I suppose this is a rant... - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

07/10/2004 12:22:18 PM · #1

Every day that passes, my hatred for Point and Shoot photography grows. Not the cameras themselves, but the photographs. They lack so much, and I realize that is how I got my start in Photography, but it's getting to the point now that they are just so bland, plain, un-appealing to me. Perhaps my eye for such things has gotten better? Who knows, I do find myself to be even more so critical now a days. I just wanted to share this blurb lol.

PaulMdx

Canon EOS-1D

07/10/2004 12:36:37 PM · #2

I'm curious what differences you see between the photos from a P&S and an SLR?

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

07/10/2004 12:45:48 PM · #3

Originally posted by PaulMdx:

I'm curious what differences you see between the photos from a P&S and an SLR?

you are misunderstanding...

I said it wasnt about the camera itself, but the photographs the people are taking. Point and Shoot photos are just less appealing to me now. I belong to a few photo communities online and when I first joined, people were posting good photos. Now though, it's all photos people just stumble upon, no thought process but Point and Shoot.

PaulMdx

Canon EOS-1D

07/10/2004 12:47:36 PM · #4

Originally posted by jmlelii:

Now though, it's all photos people just stumble upon, no thought process but Point and Shoot.

Ahh. So you mean more like snapshot photography?

Maybe it's just that you've improved?

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

07/10/2004 12:50:57 PM · #5

yeah snapshots, point and shoots, Right place at the right time type deal. I dunno, I can just tell the difference between photos now, and snapshots are just so BLAH

StevePax

Canon PowerShot S50

07/10/2004 12:54:58 PM · #6

Your arrogance knows no bounds.

David.C

07/10/2004 12:55:50 PM · #7

To me, a snapshot has a story behind it -- but you have to either be familiar with the subject(s) or create a story to go with it from my own past or imagination. A good photo doesn't need me to know the story ahead of time (or to create it), it tells the story itself.

Maybe you just got tired of writing script. :p

David

jmritz

Fujifilm X30

Custom Made Pinhole

07/10/2004 01:19:53 PM · #8

Originally posted by jmlelii:

This is my highest scoring photo and it was a snapshot. I had only a few seconds to take it and Rita didnâ��t know I had until afterwards when I showed her.

This also is one. I was talking to Carmon about his experiences in WWII and for one instant he looked off into the distance and I took the shot. He was unaware that I had taken it. He was so proud when I showed it to him and later told him about this site and how good it did in a Challenge.

This is one that was taken at a party. The little guy had this expression for only an instant and I was prepared. In fact I had the shutter pressed half way down waiting. When he burst into that smile I clicked the shutter. I disagree that pictures taken at the instant of a particular moment, basically snapshots, are any less in quality and value than the composed photo.

Olyuzi

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

07/10/2004 01:28:52 PM · #9

I guess you could say that Henri Cartier-Bresson was a snapshooter...always prepared for that special moment on the street when it all came together.

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

07/10/2004 01:49:31 PM · #10

...but I don't devalue them just because they are snapshots. Some of your images that I like the best, Jeremy, could be construed as snapshots (right place, right time, etc.)...IMHO...

BobsterLobster

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

07/10/2004 02:18:59 PM · #11

Well, a good photographer will automatically compose a shot well with good technique when just taking a quick snap.

sher

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

07/10/2004 02:59:29 PM · #12

some of the greatest photos ever taken could be described as 'right place, right time' or 'point and shoot' and, sadly, none of them would have scored well with most DPC voters. in my opinion, 'right place, right time' photos are infinitely more moving than slick, glossy stock photos. slick and glossy might make you Ooh and Aah but it's the gritty, real life photos that stick with you and haunt your thoughts.

just my opinion.

(edited for grammar)

Message edited by author 2004-07-10 15:04:32.

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

07/10/2004 03:27:09 PM · #13

Originally posted by laurielblack:

I think snapshot photos are an art form in their own right...some of my very favorite pictures from our vacation are snapshots. They tell a story, and some of them tell stories without you knowing who/what/when/where/why and all that, just on their own, but they are snapshots all the same. Only two of these photos were of my own family, and all are snapshots, taken really without thought or need...

...but I don't devalue them just because they are snapshots. Some of your images that I like the best, Jeremy, could be construed as snapshots (right place, right time, etc.)...IMHO...

The last two you saw here, we definitely setup. More so on the city shot, as I had planned that night out for that shot.

The middle shot with the lady was composed on site. I did actually manage to get the nerve to talk with her and asked her about taking her photograph.

The mushroom was a snapshot.

The level of quality between here and the online communities is quite different. At the time I posted this I was kinda livid with how things were going there, now that Ive reread what I wrote, I worded it wrong. Thats why this is a rant section, everyones allowed to post lividly and sound like an asshat from time to time.

Canon EOS-60D

07/10/2004 03:30:01 PM · #14

I have to admit...asshat is one I've not heard before. Very unique!

You have every right to be livid...I have been more than once. I just hope you feel better now that you've vented.

BTW...the mushroom is amazing, snapshot or not!

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

07/10/2004 03:41:06 PM · #15

Originally posted by laurielblack:

Yeah I am actually going to go get that printed in a bit, I am trying like hell to edit out that green seedling of grass and its just not working >.<

dacrazyrn

Nikon D300

07/10/2004 03:48:08 PM · #16

I think almost all of the shots in my portfolio are are "snapshots" then. I like to call myself an Opportunistic Photographer...just stumble on things, and get lucky. I usually don't plan alot out, maybe just where I am going.
Right Place, Right Time

and my highest scoring...RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME

Imagineer

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

07/10/2004 04:10:22 PM · #17

Difficult to put a finger on the 'why' here, but as someone once said: 'A good photograph will make an uncommonly good image of common subjects'.

And that I suppose is what makes some photojournalists stand out from the crowd.

sher

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

07/10/2004 04:18:25 PM · #18

Originally posted by jmlelii:

Originally posted by laurielblack:
I have to admit...asshat is one I've not heard before. Very unique!

You have every right to be livid...I have been more than once. I just hope you feel better now that you've vented.

BTW...the mushroom is amazing, snapshot or not!

Yeah I am actually going to go get that printed in a bit, I am trying like hell to edit out that green seedling of grass and its just not working >.<

i think the green seedling of grass is what makes the photo special.

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

07/10/2004 04:33:56 PM · #19

Yes, I agree with Sher, leave the grass seedling...it really adds a lot to the shot.