This text, to me, is speaking about objects not to worship as God alone is to be worshipped. In context I believe the Amplified is correct by explaining with 'as an object to worship'. Therefore taking photographs would only be a sinful practise if those photographs were worshipped. The same goes for any object I make for myself as an idol and worship it. God alone is to be worshipped. And that then gets us into the area of when do we have things that we treat in a worshipful manner which could be most anything. When do we cross that line into worshipping something and not just keeping our worship for God alone.“You shall have no other gods before Me.
“You shall not make for yourself any idol, or any likeness (form, manifestation) of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth [as an object to worship]. You shall not worship them nor serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous (impassioned) God [demanding what is rightfully and uniquely mine], visiting (avenging) the iniquity (sin, guilt) of the fathers on the children [that is, calling the children to account for the sins of their fathers], to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing graciousness and steadfast lovingkindness to thousands [of generations] of those who love Me and keep My commandments.
I am not a big collector of photos but have never worshipped a photo. I believe that holds true for most people even those who keep many albums of photos. Photos help us recall memories and usually are for looking back on special moments in life. How that could be sinful, I don't understand and I don't believe this Exodus text supports the practise of keeping away from photos.
Perhaps someone can explain to me how this, quite unique, practise can be taken from this text ? Is this not speaking about worshipping things other than God ?