Photography as a whole is simply the documentation of memories. As photographers, you can develop a particular area of which you find most appealing to you and since there are several aspects of photography, we’d be briefly looking at most of them in this piece.
- ABSTRACT PHOTOGRAPHY
Abstract photography, also known as conceptual, concrete, or experimental photography, is a genre that is difficult to define. Abstract photographs often use color, light, shadow, texture, shape, or form to imbue a feeling, sensation, or impression — without actually providing a representational image of the object or scene that’s being photographed.
Shots that typically fit into this genre of photography are not immediately associated with a familiar object in the viewer’s eye because they are created by isolating a particular object or natural scene in a way that removes contextual details from the image, either through framing the shot in a creative way or through image editing afterward.
- ADVENTURE PHOTOGRAPHY
Adventure photography is much more self-explanatory than abstract photography. This type of photography captures images of adventures, usually in the great outdoors. It often features remarkable landscape shots, adventurous travelers, and challenging shooting conditions because of accessibility to particular locations and shifting weather conditions while taking photographs outside.
- ARCHITECTURAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Another self-explanatory genre, architectural photography is when the main subject matter of the photograph is a building’s exterior or interior. These shots tend to be pretty accurate representations of the construction that are taken in a way that is also aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
Exterior shots usually use daylight to capture the building along with nearby landscaping features. They can also be shot at night using ambient lighting from street lights, surrounding landscape, or moonlight while Interior shots can be complementary to exterior shots to further depict a particular architectural style or can be used as a standalone.
- BUSINESS PHOTOGRAPHY
Business photos focus on the working world, with imagery being captured to support the growth and development of a business, usually for marketing and promotional purposes. By capturing images of the owners, their products, their teams, or their services, business photography allows companies to tell a story about their offerings through photos.
Portrait photography, product photography, lifestyle photography, candid photography (of things like workshops or meetings), and sometimes even architectural photography fit into this category, depending on the industry the business operates in. These photos can be used as marketing collateral for a company’s website, brochures, and other promotional efforts as well as in editorials speaking to tech.
- COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Commercial photography is that which is taken specifically for commercial use, usually to promote or sell a product or service. Photographers are hired to take shots of the product to be used in marketing collateral like brochures, menus, pamphlets, and beyond. Images of services can be staged using models or staff. Food photography, fashion photography, and product photography sometimes double as commercial photography. Headshots are another popular piece of the puzzle for this genre.
- DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHY
Considered by some to be a part of professional photojournalism, documentary photography captures images of real life, usually in the context of historical events, as well as the everyday. A distinguishing difference between the two is that documentary photography tends to chronicle an event, subject, environment, or topic for an extended period of time, adding context to a particular storyline. Photojournalism usually deals with a shorter-term, more “breaking news” style of photography.
- EDITORIAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Usually used in newspapers and magazines, editorial photography incorporates aspects of fashion, sports, and event photography, typically shot in a candid nature. Generally, these types of photos are meant to illustrate a story that’s newsworthy, educational, and/or informative.
Since these images are meant to be shown in printed media, they tend to accompany a text, giving additional visual context to a storyline or project. Different from commercial and advertising images, editorial shots are used to accompany articles and therefore fall under a particular licensing model.
Editorial shots usually can’t be used for commercial purposes to sell a product, unless the photographer gets the appropriate model or property releases. Buyers who purchase these types of photographs from stock agencies are responsible for following the licensing conditions.
- FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY
Taking photos of a family in posed or candid portraiture is known as family photography. These types of shots are often commissioned by the family for personal use to hang in the family home. They capture the relationships between parents, children, siblings, and sometimes extended family. Family reunions, weddings, and other family occasions are an ideal opportunity to practice this type of photography. Newborn photography and shooting events like cake smash can also fall under this genre.
When used commercially, capturing family photos should feel authentic and real. Similar to candid photography, these images can show the connection and tender moments caught between family members or they can emulate a staged family photoshoot. Paramount, however, is that the models hired either are an actual family or are able to communicate the intimacy associated with a family. Otherwise, you can end up with an awkward group of models pretending to family.
- FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY
Another type of photography that overlaps with commercial, editorial, and still-life photography, food photography is a niche in which food is the main subject matter. Whether it’s fresh ingredients, kitchen scenes, or plated dishes being shot, this genre encapsulates all things food. These photos often become advertisements in magazines or on blogs and can also be featured on packaging and menus or in cookbooks.
A prolific genre of photography, capturing food usually includes a photographer that collaborates with an art director, food stylist, and/or prop stylist to get the final shot. Often shot from an overhead perspective or a 45-degree angle changing trends are now encouraging some narrow-angled shots that use effects like selective focus, tilted plates, or extreme close-ups to showcase an ingredient or fully-plated dish.
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This article was written by Adekunle Ibukunoluwa. He is a contributor to the BOPNetworks Community, a Poet and Intern Photographer with SORB Pictures. Follow him on Instagram here
