The Point And Shoot Principle

It’s boiling outside, the sun is high in the sky and it’s around 30°C. But it means the light is great. 

I like taking photographs. It’s something I’ve done for many years. Sometimes with serious intent but most of the time, for the simple pleasure of the snapshot. 

The thing about the snapshot is, you get to see how generous the camera is. But here’s a quote from American photographer Lee Friedlander:

The idea that the snapshot would be thought of as a cult or movement is very tiresome to me and, I'm sure, confusing to others. It's a swell word I've always liked. It probably came about because it describes a basic fact of photography. In a snap, or small portion of time, all that the camera can consume in breadth and bite and light is rendered in astonishing detail: all the leaves on a tree, as well as the tree itself and all its surroundings.

I should stop writing. That’s it, right there. 

I won’t though. Because while Lee’s quote is brilliant, I’ve spent years trying to work out what I should and shouldn’t do behind the camera. 

Not only that, I’ve been through loads of different cameras, all while trying to take my photography seriously. 

But here’s the thing, for all that faffing about, cost and experimentation, I’ve arrived at a simple conclusion. 

Lee had it spot on. 

These days, I tend to use my iPhone camera more than anything else. I can hear the howls of derision. 

But for me, I’d rather be in a position to grab a photo than worry about having the right camera with me. 

There’s a thing: the “right” camera. That phrase annoys me these days. There’s the scene and the photographer shooting it. End of. 

I know professional photographers have all the gear to get the photo the client has asked for. But for the rest of us, it’s about looking and seeing the picture. Then, taking it with a camera. 

I’ve been teaching my granddaughter how to see first, especially when the light is doing great things. Then, frame the shot, working out what should be in and what shouldn’t. After that, tap the button. 

Sometimes, it’s great to be instinctive. See it, shoot it. Sure, you might get a rubbish photo. But there’s a chance you could get a belter as well. 

That pulls me back to my original point. It’s better to grab the shot than leave it behind. Every time. 

I can’t be bothered with all those complicated composition rules and the like. If it works instinctively, that does it for me. 

I know many keen photographers will look at their thousands of pounds-worth of camera gear and know they are in the business of taking photos. Not snaps. 

What I’m arguing is: in the end, there’s not a lot of difference. All that detail Lee Friedlander talked about? That’s the point. 

Right, I hope that explains why my Substack Notes contain snapshots I’ve taken. It seems like a decent place to put them. 

Time to sit in front of a fan for a while. Drink a cool drink and browse my snaps. Even the ones that didn’t work.