So, I'll start by revealing the obvious; the snapshot style is that of careless framing, harsh flash and an element of fuzziness in the photo. A little interesting fact is that the term snapshot was coined in 1860 by Sir John Herschel who was relating the aim and snap of the camera to the aim and snap of a gun trigger when hunting, now that's an interesting comparison isn't it. Anyhow, although Herschel had the vision early on, the actual product of snap shot photography didn't come through till around 20 years later, when film speeds were increased, allowing both movement and picture taking to take place at the same time.
Snapshot shot photography would soon effect the work of painters who during the 19th century were strugging to come up with new ideas seeing as photography had turned the painter's professional and creative world upside down.
The Glass of Absinthe, Degas
Degas painting, The Glass of Absinthe above is an example of such influence. "The design of this picture, at first glanceseems unstudied as a snapshot..." [H.W Janson, History of Art]
Kodak made snapshot photography available to the masses, people started taking pictures on special occassions, like biths, birthdays, weddings and holidays for family albums.
And although the snapshots were was initially resented by professional photographers because of their unorthodox composition and poor quality of the 'snapshot aesthetic', eventually professional photographers and painters alike joined the world of the 'snapshot aesthetic' producing proffessional pieces in the mentioned style.
Micheal R Peres, The focal Encyclopedia of Photography. Focal Press (2007) p.725
Micheal R Peres, The focal Encyclopedia of Photography. Focal Press (2007) p.725
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