Posted by Michael Rawluk (Prince George, Canada) on 11 May 2008 in Abstract & Conceptual and Portfolio.
A Moment in Photographic History: John Herschel continued his scientific research until his death on May 11, 1871 at the age of 79. He found that sodium thiosulfate was a solvent of silver halides in 1819. Herschel informed William Fox Talbot and Louis Daguerre of his discovery that this "hyposulphite of soda" could be used as a photographic fixer, to "fix" pictures and make them permanent, after successfully applying it experimentally 1839. RANT WARNING: Herschel also coined the word photography and used the words negative and positive as applied to photography. Now the rant. Why is the word “Capture” used in place of “Photograph?” Now I know that it is a usage shift that has its historical roots going back centuries but I love the word “photograph”. “Capture” just leaves me cold. A photograph using a Digital Camera is still writing with light. Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines photography as “the art or process of producing images by the action of radiant energy and especially light on a sensitive surface (as film or a CCD chip).” Wikipedia defines it almost the same way except adding CMOS. So, let’s start a movement to strike “Capture” as a lexeme in photographic speech. RANT ENDS - A Photographic Quote of Note: What uses having a great depth of field, if there is not an adequate depth of feeling? - - - - - - W. Eugene Smith
I appreciate your comments and constructive criticism.
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Nice self portrait. seems to be cold outside... is this a tripod behind you? You are so nicely framed !
11 May 2008 3:40pm
Great photograph captured here! Regarding the rant: you think too much.
11 May 2008 3:12pm
A very nice self-portrait in a beautiful frame!
11 May 2008 3:08pm
Beautiful shot. I like to see the photographer in action
11 May 2008 12:41am
very cool shot! Well done!
11 May 2008 1:05am
very nice shot , interesting Idea.
11 May 2008 1:23am
Haha how strange. Great portrait shot. :)
11 May 2008 1:37am
No, don't open that door. I want to look at your reflection some more. Fun shot. Love the red.
11 May 2008 2:02am
cool shot
11 May 2008 2:24am
GREAT shot !!!
11 May 2008 2:56am
Excellent portrait!
11 May 2008 3:13am
Interesting PHOTOGRAPH. Really like Smith's quote!
11 May 2008 4:50am
Excellent PHOTOGRAPH! Love the quote. I'm guilty of capture on occasion... but I agree with you.
11 May 2008 5:00am
Excellent image of the photog at work.
11 May 2008 6:20am
Great shot... I love the reflection
11 May 2008 7:43am
very nice and creative self portrait - a frame into the frame
11 May 2008 7:53am
We had a handle like that in one of our homes and people always thought they were trapped. We say, "Lift up on it" and they'd push down every time:-) Terrific capture. Love the colors and your reflection.
11 May 2008 8:04am
My friend Barry has a handle like that on the front door of his house...it still gets me every time...
I like the word "capture in the context of action photography or insect macros; it accurately describes what has happened: capturing a fleeting moment with a photograph. But you do make a great point, though. If it is a fixed object where you can re-create the picture repeatedly, it's not really a "capture", is it?
11 May 2008 8:40am
I like your point. Many photojournalists also use the word "capture" and even have a book out called Capturing the Moment. I find myself using it once in a while: such as an action shot. Stating, "I captured a nice sunset", leaves me with that cold feeling. You gave me something to think about. And, I enjoy your commentaries and quotes. Monte
11 May 2008 9:00am
BAN ALL CAPTURES, I roar, you've photographed a splendid moment lol ;)
11 May 2008 9:37am
Outstanding!! (and not just you on the street LOL) All those reflections within the door's glass are fantastic. Did you do a cut and paste of the door onto a black canvas? The finishing touches around the door make it seem suspended in time.
The capture thing... hmmm, really get what you're saying. However, I think that over the years the photograph has become more of a formal connotation. To "photograph" something is like setting up the family group portrait. And yet to capture an image you're referring to the exact moment your finger releases that shutter so that moment in time is forever froze or captured. I think I'm on the fence. But then again as Eric stated; "capturing a moment with a photograph" is very apt. ;-)
11 May 2008 11:12am
You have been doing an excellent job here and in "Desperate Images", Michael. Looking at your work is an exercise that motivates and gives great pleasure. I love the way you share ideas through photography. This post (photo, quotes and rant warning) is a very interesting and refined composition. Congratulations.
11 May 2008 11:24am
nice self-portrait here; love the framing. and i'm one of the guilty ones when it comes to the use of "capture;" no offense intended. i think it is less passive than "nice shot."
really red! ;)
11 May 2008 11:34am
Love this self-portrait..and how you've framed it in the red door.
11 May 2008 11:49am
:) I think I agree with Eric here. I sometimes use the word capture in the sense of recording a given moment in time that cannot be repeated, 'You caught that nicely', and you are in actual fact capturing the light that forms the photograph. However I often use the words image, photo or even picture to describe a photograph. Old school - new school, use whatever you feel comfortable with. How about 'Snapshot'?
11 May 2008 11:51am
Nice work!
11 May 2008 1:32pm
I can see you :) nice work
12 May 2008 4:54am
Terrific 'red framed' self portrait Michael - you need to cut back on those work hours ;-)
12 May 2008 1:07pm
Miss K and I have some smart a** grandkids too. That California boy, what can I say? Californians own the world. They know all. They are the cream of the crop.
Now, about the photograph. I loved this one--loved the waterfall and flag too, by the way. Red is my favorite color, being the color of blood from a gunshot, you understand. I only shot those I failed to capture.
By the way, the verification word is "furked." It means something, I'm pretty sure of it. I'm going to put it into my daily vocabulary. As in, "Today was a furky kind of day." Or, "Oh no, I've been furkd and now my bank account is overdrawn." Yup, you never know when you are going to get a real gem in the verification box.
12 May 2008 11:33pm
Very cool self portrait.
13 May 2008 12:50am
Great shot and good self portrait, Michael
13 May 2008 3:07pm
A terrific "capture". Nice to see you in action:-) Love the red door.
8 Jun 2008 8:08am
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