Photography

Understanding Photography

  • Photography genres can include portraits, landscapes, wildlife, fashion, street, and documentary.
  • Recognising each genre’s distinct aesthetic and technical aspects can influence and inspire your photography.

Pre-Production Essentials

  • Planning: Drafting an initial concept and necessary preparations like selecting the location, deciding the timing for taking advantage of natural light.
  • Equipment Selection: Choosing the right camera and lenses considering the shooting conditions, and genre of the photograph.

Photography Techniques

  • Composition Techniques such as the rule of thirds, leading lines, framing and balancing elements play a key role in creating visually engaging photos.
  • Mastery of different Exposure Elements (aperture, shutter speed, ISO) is vital for controlling the brightness and sharpness of the photograph.
  • Understanding the impact of light and shadow in photography is crucial for visual emphasis.

Post-Production Processes

  • Photo Editing: Enhancing or altering photographs using software like Photoshop or Lightroom. Techniques can include cropping, colour correction, cleaning up or creatively manipulating the image.
  • File management and archiving: Maintaining a well-organised digital library of your photographs for easy access and reuse.

Photography Genres and Styles

  • Familiarity with Conceptual, Creative, and Documentary Styles of photography, each carrying its unique approach and application.
  • Photography Movements like Pictorialism, Modernism, and Postmodernism give insight into changing aesthetics over time.

Using Photography for Storytelling

  • Utilising single or a series of images to tell visual stories.
  • Employing elements such as subjects, emotion, and environment to convey a narrative through photographs.
  • Acknowledgment of copyright laws and moral guidelines covering subjects like privacy and consent.
  • Awareness of ethical debates within photography regarding cultural sensitivity, representation, and manipulation.

Promotion and Marketing of Photographic Work

  • Use of portfolio websites, social media platforms, exhibitions or photography competitions to share and publicise work.
  • Understanding of how marketing strategies can help increase visibility and develop a personal brand.

Evaluating and Critiquing Photography

  • Formulating artistic and technical critiques of photographs can form a better understanding of the medium.
  • Analyzing composition, lighting, and subject matter in a photograph to understand its impact and improve personal work.

Budget Management in Photography

  • Understanding the investment in photographic equipment, maintenance, travel, and post-production software.
  • Skills to manage these expenses are crucial for a sustainable photography practice.