an eye for design/composition and having skill as a photographer!.

All it takes is the first plus persistence to get decent snap shots!.

I don't think it is so much a hatred by photographers of those who take snap shots, but rather a frustration that most people don't recognize the skill and training of a good professional!. It gets old to constantly hear that anyone with a point and shoot camera and photoshop can recreate what we do!. It's simply not true!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

It certainly takes skill to consistently capture the feeling of a moment in pictures that are clear and well-composed, so let's call it craft!. There is also a "snapshot aesthetic" in art photography, that involves carefully composed pictures with seemingly slapdash or spontaneous content!. Art involves the mindful creation of something that communicates a message beyond "look at that", so snapshots don't generally qualify!.

While there are various sorts of snobs and elitists among serious photographers, I don't see any general disdain for snapshots per se!. Most photographers start out taking snapshots!. The lack of understanding is more apt to be that of the "snapshot artist" who doesn't see what the something more is that elevates some photographs to art!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

In the mind of most people, a "snap shot" is a simple photo to capture scenes that document various places or activities with very little time taken on composition!.

There can be "snap shots" that turn out to be very dramatic and therefore some would consider them to be highly artistic!.

Sometimes, in my own photography, I come across wildlife and must capture them quickly before they move off and most of those photos are just quick snaps!. They seldom qualify as "artistic" because I simply don't have the time to set up the composition!. At other times, I am in a position at just the right time and can "compose" the shot and those can be thought of as "artistic" because I can convey more about the excitement and situation of the time!.

I am not a professional photographer as yet!. What I do with many of my photos is use them as documentary material for my blog detailing places to see and explore in Northern Nevada!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

The name negates itself!.
I have been a professional photographer for almost 20 years now, and never ever heard anyone refer to themselves as a "snap shot artist'!?
I would have to say that no one understands a snap shot artists craft because no one know exactly what that is!.

A snap shot is just that!. Not an artistic endeavor, but just a snap shot!.
If it were an artistic endeavor, wouldn't it be refered to as such!?
Honestly, to say you are a snap shot artist states that you do not know what you are talking about!. And I mean this with all respect!.

We as users and abusers of the English language have been known to throw out some really silly words that do not exist and Websters has snatched them up and put them in a book!. I don't think they have this one yet, though!. I believe if you were to explain more fully what you are asking, you might get a more solid answer!.
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if you take 100 shots of 1 thing your bound to get something good out of it!

does that make you an artist or does it make you logical!

I look at it this way!

are you expressing yourself or just taking photo's to take photo's!?
if your expressing youself then art all the way!
if your taking photo's to see what you get then maybe not so much!
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snap shot artist!? what exactly is that!? Someone who snaps a picture and lucks in to a great shot!?

I need a definition of exactly what a snapshot artist is!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

Seems to me that "Snapshot Artist" is an oxymoron!.

Care to explain!?Www@QuestionHome@Com