For quite a while now, the commonly used terms for using a camera make me feel uneasy: "shoot a photo", "landscape shooter", "get the shot", "second shooter" (at a wedding) or even "shooting people". The word "shoot" has a violent component to it that I try not to use in combination with something as peaceful* and fulfilling as photography.
But that's only one thing. The other is what "shooting" and a "shot" imply: aim, pull the trigger, BAM! Fire and forget, target has been terminated.** Granted, there are some similarities to using a camera, but I can't help it - "shooting" doesn't really sound like an artistic endeavor to me.
I prefer to say that I make a photo. "Make" sounds creative and productive. "Shoot" sounds fast-paced and destructive. Think about it. Do you shoot? I don't shoot. I create.
*) as long as it is not an aggressive form of street photography in the style of Bruce Gilden. The results are stunning, but the process and approach are highly questionable.
**) the way some photographers pose with their cameras and models for making-of and profile photos look a little bit like an execution to me
You've made me realise, Alexander, that I've been using the phrase without thinking about it. Your points are well made and persuasive - let's see if i can correct my lazy habit!
ReplyDeleteYou are hunter Alex! You are hunting beautiful moments and capture them for us. Relating to hunting you are shooting good pictures.... :-)
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, your sentence makes a sense....
I see people complimenting others' photos with "nice capture" a lot lately. It is not as a associated with violence, but still in the realm of a hunt. Hmmm. "Image" is a verb as well as a noun. Interesting post. Something to think about.
ReplyDeleteOddly enough, I have been looking at various hunting related items, to help me stalk and "capture" images of woodpeckers out in Jamul.
ReplyDelete