Is it "Make" Or "Take" A Photograph?

Question

Which do you believe is the correct terminology? Do We "Make" or "Take" a photograph?

Answer 1

Both!



You TAKE a photograph with a camera then MAKE a photograph with an enlarger or printer

Answer 2

Leaving aside the silliness in the answers already given, the usual every-day term in British English is "to take a photograph".



I can't speak for Americans, or Ansel Adams (who was one).



It could be argued that people who take fine art photography do indeed "make" their works of art. Therefore it would not be wrong to use "make" - although to my ears the argument for doing so is pedantic.



In my opinion "take" makes more sense, since all photographers, whether artists or not, capture light on the photographic medium - and "take" and "capture" are synonyms.

Answer 3

I suppose take is more appropriate for describing the "capture" of light on a sensitive medium. Even if you set up every detail of the shot, this is the step that occurs when the shutter release is pressed. Make seems more to do with output, or post-processing.



As long as we don't accept f@#&ing "click" as some tablet/phone/GWC snappers have started calling it, ugh.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

In law, it's always 'make'. In the vernacular it's always 'take'. for me it's neither, I just 'do' some photography as to 'make' is a bit presumptuous if it's a snap on full auto and 'take' is a little bit of an insult if there's a lot of work gone into the image/camera/lighting etc before the shutter's released.



Whether I've made them or taken them, I have still done some photography.

Answer 6

I see your point but it has always been "Take", I suppose because when photography first started it was regarded as taking a persons likeness away from them and putting it on to a film. Just my guess.

Answer 7

Interesting question PP. I think the reasons are as multi-faceted as the answerers. Some people are using avatars as close as possible to their own image as they can be. Some are using total opposites, some are just having fun, being somebody different every week. I would not be upset if I saw another user using my pic. As long as they don't use it for anything but fun, it would be a compliment. I love seeing all the avatars, whether they are of animals. cartoon characters, nature or people! Y!A is awesome and as diverse as the people who come on here!

Answer 8

In normal British English we take photographs. I believe the same applies in the USA. In Australia, also, they take photographs. People from other parts of the world, who have learned English as a second language, may import their own traditions, in which they 'make' photographs. Sometimes professionals in Britain 'shoot' photographs, as we generally 'shoot' movies. A session of professional photiography, especially with models etc, is usually called a 'photoshoot'.



Indeed some other answers say that the careful production of a photograph is 'making' it, but (in spite of what Ansel Adams says), no pro that I have come across speaks of 'making' photos.

Answer 9

Take a photograph not make a photograph

Answer 10

Pros make photographs, ametuers take them.



A pro will previsualize the image, compute proper exposure values to render an image that matches the previsualization, create lighting if necessary and plan the printing process to give exactly what was envisioned.



Taking a photo is just that: put the camera to the eye, let it do the thinking, and snap away.

Answer 11

It's a good distinction, 'snappers' take a photograph, Photographers make, or, more accurately, create a photograph.



Any camera is just an image recording device, it records what you point it at, getting what you point it at right is the hard part.



Chris

Answer 12

If you are taking a snapshot on Auto, with no thought to lighting, composition or other influence then you are TAKING a photo, ie a basic snapshot.



If you are controlling the lighting (or specifically planning to be there when you know the lighting will be of a specific quality/direction), arranging composition, placing your exposure manually where YOU want it, then you are MAKING a photograph.

Answer 13

Ansel Adams said: "Pictures are not taken they are made."



So in my opinion those who simply point and shoot take pictures while those who pay careful attention to light, composition, exposure and depth of field make pictures.

Answer 14

If you take ths words literally, I guess it would be "make" but we always say take... maybs you Take the photo but the camera Makes the photograph

Answer 15

Take a photograph is the correct term.

Answer 16

Its take because your not as the camera man making the photo but just clicking a button so u take a photo and the camera makes it.