There are many different types of photography that exist out there. Portrait, nature, and conceptual are just a few general categories. However, just because there is a certain category, i.e. nature, that does not mean that all the pictures will look similar because just as every person is different, every picture is different too.
Through these categories a person can find their niche and go with it. Although, there are some pretty flexible photographers who can shoot just about anything and make it seem as if they had been shooting that category for centuries. One has to remember it’s not the brand of the camera, i.e. Nikon, Canon, Leica, Pentax, and Sony, or the equipment, i.e. filters, lens, and tripods, that makes a picture look great, it is the creativity and skill of the photographer that determines the outcome. Many factors determine the structure of a photo such as lighting, focus, depth, cognitive value, and much more.
Portrait photography, in a nutshell, is taking photographs of other people or even oneself. The basic composition of a portrait photograph can be incredibly simple, such as a family photograph or school picture, or it can be extremely complex depending on the creative flow of the photographer. However, there is a difference between portrait photography and Myspace profile pictures and the difference lies within the composition of the picture. Myspace profile pictures, for the most part, are usually overexposed, weirdly angled, and sometimes involve some sort of gang insignia being represented in the picture, i.e. “W” for West-side, “Peace Sign” for the anime fans, and the oh-so islander “Hang Loose” sign. But just as mentioned before it is all dependent on the creative flow and skill of the photographer, which determine the complexity or composition of a photograph.
Nature photography encompasses everything that deals with nature, i.e. flora, fauna, and structures of the Earth, and can include the sun and the ocean. From the Siberian snow-filled tundra to the dry deserts of Australia to the luscious rain-forests of the Amazon to the tropical paradise of Palau all these places carry some form of life that can be subjects to the watchful eye of the camera. The variety makes this category very popular because it becomes the eyes for the viewers of the particular place and helps their imagination flow or possibly help sway a destination choice for a vacation.
Conceptual photography is the center of creative flow and technical thought. These photographs have meaning beneath the initial photograph, they represent a story that the photographer is trying to tell. Some photographs have apparent concepts and are easy to understand, but some of the best conceptual photographs rely heavily on the interpretation of the photograph and require deep thought to fully understand the concept. However, there are some apparent conceptual photographs that can be striking as well, such as a picture of a starving child which envokes a feeling of guilt and pity to the viewer. Conceptual photography is a category that can really help photographers build their photography skills with careful thought.
Remember, the equipment does not capture the viewer’s eye, it’s the creative originality of the photographer that determines a great photograph. Do not be afraid to try something new or different because it helps set a photographer apart from another. With that said, people will always be different, so there will always be “different strokes for different folks.” Also, “a picture can tell a thousand words.” Finally, can you set yourself apart from the rest and dare to be different?
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