a quick photograph

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a quick photograph" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to taking a photograph in a short amount of time or capturing a moment quickly. Example: "During our hike, I managed to take a quick photograph of the stunning sunset."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Tech

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Her husband was about to snap a quick photograph when I shouted furiously at her in halting Mandarin to get away from my son.

The New York Times

What's your reason?" With that rapid-fire exchange and Richards' plea for a quick photograph done, Ali yanked the football larrikin into the air long enough for the photographer to click the shutter on what proved to be the following day's front page pictorial, all achieved with the final shot on Gall's roll of film.

The Guardian - Sport

"Once we have a big enough library of photos and recipes, that's when the magic starts happening," Gillat told me, while sipping on a coffee and — of course — capturing a quick photograph of his lunch.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Here's a quick pic: Glastonbury festival: Aphex Twin Photograph: andre_vii/Instagram 11.56am BST Prince rumours time!

The Guardian - Music

Just a quick picture.

The New York Times

He seemed to savor one rare moment he has shared with Mr. Obama in recent years, a quick staged photograph after the dedication of the memorial to the Rev. Dr.Martin Luther King Jr.in 2011.

The New York Times

Each turtle's shell is as unique as your fingerprint, and a sketch of its beautiful shell pattern, including any unique markings or scars, or even a quick cellphone photograph, might help a naturalist identify a longtime, infrequently seen, resident of a park or open space.

The New York Times

A few snapped quick photographs with their cellphones, even though cameras were officially banned from the concert.

The New York Times - Arts

If you just want a camera to take quick photographs to put up on a Web site or to attach to e-mail, a lower-resolution camera may be all that you need.

The New York Times - Tech

When we spotted it, we made a quick set of photographs, moved on and later began showing the images around.

The New York Times

It has a built-in timer and a burst mode, which takes a quick sequence of photographs but does not accommodate video.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a quick photograph" when you want to emphasize the speed and ease with which the photo was taken. For example, in travel writing or social media posts, it suggests spontaneity and capturing the moment.

Common error

Avoid using too many adjectives before "photograph". Instead of "a very quick, spontaneous photograph", consider just "a quick photograph" or rephrasing for better impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a quick photograph" functions as a noun phrase, where 'quick' modifies the noun 'photograph'. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in English. This noun phrase typically acts as an object or complement in a sentence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Tech

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a quick photograph" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase that describes taking a photo rapidly. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts, primarily in news, media, and technology. It’s best used to emphasize the speed or spontaneity of capturing an image, and is suitable for neutral to informal settings. While "a quick photograph" is a versatile phrase, be mindful of overusing adjectives and consider context-appropriate alternatives like "rapid photo" or "snapshot" for enhanced clarity or formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a rapid photo

Replaces "quick" with "rapid", emphasizing speed.

a fast snapshot

Uses "snapshot" instead of "photograph", suggesting an informal image.

a brief photo

Substitutes "quick" with "brief", highlighting the short duration.

a fleeting image capture

More formal phrasing; focuses on the act of capturing an image briefly.

a speedy picture

Uses more informal terms, "speedy" and "picture".

an immediate shot

Highlights the immediacy of the action.

a hasty photograph

Suggests the photograph was taken quickly, possibly without much care.

a rushed picture

Similar to 'hasty', implying a lack of attention to detail.

a momentary photo

Emphasizes the briefness of the moment captured.

a snap photo

Uses the informal word 'snap' which means to take a photograph.

FAQs

How can I use "a quick photograph" in a sentence?

You can use "a quick photograph" to describe taking a photo rapidly. For example: "I managed to snap "a quick photograph" of the sunset before it disappeared."

What are some alternatives to saying "a quick photograph"?

Alternatives include "a rapid photo", "a fast snapshot", or "a brief photo" depending on the context.

Is it ever wrong to use "a quick photograph"?

While grammatically correct, "a quick photograph" might not be suitable in highly formal or technical contexts where more precise language is expected. In such cases, consider alternatives like "a rapid acquisition of image data".

What's the difference between "a quick photograph" and "a snapshot"?

"A quick photograph" emphasizes the speed of taking the picture, while "a snapshot" refers to an informal, often casual photograph. A snapshot may or may not be taken quickly.