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DPChallenge Forums >> General Discussion >> Snapshot vs candid
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 03/11/2009 10:28:41 AM · #1
With everyone diligently commenting on 1100 images, I'm hesitant to open a thread,but would someone please explain the distinction between a snapshot and a candid. And why do we consider one a derogatory epithet and the other an art form?
 03/11/2009 10:33:48 AM · #2
the difference is only the perception of the viewer.
 03/11/2009 10:34:34 AM · #3
I'm sure someone will give you a great definition of this... I draw the line by eye... if it's uncle Bob at the family bbq poking his tongue out, that's a family snapshot. If it's a neatly composed, 'higher' quality image of a situation that wasn't rehearsed, then I call it a candid... but that's just me.
 03/11/2009 10:36:36 AM · #4
I certainly don't know any official definitions, but I personally would use the term snapshot to describe an unskillfully captured moment in time. In other words, no thought went into the picture other than "I pointed my camera at sumthin' and pushed the little button!". A candid, for me, implies knowledge of how to use a camera and the application of that knowledge when tripping the shutter to create an image purposefully. Of course, as dahkota said, it's all in the eye of the beholder.
 03/11/2009 11:26:07 AM · #5
Sometimes there is a fine line, and I agree it is a "know it when I see it" thing. Some of my favorite pics are snapshots, but I also find my snapshots are improving with time and experience.
 03/11/2009 11:59:47 AM · #6
The idea of snapshot, for me, is a quick shot to capture the moment. Really no effort put into it. Maybe a group shot at the game, or bar, or wherever.

A candid is a nice portrait, where the photog took some effort to compose, but subject is relaxed and "in the moment."
 03/11/2009 12:30:40 PM · #7
I am by no means an expert, but this is how I see it, especially when we are talking about Street Photography. I'll copy a post from last year:

Take this with a grain of salt because personally I stink at Street Photography.

I think SP can generally be broken down into three categories (although obviously you can't completely pigeon-hole the genre like this).
1) Light and Geometry
2) The Human Element
3) Nostalgia

In Light and Geometry, one is looking at the artistic aspects of the picture. These shots are often the easiest to "judge". To see good examples, look at our own e301.


In the Human Element we are looking for essays on life. Usually there is clearly a "subject" and usually one has good emotional rapport with him or her. This is often, but not always, achieved through capturing the face. This is where I see a ton of attempts fail. Too may try to capture human life without capturing someone's face. That is a hard thing to do and way too often the attempts fall short. The second example here is one that succeeds.


In Nostalgia we don't necessarily need people in the picture at all. One is trying to capture a spirit or feeling of the past and everything good connnected with it (ie a simpler time when life was easy).


That's my take on things anyway.

Message edited by author 2009-03-11 12:31:32.
 03/11/2009 12:50:12 PM · #8
To expand my query, If I'm shooting a sports event and I rip off a series of action shots, I essentially have 20 snapshots. I then select one shot which captures the moment of intensity I want, it becomes an icon of the essence of the game.

As an example:



Detracting nothing from the excellence of the image (One of my Favorites), this one shot from an admitted series of snapshots of a crowd.

My point is a snapshot that expresses the emotions of photographer is no less art than any other picture.

Edit: Amazingly we picked the same image , Doc

Message edited by author 2009-03-11 12:51:53.
 03/11/2009 12:58:31 PM · #9
Snapshot: a captured moment in time where the photographer and only the photographer himself/herself has an emotional attachment to the picture. ie.- Aunt Edna at last years BBQ.

Candid: A photograph where others can evoke emotion without being connected to the subject in the photograph. ie.-wow, what a stunning model/mountain/sunset.

This is why many photographer think their "sunset" picture is amazing because they were there when that amazing sunset was actually happening (while the exposure is all wrong). The trick to a great picture is getting others to feel that same strong feeling without any attachment to the picture/subject/location.

Now if Aunt Edna's picture had the perfect lighting/exposure/composition/etc, then Aunt Edna can be an emotional moving picture even if you don't know good'ol Edna.

And yes, as others implied, you'll know the difference when you see it.

Thanks, Pete (still working on getting people "moved" by my "snapshots".

03/11/2009 01:00:07 PM · #10
Originally posted by Marc923:

A candid is a nice portrait, where the photog took some effort to compose, but subject is relaxed and "in the moment."


Not to pick nits, but a candid does not need to be a portrait and in fact, often isn't. Though your note about the photographer, I think, holds true.

In a candid, the photographer works to get the best exposure, lighting, moment of expression, etc. In a snap-shot, they typically don't. Though the 'work' of the skilled photographer might be milli-seconds.

However, as I stated before, what a viewer calls it is based on their perception of the image, not on photographer intent. I can call a portrait a landscape, but that does not make it so...

Call it a candid when you are being complimentary and a snapshot when you are being derisive. Simple as that. Though there are photographers from whom I would be delighted to hear the word 'snapshot' used about one of my images, for the most part, on DPC, it is considered a slap.
 03/11/2009 01:04:58 PM · #11
Whilst this isn't actually addressing the snapshot vs candid question, I think it fits too.

One photography teacher I came across a few years ago said the following:

"The difference between a snapshot and a photograph is a snapshot maybe the most important image you ever make, will remind you of people you know, places you've been, good times, bad times, but a photograph somehow communicates that to someone else"

I always thought that was quite a good description.
 03/11/2009 01:23:49 PM · #12
I think a candid is one where the subject(s) are unaware (at least not directly) that they are being photographed at that moment..

candid |ˈkandid|
adjective
...
2 (of a photograph of a person) taken informally, esp. without the subject's knowledge.
03/11/2009 01:39:18 PM · #13
Candid - worth money, shot by a pro, art.
Snapshot - not worth paying for, amateur, bad/deragtory (sp?) term

Wedding Photojournalism - a trend, a style or the results you get when you don't know how to light and pose so you take a bunch of snapshots and want to sell them?
 03/11/2009 02:01:03 PM · #14
Originally posted by Jammur:
would someone please explain the distinction between a snapshot and a candid. And why do we consider one a derogatory epithet and the other an art form?


Both can make good and/or bad photography. But as dahkota said art is determined by the viewer.

Message edited by author 2009-03-11 14:01:54.
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