14th March 2023
I am Raghav Aggarwal, focused on bringing the latest trends in digital photography to aspiring photographers and hobbyists. I work to build a team of experienced photographers dedicated to sharing their practical knowledge with young talent, helping them turn their passion for photography into a career.
Be it trees, plants, skyscrapers, humans, or anything beneath heaven, you can capture almost anything or everything present in earth. The beauty of photography is that it becomes a window to visualize and photograph everything you find beautiful. But we understand if you find yourselves confused between innumerable options. That's where this guide comes in, as it explores different types of photography genres with detailed discussion and information of each. So, fasten your seatbelts as we delve deeper into each photography genre and look for what it has to offer.
1. Commercial photography: No matter how good the concept of advertisement is, everything falls short without commercial photography. Commercial photography is where you photograph a product or sell an image of a brand, organization, or company. The role of a commercial photographer is to show the essence of business through photographs, which can be ideal to use as book covers, social media posts, billboards, etc. This photographer can create aesthetic images, going creative with props and elements to appeal to the audience. Commercial photography is very much in demand as every company looks for an excellent commercial photoshoot to develop a brand.
2. Wildlife photography: Wildlife photography is one of the most challenging tasks to master; it requires a lot of patience. It poses significant dangers and risks. The role of wildlife photography is to document the life of wild animals without disturbing their environment. In this kind of photography, a photographer must have a good knowledge of wildlife and their behaviour to capture the best images and to know the best time to click them. For this kind of photography, it is preferred to have professional equipment for macro shots and better stabilization. One has to adopt advanced photography techniques, which are highly needed in wildlife photography, as they are very momentous and need to be clicked quickly.
3. Street photography: Does the hustling and bustling of streets excite you? Then street photography is for you. Street photography is a term that refers to documenting random moments happening on the roads. Street photography seeks attention to detail and a knack for clicking instantly with a camera. This photography is a way for one to stay connected with the roots of one's own lands and capture the essence of the city. This photography also includes pet photography, architectural photography, and even portrait photography. This kind of photography is even used for photojournalism, where images are used to tell a story.
4. Sports photography: A kind of photography that is suitable for those who have the ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Sports photography is a term used to document every sporting event for the purpose of photojournalism, entertainment, or advertisement of any brand. In this photography, a photographer is expected to be quick enough to get a perfect shot. For this, a photographer must be equipped with good equipment and be capable of clicking photos of moving subjects, which is not easy.
5. Wedding photography: This genre of photography is very heartwarming to do. Wedding photography includes photographing special moments in the wedding. In today's time, it is one of the most demanding genres of photography. Wedding photographers are suitable not only with clicking candid pictures but also with posed photos, which one can cherish forever. However, this type of photography genre also faces difficulties due to usually delayed timing, unexpected lighting conditions, and crowded places, making it challenging to shoot.
6. Fashion photography: Does the world of glamour and charisma intrigue you? Do you have a keen interest in observing fashion shows or shoots? Well, that's what comes under fashion photography. Fashion photography is a genre that blends commerce and fashion to portray clothing and fashion items. In fashion photography, a model is dressed in some art, cosmetics, or clothes to display the product of any fashion brand. The role of a fashion photographer is to click aesthetic pictures that can be used in brochures, catalogues, and advertisements. A photographer must also possess a fair knowledge of fabric, designs, color, and texture to meet the expectations of desires. Today, this genre of photography is highly competitive and in demand, with several freelancers working in it.
7. Event photography: Birthday parties, concerts, events, or any other occasion, if you wish to capture such beautiful moments, event photography is for you. Event photography is a genre where a photographer records all the anticipated moments happening on occasions like parties, festivals, awards shows, or concerts. Event photographers often face challenges like working in a crowded environment, low lighting, or a fast-paced environment to get a good shot. Such pictures are usually expected to be of high quality as they are disseminated through social media, advertising, etc.
8. Aerial photography: Surely a very professional photography genre that comprises good knowledge of using the equipment. Aerial photography is any photography taken from the surface of air at the top to cover the landscape or any other surface widely. This type of photography genre is suitable for those who are well versed in using editing software, as post-processing is much needed in such photos. In aerial photography, it is also necessary for a photographer to learn how to operate technical equipment used in aerial shoots. Another important aspect is that the photographer must understand is the purpose of photography as it is often used for study and research purposes. Hence, scaling and visibility of shots matters.
9. Food photography: Clicking delicious shots! How exciting does that sound! Yes, that's what food photography is about. As the name suggests, it refers to clicking pictures of food-making processes and cuisines. This photography exists because of the growth in the number of restaurants and eateries and, thus, the need for food photographers. The purpose of food photography is to capture high-quality images of food, which can be used by restaurants for marketing, branding, or designing purposes. It can even be used for social media and blogging. The role of a food photographer is to capture the image in such a way that it looks appetizing and appealing enough for people to come and taste.
10. Portrait Photography: Looking deep into someone's eyes and trying to decode emotions through pictures is not an easy task. But this is exactly the role of a portrait photographer. Portrait photography captures the portraiture of a person to reflect emotions, personality, or intricate details of a person through the face. In this kind of photography, a photographer must have a very keen understanding of lights and shadows, backdrop, and framing of portrait to get the best results. This type of photography genre is included in every wedding photoshoot, maternity shoot, school photoshoot, or other occasion.
Well, that's a tricky question to ask. The best person to know which type of photography genre is ideal for you is your skill. Your skill, passion, determination, and interest are a few factors that decide which genre is meant for you. Through this guide, we wanted to shed enough light on different genres of photography so that you can understand the options you have. Some photographers are best at practicing any one genre, while others are experts in multiple genres. Whatever genre you choose, let's not forget to experiment, evolve, and learn to photograph everything under the sun.
