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Essays About Photography: Top 5 Examples Plus Prompts

Discover the joy of photography by reading our guide on how to write essays about photography, including top essay examples and writing prompts. 

It is truly remarkable what pictures can tell you about the time they were taken and their subjects. For example, a well-taken photograph can expose the horrors of conflict in a war-torn country or the pain endured by victims of racial persecution. At the same time, it can also evoke a mother’s joy after seeing her newborn baby for the first time. Photography is crucial to preserving precious moments that deserve to be remembered.

Photography can be considered a form of art. So much intent is put into a picture’s composition, subject, angle, and lighting. There is a lot of talent, thought, and hard work that goes into photography to produce such thought-provoking images, 

If you are writing essays about photography, you can start by reading some examples. 

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5 Essay Examples To Inspire You

1. why photography is a great hobby by lillie lane, 2. the importance of photography by emily holty, 3. why i love photography by bob locher.

  • 4.  The Shocking History Of Death Photography by Yewande Ade
  • 5. ​​Fashion photography by Sara Page

5 Helpful Prompts On Essays About Photography

1. what is your favorite thing to photograph, 2. why is photography so important, 3. should photography be considered an art form, 4. different types of photography, 5. interpretations of photographs.

“Be imaginative when writing your shots. Photography is about the impact of your chances. The odds are good that nobody will care to check over your picture When it is an item in a background. Discover how to produce a fantastic photograph, and take these skills and use them.”

Lane gives readers tips on taking better photos in this essay. These include keeping balance, choosing a subject widely, investing in certain pieces of equipment, and using the appropriate settings for taking pictures. She stresses that photos must appear as natural as possible, and following her advice may help people to get good pictures. 

“No matter where you go photography plays into your life somehow. We don’t realize how big of an impact photography truly has on us until we see the details of our life hidden in a photograph. When you flip through your photo album and start looking for those details you suddenly realize you are truly blessed. A photograph keeps a moment frozen in time so we have it forever. Something like joy becomes clearer as we look deeper into the photograph.”

Holty does an excellent job of describing what makes photography so appealing to many people. You can take a picture of anything you want if you want to remember it, and photos help us look at the intricacies and details of what we see around us every day. Photography also helps us keep memories in our heads and hearts as time passes by, and most of all, it allows us to document the greatness of our world. It is ever-present in our lives, and we will keep taking photos the more adventures we have. 

“Every day in normal circumstances people take thousands of pictures of the Grand Canyon. It takes very little thought to realize that few if any of these pictures will be in any way noteworthy above pictures already taken. But that said, they are OUR pictures, our personal affirmation of the wonderful scene stretched out below us, and that gives them a special validity for us.”

Locher reflects on the role photography played in his life and why he enjoys it so much, partly due to his spirituality. He previously worked in the photographic equipment business and rekindled his love for photography in his 60s. Photography, to him, is a way of affirming and acknowledging God’s creations around him and appreciating the natural world. He also briefly discusses the importance of equipment and post-editing; however, no photo is perfect. 

4.   The Shocking History Of Death Photography by Yewande Ade

“In fact, it was easier for the photographer if the dead person was in a sleeping position because there would be no need to put him or her in an appropriate position or prop the eyes open. The restful pose gave some families comfort because it made them believe that their loved one(s) had passed on happily and to a more peaceful realm. It gave the semblance of death as a painless act like sleep.”

An interesting phenomenon in the history of the camera is post-mortem photography, in which deceased people, usually children, were posed and made to look “alive,” to an extent, so their loved ones could remember them. This was done as a way of mourning; the subjects were made to look as if they were merely asleep to give their loved ones comfort that they had passed on peacefully and happily. Eventually, a reduction in the death rate led to the end of this practice. 

5. ​​ Fashion photography by Sara Page

“Modern fashion photography differs because photographers aim to be extraordinary with their work, they know that extra ordinary will interest the audience much more It is extremely evident that fashion photography has changed and developed throughout the years, however there is not just reason. It is clear that fashion photography has changed and developed because of advancements in technology, change in attitudes and the introduction of celebrities.”

Page’s essay focuses on the history of fashion photography and some techniques used in practice. It dated back to 1911 and astonished the public with glamorous photos of people wearing perfectly-styled outfits. As the years have gone on, photographers have taken the lighting of the photos more into account, as well as their settings. In addition, editing software such as Photoshop has allowed even better photos to be produced. Fashion photography has only become more extravagant with the current social culture. 

In your essay, write about your favorite subject when you take pictures- is it people, landscapes, objects, or something else? Explain why, give examples, and perhaps elaborate on your camera settings or the lighting you look for when taking photos.  

Photography is an important invention that has helped us immensely throughout the years- how exactly? Explain why photography rivals painting and why it is essential. Then, write about its importance to you, the entire world, and humanity. 

Some say photography pales compared to the intricacies of music, painting, sculpture, and even cinema and should not be considered a form of art. For an interesting argumentative essay, determine whether photography is genuine art or not and defend your position. Explore both sides of the topic and give a strong rebuttal against the opposing viewpoint. 

Essays about photography: Different types of photography

From street photography to food photography to portraiture, many different types of photography are classified according to the subject being captured. Write about at least three types of photography that interest you and what they entail. You may also discuss some similarities between them if any. Check out our list of the top CreativeLive photography courses .

Like other works of art, a photograph can be interpreted differently. Choose a photo you find exciting and describe how you feel about it. What is being portrayed? What emotions are being evoked? What did the photographer want to show here? Reflect on your chosen work and perhaps connect it with your personal life. 

For help with your essays, check out our round-up of the best essay checkers . If you are interested in learning more, check out our essay writing tips !

Home — Essay Samples — Arts & Culture — Photography — Exploring Through the Lens: My Passion for Photography

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Exploring Through The Lens: My Passion for Photography

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Published: Sep 1, 2023

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Grundberg, Andy. 'The Crisis of the Real: Photography and Postmodernism.' October, vol. 5, 1978, pp. 74-91. JSTOR.Michael, Tim. 'Photography's Evolution: A Brief Overview.' PhotographyLife, 27 May 2021, 1989.

Atkin, Malcolm. “The Leica in War.” Leica Society, 2014, https://www.japancamerahunter.com/2018/11/camera-geekery-the-leica-iii/.

Rosenblum, Naomi. A World History of Photography. Abbeville Press, 1997.Michael, Sean. 'The Role of Photography in Shaping Our Perception of the World.' The Journal of Contemporary Photography, vol. 2, no. 1, 2019, pp. [...]

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18 Immersive Photo Essay Examples & Tips

By Tata Rossi 13 days ago, Professional photography

essay on favourite photographer

A photo essay tells a story or evokes emotion through a series of photographs. The essays allow you to be creative and fully explore an idea. Such essays exist in a variety of forms – from photos only to images with brief comments or written essays accompanied by shots. Choose a photo essay example that you can easily do based on your professional level and the equipment you use.

1. Protests

  • View the “Resistance” photo essay by David Moore .

A great idea for photo essays for students is to shoot the protest to show its power. You can capture people with signs and banners to demonstrate what they are standing for. Besides, you can learn how to capture moving subjects. Use the best example of photo essay and don’t forget about angles, composition, and framing.

To create a photo essay , go up to the front and photograph the leader of the protesters walking forward. After that, go back to the end of the group to take pictures of families joining the protest. As a result, you will gain experience shooting big groups of people in motion.

2. Transformation

  • View the “A Self-Portrait Every Day” photo essay by Noah Kalina .

This idea is all about capturing the way a person changes. You may take photos of a pregnant woman and then capture the same model with a child. By documenting the development of the child for several years, you can tell a great story in the form of a photo essay.

However, you can also create a photo essay about the transformation of different objects. For instance, you can create a time-lapse series to capture the history of a renovated building. While you will have to take a lot of similar photos to bring this idea to life, it will allow you to achieve an impressive result.

3. Local Event

  • View the “Monday Marathon” photo essay by Quinn G. Perini .

Whether you are a resident of a large city or a small town, you can find an opportunity to visit a local event, like a marathon or a festival. This is a nice chance to follow modern photography trends and bring photo essay ideas to life.

You can capture the before-and-after stages of the event. Arrive earlier and take pictures of the preparation activities, then shoot the actual event starting with the official beginning.

Keep photographing even when the event is over and capture the cleaning up and disassembling processes.

4. Photowalk

  • View the “Empty Campus” photo essay by Elise Trissel .

Explore the location where you live and find interesting objects to capture in the vicinity. Using the most interesting photo essay examples, you can decide how to make the best decisions. Don’t hurry and try to discover which angles you can use to capture the unique atmosphere of each place.

If you live in the city, you may capture architectural details, wide shots of busy streets, or just take photos of passersby and street signs. Think about the details that make every location unique. For instance, you can try capturing reflections to see how they allow you to see the city from an unusual angle. You can find reflections everywhere, so be sure to pay attention to mirrored buildings, puddles, and fountains.

5. Place Over Time

  • View the “At Home in the Ozarks” photo essay by Kylee Cole .

If you want to document changes and show how the streets, buildings, and parks in your city change over time, select your favorite locations and start to visit them regularly to capture the way they look during different seasons.

  • View the “Last Moments” photo essay by Ross Taylor .

You don’t necessarily have to focus on profound photo essay topics to evoke emotions. Capturing pets enjoying their worry-free and untroubled life seems like an easy but interesting activity.

Choose any animal – from a domestic bird to a dog, cat, or horse. For more emotional images, use such pet photography ideas when your pet is still a baby and recreate these shots when it is older or is in its final days.

7. Street Style

  • View the Tribal Street Photography photo essay by Hans Eijkelboom .

People often express themselves with the help of clothes. The way passers-by on the streets are dressed may reflect the clothing style of a whole society. That’s why you can travel around the world and capture people’s outfits in various areas. When taking portrait photos in the streets, you can also include some of the surroundings to put them in the context.

You can ask people in the streets to pose for you or try to capture them in movement. Select a suitable location for taking photos and create a photo essay to document what kinds of people one can meet in this location. When doing urban photography , you should ask people for permission before taking photos of them. You can ask their contacts and send them your photos later.

8. Abandoned Building

  • View the “Lost Collective” photo essay by Bret Pattman .

Old buildings are excellent architecture photography essay topics for students since you can capture a large number of elements. They allow you to imagine what a particular street looked like in the past. You may use a photo essay example for students as references.

Get approval before going in, but mind that such places are far from being totally safe. Bring various lenses: the macro lenses – for details and the wide-angle one – when you want to include many elements in one shot.

9. Alternative Lifestyles

  • View the “Last Nomad Hippies” photo essay by Roberto Palomo .

Some people decide to lead a lifestyle that differs from the one generally accepted by society. Explore different areas and look for people with an unusual way of living. You can capture candid photos of regular people or take pictures of a person with an unusual hobby.

Take pictures of those, who reside in extraordinary conditions, representatives of various subcultures, or the LBGTQ community. These photo essay topics show other people that it is okay to go out of their comfort zone and run against the wind.

10. Social Issues

  • View the “Juveniles in Prison” photo essay by Isadora Kosofsky .

The best photo essay examples for students are related to social issues, like unemployment, domestic violence, gender discrimination, and more. Address the topic carefully and look for a proper perspective.

Your shots may draw the people’s attention to a truly burning and relevant matter and have a stronger effect than any text.

11. Behind the Scenes

  • View the “Follow Me” photo essay by Marius Masalar .

If you are going to visit an event, get ready to take some behind-the-scenes photos. For instance, you can document the preparations for a festival. Capture the work of the lead event planner and other professionals to tell the story of the festival from an unusual angle.

Alternatively, you can capture the events happening backstage during a drama production. Take pictures of actors and actresses when they are getting ready for the performance. Try capturing the emotions of the main lead and show how stage workers make final preparations. You can also document the work of designers and makeup professionals.

12. Landmarks

  • View the “Volte-Face” photo essay by Oliver Curtis .

The pictures of landmarks are typically taken from a certain spot. One of the best photo essay ideas is to try shooting sights from various angles. You will also have an opportunity to improve your composition and your framing skills.

If you take a look at any pictorial essay example, you will see that the variety of perspectives is endless: through the streets, in the morning, afternoon, and evening, with a drone or including reflections.

    • View the “Family” photo essay by Olivia Moore .

You can capture the way family members interact with each other and demonstrate the strong connection they share. In some cases, it makes sense to focus on capturing candid photos when doing family photography .

However, you may also opt for a different approach and focus on more difficult social topics. For instance, if you want to examine the issue of immigration, you can take pictures of a family from another country. In addition, you may show how families cope with other social issues, including poverty or unequal access to healthcare.

14. A Day in the Life

  • View the “A Day in the Life of Carlos Gaytan” photo essay by Sandy Noto .

One of the best photo essays concepts is related to a day in a person’s life. The main character can be any person – a relative, family member, teacher, writer, or policeman.

People are generally interested in finding out facts about the lives and daily routines of others. The life of every human is incredible, especially if you learn it in more detail. This idea is especially suitable for taking documentary photos. For instance, you can select any photo essay sample you like and then capture a portrait of a person with the tools they use for their work.

15. Education

  • View the “School Day” photo essay by Nancy Borowick .

You can also take great photos in the classroom capturing the interactions of teachers and their students. Avoid distracting them, as it will be easier for you to take natural shots. Using a variety of settings, you can make your photo essay more engaging. For instance, you may visit chemistry labs, capture teachers during a break, and take photos in other locations.

  • View the “Meals From the Motherland” photo essay by James Tran .

You can also focus on specific meals to create a professional photo essay about food. To make it more attention-grabbing, try using different food photography ideas .

For instance, you can take photos of popular meals, capture the meals made by a specific person, or document cooking traditions in different countries. When taking photos in a restaurant, pay attention to the surroundings as well to capture the unique atmosphere of a place.

17. Capture the Neighbors

  • View the “Our Neighbors” photo essay by Jeanne Martin .

Regardless of the place where you live, you have to establish good relationships with your neighbors. People who live nearby can also be great models for professionals who specialize in portrait photography. To implement this idea, make sure to capture people at home or in front of their houses to include some of the surroundings in your photo essay.

You will discover many interesting facts about people who live nearby. Shooting a photo essay will allow you to learn them better and establish a strong connection with them. This way, you can create a sense of community and discover what holds its members together.

18. Climate Change

  • View the “Effects of Climate Change” photo essay by Sanya Gupta .

It is possible to a variety of photo story ideas bring to life examining the impact of climate change. Travel to places most affected by climate change, for instance, glaciers or famous resorts.

Capture the way the continuous drought has influenced the environment, animals, and the inhabitants. As an alternative, take pictures of environmentalist protests or inexhaustible energy sources.

Photo Essay Tips for Students

Explore your topic . An in-depth exploration of the main topic of your photo essay will help you find the best ideas for conveying your message. You can also find some sources for inspiration and useful materials. This stage allows you to learn more about your subject and select the best way of organizing your photo essay.

Create a storyboard . Using a storyboard, you can better understand what shots you need to take and what order can help you to tell a story in the best way. It will also allow you to create the right mood.

Take as many pictures as you can . To create a compelling story, make sure to take a lot of photos. It will allow you to choose the best pictures for your photo essay. Besides, you will always have backup photos if some of your pictures get damaged.

Experiment with different techniques . By changing the angle and using a variety of editing techniques, you can transform the way your photos look. When taking photos, try using different angles to capture the subject in the best way. You can also try changing the distance from the model, using black-and-white film, or employing a range of developing methods.

Add text . While some photographers create photo essays without text, it can still help you bring your point across more clearly and make it easier for a viewer to understand what you imply. By providing extra information, such as some facts, you can change the perception of your image. If you don’t know how to write descriptions, you can hire a professional writer to perform this task.

Enhance your photos . To edit your pictures, make sure to use professional photo editing software like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop. Using the available tools, you can improve and change your photos. They allow you to fix issues with lighting, adjust WB, make colors richer, crop your pics to improve the composition, and perform other tasks. In case you need to edit your photos in a consistent style, you can use Photoshop Actions or Lightroom Presets.

In some cases, your pictures may require more advanced editing. If you see that your skills are insufficient or if you don’t have enough time, you can outsource the task of enhancing your photos to the FixThePhoto team. They will professionally enhance your pictures for a budget price. Their prices start from $1.50 per photo.

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To streamline your workflow and quickly edit your essay photos like a pro, make sure to apply these actions to your photos. Even if you use a photo essay example when taking pictures, you can utilize these actions to give your images a professional feel, tweak colors, edit lighting, and improve the overall look of your pics.

In this bundle, you will find actions created by experienced professionals who used recent photo enhancement trends to create convenient editing tools. Here, you will find a collection of brushes, patterns, overlays, and other effects for editing your photos in a realistic way.

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17 Awesome Photo Essay Examples You Should Try Yourself

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If you’re looking for a photo essay example (or 17!), you’ve come to the right place. But what is the purpose of a photo essay? A photo essay is intended to tell a story or evoke emotion from the viewers through a series of photographs. They allow you to be creative and fully explore an idea. But how do you make one yourself? Here’s a list of photo essay examples. Choose one that you can easily do based on your photographic level and equipment.

Top 17 Photo Essay Examples

Here are some fantastic ideas to get you inspired to create your own photo essays!

17. Photograph a Protest

Street photography of a group of people protesting.

16. Transformation Photo Essays

A photo essay example shot of a couple, the man kissing the pregnant womans stomach

15. Photograph the Same Place

A photo essay example photography grid of 9 photographs.

14. Create a Photowalk

Street photography photo essay shot of a photographer in the middle of the street

13. Follow the Change

Portrait photography of a man shaving in the mirror. Photo essay examples.

12. Photograph a Local Event

Documentary photography essay of a group of people at an event by a lake.

11. Photograph an Abandoned Building

Atmospheric and dark photo of the interior of an abandoned building as part of a photo-essay

10. Behind the Scenes of a Photo Shoot

Photograph of models and photographers behind the scenes at a photo shoot. Photo essay ideas.

9. Capture Street Fashion

Street photography portrait of a girl outdoors at night.

8. Landmark Photo Essay

9 photo grid of the Eiffel tour. Photo essays examples.

7. Fathers & Children

An essay photo of the silhouettes of a man and child standing in a dark doorway.

6. A Day In the Life

 Photo essay examples of a bright red and orange building under blue sky.

5. Education Photo Essay

Documentary photoessay example shot of a group of students in a classroom watching their teacher

4. Fictitious Meals

 Photo essay detail of someone placing a sugar cube into a cup of tea.

3. Photograph Coffee Shops Using Cafenol

A photo of a coffee shop interior created with cafenol.

2. Photograph the Photographers

Street photography of a group of media photographers.

1. Capture the Neighbors

Street photography of 2 pink front doors of brick houses.

Photo essays tell stories. And there are plenty of amazingly interesting stories to tell! Photographing photo essays is a great way to practice your photography skills while having fun. You might even learn something! These photo essay examples are here to provide you with the inspiration to go out and tell your own stories through photos!

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The 50 best photographers ever

Covering a range of genres and styles, these are the 50 greatest photographers the world has ever seen (probably)

Don McCullin sitting next to one of his famous photos, Shell-shocked Marine

Don McCullin in front of one of his best-known images, Shell-shocked Marine , taken in Vietnam in 1968. (Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images)

There are lot of talented photographers on the scene today. But who are the best photographers of all time? We've draw on our expert knowledge, and a lot of spirited discussion, to bring together our definitive list.

These photographers include many famous names plus some you may not yet have encountered. Their work spans a variety of genres, from photojournalism and portraiture to landscape and abstract photography. And between them, they have captured moments that define eras, challenge perceptions, and reveal profound truths about the human experience. 

These visionaries have not only produced iconic images that have stood the test of time but have also influenced generations of photographers who followed in their footsteps. heir contributions extend beyond individual photographs, encompassing groundbreaking techniques, philosophical approaches to image-making, and in some cases, redefining the very nature of photography itself.

1. Henri Cartier-Bresson (1908-2004)

50 best photographers ever

The photographers’ photographer, Cartier-Bresson had a huge impact on modern photojournalism and its establishment as an art form. His achievements included co-founding the Magnum agency in 1947 and he excelled at documentary, portrait and landscape work. His concept of capturing an event at ‘the decisive moment’ has been hugely influential.  

2. Ansel Adams (1902-1984)

50 best photographers ever

Arguably one of the greatest ever landscape photographers, Adams rejected painterly styles to create what he called ‘an austere and blazing poetry of the real.’ Co-originator of the Zone System for accurately calculating exposure, he’s best known for his black and white images celebrating the natural majesty of Yosemite National Park. To learn more, read How Ansel Adams changed photography forever .

3. Sebastião Salgado (born 1944)

50 best photographers ever

Salgado is a superstar of modern photojournalism. He originally studied economics, but took up a career in photography in 1973. His epic-scale black and white work has particularly focused on social injustice and poverty and during the past 45 years has carried out a number of major long-term international projects. Now 80, he shows no sign of slowing down, last year releasing a ground-breaking photography book for the blind .

4. Bill Brandt (1904-1983)

Brandt, who was born in Germany but settled in England, brought his own distinctive style of photography to a range of genres. Starting in the 1930s, His work included social documentary images of rich and poor, atmospheric and emotive landscapes, edgy, unsettling portraits and distorted, extreme wide-angle nude studies. 

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5. Julia Margaret Cameron (1815-1879) 

50 best photographers ever

Cameron was one of the first photographers to explore photography’s potential as an expressive art form. Working in the mid-19th century, she created a body of work on glass plate negatives that included both family and friends and famous Victorians such as scientist Sir John Herschel and the poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson.

6. Richard Avedon (1923-2004)

50 best photographers ever

Avedon is one of the best-known American photographers of the 20th century. He was acclaimed for his celebrity portraiture and fashion photography for magazines including Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar , but also for his powerful black and white portraiture of ordinary people, such as the work in his 1985 book In the American West .

7. Irving Penn (1917-2009)

50 best photographers ever

Revered in photographic circles, Penn primarily shot fashion, portraiture and still life for high-profile editorial and commercial clients. Meticulously lit and composed, his images derive their power from their sparseness and simplicity. Iconic images include portraits of Picasso and Truman Capote and fashion images of his supermodel wife, Lisa Fonssagrives. 

8. Don McCullin (born 1935)

Although best-known for images depicting the brutal reality of war in Vietnam, Cyprus and Cambodia, McCullin’s internationally-praised work includes documentary images in his native England and dark, moody landscapes. Brave and unflinching in his pursuit of a story, he was knighted for services to photography in 2017. You can learn a lot about photography just by reading these 10 mind-blowing McCullin quotes .

9. Margaret Bourke-White (1904-1971)

50 best photographers ever

Known as ‘Maggie the Indestructible’, Bourke-White was the first female war correspondent and Life magazine’s first female photojournalist. She photographed wartime firestorms in Moscow and the release of concentration camp prisoners. Later, she was the first foreign photographer allowed to take pictures of the Soviet five-year plan and documented violence during the partition of India.

10. Cecil Beaton (1904-1980)

50 best photographers ever

Beaton was one of the great portrait and fashion photographers of the 20th century. Fascinated by glamour, elegance and style, he created a wealth of images for magazines including Vogue and Vanity Fair from the 1920s-70s. His creative talents extended to costume and set design for movies and theatre productions.

11. Robert Capa (1913-54)

Robert Capa's memoir Slightly out of focus

Capa was a Hungarian photojournalist and co-founder of Magnum Photos. During his career he covered five different conflicts including the Spanish Civil War and is especially famous for his visceral images of the D-Day landings in 1944. He was killed only 10 years later, when he stepped on a landmine while covering the First Indochina War.

12. Alfred Stieglitz (1864 -1946)

The Hand of Man by Alfred Stieglitz (Photo by VCG Wilson/Corbis via Getty Images)

Stieglitz was a giant of photography and an important pioneer of the medium. In the 1890s he made the controversial argument that photography was an art form as important as painting or sculpture. He went on to become an advocate of ‘straight’, un-manipulated photography and a tireless promoter of other photographers’ work. 

13. Joel Meyerowitz (born 1938) 

50 best photographers ever

Meyerowitz began his photographic career as a trailblazing street photographer in the early ‘60s before turning to large-format fine art work with the bestselling book Cape Light . He has published more than 20 books, including Aftermath , a body of work documenting Ground Zero after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001. He currently has an exhibition in Málaga exploring the influence of his early work in the Spanish city.

14. Eve Arnold (1912-2012)

Although famous for her portraits of cultural icons including Marilyn Monroe, Arnold was a photojournalist and a member of Magnum Photos for over 50 years. Preferring to work in natural light, she shot a broad range of work from the quirky to the serious, including photo-essays on the civil rights movement and agricultural workers.

15. Bruce Davidson (born 1933)

Bruce Davidson at the HCB Foundation in Paris, 2007 (Christophe Simon/AFP/Getty Images)

An important American documentary photographer, Davidson concentrated on outsiders and marginalised groups in society. He gained an intimate insight into their lives by immersing himself in his subjects, whether they were teenage gangs in Brooklyn, circus entertainers, or the residents of a single block in Harlem. In an exhibition last year titled The Way Back, he presented unseen outtakes from his nearly 70-year career as a chronicler of American life.

16. Dorothea Lange (1895-1965)

Migrant Mother shot by Dorothea Lange in California, February 1936  (Photo by SSPL/Getty Images)

Lange was a pioneering American documentary photographer and photojournalist. Although she had a portrait studio in the early part of her career, she turned to documenting the unemployed and homeless in the Great Depression of the 1930s. Her most famous image, Migrant Mother (1936) shows a poverty-stricken woman and her children.

17. Arnold Newman (1918-2006)

Photographer Arnold Newman poses for a photo on June 01, 1992 in his New York City studio. (Photo by Joe McNally/Getty Images)

Newman began shooting portraits in the 1930s, preferring to work in his subjects’ home or workplace to give extra insight into their life and personality. This approach, unconventional at the time, led to Newman being regarded as ‘the father of environmental photography.’ His most famous portraits are of Igor Stravinsky and Pablo Picasso.

18. Robert Doisneau (1912-1994)

Robert Doisneau at home in 1989 (Photo by Sophie Bassouls/Sygma/Getty Images)

French photojournalist Doisneau was known for his playful and humorous images of life in his native Paris. They captured the lighter side of life among ordinary people and were brilliantly timed and composed. His most famous picture is The Kiss at City Hall (1950), which shows a couple kissing in the street.

19. Edward Weston (1886-1958)

Weston is one of the most celebrated figures in 20th century American photography. Innovative and charismatic, he’s best known for his highly-detailed large-format images. Subjects explored during his 40-year career include desert landscapes, nudes and still-life studies of objects such as peppers and shells. 

20. Harold Edgerton (1903-1990)

A bullet from a .22 caliber bullet starts to burst from side of a balloon held by Dr. Harold E. Edgerton in his Stroboscopic Light Laboratory at MIT in Cambridge, Mass., Feb. 19, 1959. An electronic photo flash invented and developed by Dr. Edgerton stopped the motion of bullet with a ½,000,000th of a second flash. Flash and camera were operated by sound of explosion picked up by microphone just below the balloon.

Edgerton was an electrical engineer who invented the first electronic flash. He also made a large number of stunning high-speed flash photographs showing things literally never seen before, including a bullet passing through an apple , birds in mid-flight and multiple flash shots of sportsmen or dancers in action.

21. Edward Steichen (1879-1973)

Flatiron Building. New York, 1909 (Photo by Edward Steichen/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images)

Steichen is regarded as the father of modern fashion photography and before World War II was the highest paid photographer in the world while for Vogue and Vanity Fair . In the post-war period, he became an influential gallery curator and was responsible for one of the most famous photography exhibitions ever, The Family of Man (1955).

22. Bert Hardy (1913-1995)

Blackpool Promenade, shot by Bert Hardy for Picture Post in 1951 (Photo by Bert Hardy/Picture Post/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

While working for Picture Post magazine, Hardy became one of Britain’s best-loved photographers and was known for his engaging, warm-hearted pictures of ordinary people. He also shot serious subjects, such as assignments during the Korean War. In the 1950s and 60s he became one of the UK most successful and highly-paid advertising photographers, a fact celebrated in a major retrospective earlier this year.

23. William Eggleston (born 1939)

William Eggleston's Guide was the 1976 book and MoMA exhibition that finally brought color photography to the attention the fine art scene

Eggleston is an American photographer who celebrates the extraordinary in the everyday. His ‘snapshot’ style, combined with his use of color-saturated dye-transfer printing methods, elevated ordinary subjects to the level of art. He’s now credited as being one of the key photographers whose work helped color photography become an accepted art-form.  

24. Elliot Erwitt (1928-2023)

Photojournalist Elliot Erwitt with his most famous image of dogs for his exhibition titled "To The Dogs".Elliott Erwitt's dog obsession started half a century ago with a chihuahua wearing a sweater.Since then, the American photographer's shots of mutts, mongrels and pampered pedigress have filled books, galleries and billboards around the world. November 29, 1994

Erwitt was an American advertising and editorial photographer widely celebrated for his personal work. It ranged from sensitive studies of family life to witty, wryly humorous street pictures. His favourite subjects included people on beaches and in museums and he produced several books of his popular dog photographs. Last year he entered the Leica Hall of Fame in a celebration of his "pictures that touched the world".

25. Steve McCurry (born 1950)

 Steve McCurry signs a copy of his most famous photo Afghan Girl (Photo by Mustafa Kamaci/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

McCurry is one of the world’s most popular living photojournalists. A long-time member of the Magnum agency and National Geographic contributor, his varied career has included war reporting, coverage of natural disasters, travel photography and portraiture. His most iconic picture is the 2002 image titled Afghan Girl . To learn more, read our exclusive interview with McCurry .

26. Robert Frank (1924-2019)

Frank started out as an editorial and commercial photographer, but his 1958 published his seminal book of documentary photography, The Americans . Made on a road trip around the country, it gave a personal, outsider’s view of its people. It was unconventional in style and technique, but was hugely influential. He later turned to film-making and autobiographical photography. Four years after his death, the book Goin' Down the Road with Robert Frank painted an intimate portrait of this enigmatic and inspirational photographer.

27. Philippe Halsman (1906-1979)

Philippe Halsman poses with his camera in his 67th St. home and studio on an episode of the CBS celebrity interview program 'Person to Person,' New York, New York, April 15, 1960

Halsman specialised in portraits and fashion and he worked for high-profile magazines including Vogue and Life . Style, panache and visual inventiveness were central to his work and he photographed major figures of his era including Albert Einstein and Winston Churchill. His most famous image is his surreal masterpiece, Dali Atomicus . 

28. David Bailey (born 1938)

David Bailey with of supermodel Jean Shrimpton, 1963 (Photo by Terry O'Neill/Iconic Images/Getty Images)

Bailey shot to fame as a streetwise fashion and portrait photographer in the 1960s with direct, memorable black and white images of celebrities including the Beatles, Michael Caine and model Jean Shrimpton. He remained one of the best-known British photographers for many decades, but sadly has been suffering from vascular dementia since 2021.

29. Man Ray (1890-1976)

Artist and photographer Man Ray looks through a picture frame, October 24th 1963.

Ray was a painter, film-maker and sculptor as well as a creative and innovative photographer who loved to break established ‘rules’. Influenced by Surrealism, his best-known images were made using solarisation or cameraless photography such as photograms. His inventiveness and experimentation took photography to a new creative level. A new book released this year, Man Ray: Liberating Photography celebrates this pioneering photographer.

30. Martin Parr (born 1952)

Martin Parr's seminal work, The Last Resort, shot in the seaside town of New Brighton, Liverpool, was first published in 1985

Some regard Martin Parr as a witty observer of contemporary life, while others see him as an intellectual elitist. His signature style – ironic and sometimes acerbic color-saturated images shot with fill flash – has divided opinion, but he’s undoubtedly one of the most successful documentary photographers working today, and the best-known living member of the Magnum agency. 

31. Horst P Horst (1906-1999)

Known for his long association with Vogue magazine, the German-born Horst shot fashion, portraits, nudes and still life photographs that had a strong sense of style and elegance. His most famous image is Mainbocher Corset (1939), one of the best known fashion images of the 20th century.

32. Yousuf Karsh (1908-2002)

Yousuf Karsh in 1960 (Photo by Weegee)/International Center of Photography/Getty Images)

In the mid-20th century ‘Karsh of Ottawa’ was seen as one of the world’s most important portrait photographers. A craftsman known for his meticulous and dramatic lighting, his images celebrated statesmen, artists, performers and royalty. His best-known portraits featured major figures including Winston Churchill, Ernest Hemingway and Albert Einstein. 

33. André Kertész (1894-1985)

Hungarian-born Kertész, was an innovative and influential photographer who explored a range of genres: street pictures, portraits, cityscapes, still lifes and distorted nudes. He had an innate ability to find the poetic in the everyday. Images he made that are now regarded as iconic include Chez Mondrian (1926) and The Fork (1928).

34. Alfred Eisenstaedt (1898-1995)

VJ Day, New York. August 14, 1945. This is an outtake, not the iconic image for which Eisenstaedt is widely know. (Photo by Alfred Eisenstaedt/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)

One of the world’s most famous photojournalists in his era, Eisenstaedt shot over 2500 assignments for Life magazine. They included photo-essays on subject including John F Kennedy and devastated cities in Japan after World War II. His best-known single image is VJ Day in Times Square , which shows a sailor spontaneously kissing a nurse.

35. Frans Lanting (born 1951)

Frans Lanting's Life: A Journey Through Time, published 2006

Lanting is one of the most celebrated nature photographers working today. Long associated with National Geographic magazine, he has spent the last 35 years photographing wildlife around the world. His ambitious seven-year project Life: A Journey Through Time (2006) told ‘the story of life from its earliest beginnings to its present diversity.’

36. W. Eugene Smith (1918-1978)

Single-minded in his pursuit of a story, Smith photographed on the front line in World War II before becoming a key figure in the development of the photo-essay. His work includes Country Doctor for Life magazine, though his best-known photo-essay is a landmark two-year project documenting the industrial city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

37. Walker Evans (1903-1975)

An important American documentary photographer, Evans is most famous for his work in the 1930s on poverty-stricken sharecropper families during the Depression era. His poetic work celebrated the beauty in everyday life and he mainly worked using large-format 10x8 cameras for maximum detail and clarity.

38. Annie Leibovitz (born 1949)

Mick Jagger and Annie Liebovitz, 1975. (Photo by Christopher Simon Sykes/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Working for magazines such as Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair and Vogue , Leibovitz has become the most famous portrait photographer working today. She’s known for elaborate, imaginative big-budget productions featuring many of the world’s best-known celebrities. Her most iconic images include portraits of John Lennon on the day he was murdered and a naked and pregnant Demi Moore.

39. James Nachtwey (born 1948)

Five times-winner of the prestigious Robert Capa Gold Medal, Nachtwey is an American photojournalist and a founding member of the VII Photo Agency. His work includes covering wars, conflicts and social issues. He’s particularly known for his work on the war in Iraq and the 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

40. Diane Arbus (1923-1971)

Diane Arbus, New York, 1968 (Photo by Roz Kelly/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Arbus’s own personal documentary style was to shoot intimate, intense and sometimes disturbing portraits of people on society’s margins. She photographed giants, circus performers, nudists and transgender people in ways that emphasised their outcast status. Her most famous images show a pair of identical twins and a young boy holding a toy hand grenade.

41. Art Wolfe (born 1951)

Art Wolfe's book Vanishing Act

Art Wolfe is a prolific, restlessly creative nature and fine art photographer whose work has included landscapes, indigenous cultures and body-painted studio nudes. During his 40-year career he has produced over 90 books, including The Living Wild , which focused on the urgent need for conservation, and Vanishing Act , which concentrated on camouflage in nature.

42. Lewis Hine (1874-1940)

Starting work in the early years of the 20th century, Hine was an important documentary photographer who photographed the poor conditions in American factories. Despite frequently being threatened by factory owners, he focused on working conditions and child labor and his shocking images directly influenced changes in American employment law.  

43. O Winston Link (1914-2001)

Catalogue from O Winston Link exhibition at The Photographers' Gallery, London, 1983

Although primarily a commercial photographer, Link’s best-known work, made in the late 1950s, is a celebration of the last days of steam railways in America. These romantic and atmospheric black & white photographs, some of which were achieved with pioneering night photography techniques, evoke an age that was fast disappearing.

44. Robert Mapplethorpe (1946-1989)

Robert Mapplethorpe in 1970 (Photo by Lee Black Childers/Redferns)

The cool precision and beautiful lighting of Mapplethorpe’s sensual flower studies has been widely praised, but he was also a photographer who deliberately courted controversy with graphic images of male nudes and gay sex. His career was prolific but brief; he died aged 42 after contracting AIDS.

45. David Doubilet (born 1946)

David Doubilet's book Water Light Time, first published 1999

Doubilet is arguably the greatest underwater photographer. Working for National Geographic magazine since 1971, he has shot around 70 underwater stories from the southwest Pacific to the Botswana’s Okavanga Delta. He pioneered the technique of showing what’s above and below the water surface in the same image.

46. Weegee (1899-1968)

Weegee with his Speed Graphic camera, 1945. 

Weegee (Arthur Fellig) derived his nickname from the word ‘ouija’ because he always seemed have a sixth sense when the accidents and crime scenes he photographed would take place. His pictures, published widely in newspapers at the time, are now regarded as a fascinating document of city life in the 1930s and ‘40s.

47. Tony Ray-Jones (1941-72)

The Blackmores, 1970. Shot by Tony Ray-Jones for Sunday Times Magazine story titled Happy Extremists. (Photo by SSPL/Getty Images)

Although he died from leukaemia at just 30 years old, Tony Ray-Jones has had a big influence on documentary photography. His black & white images were observant, beautifully timed and wryly humorous. He was fascinated by the English and saw his countrymen with an outsider’s eye. He particularly focused on English behaviour and traditions and the class system.

48. Andreas Gursky (born 1955)

Andreas Gursky poses in front of his work 'Rhein II' (Joerg Koch/AFP/Getty Images)

Gursky says he is “interested in the human species and its environment” and specialises in large-scale digitally-manipulated images that comment on the contemporary world. His subjects include the building interiors such as factories, airports and landscapes covered with solar panels. One image, Rhine II , sold for £2.7 million in 2011.

49. Michael Kenna (born 1953)

Michael Kenna speaking at The Photography Show

British-born Kenna is one of the most successful fine art landscape photographers working today. His much-copied black & white images, shot on medium-format film cameras, are frequently minimalist in style and exude a Zen-like sense of calm. They are often shot in remote locations with very long exposures. 

50. Nick Knight (born 1958)

Nick Knight by Nick Knight, published in 2009.

Knight is a radical and influential fashion and advertising photographer and video-maker whose often-confrontational images go against the accepted ideas of beauty. Shooting for major brands such as Alexander McQueen and Calvin Klein and magazines including Vogue , he has tackled a range of issues including racism and disability.

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David Clark is a photography journalist and author, and was features writer on Amateur Photographer for nine years. He has met and interviewed many of the world's most iconic photographers and is the author of Photography in 100 Words: Exploring the Art of Photography with Fifty of its Greatest Masters .

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How to Create an Engaging Photo Essay (with Examples)

Photo essays tell a story in pictures. They're a great way to improve at photography and story-telling skills at once. Learn how to do create a great one.

Learn | Photography Guides | By Ana Mireles

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Photography is a medium used to tell stories – sometimes they are told in one picture, sometimes you need a whole series. Those series can be photo essays.

If you’ve never done a photo essay before, or you’re simply struggling to find your next project, this article will be of help. I’ll be showing you what a photo essay is and how to go about doing one.

You’ll also find plenty of photo essay ideas and some famous photo essay examples from recent times that will serve you as inspiration.

If you’re ready to get started, let’s jump right in!

Table of Contents

What is a Photo Essay?

A photo essay is a series of images that share an overarching theme as well as a visual and technical coherence to tell a story. Some people refer to a photo essay as a photo series or a photo story – this often happens in photography competitions.

Photographic history is full of famous photo essays. Think about The Great Depression by Dorothea Lange, Like Brother Like Sister by Wolfgang Tillmans, Gandhi’s funeral by Henri Cartier Bresson, amongst others.

What are the types of photo essay?

Despite popular belief, the type of photo essay doesn’t depend on the type of photography that you do – in other words, journalism, documentary, fine art, or any other photographic genre is not a type of photo essay.

Instead, there are two main types of photo essays: narrative and thematic .

As you have probably already guessed, the thematic one presents images pulled together by a topic – for example, global warming. The images can be about animals and nature as well as natural disasters devastating cities. They can happen all over the world or in the same location, and they can be captured in different moments in time – there’s a lot of flexibility.

A narrative photo essa y, on the other hand, tells the story of a character (human or not), portraying a place or an event. For example, a narrative photo essay on coffee would document the process from the planting and harvesting – to the roasting and grinding until it reaches your morning cup.

What are some of the key elements of a photo essay?

  • Tell a unique story – A unique story doesn’t mean that you have to photograph something that nobody has done before – that would be almost impossible! It means that you should consider what you’re bringing to the table on a particular topic.
  • Put yourself into the work – One of the best ways to make a compelling photo essay is by adding your point of view, which can only be done with your life experiences and the way you see the world.
  • Add depth to the concept – The best photo essays are the ones that go past the obvious and dig deeper in the story, going behind the scenes, or examining a day in the life of the subject matter – that’s what pulls in the spectator.
  • Nail the technique – Even if the concept and the story are the most important part of a photo essay, it won’t have the same success if it’s poorly executed.
  • Build a structure – A photo essay is about telling a thought-provoking story – so, think about it in a narrative way. Which images are going to introduce the topic? Which ones represent a climax? How is it going to end – how do you want the viewer to feel after seeing your photo series?
  • Make strong choices – If you really want to convey an emotion and a unique point of view, you’re going to need to make some hard decisions. Which light are you using? Which lens? How many images will there be in the series? etc., and most importantly for a great photo essay is the why behind those choices.

9 Tips for Creating a Photo Essay

essay on favourite photographer

Credit: Laura James

1. Choose something you know

To make a good photo essay, you don’t need to travel to an exotic location or document a civil war – I mean, it’s great if you can, but you can start close to home.

Depending on the type of photography you do and the topic you’re looking for in your photographic essay, you can photograph a local event or visit an abandoned building outside your town.

It will be much easier for you to find a unique perspective and tell a better story if you’re already familiar with the subject. Also, consider that you might have to return a few times to the same location to get all the photos you need.

2. Follow your passion

Most photo essays take dedication and passion. If you choose a subject that might be easy, but you’re not really into it – the results won’t be as exciting. Taking photos will always be easier and more fun if you’re covering something you’re passionate about.

3. Take your time

A great photo essay is not done in a few hours. You need to put in the time to research it, conceptualizing it, editing, etc. That’s why I previously recommended following your passion because it takes a lot of dedication, and if you’re not passionate about it – it’s difficult to push through.

4. Write a summary or statement

Photo essays are always accompanied by some text. You can do this in the form of an introduction, write captions for each photo or write it as a conclusion. That’s up to you and how you want to present the work.

5. Learn from the masters

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Making a photographic essay takes a lot of practice and knowledge. A great way to become a better photographer and improve your storytelling skills is by studying the work of others. You can go to art shows, review books and magazines and look at the winners in photo contests – most of the time, there’s a category for photo series.

6. Get a wide variety of photos

Think about a story – a literary one. It usually tells you where the story is happening, who is the main character, and it gives you a few details to make you engage with it, right?

The same thing happens with a visual story in a photo essay – you can do some wide-angle shots to establish the scenes and some close-ups to show the details. Make a shot list to ensure you cover all the different angles.

Some of your pictures should guide the viewer in, while others are more climatic and regard the experience they are taking out of your photos.

7. Follow a consistent look

Both in style and aesthetics, all the images in your series need to be coherent. You can achieve this in different ways, from the choice of lighting, the mood, the post-processing, etc.

8. Be self-critical

Once you have all the photos, make sure you edit them with a good dose of self-criticism. Not all the pictures that you took belong in the photo essay. Choose only the best ones and make sure they tell the full story.

9. Ask for constructive feedback

Often, when we’re working on a photo essay project for a long time, everything makes perfect sense in our heads. However, someone outside the project might not be getting the idea. It’s important that you get honest and constructive criticism to improve your photography.

How to Create a Photo Essay in 5 Steps

essay on favourite photographer

Credit: Quang Nguyen Vinh

1. Choose your topic

This is the first step that you need to take to decide if your photo essay is going to be narrative or thematic. Then, choose what is it going to be about?

Ideally, it should be something that you’re interested in, that you have something to say about it, and it can connect with other people.

2. Research your topic

To tell a good story about something, you need to be familiar with that something. This is especially true when you want to go deeper and make a compelling photo essay. Day in the life photo essays are a popular choice, since often, these can be performed with friends and family, whom you already should know well.

3. Plan your photoshoot

Depending on what you’re photographing, this step can be very different from one project to the next. For a fine art project, you might need to find a location, props, models, a shot list, etc., while a documentary photo essay is about planning the best time to do the photos, what gear to bring with you, finding a local guide, etc.

Every photo essay will need different planning, so before taking pictures, put in the required time to get things right.

4. Experiment

It’s one thing to plan your photo shoot and having a shot list that you have to get, or else the photo essay won’t be complete. It’s another thing to miss out on some amazing photo opportunities that you couldn’t foresee.

So, be prepared but also stay open-minded and experiment with different settings, different perspectives, etc.

5. Make a final selection

Editing your work can be one of the hardest parts of doing a photo essay. Sometimes we can be overly critical, and others, we get attached to bad photos because we put a lot of effort into them or we had a great time doing them.

Try to be as objective as possible, don’t be afraid to ask for opinions and make various revisions before settling down on a final cut.

7 Photo Essay Topics, Ideas & Examples

essay on favourite photographer

Credit: Michelle Leman

  • Architectural photo essay

Using architecture as your main subject, there are tons of photo essay ideas that you can do. For some inspiration, you can check out the work of Francisco Marin – who was trained as an architect and then turned to photography to “explore a different way to perceive things”.

You can also lookup Luisa Lambri. Amongst her series, you’ll find many photo essay examples in which architecture is the subject she uses to explore the relationship between photography and space.

  • Process and transformation photo essay

This is one of the best photo essay topics for beginners because the story tells itself. Pick something that has a beginning and an end, for example, pregnancy, the metamorphosis of a butterfly, the life-cycle of a plant, etc.

Keep in mind that these topics are linear and give you an easy way into the narrative flow – however, it might be difficult to find an interesting perspective and a unique point of view.

  • A day in the life of ‘X’ photo essay

There are tons of interesting photo essay ideas in this category – you can follow around a celebrity, a worker, your child, etc. You don’t even have to do it about a human subject – think about doing a photo essay about a day in the life of a racing horse, for example – find something that’s interesting for you.

  • Time passing by photo essay

It can be a natural site or a landmark photo essay – whatever is close to you will work best as you’ll need to come back multiple times to capture time passing by. For example, how this place changes throughout the seasons or maybe even over the years.

A fun option if you live with family is to document a birthday party each year, seeing how the subject changes over time. This can be combined with a transformation essay or sorts, documenting the changes in interpersonal relationships over time.

  • Travel photo essay

Do you want to make the jump from tourist snapshots into a travel photo essay? Research the place you’re going to be travelling to. Then, choose a topic.

If you’re having trouble with how to do this, check out any travel magazine – National Geographic, for example. They won’t do a generic article about Texas – they do an article about the beach life on the Texas Gulf Coast and another one about the diverse flavors of Texas.

The more specific you get, the deeper you can go with the story.

  • Socio-political issues photo essay

This is one of the most popular photo essay examples – it falls under the category of photojournalism or documental photography. They are usually thematic, although it’s also possible to do a narrative one.

Depending on your topic of interest, you can choose topics that involve nature – for example, document the effects of global warming. Another idea is to photograph protests or make an education photo essay.

It doesn’t have to be a big global issue; you can choose something specific to your community – are there too many stray dogs? Make a photo essay about a local animal shelter. The topics are endless.

  • Behind the scenes photo essay

A behind-the-scenes always make for a good photo story – people are curious to know what happens and how everything comes together before a show.

Depending on your own interests, this can be a photo essay about a fashion show, a theatre play, a concert, and so on. You’ll probably need to get some permissions, though, not only to shoot but also to showcase or publish those images.

4 Best Photo Essays in Recent times

Now that you know all the techniques about it, it might be helpful to look at some photo essay examples to see how you can put the concept into practice. Here are some famous photo essays from recent times to give you some inspiration.

Habibi by Antonio Faccilongo

This photo essay wan the World Press Photo Story of the Year in 2021. Faccilongo explores a very big conflict from a very specific and intimate point of view – how the Israeli-Palestinian war affects the families.

He chose to use a square format because it allows him to give order to things and eliminate unnecessary elements in his pictures.

With this long-term photo essay, he wanted to highlight the sense of absence and melancholy women and families feel towards their husbands away at war.

The project then became a book edited by Sarah Leen and the graphics of Ramon Pez.

essay on favourite photographer

Picture This: New Orleans by Mary Ellen Mark

The last assignment before her passing, Mary Ellen Mark travelled to New Orleans to register the city after a decade after Hurricane Katrina.

The images of the project “bring to life the rebirth and resilience of the people at the heart of this tale”, – says CNNMoney, commissioner of the work.

Each survivor of the hurricane has a story, and Mary Ellen Mark was there to record it. Some of them have heartbreaking stories about everything they had to leave behind.

Others have a story of hope – like Sam and Ben, two eight-year-olds born from frozen embryos kept in a hospital that lost power supply during the hurricane, yet they managed to survive.

essay on favourite photographer

Selfie by Cindy Sherman

Cindy Sherman is an American photographer whose work is mainly done through self-portraits. With them, she explores the concept of identity, gender stereotypes, as well as visual and cultural codes.

One of her latest photo essays was a collaboration with W Magazine entitled Selfie. In it, the author explores the concept of planned candid photos (‘plandid’).

The work was made for Instagram, as the platform is well known for the conflict between the ‘real self’ and the one people present online. Sherman started using Facetune, Perfect365 and YouCam to alter her appearance on selfies – in Photoshop, you can modify everything, but these apps were designed specifically to “make things prettier”- she says, and that’s what she wants to explore in this photo essay.

Tokyo Compression by Michael Wolf

Michael Wolf has an interest in the broad-gauge topic Life in Cities. From there, many photo essays have been derived – amongst them – Tokyo Compression .

He was horrified by the way people in Tokyo are forced to move to the suburbs because of the high prices of the city. Therefore, they are required to make long commutes facing 1,5 hours of train to start their 8+ hour workday followed by another 1,5 hours to get back home.

To portray this way of life, he photographed the people inside the train pressed against the windows looking exhausted, angry or simply absent due to this way of life.

You can visit his website to see other photo essays that revolve around the topic of life in megacities.

Final Words

It’s not easy to make photo essays, so don’t expect to be great at it right from your first project.

Start off small by choosing a specific subject that’s interesting to you –  that will come from an honest place, and it will be a great practice for some bigger projects along the line.

Whether you like to shoot still life or you’re a travel photographer, I hope these photo essay tips and photo essay examples can help you get started and grow in your photography.

Let us know which topics you are working on right now – we’ll love to hear from you!

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Photography Essay | Essay on Photography for Students and Children in English

February 14, 2024 by sastry

Photography Essay: The idea of colours floating across a sheet of paper forming either familiar shapes or new creations is appealing to the eye. In reality, though it is much more than just the beads of colour. Photography can capture someone’s heart and soul. Even the simplest photo has a story that tails along with it. It is an escape from the real world; a creation that narrows on one particular subject and carefully details their every move and emotion.

You can read more  Essay Writing  about articles, events, people, sports, technology many more.

Long and Short Essays on Photography for Kids and Students in English

Given below are two essays in English for students and children about the topic of ‘Photography’ in both long and short form. The first essay is a long essay on the Photography of 400-500 words. This long essay about Photography is suitable for students of class 7, 8, 9 and 10, and also for competitive exam aspirants. The second essay is a short essay on Photography of 150-300 words. These are suitable for students and children in class 6 and below.

Long Essay on Photography 500 Words in English

Below we have given a long essay on Photography of 500 words is helpful for classes 7, 8, 9 and 10 and Competitive Exam Aspirants. This long essay on the topic is suitable for students of class 7 to class 10, and also for competitive exam aspirants.

Photography was invented, about a century ago. In those early days, only simple box-cameras were available to take simple black and white pictures. Photographic techniques and equipments have come a long way since then. Exploding flash guns have progressed to compact electronic flash unit, box-cameras to sophisticated computerised reflex cameras, stills to movies, black-and-white to full glorious colours and part-time dabblers to highly paid professionals.

On a summer day in 1827, Joseph Nicephore Niepce made the first Photographic image with a camera obscura. Prior to Niepce people just used the camera obscura for viewing or drawing purposes not for making photographs. Joseph Nicephore Niepce’s heliographs or sun prints as they were called were the prototype for the modern photograph, by letting light draw the picture. In almost every sphere of human activity nowadays, photography has now come to play a very significant role.

Photography as a hobby is perhaps the most popular of all its uses. Cameras and films are now cheap and easy to use. ‘Instamatic’ cameras have largely eliminated the hit-or-miss techniques of yesteryears.

The use of camera phones has made life so easy and entertaining. It has a vast usage and is one of the best modern age techniques so far. Anybody with a pair of eyes and hands can take reasonably good pictures. We see amateur photographers all over the place, especially in holiday resorts and recreational areas.

Tourist and sightseers are never without cameras. Pictures and snapshots of important events, wonderful times and places or memories to be precise, are all recorded in photographs. They are our link to the past.

Newspapers and magazines would never be what they are today without photography. Photographs enliven these periodicals with pictures of people and places. “A picture is worth a thousand words”, so goes the old saying.

A well-clicked photograph is worth more than a thousand words. It describes a scene infinitely better than mere words can depict. Besides making newspapers and magazines attractive, photography provides jobs to numerous professionals who roam around the world in search of pictures.

‘Eyes work more than ears’ is a widespread fact. Use of photographs helps people to retain better. Photographs/images get quickly captured in our mind and stays in our memory for a relatively longer time. That’s why it is also said that many people have photographic memory wherein whatever they see gets stored in their mind and helps in remembering things quicker and in a better way. This proven fact has been rightly harnessed by the educationist wherein they use more and more of pictures in text books and while teaching.

Modern printing processes make extensive use of photographic techniques. Off-set printing and photocopying are examples of what photography is doing for us. Such is the versatility of photography. All the books and magazines are now made by photographic processes.

In another field of human activity that is medicine, photography is extensively used. X-ray photography is now a common thing in hospitals. They help doctors in the diagnosis of diseases. In addition, X-rays can be used in treatment of certain diseases. Nowadays, with the invention of fibre optics where light can be directed through thin tubes, doctors can see and probe into the insides of patients as never before. They can then photograph all they see in full colour. Such techniques were unheard of just a decade or so ago.

Photography Essay

Short Essay on Photography 300 Words in English

Below we have given a short essay on Photography is for Classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. This short essay on the topic is suitable for students of class 6 and below.

Photography is also employed in meteorology. Weather forecasting by satellites is now a routine thing. It is also accurate.

Pictures of other planets and celestial objects are always wonderful to look at. Space probes approaching the giant planets of Jupiter and Saturn have taken sharp and clear pictures for us to unravel the mysteries of the universe. All these are made possible by the wonders of photography.

Photography provides us with sights of deep-sea sharks, microscopic bacteria, constellations-a million light years away, ravishing beauties and our passport pictures. A person sitting at the remotest area of any part of the world can enjoy the view of any wonder of the world. Its use is wide and varied and of tremendous importance to us. Non-existence of photography in the earlier times has left us with a very bleak image of our ancestors.

In the contemporary world the practical applications of the photographic medium are legion; it is an important tool in education, medicine, commerce, criminology and the milifary. Its scientific applications include aerial mapping and surveying geology, reconnaissance, meteorology archaeology and anthropology. New techniques such as holography, a means of creating three-dimensional image in space, continue to expand the medium’s technological and creative horizons. In astronomy the Charge Coupled Device (CCD) can detect and register even a single photon of light.

By the end of 20th century, digital imaging and processing and computer-based techniques had made it possible to manipulate images in many ways, creating revolutionary changes in the world of photography.

Photography Essay Word Meanings for Simple Understanding

  • Exploding – to shatter with a loud noise
  • Flash guns – a type of electronic flash incorporated in a camera
  • Sophisticated – advanced, refined, highly developed
  • Stills – motionless images
  • Dabblers – one who engages in an activity superficially or without serious intent
  • Prototype – example, standard, model
  • Instamatic – a series of inexpensive, easy to load camera made by kodak
  • Amateur – non-professional
  • Recreational – amusement, pleasure
  • Enliven – inspire, excite, enhance
  • Harnessed – managed, controlled
  • Versatility – having a wide variety of skills, having varied uses a functions
  • Diagnosis – identification, detection
  • Probe – inquiry, examine, investigate
  • Celestial – heavenly, astronomical
  • Unravel – solve, explain
  • Ravishing – enchanting, gorgeous
  • Bleak – dim, discouraging, hopeless
  • Legion – numerous, countless
  • Aerial – of, in, or produced by the air
  • Reconnaissance – survey, exploration, investigation
  • Picture Dictionary
  • English Speech
  • English Slogans
  • English Letter Writing
  • English Essay Writing
  • English Textbook Answers
  • Types of Certificates
  • ICSE Solutions
  • Selina ICSE Solutions
  • ML Aggarwal Solutions
  • HSSLive Plus One
  • HSSLive Plus Two
  • Kerala SSLC
  • Distance Education

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What is a Photo Essay in Photography (13 Examples You Can Try)

Do you know what a photo essay is?

If not, that’s okay. Many photographers aren’t even familiar with the term. I didn’t know until a few years back myself after doing many of them unknowingly.

A photo essay is an interesting form of visual storytelling that presents a narrative through a series of images.

Powerful photo essays communicate emotions and understanding without using words.

You’re guiding the viewer through your narrative journey.

In this article, I’ll be going over the important parts of a great photo essay idea, 13 interesting photo essay ideas you can try, and a few photo essay tips.

A Camera With A Stunning Collection Of Photo Essays You Should Try.

What is a Photo Essay?

A photo essay is a powerful form of visual storytelling in which a narrative is presented through a series of images.

Unlike a written essay, a photo essay relies on visuals to tell a story and evoke emotions within the viewer. When you create a photo essay, you can stretch your creative limits and explore new ways of connecting with your audience.

In a photo story or essay, the images are carefully selected.

They’re arranged in order to create a coherent and engaging narrative.

Each photograph should contribute to the overall theme of the story and maintain visual and technical consistency throughout.

A Torn Piece Of Paper With The Word Storytelling Written On It, Capturing The Essence Of A Photo Essay.

As the photographer, you play a big role in coming up with interesting photo essay ideas, the narrative, and providing context for the images.

To create a good photo essay, here are a few guidelines:

Choose a Strong Theme: Select a subject that resonates with your audience and communicates a clear message or emotion.

Curate the Images: Carefully select the photographs that best represent your theme and arrange them logically.

Maintain Consistency: Your images should have a consistent visual style, color palette, and framing. You want to create a cohesive narrative.

Provide Context: Include captions or short text descriptions to give the viewer a better understanding of the story being told.

Other Important Elements of a Photo Essay

These other components help provide a clear narrative and evoke emotions that keep the audience engaged in your story.

Storytelling : The primary purpose of a photo essay is to tell a story through your images. You must carefully choose your photos to convey a coherent and interesting narrative. The flow of your images should guide the viewer through your perspective or various viewpoints on the subject.

Emotion : A strong photo essay evokes emotions that resonate with the viewer. As you select your photos, consider how they touch the viewer emotionally. The emotions your images evoke can differ, ranging from happiness and love to fear and sadness.

Idea : Your photo essay idea should revolve around a central idea or theme. This foundation not only provides direction for your work but also ensures your images remain focused and relevant. Before starting your photo essay, you need a well-defined idea that’ll guide your photography and narrative.

Style : For your photo essay to be visually cohesive you need a consistent style. This can include using a particular color palette, choosing images with a distinct composition, or using a specific technique in each photo. As you curate your images, make sure they’re consistent in their visual qualities to create a harmonious presentation.

Composition : The composition of each photo plays a significant role in guiding the viewer’s eye within the image. Pay attention to elements like leading lines, patterns, and framing.

Technique : Using specific photography techniques can create a unique style for your photo essay. Experiment with different techniques like long exposures, shallow depth of field, and post-processing methods. Doing so will enhance the visual impact of your images.

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Why Create a Photo Essay

Creating a photo essay allows you to merge your passion for photography with the art of storytelling.

By focusing on a specific narrative, you have a purpose and direction while capturing images. This can lead to a deeper connection with your subject and inspiration to create an interesting visual story.

And as a photographer, you can use photo stories to experiment with various styles, techniques, and compositions.

This not only challenges your creativity but also helps improve your skills as a photographer. The process encourages you to explore new perspectives and angles while conveying your message.

The images you choose can make people feel happy, sad, or even angry. By doing so, you harness the power of visuals to communicate a message beyond words.

Photo essays also serve as an opportunity for reflection.

By picking a topic or theme close to your heart, you can ponder, look back, analyze, and dive deeper into a subject matter. It can be a powerful tool for personal growth and self-expression, allowing you to learn more about your own emotions and perceptions.

This is valuable if you intend to share your photography with a wider audience.

You can use a photo essay to show your skills in composition, storytelling, and emotional impact, making it a powerful way to gain recognition.

13 Photo Essay Examples

There are so many great photo essay examples, and I might try all of them myself!

But here are 13 not-too-hard photo essay ideas you can try.

1. Local Event Photo Essay

This is one of the most popular photo essay examples. You’re capturing the joy of local events by focusing on the participants’ emotions and interactions.

A Captivating Photo Essay Capturing A Group Of People Joyfully Throwing Colored Powder In The Air, Showcasing The Artistry And Exuberance Of This Mesmerizing Photography Technique.

Doing so shows the diversity of the people and the range of activities taking place. From stall setups to exciting performances. Document memorable moments and unique aspects of the event that make it stand out.

2. A Day in the Life Photo Essay

Highlight a typical day in the life of a person, family, or community.

A Captivating Photo Essay Showcasing The Beautiful Moments Between A Man And A Woman.

This photographic essay gives you an opportunity to capture the reality of daily life and routines. Focus on the small moments that give insight into the subject’s personality and relationships.

3. Transformation Photo Essay

Transformation photo essay topics are popular. This photo essay project showcases the power of change through photographs that depict the transformation of a person, place, or object. Include before and after pictures.

Explore The Captivating Stages Of A Butterfly'S Life Cycle Through A Mesmerizing Photo Essay.

You want shots with angles and perspectives that show change and development. One of the most common transformation photo essay examples is weight loss before and after.

4. Family Photo Essay

Tell the story of a family’s life together by capturing candid moments, daily routines, and special occasions.

A Photo Essay Depicting A Man And Two Children Engaging In Dishwashing Activities Within A Kitchen Environment.

Focus on the relationships between family members and the unique characteristics that make them a cohesive unit.

5. Education Photo Essay

An educational photo essay shows the educational process in action by documenting classes, workshops, or seminars.

A Group Of People Posing For A Photo In A Warehouse, Capturing The Essence Of A Photo Essay.

You can capture students’ learning and applying new skills. Observe interactions between teachers and students. Or show off diverse educational settings, from schools to informal learning environments.

6. Urban Renewal Photo Essay Examples

Explore the renewal of urban spaces with your photography.

A Captivating Photo Essay Capturing The Essence Of A Building Under Construction Against A Beautiful Blue Sky Adorned With Fluffy Clouds.

Take pictures as the city improves, new developments go up, and the impact it has on local communities. Include images of old and new architecture, as well as scenes that feature revitalization efforts.

7. The Changing Seasons of a Park Photo Essay

Make a transformation essay showing the changing seasons in a park. With this photo story, you want to capture the elements of the atmosphere that make each season of the year unique.

Captivating Four-Color Leaf Variations On A Tree Showcased In A Visually Expressive Photo Essay.

Highlight the features and activities that define each season, from the colors of the leaves to the snow-covered landscapes.

Bonus points if you can shoot the same shot for each photo!

8. City Artwork and Murals Photo Essay

A Captivating Photo Essay Showcasing Two Pictures Of A Building Adorned With A Vibrant And Awe-Inspiring Mural.

Another great photo essay example is celebrating the urban art scene by showcasing striking murals and street art found in cities and towns. Take photos that show the diverse styles, colors, and messages conveyed by the artists.

9. Historic Landmarks: Then and Now Photo Essay

A Captivating Photo Essay Of The Parthenon In Athens.keywords: Photo Essay, Parthenon In Athens.

Compare historic landmarks and sites in their current state with photographs from the past. This photo essay can show the changes and preservation efforts of these important cultural and historical places.

10. Coffee Shop Chronicles

Photograph coffee shops or the unique atmosphere of your favorite local coffee shop. Then document with your essay the diverse customers, staff members, and aesthetic elements that make it special.

A Captivating Photo Essay Capturing The Ambiance And Essence Of A Charming Coffee Shop.

Focus on the details that give it character and the emotions it evokes in visitors and customers.

11. Through The Lens of a Photographer

Be a photographer for another photographer and provide insight into their creative process. It can be a friend, another professional photographer, or even someone you want to learn from.

A Man Is Capturing A Picture With His Camera On The Beach For A Photo Essay.

You can showcase their work, techniques, and equipment with your photo story. Include behind-the-scenes shots of the photographer in action, as well as their perspective on their craft.

12. Recipes From Your Favorite Local Restaurant

Do a photo shoot and partner with a local restaurant to create a visually appealing photo essay featuring their signature dishes.

A Captivating Photo Essay Showcasing Beautifully Plated Shrimp And Vegetable Dishes.

You can include photographs of the cooking process, finished plates, and behind-the-scenes shots of the kitchen and staff.

13. Behind The Scenes Photo Essay

Offer a glimpse into the hidden aspects of various locations, professions, or events. Capture the unseen scenes and the people who make them happen by providing a unique and rarely seen perspective.

A Captivating Photo Essay Featuring A Skilled Woman Artist Passionately Working On Intricate Tattoos At A Vibrant Tattoo Shop.

Tips for Creating Your Own Photo Essay

Choose Something You Love: Do something that sparks emotion in you and others. Tell a story that’s personal and meaningful to you. Whether it’s a social issue, an event, or a day in the life of a specific person, make it a subject you love.

Develop Your Own Style: Your unique photography style plays a role in keeping your audience engaged. And having a signature style can help you carve out a niche for yourself. This will attract clients who appreciate and seek your unique perspective.

Plan Your Shots: Photo essays are like storytelling, so take time to compose and plan out each image carefully. Each photo communicates an essential part of your story. Without a story, there’s nothing to captivate your viewers.

Keep The Story Cohesive: Maintain a clear narrative throughout your photo essays. Each image contributes to the story’s flow. So, organize your photos logically for effective communication of your message.

The Power of Sequence: Plotting the Narrative Arc for Your Photo Essay

Just like a traditional narrative, your photo essay should have a beginning, middle, and end.

The opening image sets the stage and draws your audience in. It’s similar to the hook in written storytelling.

As you progress towards the middle of your essay, develop your theme or subject further. This may involve using contrasting images or presenting different aspects of your topic to maintain viewer interest. And finally, end with an impactful image that leaves a lasting impression or delivers a powerful message.

View these steps as the equivalent of crafting plot points in written narratives:

Beginning : Set up your story.

Middle : Develop the main characters or themes.

End : Resolve any conflicts or deliver the final message.

Linking Images Together: The Art of Transitions in Photo Stories

Transitions are super important.

They’re key elements that string individual photos together. Photo essay transitions are like the transitions between paragraphs in writing. They help maintain flow and continuity.

A transition might be thematic, such as moving from color-filled scenes. Or black-and-white images to represent shifting moods or timescales.

Three Silhouettes Of A Woman Posing In Front Of A Frame, Perfect For Photography Ideas.

It might even be visual: you can focus on common shapes, patterns, or subjects across several photographs.

To create effective photo transitions:

Identify common themes between photos.

Look for similarities in colors, textures, shapes, and lighting.

Experiment with gradually shifting the mood of your photos too.

How to Create a Photo Essay in 7 Steps

Step 1: choose a topic.

Select an engaging topic for your photo essay.

Reflect on your interests, the emotions you want to evoke, and the story you want your landmark photo essay to tell. Topics can range from personal stories to cultural explorations or even school events. You want an angle and style that will make your essay stand out and resonate with your audience.

Step 2: Research Beforehand

Before shooting, conduct research on your chosen topic. Gather information and familiarize yourself with the theme, people, and culture involved. This will help you capture consistent and authentic images. And provide depth to your photo essay project.

Step 3: Capture a Wide Variety of Images

Experiment with different shooting techniques, angles, and perspectives. Photograph various images that reflect your subject’s emotions, moods, and environment. Cover every aspect of your story. And remember, quality shots are more important than quantity.

Step 4: Create a Storyboard With Your Ideas and Images

After shooting, review your images and develop a storyboard. Arrange the photos in a manner that portrays your story effectively. Consider composition, techniques, and the flow of your narrative.

Step 5: Narrow Down, Edit, and Organize Your Photos to Tell a Story

Select the images that best illustrate your story, and edit them for style and consistency. Then organize your images in a sequence that connects with your audience emotionally. And make sure your photo essay is visually appealing and reflects the essence of your topic.

Step 6: Use Captions for Your Images as Needed

Captions can help tell your story without overwhelming your audience with text. So, if necessary, include captions to provide context and explain your images. But keep them short, concise, and informative.

Step 7: Ask for Feedback

Before publishing your photo essays, ask for feedback from friends, family, mentors, or even strangers. Then listen to their insights and suggestions, and make adjustments as needed. Getting a variety of perspectives can help ensure your photo essay is engaging, clear, and relatable to your audience.

The Importance of Photo Essays in Photography

Photo essays tell an intriguing story.

We’ve all heard the phrase, “A picture is worth a thousand words.”

But have you ever thought about how true this statement is?

When photographs are thoughtfully grouped together, they can weave a captivating narrative. A photo essay allows you to explore subjects deeply and from various angles, telling stories that may not be possible with just one image.

For instance, highlighting the daily life of a particular subject.

Or showcasing the transformation of an abandoned building into a vibrant community center. These narratives become more profound and interesting when illustrated not just through words but through the lens of a camera.

Photo Essays Can Connect With an Audience

They’re powerful tools for connecting on an emotional level with your audience.

They allow viewers to walk in someone else’s shoes, experiencing situations and emotions that might be entirely different from their own lives.

For example, a well-executed photo essay on local environmental pollution could stir up feelings of concern and urge viewers to take action.

A Good Photo Essay Can Market Your Products or Services

Photo essays offer businesses a unique way to promote products and services in a visual world.

But you aren’t simply showing off your offerings. Instead, you’re telling engaging stories around them. These stories make it easier for potential customers to relate and respond positively.

Take Airbnb as an example.

They’re pairing photos of hosts’ homes with local attractions or experiences to create mini-photo-essays. Potential customers feel like they’re getting a sneak peek at their vacation experience.

Can Convey a Wide Range of Emotions

One image may evoke joy. While another stirs up sadness.

By grouping these images together, a photo essay lets you create an emotional rollercoaster for your viewers. You’re not just showing them what’s happening—you’re making them feel it.

Consider a photo essay documenting the journey of a cancer survivor. From the initial shock and fear to the strength found in treatment, and finally, the joy of remission.

Such a powerful narrative can touch hearts and inspire action like no other medium can.

They Bring Life to an Otherwise Ordinary Collection of Photos

A random assortment of photographs might be visually appealing, but without context or purpose, they may lack depth or meaning.

That’s where photo stories come into play.

They provide structure to these collections, turning them into interesting narratives. Ones with clear themes and messages.

Imagine a series of seemingly unrelated photos—portraits of people from different walks of life.

When presented as part of a photo essay that explores societal diversity within cities, these portraits become more than just faces. They turn into symbols of unity and diversity.

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Kyra Chambers (KyraTheCreative) is the Co-Founder of Red October Firm. And a photographer, artist, and graphic designer. She has been in the photography industry since 2015 and loves making photography easy for everyone.

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Photography: IELTS Speaking Part 1 Sample Answer

Zuhana

Updated On Jul 30, 2024

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The article provides sample answers and vocabulary for the IELTS Speaking Part 1 topic on photography. It covers questions about photo-taking habits, preferences, and storage methods, emphasizing confidence and proper word choice for IELTS Speaking.

essay on favourite photographer

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Photography - ielts speaking part 1, also check:.

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Photography is an interesting topic to discuss as photographs are an indispensable part of our lives. They help us to relive our memories time and again with our favourite people in our best of times. The modes of photographs might have changed and several divisions might have come up, but its essence has not changed at all. But, while discussing photography for IELTS Speaking Part 1 , you have to be careful with words as it is a formal exam and prepare yourself for it.

Given below are the IELTS Speaking recent actual test questions and sample answers based on photography speaking topic. When you are answering, make sure you are confident and properly convey meaning.

1 Do you like taking photographs?

Why yes of course. They are a way to capture a moment in time. Moreover, I like to be able to show them to people so they can imagine that they were there with me. As I’m a big traveler, photos are my way of sharing my experiences without words.

2 How often do you take photos?

I would say everyday. I’m a big fan of selfies, so I often snap a few of them to send to my boyfriend every morning before work. Moreover, I take hundreds of photos when I travel.

3 I which situation do you like take photos?

Any situation! But especially when I see something out of the ordinary . For example, I like to take photos when the light is setting just right on my street, or when I catch a glimpse (a look) of two children holding hands.

4 Do you prefer to take pictures of people or of scenery?

Definitely people. I like to capture the raw (real; candid) emotions on their faces. I feel that photos of people can be quite powerful. Moreover, I feel that scenery photography never does the actual place any justice .

5 Do you prefer to take photographs yourself or to have other people take photos?

Definitely myself. As I’m quite picky about the photos that I take and post, I take this responsibility upon myself. Call me a snob (a person who feels superior to others) , but I feel that most people don’t have any idea of what makes a good photo and end up taking unflattering photos of me.

6 How do you keep your photos?

On my iCloud! I’m really grateful for this type of technology that keeps this record of my photos for me. Moreover, I post my photos on social media, such as Facebook and Instagram, so that also keeps them secure.

7 Do you keep your photographs on your computer?

Absolutely! It’s a must nowadays. Now it’s nearly impossible to lose your photos and memories thanks to iCloud.

8 Are there any photos on the walls of your house?

In my own personal apartment, no, as I haven’t bothered to decorate much. On the other hand, my bedroom at my parents’ home is full of collages of my friends, family, and I over the years.

9 Do you frame (or have you framed) any of your photos?

Many times! Although not too often anymore, as social media is taking over. However, I’ve often framed photos to give to my boyfriend or family members as gifts for their special occasions.

10 Do you prefer to send postcards to people or to send photos that you took yourself? (Why?)

My own photography, as I feel quite confident with my skill. Furthermore, I feel that my own photos are much more personal. Although some post cards are beautiful, I don’t feel that they hold a candle (compare) to my own.

Band 9 Vocabulary for Photography IELTS Speaking Part 1

Check out some IELTS Vocabulary to use while answering question on photography for IELTS Speaking and make sure to impress your IELTS examiner.

  • A big fan of: if you are a fan of someone or something , especially a famous person or a sport. Eg: He is a big fan of this sportsman.
  • Glimpse: a look Eg: They had a glimpse of the painting
  • Raw: real; candid Eg: The artist had handled raw emotions very well
  • Hold a candle: compare Eg: The teacher held a candle which disturbed John
  • Snob: a person who feels superior to others Eg: He is such a snob
  • Out of the ordinary: unusual Eg: This gift is out of the ordinary

Hope you find this lesson useful! Write down any new words or phrases, try to use these words in your answers while practicing IELTS Speaking Part 1 topics & share them in the comments section below!

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Nafia Zuhana is an experienced content writer and IELTS Trainer. Currently, she is guiding students who are appearing for IELTS General and Academic exams through ieltsmaterial.com. With an 8.5 score herself, she trains and provides test takers with strategies, tips, and nuances on how to crack the IELTS Exam. She holds a degree in Master of Arts – Creative Writing, Oxford Brookes University, UK. She has worked with The Hindu for over a year as an English language trainer.

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16 Powerful Reasons to Choose Photography as a Hobby (in 2024)

A Post By: Stacey Hill

Reasons to develop a photography hobby

If you’re searching for a hobby that combines creativity, relaxation, and even a chance to make a little extra cash, then photography might just be your perfect match. In a world filled with fast-paced routines and endless distractions, taking photos offers an escape – one where you can tell stories, record key events, and share experiences.

In this article, I explore 16 compelling reasons why you should pick photography as a hobby. From the therapeutic powers of capturing stunning images to the joy of sharing visual stories with your loved ones, you’ll learn the unique benefits of photography and what makes taking photos so special.

I might be a little biased, but here’s my guarantee: By the time you’re finished reading, you’ll be itching to pick up a camera and start snapping photos!

1. Photography will help you record events and memories

Photography as a hobby

Photography allows you to create images of special events, times, and places. It lets you record the specifics of an event – and it also allows you to  share  that event with friends and family, long after it’s done and gone.

By capturing a special moment in time, you can always remember it in crisp detail, even as your mental memories begin to fade. Plus, those memories will eventually become part of your history, perhaps even family lore. And they won’t just be passed down through stories; they’ll be passed down through images, too.

2. You’ll have fun

Photography as a hobby

You can have  so much fun  with a camera.

You can head out with the family to the beach or on a picnic, shoot a local sports games , randomly roam your city streets photographing strangers , stalk wildlife , hike up a mountain for a stunning view, or stand under the stars at 2 AM and watch the Milky Way slowly move across the heavens.

In other words: Photography offers many opportunities to do new, interesting, and fun things with your camera – things you may not have done otherwise.

Plus, all sorts of things become interesting when they can provide you with material for photographic adventures. Cultural festivals, parades, sports events, a wander along the beach, exploring parts of your city previously undiscovered, architectural details on buildings, intricate details of flowers, people-watching, wildlife, meeting people who have different interests and hobbies, and much more; thanks to photography, it’ll be tons of fun.

3. Learning a new skill is good for your brain

Photography as a hobby

Research shows that learning a new skill helps the brain and improves memory. And the more difficult the skill, the more you benefit.

Given that photography has so many elements – the science of light, the technology of the camera, the creative artistic side – there is a lot to learn.

So whatever your age, now is the perfect time to start a photography hobby.

4. Photography is a great stress-reliever

Photography as a hobby

Let’s face it: Life can get pretty hectic sometimes. Whether you’re juggling a demanding job, dealing with family responsibilities, or simply navigating the ups and downs of daily life, stress seems to be a constant companion.

But photography offers a unique escape, a chance to disconnect from the chaos and reconnect with your inner self. It’s a mindful practice that encourages you to be fully present in the moment. As you frame a shot, adjusting your focus and composing the elements just right, the rest of the world fades into the background. Your attention shifts to the details, the interplay of light and shadow, and the subtle nuances that make each scene come alive.

Engaging in slower-paced forms of photography, like capturing delicate flowers up close, architectural marvels, or sweeping landscapes, can be especially soothing. These moments of stillness can become your sanctuary, and the act of creating something beautiful with your camera can become an act of self-care.

Some describe the act of photographing as if they’re in a trance, completely absorbed in the process. Whether you’re venturing into the great outdoors or photographing everyday scenes in your own backyard, photography offers a portal to serenity.

5. Photography will improve your health and fitness

Photography as a hobby

Photography won’t just keep your brain in shape; it’ll keep your body in shape, too!

Getting out of the house, walking, and even hiking are common side effects of interest in photography. Do you like landscape photography ? Then you’ll need to go where the landscapes are, and that often means some form of exercise. Do you want to photograph people? Then you’ll need to walk the streets, which requires plenty of physical activity.

Of course, not all forms of photography require strenuous exercise. If you prefer a more easygoing approach, that’s okay, too; genres such as macro photography and portrait photography will get you out of the house, but won’t make you feel like a marathon runner. Make sense?

One caveat: Camera gear is heavy, so it’s important to be aware of any health or safety concerns. Carrying a camera on a strap around your neck (plus a backpack on your back) for a long time can be quite painful. Fortunately, there are many lightweight cameras available, not to mention excellent camera-carrying devices, compact tripods, and other burden-easing equipment.

6. You get to be creative

Photography as a hobby

In her book, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear , Elizabeth Gilbert writes about creativity and inspiration. She says that creativity is good for us as individuals, and that the feeling you get when you finally capture an awesome sunrise photo, the feeling you get when you finally capture the image , is a wonderful thing.

But being creative is something we rarely do as adults. Enter photography, which is hugely creative and allows for endless flexibility in shooting and artistic style. That style can grow as you learn more and start to experiment with different genres.

Bottom line: Creativity is fun, and it provides a necessary counterbalance to the stressful demands of a modern lifestyle.

7. Photography will help you communicate with friends and family

Photography as a hobby

As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. And let’s face it, sometimes finding the time to share what’s happening in your life with friends and family can be a challenge. Whether it’s due to busy schedules, distance, or simply feeling disconnected, photography can bridge those gaps and help you communicate in a meaningful way.

When you embrace photography as a hobby, you start capturing moments that matter. From your daily routines and workplace to your home, kids, or even your garden, you can use your camera to tell the story of your life. Then, instead of struggling to find the right words, you can share those photos with your loved ones, giving them a window into your world.

With each photo you capture, you’re giving your friends and family a chance to see what’s going on in your life. They can experience the joy, the challenges, and the beauty that surrounds you. It’s a way to strengthen those connections and ensure that distance or time constraints don’t hinder your ability to stay in touch.

8. Photos make the best gifts

Photography as a hobby

If you’re the kind of person who always wants to give the perfect gift, then photography will help you succeed beyond your wildest dreams! After all, who doesn’t love receiving prints and other photo products as gifts? They’re highly meaningful because they took real love and care to produce, and they’re personal because they came directly from you.

Photography offers plenty of options, too. You can give canvas prints of your favorite shots; thoughtful photo books featuring your kids, vacations, or special occasions; and even mugs and t-shirts with family photos or other captivating images.

So next time you’re wracking your brain for the perfect gift, pick up that camera. It’s a surefire way to offer presents that’ll be treasured for a lifetime!

9. Photography will get you traveling

Photography as a hobby

Here’s another likely outcome of taking up photography:

You’ll travel all over the place, from different parts of your own city or country all the way to the other side of the globe. There is so much interesting stuff to photograph in other places, including landscapes, wildlife, architecture, and people from other cultures.

Now, travel broadens the mind and exposes you to new concepts and ideas, plus it’s an excellent learning opportunity. It provides so much creative variety and possibilities for personal growth.

Also, travel is just tons of fun!

So if you do take up photography, make sure you jump on the opportunity to travel, even if you only go a couple of hours away. It can provide entirely new situations and vistas! Be brave and venture forth.

10. Photography will keep you busy

Photography as a hobby

Feel like you have too much time on your hands and don’t know what to do with it all? Well, photography might just be the perfect solution. Instead of spending hours mindlessly watching YouTube videos or endlessly scrolling on your phone, why not channel your energy into a fulfilling hobby?

In my experience, photography gives you a purpose, something to strive toward. Whether it’s capturing beautiful images of your grandkids, documenting the world around you, or creating breathtaking landscape shots that generate buzz on social media, photography keeps you engaged and motivated. It’s a wonderful feeling to have a creative pursuit that constantly pushes you to improve and learn new techniques.

The best part is that photography is flexible and fits into your schedule. You can grab your camera and shoot at any time of the day, allowing you to indulge in your hobby whenever you have a free moment. From the early morning golden hour to the quiet serenity of night photography , there’s always an opportunity to capture something remarkable.

Plus, you’ll never run out of subjects to photograph! From the smallest details in nature to bustling city streets, every scene holds the potential for a captivating image.

11. You’ll meet lots of new people

Photography as a hobby

Looking to meet new people and make new friends? Well, meeting interesting people during your photographic adventures is pretty common. For instance, you might ask a local for advice on how to find a certain viewpoint – and they’ll end up showing you the way!

Or you might start talking with someone who is curious about your photography, which can lead to a great afternoon of conversation.

Once you get serious, you can even consider organizing a meetup with local photo enthusiasts in your area. And who knows? You might make a new adventure buddy and a new friend!

By the way, if you are friendly and courteous with your camera, many people are often happy to pose. Engaging with other people ensures you make more of a connection, and the resulting images are often powerful and emotional. So while keeping personal safety in mind, be brave and say hello.

12. You can become part of a community

Photography as a hobby

The photography community – both online and in person – can be very supportive. After all, sharing your passion with other people around the world who speak your language, understand your challenges, and have had similar experiences can be very helpful.

So I highly recommend you engage with a photographic community of  some sort .

What communities are best? Well, online forums and social media platforms can be good places to find those secret local waterfall spots, where certain rare birds might be nesting, etc. People may be willing to give assistance with problems, critique your images, and provide an all-around welcoming place to hang out and chat about your hobby. (The dPS community on Facebook is a great place to start!)

Of course, you can also look at in-person options, such as camera clubs, meetup groups, photowalks, and more.

13. Photography can make you some money

Photography as a hobby

If you’re looking for a way to earn a little extra cash each month, then a photography hobby can be your ticket. While it may not make you a millionaire, it can certainly help you cover small expenses or treat yourself to little indulgences.

There are various approaches you can take that fit your schedule and interests. One option is shooting stock photos and uploading them online, allowing you to earn passive income as they get purchased by others. Another option is offering portrait sessions to your family and friends, capturing their special moments and creating lasting memories. And hey, if you have a soft spot for animals, you can even offer your photography services to capture the adorable antics of your neighbors’ dogs and cats.

If you’re feeling more adventurous, why not try selling prints of your best shots at local arts and craft shows? It’s a rewarding experience that lets you showcase your work and interact with fellow art enthusiasts.

Photography as a side hustle can be a fun way to monetize your skills and passion while keeping things manageable and enjoyable. So why not start that photo hobby and turn it into a little money-making venture?

14. Photography will help you appreciate your surroundings

Photography as a hobby

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in the rush and miss the beauty that surrounds us every day. But photography has a way of changing that.

You see, when you pick up a camera, you start to see the world differently. You become attuned to the play of light and shadow, the intricate details that might have gone unnoticed, and the captivating moments that unfold in the blink of an eye.

Whether you’re strolling through a bustling city street or exploring the serenity of nature, photography helps you slow down and appreciate the beauty that often gets overlooked. It encourages you to pause, observe, and capture those fleeting moments that make life extraordinary.

As a photographer, you become a keen observer, finding inspiration in the simplest of things – the way sunlight filters through the trees, the laughter of children playing, or the delicate petals of a flower. Through the lens of your camera, you’ll uncover hidden gems in familiar places, finding beauty in the everyday and transforming ordinary scenes into extraordinary photographs. This newfound appreciation for your surroundings will not only enhance your photography but also bring more joy and fulfillment to your life.

15. You can do photography on a budget

Photography as a hobby

You might think that photography is an expensive hobby, but it doesn’t have to be! You can capture amazing photos without breaking the bank.

First off, if you have a smartphone, you’re already armed with a powerful camera. Those little devices have come a long way and can now snap sharp and detailed images with just a tap . So don’t underestimate the camera in your pocket, especially when you’re just getting started.

If you want to dive deeper into photography and have more control over settings and subjects, you can opt for a used DSLR and an older lens . With the rise of mirrorless cameras, secondhand DSLR gear has become more affordable, yet it’s still incredibly powerful.

So if you’re thinking about delving into photography, don’t let money stop you. You can jump into this hobby without emptying your wallet. Look for deals and explore secondhand options. You don’t need the latest and greatest equipment to take captivating photos. It’s all about your eye for composition, lighting, and capturing the moment.

16. You can develop a style that is uniquely  yours

Photography as a hobby

No matter your passion, you can explore it via photography in whatever creative way you want. When starting out, it pays to have an understanding of the basic guidelines for composition and light , but don’t let them limit you. Challenge them, break them, and see what happens. It might work, it might not, but either way, it will be a learning experience.

Eventually, you’ll start to approach the world in a way that is specific to you. That’s when you’ll have developed a style of your own (which is a wonderful feeling, by the way!).

There are many different types and styles of photography, and you can adapt whatever you do to your individual desires and needs. There is space for all different approaches, from the classic landscape, nature, wildlife, street, portrait, and sports styles, to all the different variations in between. So don’t feel like photography constrains you – instead, you shape it!

Reasons why photography is a great hobby: final words

Photography adds so much value to our lives – by recording special events, people, and places, while also helping us learn and grow as people. It allows us to share our lives and experiences in meaningful ways, and it allows us to engage and have fun with other people.

Choosing photography as a hobby will offer so many possibilities for creative expression and technical expertise. Age is certainly not a barrier here, and if all you have is the camera on your phone, that’s okay; you can start with that.

So here’s my challenge to you:

Head out sometime today and take your first photo.

Now let us know your thoughts:

Which of these reasons speaks to you the most? Do you plan to start a photography hobby? If so, why? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

16 Powerful Reasons to Choose Photography as a Hobby (in 2024)

Read more from our Tips & Tutorials category

Stacey Hill

invested in her first DSLR back in 2007. While having many adventures out and about in the South Island of New Zealand, Stacey took to blogging about her experiences learning photography. Recently she discovered the fun and creative possibilities to be had with Photoshop. She can be found having an opinion all over the place here .

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The 10 most popular photo essays of 2017

This year,  Toronto Life  spent a day with a family of 14, dove into photo archives that reveal what Toronto used to look like, and interviewed a photographer who shot Donald Trump (and enjoyed it!). We talked to artists, curators, chefs, shutterbugs and one crane operator about the stories behind their paintings, sketches, tattoos and pictures. Here, a look back at our most popular photo essays of 2017.

The 10 most popular photo essays of 2017

A day in the life of a strangely functional mammoth modern family

The 10 most popular photo essays of 2017

Seven fascinating photos that reveal what it was like to live in Toronto’s suburbs before the 1980s

The 10 most popular photo essays of 2017

A look at the splendid, politically charged pieces at the Aga Khan Museum’s massive new Iranian art exhibition

The 10 most popular photo essays of 2017

Ten wedding photos that will make you believe in true love

The 10 most popular photo essays of 2017

Five incredible portraits of Holocaust survivors living in Toronto

The 10 most popular photo essays of 2017

This 17-year-old photographer takes striking portraits of Toronto’s homeless

The 10 most popular photo essays of 2017

Twenty Toronto chefs and bartenders explain the stories behind their tattoos

The 10 most popular photo essays of 2017

Twelve photos that capture what it’s like to work in a crane 700 feet above Toronto’s streets

The 10 most popular photo essays of 2017

A Toronto photographer describes what it was like to shoot Donald Trump (and seven other big-name celebs)

The 10 most popular photo essays of 2017

Ten fascinating snapshots of Toronto in the 1970s

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My Favorite Photo Essay Example

I was never a big fan a photos when i was younger and that hasn't really changed. I was one of those people who were socially anxious and honestly, kind of awkward. When someone pulled the camera out I would hide or just casually walk away, and when they forced me I'd be sporting an awkward smile. Whenever people would look old through photos I wouldn't be around just in case one of me would come around. They'd love them, yet I would hate them.

As I started looking for photos, I realized that it was going to be a harder task than I once thought. Looking back on photos of myself isn't my favorite thing to do. That wasn't the only issue I ran into though. There was a plethora of photos to choose from, it seemed like my mother always had her camera out. It's kind of crazy to think that I have my birth, today and everything in between locked and frozen in a picture.

I may not like looking at myself but I find it really interesting to see others in old photos. In a lot of my old photos, my parents, they look so young. I often wonder what they were thinking or what was going on while the picture was being taken. It's always cool to see pictures of my grandmas and aunts from when they were kids. Back when these photos were taken, everything was so different. It's like your looking at a stranger, but they look oddly familiar.

There are many photos of me as a child, and in almost all of them I am wearing nothing more than basketball shorts and a tank top. I loved being outside when I was little, so basketball shorts were the perfect outfit, especially on a hot Ohio summer day. My brother and I wore very similar clothing most of the time; My family thought it would be nice if we matched. This lead to many conflicts when they would buy us the same shorts, we would always fight about whos is whos. In my photo, I stood there grinning while wearing my usual attire. I quite obviously fit into the category of a stereotypical young boy then.

I was a relatively skinny kid when I was growing up. A little pudge here and there but it was nothing noticeable. It wasn't until I got older when I, to be frank, became lazier that the weight started to add up. I hit 5th grade and that when people started to notice it as an issue. My mother would tell me to portion more and stop overeating. I didn't listen to it's been an uphill battle ever since. The playing field wasn't leveled until my freshman year when I started putting the effort in.

There is one photo that I remember so vividly. It was from my 3rd birthday and I was at the park with my family. I believe it was one of my aunts who took the photo. We were all sitting around my cake under one of the park's shelters, I was sitting in the middle.

I still remember I was in my favorite Thomas the tank engine shirt and blue jeans. I had the biggest grin on my face because I got the Scooby-Doo themed birthday that I had been dreaming of. My cousin, Madison, was positioned right next to me as she anxiously awaited to dig into the cake with me.

I can relive that memory like it just happened yesterday. I can see the happiness on my family members faces. I can feel the excitement inside of me. I wanted the time for cake and food to be over because I couldn’t wait to open my presents. I remember my mother pushing me in the swing right next to the shelter. I also remember the approaching rain clouds that ended up washing it all away, leaving only memories.

Back when the photo was taken and on to my early teens, my dad was my one of my favorite people. We used to work on things together and he'd be the first person I talked to when I had an idea. To me, he was awesome, even a role model and I took on many of his characteristics. In the photo, he was wearing his usual flannel and jeans, which to me was awesome. But as I grew into my later years, I realized many things I was blind to when I was younger. My father wasn't the man that I once thought he was, but instead just a shadow. I still have to fix the things he helped break.

I've come to realize that my mother is one of the only reasons that the party, I so fondly remember, happened. When I was younger my mom wasn't the most exciting person. She was a stay at home mom when I was little and always got me what I needed. She would make me a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch every day and we would eat together then tend to the garden. I wouldn't realize until years later that she wanted a job, wanted to eat more than that lousy sandwich and that she would help change our families lives in the greatest way possible.

My childhood was bliss when I was living it, but when I now look back upon it I realized that I was blind to what was really happening. So many things make more sense now, and I'm frankly happy that I didn't see them growing up. People in my family tried hard to make my life as fun as it could be I really appreciate them more for their efforts if I could, I don't think I would change a thing. The tribulations we went through then, make today seem that much better. My childhood may have been unfortunate but my today is pretty great.

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Essay on Photography

Students are often asked to write an essay on Photography in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Photography

What is photography.

Photography is the art of capturing pictures using a camera. A camera is like a box that keeps a moment from running away. When you take a photo, you save a memory that you can see later.

Types of Photography

There are many kinds of photography. Some people take photos of nature, like mountains and rivers. Others click pictures of cities or people. Some even capture stars at night. Each type tells a different story.

The Importance of Photography

Photos are important because they help us remember past times. They show us how things were and how they have changed. Photos can make us feel happy or sad by reminding us of different moments.

Learning Photography

Anyone can learn photography. You start by learning how to use a camera. Then you practice taking photos. Over time, you get better at making your pictures look nice. It’s fun to learn and can become a hobby or a job.

250 Words Essay on Photography

Photography is the art of capturing light with a camera to create a picture. This can be done using a digital camera or even a phone today. In the past, people used film cameras that had to be developed in a dark room.

The Magic of Cameras

A camera is a tool that takes in light through a lens and saves the image. In old cameras, light hit a film to create a photo. Now, digital cameras use electronic sensors to record the image. The sensors work like our eyes, catching light and colors.

There are many kinds of photography. Some people take pictures of nature, like forests and animals. Others like to take photos of cities and buildings. There are also photographers who take pictures of people and capture their emotions and moments.

To be good at photography, you need to learn how to use a camera well. You also need to understand light and how it affects your photos. Practice is important. The more you take pictures, the better you get at it.

Sharing Photos

After taking pictures, people often share them with others. They might put them on the internet, in a photo album, or hang them on a wall. Sharing photos lets others see the world through your eyes.

500 Words Essay on Photography

Photography is the art of capturing light with a camera to create an image. This can be done using a digital camera that stores pictures electronically or an old-fashioned film camera that records them on film. When you take a photo, you freeze a moment in time, which you can look back on later.

The History of Photography

The story of photography began hundreds of years ago with simple cameras called pinhole cameras. Over time, inventors created better cameras and ways to make pictures clearer and more colorful. In the past, taking a photo was not easy; it took a long time for the picture to be ready. But now, thanks to modern technology, we can take pictures instantly with digital cameras and even our phones.

How Photography Works

A camera works a bit like our eyes. When we look at something, light enters our eyes and helps us see. Similarly, when you take a picture, light comes into the camera through a hole called the lens. Inside the camera, the light hits a part that is sensitive to light, either film or a digital sensor, and creates an image.

Photography is important for many reasons. It helps us remember special moments like birthdays or holidays. It also lets us see places we’ve never been to and learn about different people and animals. Newspapers and websites use photos to show us what is happening in the world. Photography can even be a way for people to express their feelings and tell stories without using words.

The Fun of Photography

Photography can be a lot of fun. It lets you be creative and can even turn into a hobby or a job. You can take pictures of your friends, pets, or trips you go on. With photography, you can explore new places and meet new people. The best part is, you can start at any age and keep learning and enjoying it your whole life.

In conclusion, photography is a powerful form of art that lets us capture memories, explore the world, and share stories. It’s a skill that anyone can learn and enjoy. Whether you’re taking a picture of a beautiful sunset or snapping a photo of your best friend laughing, photography helps us save those special moments forever.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

Happy studying!

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My favourite photograph essay

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  1. Essays About Photography: Top 5 Examples Plus Prompts

    This was done as a way of mourning; the subjects were made to look as if they were merely asleep to give their loved ones comfort that they had passed on peacefully and happily. Eventually, a reduction in the death rate led to the end of this practice. 5. Fashion photography by Sara Page.

  2. Describe one of your favourite photographs

    Model Answer 1: Some people have "photographic" faces - faces that attract everybody's attention - but I don't. So, choosing a favourite photograph of mine, with me in it, is indeed a challenge for me. But, I will still go ahead and talk about a picture which, I think, is one of my favourites for some reasons.

  3. Exploring Through The Lens: My Passion for Photography

    It's a journey that encourages me to be present in the moment, to observe the details that often go unnoticed, and to find beauty even in the most unexpected places. In conclusion, my passion for photography is a driving force that infuses my life with creativity, curiosity, and wonder. Through the lens, I embark on a journey of visual ...

  4. 18 Immersive Photo Essay Examples & Tips

    5. Place Over Time. View the "At Home in the Ozarks" photo essay by Kylee Cole. If you want to document changes and show how the streets, buildings, and parks in your city change over time, select your favorite locations and start to visit them regularly to capture the way they look during different seasons. 6.

  5. 17 Awesome Photo Essay Examples You Should Try Yourself

    Top 17 Photo Essay Examples. Here are some fantastic ideas to get you inspired to create your own photo essays! 17. Photograph a Protest. Protests tend to be lively events. You will find people standing, moving, and holding banners and signs. This is a great way to practice on a moving crowd.

  6. Describe Your Favorite Photograph

    Below are some terms from the sample responses for the cue card topic 'Describe your favorite photograph.' with their definitions and example sentences to guide you. "Her works have helped her amass a sizable fortune.". "The ceremony began with a trumpet fanfare.". "His abrupt departure wrought chaos in the office.".

  7. The 50 best photographers ever

    Single-minded in his pursuit of a story, Smith photographed on the front line in World War II before becoming a key figure in the development of the photo-essay. His work includes Country Doctor for Life magazine, though his best-known photo-essay is a landmark two-year project documenting the industrial city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 37.

  8. 23 Photo Essay Ideas and Examples (to Get Your Creative Juices Flowing!)

    Here are some handy essay ideas and examples for inspiration! 1. A day in the life. Your first photo essay idea is simple: Track a life over the course of one day. You might make an essay about someone else's life. Or the life of a location, such as the sidewalk outside your house.

  9. IELTS Cue Card Sample 358

    Sample Answer 2: My favourite photograph is the one which hangs in my bedroom that of me and my entire family - my family which consists of my parents, my kids and my spouse. This photograph was clicked on the eve of an auspicious festival of India which goes by the name of Diwali. The photograph was taken around two years back at our house by ...

  10. How to Create an Engaging Photo Essay (with Examples)

    3. Take your time. A great photo essay is not done in a few hours. You need to put in the time to research it, conceptualizing it, editing, etc. That's why I previously recommended following your passion because it takes a lot of dedication, and if you're not passionate about it - it's difficult to push through. 4.

  11. Describe a picture or photograph in your family

    This article is based on the IELTS Speaking topic 'Describe a picture or photograph in your family.'. Photographs are more than just images as they remind us of loads of memories, awaken a variety of emotions in us and are proof of the past that we can boast to our future generations. Similarly, the IELTS Speaking cue card topic, Describe a ...

  12. Describe one of your favourite photographs

    Describe one of your favourite photographs. You should say: when the photograph was taken. what it depicts. what memory this photograph holds. and explain why it is one of your favourite photographs. [You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say.

  13. 32 Photo Essay Examples (Plus Tips)

    32 Photo Essay Examples (Plus Tips) Photography is a medium that allows you to explore narratives and tell stories about the world around you. One form of storytelling is the photo essay. If you want to create your own photo essay, it can help to know the two main types of essays and some examples of potential subjects. In this article, we ...

  14. Describe your favourite photograph

    how old it is. and explain why this is your favourite photograph. Model Answer 1: My favourite photograph is the one which hangs in my bedroom that of me and my entire family - my family which consists of my parents, my kids and my spouse. This photograph was clicked on the eve of an auspicious festival of India which goes by the name of Diwali.

  15. Photography Essay

    The first essay is a long essay on the Photography of 400-500 words. This long essay about Photography is suitable for students of class 7, 8, 9 and 10, and also for competitive exam aspirants. The second essay is a short essay on Photography of 150-300 words. These are suitable for students and children in class 6 and below. Long Essay on ...

  16. What is Photo Essay in Photography (13 Examples You Can Try)

    2. A Day in the Life Photo Essay. Highlight a typical day in the life of a person, family, or community. This photographic essay gives you an opportunity to capture the reality of daily life and routines. Focus on the small moments that give insight into the subject's personality and relationships. 3.

  17. Photography: IELTS Speaking Part 1 Sample Answer

    The article provides sample answers and vocabulary for the IELTS Speaking Part 1 topic on photography. It covers questions about photo-taking habits, preferences, and storage methods, emphasizing confidence and proper word choice for IELTS Speaking. Photography is an interesting topic to discuss as photographs are an indispensable part of our ...

  18. 16 Powerful Reasons to Choose Photography as a Hobby (in 2024)

    Some describe the act of photographing as if they're in a trance, completely absorbed in the process. Whether you're venturing into the great outdoors or photographing everyday scenes in your own backyard, photography offers a portal to serenity. 5. Photography will improve your health and fitness.

  19. The 10 most popular photo essays of 2017

    Here, a look back at our most popular photo essays of 2017. Life. A day in the life of a strangely functional mammoth modern family. ... Our favourite shots from Tony Cicero's exhibition, ...

  20. My Favorite Photo Essay Example

    There is one photo that I remember so vividly. It was from my 3rd birthday and I was at the park with my family. I believe it was one of my aunts who took the photo. We were all sitting around my cake under one of the park's shelters, I was sitting in the middle. I still remember I was in my favorite Thomas the tank engine shirt and blue jeans.

  21. Essay on Photography

    Photography can be a lot of fun. It lets you be creative and can even turn into a hobby or a job. You can take pictures of your friends, pets, or trips you go on. With photography, you can explore new places and meet new people. The best part is, you can start at any age and keep learning and enjoying it your whole life.

  22. My favourite photograph Free Essay Example

    My favourite photograph. My favourite photograph is of me doing a bungee jump; it evokes memories from one of the best times of my life, when I visited Australia. Enroute to Australia, we stopped over in Hong Kong. I detested Hong Kong. It was dull, uninteresting and smoggy; the food was disgusting, not like the Chinese food here, and the ...