capture
KAP-cher
/ˈkæptʃər/
To record or preserve an image, mood, or fleeting moment using photography or artistic media.
Emphasizes preserving a subtle, transient atmosphere or emotion before it slips away.
The story behind the word. Originating from the Latin verb 'capere' meaning 'to seize or take', the word entered English via Old French. In the 19th century, with the invention of film and daguerreotypes, photographers adopted 'capture' to describe seizing ambient light onto a permanent plate.
Word relationships
- record: Record is factual and neutral, whereas capture implies artistic sensitivity or speed.
- preserve: Preserve emphasizes protecting from decay, while capture emphasizes taking hold of a fleeting moment.
- miss: To miss means failing to see or record a moment.
Commonly confused with
- contain: Contain means holding inside boundaries, while capture means recording or seizing a dynamic moment.
Word family
- captivating (adjective): Charming or holding full attention.
- capturer (noun): One who captures.
Collocations
- capture a moment
- capture the light
- capture the essence
Idioms & expressions
- capture someone's imagination
Example sentences
- "The camera was able to capture the golden light filtering through the ancient pine trees." Travel photography technique
Memory hook
CAPture: Put a CAP over a fleeting moment so it cannot escape. Seize the fleeting light.
When not to use
Avoid using when referring strictly to legal or physical arrest if the context is artistic.
Fun facts
- Early portraiture required subjects to sit still for up to twenty minutes, making 'capturing' an image feel literally like taking someone hostage.
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