Photographers typically specialize in one or two different genres within the photographic industry. Technical and creative skills can be used in many different types of photography. You can learn a lot about photography by getting better at one thing, like how to take better pictures. This makes you a better photographer in many different styles.
Seven different types of photography are shown below. If you learn and practice these seven, you can build a strong foundation for your photography business.
Portrait Photography
Portraiture is a popular type of photography. It tries to show the personality and mood of a person or group. People may take pictures that aren’t staged, show the whole body, or show close-ups of parts of the body. The subject’s face and eyes are usually focused, no matter how the picture is taken. Lighting and background help to show tone and emotion. Some of the most prevalent forms of photography portraits are senior pictures, family photographs, engagement images, and professional headshots. The best portrait photographers make their clients feel at ease so that their expressions are natural and relaxed.
Photojournalism
People who do photojournalism use photos to tell the story of a newsworthy event or scene by telling the story. As a photojournalist, you should strive for objectivity and truthfulness and capture candid moments rather than perfect ones. Most of the time, photojournalists go to planned events in the hope of capturing unplanned, unscripted moments. Their work is often seen in magazines and newspapers.
Fashion Photography
Fashion photography shows and glamorizes fashion clothes, shoes, and accessories to make them more appealing to people who want to buy them. It is prevalent to see it in magazines and on the internet. People may choose this type of photography over other types because they can be very creative when making their photos look good and exciting. People who work in fashion photography do a lot of full-body shots and work in many different places, from fashion shows to studios with full lighting setups to city streets and fields. They use many of the same skills as portrait photographers, but they also need to work well with stylists, creative directors, and models.
Sports Photography
Sports photographers can show the passion, drama, and emotion that drives sporting events by taking pictures of athletes, coaches, and even fans at the right time. As a sports photographer, you must aim quickly and take pictures rapidly to keep up with actions all around you. To do this, use a higher ISO setting to take faster pictures. People who take pictures of sports events also usually use long, heavy lenses to get close to the action.
Still Life Photography
When you take still life photos, you don’t move the objects. They can be natural or artificial. Still life photography can be both artistic and commercial, but it can also be used for business. It is used in stock photography and in ads for products. Product images that are shown in catalogs, magazines, and billboards can help you figure out what people are interested in. To get a good picture with still-life photography, you need to choose suitable objects, arrange them, and use the proper lighting.
Editorial Photography
Editorial photography shows off a story or piece of writing, usually for a magazine or newspaper. The editorial photo could capture an entirely different concept depending on the text. Photographs for editorial use should be utilized in both horizontal and vertical layouts. Photojournalists often work with writers and art directors, so having good communication skills and being professional will help them get the job done.
Architectural Photography
Architectural photography looks at both the inside and outside of buildings and structures. This type of building includes everything from warehouses to bridges to old barns.
An architectural photo often captures the most beautiful part of a structure, like a beam or an archway, to show exciting style, material, or color.
When it comes to architectural photography, lighting can be hard to work with. For exteriors, photographers must be able to work with natural light. Most of the time, equipment like a tilt-shift lens, tripods, and panorama heads can be helpful. Photographs of buildings can benefit designers, architects, leasing companies, building investors, and people who work with them.
Landscape Photography
Landscape photography aims to capture the breathtaking and expansive nature of the world around us. From rural countrysides to urban skylines, photographers use this style to convey the beauty and vastness of their surroundings.
Architectural Photography
This style is dedicated to capturing buildings and other architectural structures in a way that is both aesthetically pleasing and accurate to their forms. Architectural photographers often play with elements like light, shadows, and perspectives to enhance the structure’s design.
Documentary Photography
Documentary photography seeks to tell stories or provide information about an event, environment, or culture. This style is often used in journalism or to highlight social issues, aiming to provoke thought or action through real and powerful images.
Wildlife Photography
Wildlife photography focuses on animals in their natural habitats. Capturing wildlife requires patience and a significant understanding of the behaviors of animals to be able to predict and capture them at the right moment.
Understanding the different styles of photography can enhance both the appreciation of photographic art and the skill set of any photographer. By exploring these diverse styles, photographers can find new ways to express their artistic vision, tell compelling stories, and capture the world in unique ways. Whether you are an amateur looking to improve your photography or a professional diversifying your portfolio, knowledge of these styles can significantly influence your photographic journey.