Photography – Meaning, history and types

Photography is a powerful medium for storytelling, self-expression, and communication, allowing individuals to freeze moments, preserve memories, and explore the world around them.

Let’s explore the meaning, history, and types of photography.

What is photography?

Photography, derived from the Greek roots “photo,” meaning light, and “graph,” meaning to draw, quite literally translates to “drawing with light.” It refers to the process of capturing images (photos, photographs) through various mediums, including light-sensitive film or digital electronic memory in modern digital photography.

History of photography

Types of photography

There are 3 main types of photography:

1. Art
2. Commercial
3. Amateur

1. Art photography

Throughout the 20th century, fine art photography gained recognition within the art world, with photographers such as Alfred Stieglitz, Edward Steichen, and Ansel Adams advocating for photography as a legitimate form of artistic expression.

Art photography explores themes, concepts, and ideas, often challenging traditional notions of aesthetics and representation. Concepts such as pictorialism and straight photography reflect different approaches to artistic expression within photography.

2. Commercial photography

Commercial photography involves the creation of images for financial compensation, whether for the subject depicted in the photograph or the photograph itself. This is a diverse field that includes various specialties, some of which are:

1. Advertising photography – Images created to showcase and promote products or services, often in collaboration with advertising agencies or design firms.
2. Architectural photography – Focuses on capturing aesthetically pleasing and accurate representations of buildings and architectural structures.
3. Event photography – Documents social gatherings and occurrences, capturing moments at events such as weddings, parties, and conferences.
4. Fashion and glamour photography – Showcases clothing, accessories, and models, often used in advertising and editorial contexts.
5. Concert photography – Captures candid images of performers and audiences at concerts and live events.
6. Crime scene photography – Documents crime scenes and forensic evidence for investigative purposes.
7. Still life photography – Depicts inanimate objects, often used in advertising or editorial contexts.
8. Real estate photography – Showcases properties for sale or rent, requiring specialized techniques such as wide-lens photography and high-dynamic-range imaging.
9. Food photography – Focuses on capturing images of food for editorial, packaging, or advertising purposes.
10. Photojournalism – A subset of editorial photography focused on documenting news stories and events.
11. Paparazzi – Candid photography of celebrities, public figures, and events, often used in tabloid journalism.
12. Portrait and wedding photography – Specializes in capturing portraits and documenting weddings for clients.
13. Landscape photography – Showcases natural landscapes or human-made features in outdoor settings.
14. Wildlife photography – Captures images of animals in their natural habitats, showcasing the diversity of wildlife.

3. Amateur photography

Amateur photographers engage in photography for personal enjoyment, as a hobby. Despite their non-professional status, the quality of amateur work can rival that of professionals. Amateurs often contribute to photography by capturing subjects or topics that might not otherwise be documented, particularly if they are not commercially viable.

The popularity of amateur photography surged in the late 19th century with the widespread availability of handheld cameras.