Idea 3: Snapshot

Snap Shot

noun, verb

–noun

1.  an informal photograph, especially 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.

–verb (used with object), verb (used without object)

4.  to photograph informally and quickly.

Snapshot

A snapshot is a photograph that is taken quickly and impulsively.  Most snapshots are taken without the intention of being well framed or posed photographs.  Snapshots became possible with the increase of film speeds and the option of hand held cameras.  When Kodak introduced the No. 1 Kodak camera with 100 exposures in a light hand held camera, photography changed so that everyday people could take “snapshots” of events or pictures from their everyday lives. 

I have recently been researching snapshot images and the quality of them, trying to figure out how I can make my images have a similar characteristic. Because I am interested in a more vintage timeframe I plan to use a point and shoot camera from the late 1950’s to photograph my subjects.  I am currently investigating women asking them to select a setting that helps accentuate their comfort zone.  It is important to photograph these women with a snapshot camera.  By utilizing a snapshot camera I hope to capture and highlight the casualness between the women and the meaningful space they occupy. 

Quotes:

“The term snapshot was coined in 1860 by Sir John Herschel, who saw the aiming and quick snapping of the camera shutter as analogous to the quick aim and snap of a gun trigger used in hunting.”

“Snapshots democratized photography by making it simpler and more accessible to the masses as the years progressed. Taking pictures of friends, relatives, travel, and important events and rituals such as births, baptisms, bar mitzvahs, confirmations, graduations, and marriages provided a visual diary for families.”

Articles:

http://encyclopedia.jrank.org/articles/pages/1058/Snapshot-Photography.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snapshot_(photography) 

  

Annotated bib

Snapshot Photography.   Online Encyclopedia. 16 February 2011. <http://encyclopedia.jrank.org/articles/pages/1058/Snapshot-Photography.html>.

This article was about snapshot photography and how it started with the introduction of Kodak’s No. 1 camera.  This article also points out how snapshot photography has changed and influenced not just photography but also painters, television, journalism etc.  Snap shot photography has grown over the years and as technology is improving snapshot photography has been growing and advancing as well.