May 16, 2020 - Featuring Dave Cesari - The Photographer par excellence

Dave Wrote: Hi Jim, A lovely morning here in upstate NY. Finally got some pictures of warblers. As I have told you in the past the warblers are my favorite group of birds. A male Blue-winged Warbler and a male Restart. Dave

Jim Wrote, “Now My Story”: In my camera I have close to 15,000 photographs – no no, I mean they are 15,000 snapshots. It’s difficult to define what makes an image a snapshot or a photograph. Although “snap” has a negative connotation, I don’t think a “snap” is defined by its quality.

Here is what I think: Planning an image based on subject, quality of equipment, lighting, and camera angle is not a snapshot, it is a photograph. The photographer had intent behind it and made plans to create what they desired in the image.

On the other hand, a snapshot occurs by happenstance and was not preconceived by the photographer. Now days, a person takes a phone camera “just in case” something pops up to capture the moment. The snap-shot did not allow time for planning the shot. The equipment was small enough to carry in ones hip-pocket. The subject most likely just popped into the snap-shooter’s life – it was not pre-planned.

I understand the reason the photographer creates a beautiful photograph. But, now the question is: “Why take a snapshot?”

There are four reasons why I take my iPhone with me at all times. Remember, I am an experienced snapshot taker – nearly 15,000 snapshots in my iPhone camera makes me experienced. So, here are my four reasons:

1. To make me happier. I’ve noticed that happy families tend to display large numbers of unplanned photographs – called snapshots. Mom changing her first-born’s diaper, Grandpa saying grace, Jimmy falling off his first two-wheeler, Heather cuddling her new doll, the snake crawling across the patio at the family bar-b-que, and more.

2. To control my memories. Snapshots tilt your memories toward the good experiences you’ve had simply because you’re more likely to snap times of joy. Having snapshots of the good times keeps times of joy vivid in my mind.

3.To share. When you see something beautiful, it’s natural to feel a desire to want to share it with others. It is a way to build friendships for now and your senior years.

4. To hold onto. I like to remind myself how easy it is to forget. I’m always trying to figure out ways to hold on to memories now that I am lucky enough to be getting quite old! Every now and then, I sit for an hour browsing through my snapshots and really feeling great after that session. Much better than after any TV show!

IN CONCLUSION: You can even categorize your snapshots. Three major categories are: 1) Family gatherings, 2) being home and out and about on your bike, 3) traveling on the road.

Here are a few of mine: “Being home and out and about on my bike”: