“You don't take a photograph, you make it.” ~Ansel Adams
I think that I both disagree and agree with this quote. In my opinion, photos are both made AND taken--let me explain the distinction: People who are purely photo "takers" are the kind of tabloid, paparazzi photographers that "steal" or "take" images for the purpose of mass consumption. I would not consider these kinds of photographers artists, per se......yet I don't deny that many photographers in journalism are artists--most photographers are, I think, a combination of taker and maker--however, the difference lies in the consideration put into an image. Even if an image captures a single moment, or an action shot, I feel that a true photographer has a reason for attempting the shot, even if the image isn't "planned." Carefully posed and constructed photographs are of course "made" photos--the photographer planned out the composition and shot with all considerations such as light and contrast worked out, at least rudimentary, beforehand. Yet even the unplanned photo takes a certain eye, I believe, and at least an intuition of composition if not fully formed in concept. Generally, a photographer "makes" a photo, because even the most mundane photos can become something spectacular when "interpreted" by the photographer in the dark room or digitally.
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