PHOTOGRAPHY DEFINITION
What is photography?
To understand the photography definition, it is important to break down the word
itself. The Greek meaning of ‘photo’ translates to ‘light’ while ‘graphy’ translates
to ‘drawing.’ Therefore, the word photography can quite literally translate to light
drawing or drawing with light. Simply put, photography is the process of capturing
light to create an image. This is executed through the use of a camera, either film
or digital. The practice of capturing light to create images is used for various
purposes.
What is photography used for?
Creating art
Documenting events
Producing commercial work
How does photography work/ camera settings
The photography definition may give a general breakdown of what photography is,
but how does photography work specifically and how is light captured to create an
image?
To understand this, you must understand the exposure triangle. Ever since the
invention of photography and the invention of the camera, these three components
of photography have been critical in creating images from light.
Aperture
Aperture is the opening of the lens through which light passes. When you hit the
shutter release button to take the picture, the camera aperture opens to the
predetermined width, letting a specific amount of light through.
ISO
Once light passes through the aperture of a camera lens, it lands on either a sensor
(in digital photography) or light sensitive film stock (in film photography). ISO is
what measures your camera’s digital sensor’s sensitivity to light or your film
stock’s sensitivity to light.
Shutter Speed
1
,The final component of the exposure triangle is shutter speed. Shutter speed is how
long the camera shutter is open, exposing the image to light, typically measured in
milliseconds to minutes.
Once these components of exposure pass light onto a sensor or film stock, an
image can be created (through different processes depending on the medium). Film
stock is processed through chemical processing while digital photography is
processed, you guessed it, digitally. Let’s dive into these different mediums of
photography to understand the similarities and differences between them.
BASIC TOOLS OF PHOTOGRAPHY
1.Camera
The camera is the primary tool for capturing images. It can be a DSLR, mirrorless,
or point-and-shoot camera. The camera's sensor and lens work together to capture
light and produce an image.
2.Lenses
Lenses are used to focus light onto the camera's sensor. Different lenses offer
various focal lengths, apertures, and effects, allowing photographers to control the
look and feel of their images. Common lenses include standard, telephoto, wide-
angle, and macro lenses.
3.Tripod
A tripod is a three-legged stand used to stabilize the camera. It helps prevent
camera shake and blur, allowing for sharper images, especially in low-light
conditions or when using slow shutter speeds.
4.Flash
A flash is a device that emits a brief burst of light to illuminate a scene. It can be
built-in or external and is often used to add depth and dimension to images,
especially in low-light conditions.
5.Filters
Filters are transparent or translucent pieces of glass or plastic placed over the lens
to modify the light entering the camera. They can be used to reduce glare, enhance
colours, or add special effects to images.
6.Memory Cards
2
,Memory cards are small storage devices used to store images captured by the
camera. They come in various capacities and types, such as SD,CF,or XQD cards.
7.Camera Bag
A camera bag is a protective case used to carry and store camera equipment. It
helps safeguard the camera and lenses from damage, dust, and moisture, and often
features compartments and pockets for organizing accessories.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF CAMERAS FOR PHOTOGRAPHY
1. Point-and-Shoot Cameras
Point-and-shoot cameras, as the name implies, are designed to help the user point
at a subject and capture images immediately. These types of cameras are small,
compact, lightweight, and easy to use. A typical point-and-shoot camera has a
fixed lens and zoom capabilities to help meet the needs of casual photographers.
They are extremely convenient to use and reliable to capture everyday moments.
2. Digital SLR Cameras
Digital SLR(or digital single lens reflex) cameras are the preferred choice of
cameras among photographers due to their performance and versatility. A DSLR
camera uses a mirror mechanism to reflect light from the lens to an optical
viewfinder, allowing users to see exactly what the lens sees and as the
photographer presses the shutter, the mirror swings out of the way and allows the
light to go through to the digital image sensor.
3. Mirrorless Cameras
If you remove the mirror mechanism found on DSLR cameras then the resulting
product is called mirrorless cameras. In mirrorless cameras, the light goes directly
to the image sensor and the photographer can see what they are shooting via an
electronic viewfinder or a rear LCD screen.
This design makes mirrorless cameras more compact, lightweight, and also silent.
They also include interchangeable lenses and manual controls but many
photographers see the benefit of faster autofocus as their true USP. While DSLRs
had an edge over mirrorless cameras, the latter is now able to capture high-
3
, resolution images with even faster shutter speeds, making them popular even
among sports photographers.
4. Medium Format Cameras
A medium-format camera generally has a sensor bigger than the one found on
DSLR and mirrorless cameras. This use of large sensors allows them to produce
images in higher resolution and of superior image quality. They particularly stand
out for incredible depth in images and stunning details while also supporting
interchangeable lenses.
The downside of medium format cameras is that they tend to be heavier, larger,
and more expensive than other types of cameras. However, the superior image
quality has earned medium format cameras loyal users in the form of professional
photographers and studio professionals for commercial, fashion, and landscape
photography.
5. Bridge Cameras
A bridge camera is a type of camera that bridges the gap between a compact point-
and-shoot and a DSLR camera. They have a compact form factor and fixed lenses
like a point-and-shoot camera but offer powerful zoom function, manual controls,
and an electronic viewfinder. It is an ideal camera for those looking to upgrade
from a point-and-shoot camera system but not ready to leap to a digital SLR
camera. Some models even use a 1-inch sensor and are often used for wildlife
photography, travel and adventure photography.
6. Action Cameras
Action cameras are meant for those actions which would otherwise be difficult to
capture with a DSLR or other traditional type of camera. Imagine you are cycling
on a dirt road and want to capture the action, a DSLR won’t only be difficult to
mount but also add unnecessary weight. An action camera, on the other hand,
won’t only fit but will bring a whole new perspective.
7. Smartphone Cameras
The best camera is always the one you have with you and it’s particularly true for
smartphone cameras. A smartphone camera has made some of the biggest
technological leaps to now support zoom photography as well as variable aperture.
Even the likes of Leica, Hasselblad, and Zeiss have jumped onto the smartphone
camera bandwagon.
4
What is photography?
To understand the photography definition, it is important to break down the word
itself. The Greek meaning of ‘photo’ translates to ‘light’ while ‘graphy’ translates
to ‘drawing.’ Therefore, the word photography can quite literally translate to light
drawing or drawing with light. Simply put, photography is the process of capturing
light to create an image. This is executed through the use of a camera, either film
or digital. The practice of capturing light to create images is used for various
purposes.
What is photography used for?
Creating art
Documenting events
Producing commercial work
How does photography work/ camera settings
The photography definition may give a general breakdown of what photography is,
but how does photography work specifically and how is light captured to create an
image?
To understand this, you must understand the exposure triangle. Ever since the
invention of photography and the invention of the camera, these three components
of photography have been critical in creating images from light.
Aperture
Aperture is the opening of the lens through which light passes. When you hit the
shutter release button to take the picture, the camera aperture opens to the
predetermined width, letting a specific amount of light through.
ISO
Once light passes through the aperture of a camera lens, it lands on either a sensor
(in digital photography) or light sensitive film stock (in film photography). ISO is
what measures your camera’s digital sensor’s sensitivity to light or your film
stock’s sensitivity to light.
Shutter Speed
1
,The final component of the exposure triangle is shutter speed. Shutter speed is how
long the camera shutter is open, exposing the image to light, typically measured in
milliseconds to minutes.
Once these components of exposure pass light onto a sensor or film stock, an
image can be created (through different processes depending on the medium). Film
stock is processed through chemical processing while digital photography is
processed, you guessed it, digitally. Let’s dive into these different mediums of
photography to understand the similarities and differences between them.
BASIC TOOLS OF PHOTOGRAPHY
1.Camera
The camera is the primary tool for capturing images. It can be a DSLR, mirrorless,
or point-and-shoot camera. The camera's sensor and lens work together to capture
light and produce an image.
2.Lenses
Lenses are used to focus light onto the camera's sensor. Different lenses offer
various focal lengths, apertures, and effects, allowing photographers to control the
look and feel of their images. Common lenses include standard, telephoto, wide-
angle, and macro lenses.
3.Tripod
A tripod is a three-legged stand used to stabilize the camera. It helps prevent
camera shake and blur, allowing for sharper images, especially in low-light
conditions or when using slow shutter speeds.
4.Flash
A flash is a device that emits a brief burst of light to illuminate a scene. It can be
built-in or external and is often used to add depth and dimension to images,
especially in low-light conditions.
5.Filters
Filters are transparent or translucent pieces of glass or plastic placed over the lens
to modify the light entering the camera. They can be used to reduce glare, enhance
colours, or add special effects to images.
6.Memory Cards
2
,Memory cards are small storage devices used to store images captured by the
camera. They come in various capacities and types, such as SD,CF,or XQD cards.
7.Camera Bag
A camera bag is a protective case used to carry and store camera equipment. It
helps safeguard the camera and lenses from damage, dust, and moisture, and often
features compartments and pockets for organizing accessories.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF CAMERAS FOR PHOTOGRAPHY
1. Point-and-Shoot Cameras
Point-and-shoot cameras, as the name implies, are designed to help the user point
at a subject and capture images immediately. These types of cameras are small,
compact, lightweight, and easy to use. A typical point-and-shoot camera has a
fixed lens and zoom capabilities to help meet the needs of casual photographers.
They are extremely convenient to use and reliable to capture everyday moments.
2. Digital SLR Cameras
Digital SLR(or digital single lens reflex) cameras are the preferred choice of
cameras among photographers due to their performance and versatility. A DSLR
camera uses a mirror mechanism to reflect light from the lens to an optical
viewfinder, allowing users to see exactly what the lens sees and as the
photographer presses the shutter, the mirror swings out of the way and allows the
light to go through to the digital image sensor.
3. Mirrorless Cameras
If you remove the mirror mechanism found on DSLR cameras then the resulting
product is called mirrorless cameras. In mirrorless cameras, the light goes directly
to the image sensor and the photographer can see what they are shooting via an
electronic viewfinder or a rear LCD screen.
This design makes mirrorless cameras more compact, lightweight, and also silent.
They also include interchangeable lenses and manual controls but many
photographers see the benefit of faster autofocus as their true USP. While DSLRs
had an edge over mirrorless cameras, the latter is now able to capture high-
3
, resolution images with even faster shutter speeds, making them popular even
among sports photographers.
4. Medium Format Cameras
A medium-format camera generally has a sensor bigger than the one found on
DSLR and mirrorless cameras. This use of large sensors allows them to produce
images in higher resolution and of superior image quality. They particularly stand
out for incredible depth in images and stunning details while also supporting
interchangeable lenses.
The downside of medium format cameras is that they tend to be heavier, larger,
and more expensive than other types of cameras. However, the superior image
quality has earned medium format cameras loyal users in the form of professional
photographers and studio professionals for commercial, fashion, and landscape
photography.
5. Bridge Cameras
A bridge camera is a type of camera that bridges the gap between a compact point-
and-shoot and a DSLR camera. They have a compact form factor and fixed lenses
like a point-and-shoot camera but offer powerful zoom function, manual controls,
and an electronic viewfinder. It is an ideal camera for those looking to upgrade
from a point-and-shoot camera system but not ready to leap to a digital SLR
camera. Some models even use a 1-inch sensor and are often used for wildlife
photography, travel and adventure photography.
6. Action Cameras
Action cameras are meant for those actions which would otherwise be difficult to
capture with a DSLR or other traditional type of camera. Imagine you are cycling
on a dirt road and want to capture the action, a DSLR won’t only be difficult to
mount but also add unnecessary weight. An action camera, on the other hand,
won’t only fit but will bring a whole new perspective.
7. Smartphone Cameras
The best camera is always the one you have with you and it’s particularly true for
smartphone cameras. A smartphone camera has made some of the biggest
technological leaps to now support zoom photography as well as variable aperture.
Even the likes of Leica, Hasselblad, and Zeiss have jumped onto the smartphone
camera bandwagon.
4
