BeauDesigns.net —

Photography is integrated into our lives in nearly every way. Not only are digital cameras cheap enough for average consumers, but many devices, including phones now include picture capabilities.

As I see it, there are two “schools” of photography for the casual layperson with a camera, these are what I like to call the “Say Cheese” school, and the unobtrusive school. Let’s take a look at them, shall we?

“Say Cheese”

It happens all the time, the person behind the camera wants to capture the “perfect” photo and they’ll force you to smile and pose to get it. There’s one in every family, many times more than one, not content to capture a moment in time, but desiring to try and recreate that moment before capturing it.

The “Say Cheese” camp dictates that those involved take time out of their merry-making to freeze in time while the capturer fiddles with their camera and motions to move slightly closer together before counting, “1…2…” and snapping the picture.

Don’t get me wrong, portraits have their time and place and can be good for the occasional Christmas card or family photo, but for your average portrait it is very inefficient and ineffective at capturing memories.

Unobtrusive Photography

A well composed photograph is a frozen moment in time, capture with love, care and hard work. Many times, dozens of photos can be taken without finding one capable of presenting artistic image that the photographer is desiring, however, those dozens of photos don’t need to involve active participation of those being photographed.

Take a step back and remember what a photograph is. A memory. What is it that you want to remember though? The people, place or setting? My guess is all three of the above and much more. The emotions, feelings and thoughts that were flowing freely at the time. Those can be captured, but only if they are done without the subjects altering their mood and expressions.