A rose by any other name...?

[Barbara V]

I was noticing as I read, that few people here refer to photographs as "pictures"... mostly I see them referred to as "images" or "captures" or "shots". I notice I'm being influenced by this, and have started to use these same words.
What word to you find yourself using when referring to someone's photograph? And do you or don't you call it a "picture".

[Lindsie Nicole]

I call it a picture when i'm just talking. But if I am trying to sound smart I call it a "photo" or " a shot". haha. Sounds more photographer-ish. haha

[LeeR]

I use almost anything but 'capture.' You capture a butterfly... but it was beautiful before you captured it. Like taking a picture of a beautiful woman, the woman is undeniably beautiful, you just happened to get a piture of her. Anybody can capture.

On the other hand, you 'compose' a great photograph, image, shot or composition. Skillful photographers create beauty, often from things that are not in themsleves beautiful. It takes artistic skill and design to do that.

[codewarrior00007]

I use shot, photo, pics,and image interchangeably all the time.

[Barbara V]

Thanks for your responses; it's interesting to read.

[ZannieGirl49]

I normally say 'image' or 'shot'. I took a photography class and our instructor is a professional photographer. I found it interesting that he always said "make an image" rather than "take an image". Since then I've noticed a few pros say it and I think it speaks to what Lee mentioned about creating a great image being an artistic skill.

[neemers]

I tend to use pics or photos.

[LoveDSLR]

"The photograph itself doesn't interest me. I want only to capture a minute part of reality." Henri Cartier-Bresson

"You don't take a photograph, you make it." Ansel Adams

[CiiVii]

The overuse of "capture" is a pet peeve of mine. I'm guessing that people started using it in order to not sound so trite saying, "Nice shot!" However, it lessens the meaning of the word. A few moments may be captured, but not many

[BCampbell]

I tend to use "shot" or "frame" when talking about photos, especially multiple photos, in a technical sense.

I use "image" to refer to a photo displayed on a screen -- while I'm editing, it's an "image".

Otherwise it's a photo, or if it's a physical copy, a print (interchangeably with photo).

I try to stay away from picture or capture.