I’ve always loved the idea of “making” or “creating” a picture—cause that’s truly what we do. To take a picture is merely an exact replication of the scene. But with all the variables of photography we are “making” something out of what we see
Thanks Daniel. It's an interesting one and I've seen this argument play out time and time again over the years. Over and above all that you've said, there's also the thought process about whether saying 'making an image' comes across as pretentious, but 'taking an image' seems overly simplistic.
I guess there's room for both, depending on who the audience is. I personally waver between the two but find myself defaulting to 'taking', just because it's the easiest language I could use that helps others understand what I'm trying to say, knowing that not all of my audience are photographers. Some people just want to see nice photos of things.
I really like the subtle use of example images that move away from camera to non-camera images as your discussion gets further away from photographer standing at a location with Fuji (other brands available) in hand. It also incorporates the only explanation of Flusser’s intent I’ve been able to understand. Great stuff, Dan.
There are so many avenues that I could have gone in putting out the question but I didn’t want to go too off course haha. I really like Flusser. His writing really made me think different in Sustainable Strategies.
Thanks for the post, Daniel—it really resonated with me. I, too, have been guilty of chasing sunrises and sunsets for similar reasons, and looking back, the tragedy was that I often missed the sheer joy of truly immersing myself in the beauty of the landscape around me. Today, I am much more intentional when I go out with my camera, prioritizing seeing and experiencing the beauty rather than simply “capturing” it.
Don't get me wrong, I don't think there's anything wrong with getting out early doors for sunrise etc. It's something that brings its own pleasure and joy to photography, and something that I do enjoy doing, but I think as we begin to see and explore more - we start to see a whole different world around us.
Thanks, Daniel, I completely agree! I didn’t mean to suggest there’s anything wrong with chasing sunrises and sunsets (I still do it often). What I was really getting at is that, in the past, I was so focused on the act of photographing them that I wasn’t fully present to experience the beauty. These days, I try to approach it with more intention—making sure I take in the scene fully, not just capture it.
Interesting article Daniel - I find that when I'm centres and able to have a real connection with the subject, at those times I feel the creative process...for me that is truly making an image. If I am rushed I have this sense that I am just taking an image with little time to consider it fully. And so I strive to 'make' as much as possible.
I do like Michaels reference to Jane Bown's 'finding' a photo - I think I could relate to that as well.
Interesting thoughts Daniel. Jane Bown said that 'other people take photos, I find them'. That chimes with me. It's not just the finding of what's out there but also the finding of what's within ourselves when we photograph - I think.
Thanks for reading, Paul - and appreciate the restack. I love the idea of them being gifts. Also the use of collaboration in this context of landscape. Much like Fay Godwin’s Land.
That's very interesting. In German, we actually always use "make" when we take photographs. But probably only because we don't have another equivalent word that could fit here. But it's basically the same as "take", the actual process that you described that develops, I haven't found an explicit word for that. So really interesting, leaves me thinking.
Oh I didn’t realise this either. It is one of those questions that lingers over in photography and can be understood in different ways depending on context. Glad it’s created some thoughts.
A interesting question Dan and an enjoyable read. I love your composite cliff image, it is so creative.
I always think in terms of making an image and this is simply because I like to think my photographs are constructed using all my senses in that moment. I feel they are constructed from what I am looking at and what I am feeling and as such I like to think they are multi faceted. I think that is much more than 'taking'. 🙂
Thanks for reading, Gill. I agree with you. There is an element of construction and edit - this includes selecting a final image, to what could lead you to more 'make' than 'take'.
I’ve always loved the idea of “making” or “creating” a picture—cause that’s truly what we do. To take a picture is merely an exact replication of the scene. But with all the variables of photography we are “making” something out of what we see
Thanks, Razlyn. 100% with you. It's been so interesting hearing people's interpretation of this and how they perceive / differentiate the two.
Thanks Daniel. It's an interesting one and I've seen this argument play out time and time again over the years. Over and above all that you've said, there's also the thought process about whether saying 'making an image' comes across as pretentious, but 'taking an image' seems overly simplistic.
I guess there's room for both, depending on who the audience is. I personally waver between the two but find myself defaulting to 'taking', just because it's the easiest language I could use that helps others understand what I'm trying to say, knowing that not all of my audience are photographers. Some people just want to see nice photos of things.
I really like the subtle use of example images that move away from camera to non-camera images as your discussion gets further away from photographer standing at a location with Fuji (other brands available) in hand. It also incorporates the only explanation of Flusser’s intent I’ve been able to understand. Great stuff, Dan.
Thanks Keith, much appreciated.
There are so many avenues that I could have gone in putting out the question but I didn’t want to go too off course haha. I really like Flusser. His writing really made me think different in Sustainable Strategies.
Thanks for the post, Daniel—it really resonated with me. I, too, have been guilty of chasing sunrises and sunsets for similar reasons, and looking back, the tragedy was that I often missed the sheer joy of truly immersing myself in the beauty of the landscape around me. Today, I am much more intentional when I go out with my camera, prioritizing seeing and experiencing the beauty rather than simply “capturing” it.
My pleasure, Todd. Thank you for reading.
Don't get me wrong, I don't think there's anything wrong with getting out early doors for sunrise etc. It's something that brings its own pleasure and joy to photography, and something that I do enjoy doing, but I think as we begin to see and explore more - we start to see a whole different world around us.
Thanks, Daniel, I completely agree! I didn’t mean to suggest there’s anything wrong with chasing sunrises and sunsets (I still do it often). What I was really getting at is that, in the past, I was so focused on the act of photographing them that I wasn’t fully present to experience the beauty. These days, I try to approach it with more intention—making sure I take in the scene fully, not just capture it.
I totally agree. It's been great seeing so many responses to the post and how people interpret both 'take' and 'make' in their practice.
Interesting article Daniel - I find that when I'm centres and able to have a real connection with the subject, at those times I feel the creative process...for me that is truly making an image. If I am rushed I have this sense that I am just taking an image with little time to consider it fully. And so I strive to 'make' as much as possible.
I do like Michaels reference to Jane Bown's 'finding' a photo - I think I could relate to that as well.
Thanks for reading, Lin. I can totally relate to having a connection - often allowing the subject to communicate with you.
Interesting thoughts Daniel. Jane Bown said that 'other people take photos, I find them'. That chimes with me. It's not just the finding of what's out there but also the finding of what's within ourselves when we photograph - I think.
I love that! What a wonderful quote. I can see how that would resonate. It’s great hearing people’s interpretation on this.
I agree it’s a good quote. It would be so better without the “and therefore I’m better than thou” implied in the othering of “lesser photographers”
I receive photographs as gifts of the experience rather than take. I believe that all photographs are a collaboration between photographer and subject
I love how you’ve explained and expressed your thinking in this Daniel
Thanks for reading, Paul - and appreciate the restack. I love the idea of them being gifts. Also the use of collaboration in this context of landscape. Much like Fay Godwin’s Land.
That's very interesting. In German, we actually always use "make" when we take photographs. But probably only because we don't have another equivalent word that could fit here. But it's basically the same as "take", the actual process that you described that develops, I haven't found an explicit word for that. So really interesting, leaves me thinking.
Oh I didn’t realise this either. It is one of those questions that lingers over in photography and can be understood in different ways depending on context. Glad it’s created some thoughts.
A interesting question Dan and an enjoyable read. I love your composite cliff image, it is so creative.
I always think in terms of making an image and this is simply because I like to think my photographs are constructed using all my senses in that moment. I feel they are constructed from what I am looking at and what I am feeling and as such I like to think they are multi faceted. I think that is much more than 'taking'. 🙂
Thanks for reading, Gill. I agree with you. There is an element of construction and edit - this includes selecting a final image, to what could lead you to more 'make' than 'take'.
This resonated with me. I have been on that journey and still am in many ways.
Thanks ever so much for reading. We are always evolving and progressing in our photography.
Ansel Adams was right: "You don't take a photograph, you make it"