Types of Photography

Types of Photography

                        As you are probably aware, there are several types of photography genres that you could focus on. Selecting your field of interest will also indirectly influence your choice of cameras and equipment.

Here are some of the generally known photography areas.

Streets and Candids

Capturing life as it goes by is a perfect way of preserving memories of travels, nostalgia as well as creating a sense of mystery. Street photographers capture anything under the sun and their interpretation is only limited by their imagination. For example, a picture of a beggar sitting at a street corner, or a busker performing, or simply an abandoned vehicle parked in front of building.

Cameras and Equipment Used

Practically any camera is good enough for street photography. But some would prefer a DSLR with a wide angle lens to capture a bigger picture, while some would fit a telescopic lens on their bodies (seen in picture above) to discreetly capture moments from afar. A fast and responsive camera would do well to react and quickly capture moments as it happens.

Portrait Photography

Portraits refer to the photos of people mostly in poses like models. The most gorgeous portraits usually have the main subject isolated from the background by playing with the depth of field and with eyes glossily in focus. The model poses are important to, so are camera angles to flatter the model features. Some may think that portrait photography is easy, just smile and shoot. But wrong camera angles or poses may result in fat thighs, enlarged nostrils or foreheads and other ‘deformities’ caused by camera angles and distortion. Beautiful models are not the only subjects for portraits. Infants and toddlers are also widely captured in portraitures.

Cameras and Equipment Used

Invest in a set of fixed focal lens, or prime lens as these produce sharper images, as well as better depth of field due to their constant and low f stop. A flash head would also be useful to lift shadows off faces.

Landscape Photography

One of the most popular forms of photography is to capture the wonderful world in all its glory. Landscapes may not only include the natural sceneries, but also the urban scenery such as the view of skyscrapers racing to the sky.

Cameras and Equipment Used

Naturally, a wide angle lens would be perfect to capture landscapes. A tripod is a necessity as well if you are shooting in low light as a flashgun would be of no use in this instance. Try experimenting with longer exposures (long shutter speed) in low light to experience light trails and starbursts.

Macro Photography

The art of taking super close up shots of insects, flowers or any objects with fine details only a magnifying glass is able to capture. Macro photography requires patience and a good eye. Good macro photos enable viewers to look at objects the way they can never see with their naked eye, such as the cute eyes of a spider, or the hair on a housefly.

Cameras and Equipment Used

Obviously, you will need a macro lens for macro photography. But there are alternatives as well such as macro converters in the market. A steady hand is also a must for macro as when the image is amplified, so is every movement you make. A responsive camera would also be good as sometimes, that insect won’t wait for you to press the shutter.

At present, these are just some of the few types of photography you may wish to indulge in. There are plenty more specialized areas such as product photography and bird photography which we will share with you in good time :)