4 Basic Category of Photography
Identifying photographic genres one by one is a difficult process but an essential one if we want to dissect photography to the core. Having an overall understanding of the different types of photography in Singapore is important to know which is which in the visual world. If we break down photography into categories, we will come up with 4 broad ones:
- CreativeIn this category, photographers’ assignments tend to focus on making a fictional reality. Photographers utilize lighting, settings, and poses to add elements of fantasy to their picture. Creative photography differs from editorial photography due to the emphasis of fiction from fantasy; creative work tends to have broader parameters than that of editorial. This category includes fashion photography, commercials for advertising and still life.
- RetailRetail photography is about the consumers and those contracted to take photographs. Its main focus is to provide services to the end consumers. It is considered more mundane than other genres but they are the most availed type there is. Retail photography includes event photography and portraiture in studios.
- PersonalPersonal photography can be done not only by professionals but also by anyone. This category is a compilation of shots for personal use taken by unskilled individuals. Almost everyone owns a camera these days; everyone can be a photographer in their own way. This category includes everyday life photography, old personal pictures, and travel photographs.
- EditorialThis genre aims to capture the beauty of the subject in a non-fiction manner. Editorial photography requires minimum amount of retouching so that the image will not be distorted, if retouched, it is for the purpose of making the images clearer. This category may include photographs to be preserved for art purposes, architectural photographs, sports, scientific, documentary and nature — which includes aerial, landscape, and wildlife.These categories may overlap at some point, based on the subcategories under them. Categories are flexible but one should know how they differ from each other to avoid confusion. You can begin exploring photography by categories and use your works as foundation for the type of photography you want to pursue.