Snapshot of modern life...

When photography first became popular in the mid 1800s, it must have left people in awe.

The idea that their image could be frozen in time and held for posterity would have been wondrous. If only they could see some of the pictures people put on Facebook now.

Back then, you’d be lucky and wealthy if you appeared in one family photograph. Today you can feature in 40 on a night out.

Essentially, you need a good eye to take a decent photo. And a camera. The secret is in the framing, whether it’s the dog in a silly hat or a cherry tree resplendent in full bloom.

I’d advise making a square with your thumbs and fore fingers, then close one eye and look through the hole while moving it forwards and back.

Once you’ve located your shot, alternate your eyes a couple of times and your ready for action.

If photographing people, it’s now time to get your subject to pose. I’m a traditionalist so I recommend, “Say cheese!” at the moment of truth. Anything else is just a cheap imitation. Click the button and let your artistic juices flow. Work it baby, work it. That’s it, talk to me, through the camera.

In the days of film you wouldn’t know what you’d taken until it had been developed.

After hours in a darkened room with negatives, pegs and washing lines, it could be a disappointment to find that the you’d cut the top off the tree and the dog was looking at the telly instead of you. Sometimes I’d come back into the light after a few hours and my wife would say, “Why the long lens?”

But digital cameras have led to a revolution in photography. Even complete amateurs can now manage to get superb shots of the back of children’s heads. Also, while red eye used to be somewhat of a rarity, it’s now possible on virtually every photograph.

Getting shots of things that move can be a particular challenge on digital cameras.

We were at a fair the other week and some poor child spent 45 minutes on the walzer as his dad attempted to get a shot of him waving. He did get 42 crackers of the lad being sick afterwards though.

One thing technology hasn’t done is make posing for photos in family groups any easier, especially if one of your parents is in charge of their new camera. “Here we go . . . no, wait a minute. Keep posing, keep posing. Did it flash?” The reply comes in unison. “No Dad. You haven’t switched it on.” I bet that happened in the 1800s as well.

Next week… The Art of Walking.