May 15th, 2020

Most Popular Types of Photography You Should Know About

It has been nearly 2 centuries since Joseph Nicéphore Niépce took the first photograph in 1826, and since then, photography has become an inextricable part of life. People were first able to freeze moments in time using daguerreotypes until cameras were finally invented in the 1880s. The vast majority of the original photos were portraits which were the most popular style at the time.

Today there are many different styles of photography and people are now able to capture professional pictures of a variety of subjects. One reason for this is how the equipment has evolved, with the cameras featured on Adorama demonstrating how most models now come with multiple shooting functions. The accessibility of this equipment, in turn, has turned photography into something that anyone can pursue as a hobby or professionally. With that in mind, let’s get to know some of these genres better.

Type #1

Aerial Photography

Time recounts how this genre of photography began not long after commercial photography was invented in the mid-19th century, with “adventurous amateurs” launching the earliest cameras into the sky via balloons, kites, or rockets and then taking photos of their subjects below. This style remains popular today, especially now people are able to use drones to capture images using a remote control. Today what was once a specialized area of photography is now accessible to all.

Aerial Photography



Type #2

Macro Photography

With macro photography, you can get a close-up view of small subjects like insects. This was first proposed in 1899 by microscopist W.H. Walmsley and eventually pioneered by filmmaker Percy Smith in the early 1900s. Also known as photomacrography, this genre requires special lenses to magnify minute subjects, and the results are images with super fine details that the naked eye would normally not see.

Macro Photography

Type #3

Wildlife Photography

Animals in the wild make for great subjects, but it was near impossible to shoot them in the past given technological constraints. However, improvements in camera technology, such as the ability to take multiple photos at once, has made it easier for photographers to capture a cheetah running or a whale breaching. These functions have meant that amateur photographers can now capture wildlife with the same clarity as professionals.

Wildlife Couple Photography

Photo: Jacey, Localgrapher in Knysna

Request a professional photo shoot now
REQUEST NOW

Type #4

Still Life Photography

In the early 1900s, inanimate objects made for perfect subjects: they didn’t move, and were, therefore, easy to capture on film. So early photographers like Edward Curtis began taking photographs of everyday objects, but in a way that melded art with photography. Thus was born still life photography, which is typically done by arranging objects in an artistic manner before photographing them. This is also a good way for new photographers to better understand how light affects subjects and photos.

Everyday Objects Photography



Type #5

Black and White Photography

A long-form article on photography by Vantage details how the early pioneers, like Henri Cartier-Bresson and Helen Levitt, shot their photos in black and white (as this was the only format available). While colored photography is the default style, many professionals are choosing to shoot in black and white for stylistic reasons. Good black and white photography requires more skill (much in the same vain as Cartier-Bresson and Levitt), and when done right can make for much more impactful images.

Black and White Couple Photography

Photo: Lee, Localgrapher in Cape Town

Type #6

Street Photography

In the early 1900s, Cartier-Bresson and Levitt popularized what we now call street photography. Put simply, this genre captures day-to-day life on the streets, but with a snapshot aesthetic — meaning, the scenes are captured in an artistic fashion. The skill in this type of photography is to capture the energy of the location you are at.

Streetstyle Photography

Photo: Analise, Localgrapher in Las Vegas

We hope the above article has inspired you to try a new style. For those who want to hire a photographer for a professional shot we can help you find the best Localgrapher wherever you happen to be.

Looking for a Professional Photographer?
Book Localgrapher
Share this article or Pin it for later

Better than a birthday card,

Better than Flowers! Better than Chocolate!

Get your loved one a photo session anywhere in the world!

SEE BIRTHDAY GIFT CARD

You May Also Like

Our Partners:

Why Localgrapher

advance 1
Great customer service and experience
advance 2
Photoshoot in very short term
advance 3
The most destinations on the market
advance 4
Very positive customer feedback

Localgrapher Worldwide

1224
Photographers & Videographers
1090
Destinations world-wide
34 675
Photos per Month
money back guarantee badge

100% Money Back Guarantee

We believe in our service and quality of our photos so much that we decided to offer a 100% money back satisfaction guarantee for your photo shoot. If you don’t like your online gallery once we deliver it, you can contact us within 7 days and claim your money back. Find more details in our Terms.