new poster

Joined: 21 Aug 2006 Posts: 20

what should I do with this picture if anything, I think my son is adorable in this, but i want more out of it..any suggestions?

Original:

My take on it:

Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2006 6:40 am

Sorry, but for me, this is a snapshot.

mikealex wrote:

difference between a snapshot and a photograph.

A snapshot invokes a memory of someone you know or met, a place you've been, an event you attended, or a pet that you've owned. The connection to the image is emotional and subjective. A snapshot, shown to a stranger, is ineffective, because the stranger doesn't have that memory or emotional connection to the picture.

A photograph stands on it's own. It doesn't rely on memories or emotional connections to portray itself. It has to portray it's meaning on whoever views it, and it may very well say something different to everyone who views it.

Because people are naturally emotional, and become attached to their photos, it's sometimes hard to distinguish between a snapshot and a photograph.

I'm not saying that snapshots are bad, they're just personal, and hold little or no value for anyone else. Most forums, this one included, try to focus on photographs.

As soon as you find yourself titling a thread as "My <son|daughter|neice|nephew|dog|cat|mom|dad|uncle jeb|...>", you should be asking yourself, "is this really just a snapshot?"

Having said that, I prefer the colour version.

Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2006 4:40 pm

He is indeed adorable, but we need more of him: note that the frame is full of a lot of other things... which is what gives that impression of a snapshot. Why not crop in close and show us some eyes and so forth? Especially with children, tight crops can be very effective.

:) keithwms