Wonder World of Photography

Pundakit, Zambales, Philippines

A friend recently handed me a 2010 edition of L1fe, a printed imaging solutions catalogue of Canon Philippines.  The catalog contains a section that provides basic digital camera information that beginners should know.  I would like to share in this blog a portion of the catalog that listed the most  popular types of photography together with tips from Canon in capturing each type.  This is to give you a general idea that photographers has a  wide spectrum of choices when it comes to specialization and different techniques apply for different types.


In my succeeding blog posts, I will be discussing more about these types and other classifications.  Meanwhile, read through this guide and perhaps you can apply the lessons you have already learned from my previous blogs.


Popular Types of Photography


1.  Macro Photography

"Macro" is the photographer's term of extreme close-ups, usually of lowers, insects and other very small objects.  The term generally refers to images that are captured at magnification of 1/2 or 1/1 of actual size.  Macro photography has grown in popularity in recent years, thanks to digital cameras that can shoot close-ups without the need for changing lens.

Canon Tip:  Have a main point of interest and keep it in focus.  The simpliest way to do this is to use a large aperture (a small f-number, if your camera has manual functions), or simply go to Macro mode.  This setting gives you a shallow depth of field, which results in a sharp and in-focus subject against a blurred background. You might also want to consider using a tripod to complement your camera's image stabilization capability.
                                                                                                                                                                                                    
2.  People Photography

People are easily the most popular subject for photographs, and with practice and the right techniques, they can also be the most rewarding to shoot.  We connect with people on very personal levels, allowing us to inject emotions into shots.  There are many different ways to photograph people:  from candid shots to formal portraiture, from artistic nudes to beautiful baby pictures -- the possibilities are limitless.

Canon Tip:  Show your subject's personality.  Catch someone during a candid moment, or include elements that reveal something about your subject:  for instance, play up a fashionista's clothes, catch a sporty friend in action at the field, or capture a child's tantrum!  Stay observant and you're bound to catch something interesting.

3.  Night and Low-Light Photography

Night and low-light photography produces some of the most dramatic images imaginable, but it is also one of the most challenging to master.   Common problems associated when shooting with low-light are blurring and incorrect exposure, and you can be sure that even professionals have folders full of unimpressive evening snaps.  The keys to successful low-light photography?  Good gear, patience, and a willingness to experiment and execute.

Canon Tip:  Get a good tripod.  When shooting with low light, it's common to have exposures of an entire second or more, making the image more prone to blur.  A good tripod will go a long way in helping you solve this challenge.  Take lots of pictures.  Try different exposures or move around and try different perspectives.  Take full advantage of the digital trash bin -- just keep shooting, try out different settings, and you're bound to create a few gems.

4.  Underwater Photography

Underwater photography is all about understanding how images behave when being taken beneath the water. For example, light gradually becomes more diffused the deeper you go, so that you'll need supplementary light source in order to shoot colorful pictures at each depth.  Zoom settings also behave differently due to refraction.  These changes require different techniques, but with enough practice and the right gear, you can easily adapt to taking great underwater stills.

Canon Tip:  Concentration, Composition, Care.  Concentrate to keep your breathing and buoyancy controlled.  Compose the image in your head and think ahead about the spot and angle that will give you the best results.  Finally, move carefully.  Sudden movements will scare the animals away.

5.  Landscape Photography

Landscape photography is closely associated with beautiful sceneries, but it can also show the many faces of the planet: its plant life, seasonal changes, and even man's impact on the environment.  Vision and respect for nature are critical for successful landscape photography.  It's also very diverse, covering everything from flowing water to sunlight through trees, from old city ruins to the sun descending upon the horizon.

Canon Tip:  Learn to find the best viewpoint.  The first step to shooting landscapes is surveying the scene.  What do you want to shoot?  Once you know what you want to shoot, move around and experiment with angles.  the time of day will also have a lot of impact on your landscape shot.  The same scenery can result in dramatically diverse images when shot at dusk, in bright sunlight, or at daybreak.


These are just the basic and general types of photography. You may encounter other types along the way, and surely you will as there are many more.  Photographic works can be further divided into many categories and sub-categories.  I hope to share other types in my future blog posts.  

Keep on shooting!