Photography Genres

Photography is a huge part of modern media. You can find photography everywhere in books, magazines, newspapers, advertisements, big events such as the Olympics, and now the Internet. It is now so popular that you can take a photograph whenever you want to, edit it in an application and upload it straight to the Internet for other people to view. Cameras have change so much that you no longer need an expensive camera with an expensive lens to take a good photo; instead you can use a mobile phone, edit the photo in photo editing software or apps, and then share it. Since it’s beginning in the 19th century, photography has grown and spread into different styles.

Portrait

Portrait Photography is capturing a person or group of people’s expressions. The photograph normally focuses on the person’s face or/and body. About ¾ of the photo is the person and the rest is the background. The background in normally out of focus or a simple colour, which allows the audience to focus on the person in the photograph. Portrait photographs are normally of an individual person or a group of people like a family. Mobile phones have had a big impact on portrait photographs as now you can take a photo, and send it to whomever. For example you may be on holiday and you may have a family photo taken. Once it is taken, you can send it via text or email straight away without having to wait until you get back. You also will not need to develop to photo as the mobile phone automatically does it for you. Self-portraits are a different type of portrait photography in which the photographer takes a photo of himself or herself. Self Portraits have become more popular due to camera phones

Landscape

Landscape photography captures the vast space of the world around us. The camera is held at a horizontal angle (instead of portraits vertical angle), which allows the photographer capture more detail. Landscape photographs are most commonly natural images and have little or no human activity. The photographs can also include urban and man-made structures. Landscape photos are normally taken from a distance or high up as it allows the photographer to capture more of the scene. It shows the audience the scale of the photographer compared to their surroundings and how huge the space around us is. Colours play a big part in landscape photography; the temperature of the colours reflects

on the location as well as having an affect on the way the audience feels about the image.

Sports Photography

Sports Photography is photography that captures sporting events. The photos are mostly action shots of the sporting competitors and are normally up close with them so you can see their expressions. Sports Photographers use different lenses to normally photographers: instead they use lenses with a wide aperture and a fast autofocus. This allows them to capture movement of a sport easily if it is a fast sport e.g. Formula 1 or NASCAR. The zoom on the lenses ranges from 70-400 which allows a greater range for framing. A common technique used is to set the camera to take multiple photos at the press of a button. A high shutter speed it essential to do this technique otherwise you may miss an important moment. Some photographers use remote cameras which capture photographs that are difficult to achieve with a photographer. An example would be an underwater shot for synchronized swimming; the camera would be placed under the water and then would take a photo when the photographer presses a button on the remote.

Product Photography

Product photography is photographs that advertise or promote products. Some photos are used on packets to show what product you are buying e.g shampoo and wine, where as other photos are used just to advertise the product, either on billboards, TV adverts or the product may be showcased at events. There are many other examples and type of product photography but these are two of the most common. The Product is normally photographed in a studio with a simple three point light setup. These photos are normally on packets of the product or in catalogues as the lights effect how the product is lit, making every part of the product that needs to be seen visible.

Forensics Photography

Forensics photography is where Crime Scene Photographers take photographs of evidence at a crime scene. This can include a body, murder weapon, glass shards, blood, skid marks of furniture and other pieces of evidence that can link with a crime. The photos are used to create an image of how the crime was committed, who committed the crime and why. The Photos range in scales; certain photos need to be up close, for example on a murder weapon or and entry wound on a body, whereas others would be from a distance to include everything in the crime scene. These photographs are used in court to show and back up evidence. Lighting is also important in forensic photography. The change of light in a room can reveal more detail and evidence about a crime scene. Ultra Violet light might be used to find blood whereas a bright area light might be used to find an murder weapon hidden away.

Macro Photography

Macro Photography is extremely close up photography usually on small objects like water droplets, flowers or insects. Macro Photography shows detail that cannot be seen normally with the naked eye. Macro Photographs are taken differently than normally photographs, they use Macro lenses which have a long barrel for close focusing and have a continuous focal point. Depth of field is also limited, which is vital to get a perfect macro photograph. A small aperture is required as it produces the highest sharpness in the photo. Good lighting, slow shutter speeds and a high ISO is also important when taking a close up photo.

Sources for photographs

Barack Obama: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e9/Official_portrait_of_Barack_Obama.jpg

Self-portraits: http://www.russellwebster.com/when-selfie-stands-for-self-incrimination/

Snowy mountains: http://landscapes.deviantart.com/

Mountains: http://landscapes.deviantart.com/#/art/AU-Lake-Achensee-23873104?_sid=6138dd7b

Swimmers: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1kDudqe53PY/UKtvT9PWnkI/AAAAAAAAGzw/UqpGqHUYYAA/s1600/Sports+photography+by+Tim+Tadder.jpg

Camera: http://digitalphotography.blogmonster.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/sports-photography.jpg

Cricket: http://blogs.photopreneur.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/sports-photographer.jpg

Three point lighting: http://www.indiciuminc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/product-photography.jpg

Shoes: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1f/Product_photography.jpg

Thermos flask: http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/images/product-KEN_9950.jpg

Forensics: http://punchoutlights.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/forensic-photography-jobs.jpg

Body in suitcase: http://www.asfasyara.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/ZZC_00261.jpg

Water droplet on leaf: http://webdesignledger.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/macro_photography_23.jpg

Wasp: http://smashingtips.techgeeks.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Wasp-Reflection-Macro-Photograph.jpg

Water droplet: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Water_droplet_blue_bg07.jpg