Photography is the discipline, technique, and art of taking durable, printable images through any method, by using an optical lens or by employing various light-sensing materials like photographic film, photographic paper, or photographic resin. It is one of the most popular hobbies in the world. Many people take up photography as a hobby to capture memories of family gatherings or holidays. Some enthusiasts also turn it into a profession by taking professional photos as a business or as a passion project.
There are different techniques used in photography depending on what type of photography is being practiced. Landscape photography is one of the popular genres of photography. In landscape photography, the main goal is to create a scene with as much visual detail as possible while still preserving the subject’s individuality. This can be achieved through manual focusing, manual flash use, and by avoiding an over-saturated or underexposed shot. The main technique for landscape photography includes multiple photography, or multiple shots of the same subject taken at different distances and in different positions. In some cases, a single image from each position is desired to create a photo-perfect scene.
macro photography refers to the specialization in which a photographer makes photos of small objects such as flowers, insects, and other small organisms. Macro photography captures the essence of the small subject and makes it appear larger than life. Professional photographers who specialize in macro photography to capture images of flowers or entire flower bouquets in a single frame. They also may create a photograph simply by using a narrow aperture (high f/stop) and using a long shutter speed (longer to allow more light to enter the camera lens).
Documentary photography is the genre of photography that documents historical or current events. The goal of this genre of photography is to produce a series of images that exhibit the subject’s artistry and style of expression without diminishing the importance of the event or content. Documentary photography usually uses special cameras equipped with automatic features to reduce the possibility of camera shake or blurring. The use of film allows the photographer to document events as they happen rather than having to rely on the memory of the camera.
The field of fashion photography covers both casual and professional photography. The term “fashion photography” refers to photographic shoots designed to promote and showcase new styles or fashions. The subjects may be dresses, make-up, accessories, or fashion-oriented furniture. Commercial or advertising photography is focused on photographing products for retail outlets or for companies who produce and/or market products. Many fashion or commercial photographers specialize in photographing celebrities.
Wedding photography encompasses both fine and wide range of topics, including portraiture, family photographs, and group photography. Portrait photography is a special category of wedding photography. Portrait photography involves capturing still shots of people and their various poses. In the last few decades, fashion photography has emerged as a separate genre of photography. This type of photography usually covers models and images worn by famous designers.
Freelance photography is another emerging category of photography. Freelance photography employs the services of freelance photographers to take photos and sell them on an individual basis. A freelance photographer does not have a client and works on a per project basis. Some of the subjects most preferred by the freelance photographers include fashion, portraits, weddings, wildlife and baby photography. In the United Kingdom, many fashion and portrait photographers are members of the Association of Housewives (AHF) and belong to a Network of Ladies Photographers (NCPN).
Specialty photography refers to photography that takes care of a particular niche, such as sports, wildlife or travel. These specialized photographers often concentrate on a single subject or may create a whole series of portraits and events. For example, a wildlife photographer may shoot nature, animals or scenic scenes and then reproduce them as posters, calendars or photo albums.