For those with a passion for photography, the field offers a wide variety of approaches. Which one would serve you best? In order to choose a specific approach, you should first become familiar with the five most common photographic subgenres. In this article, we’ll break down the differences so you can pick the one that works best for you.
Photographers who practice documentary photography do so with the intention of showing viewers the world as it actually is. Time-lapse photography is distinct from photojournalism in that it does not seek to capture a single moment in time but rather to record a phenomenon over an extended period of time.
Photographs used for documentaries frequently focus on social justice topics like poverty and war in an effort to mobilize viewers to take action. In addition to human-made structures, photographers can use their cameras to record natural vistas, illuminating details of the environment that the untrained eye might miss.
Photographers who focus on documentary work may receive widespread appreciation and recognition for their efforts. Artists like Diane Arbus, who focused on photographing those on the outside of society, were instrumental in this transformation.
Photographs of people, both alone and in groups or families, make up the popular portrait genre. It is highly approachable and offers a wealth of room for exploration.
Traditional portraits of people are sometimes staged; however, candid photographs of people are also common. The goal of these shots is to capture some aspect of the subject’s character or personality.
An accomplished portrait photographer will know how to put their subjects at ease. This calls for both deft camera work and the ability to read nonverbal cues.
A digital single-lens reflex (DSR) or mirrorless camera with manual controls is ideal for this kind of photography. All three of those variables—exposure time, aperture, and shutter speed—will be under your control. For steady shots, a tripod is also necessary.
Photojournalism’s “street photography” subgenre focuses on public settings and the people and activities inside. Documentaries can take this form, but it’s also a statement about style and politics.
It’s a type of photography that has been around for a long time and has its own history and canon. Although it has similarities to documentaries and Hollywood glitz, it is far more subtle than that.
Instead of posing their subjects or trying to direct the action, a skilled street photographer just captures it as it unfolds.
It’s not simple and will test your patience, but accomplishing this will be quite rewarding.
Photographing landscapes and wildlife is an art genre known as “nature photography.” These photographs are highly sought after by art collectors due to their heightened focus on aesthetics relative to other photographic genres.
The most difficult part of shooting in this genre is timing the shot correctly, as even small changes in time of day or season can have a dramatic impact on the final product. Any photographer, regardless of experience, will find taking photos in this genre to be a new and intriguing challenge.
A wide-angle lens is best for taking pictures of beautiful landscapes. More of the scene will be in focus, and you’ll be able to have a far broader perspective on your subject.
In the realm of commercial photography, “product photography” refers to the practice of capturing images of goods for sale. Catalogs, brochures, and websites frequently make use of the generated photos.
The photographs will often be presented in a way that draws less attention away from the object. They are widely used to demonstrate the worth and quality of a product.
Product photography has a significant impact on sales in the eCommerce industry, one of the largest marketplaces for the service. eCommerce retailers can use 360-degree images to provide customers with a more complete picture of the product and its surroundings than is possible with typical product-only shots.
This type of photography is ideal for objects with unusual or complicated features. It’s a fantastic method of explaining the product’s operation and guarantees that any buyer knows exactly what they’re getting.
Debra Gudema 
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