Photography is the procedure of taking photos by way of light capture on a light-sensitive material like a film or an electronic light sensor. Patterns of light emitted or reflected from certain objects will show off a sensitive compound chemical (silver halide) or a digital medium throughout a timed exposure. This is usually done using a device called the camera. The conventional camera can store the information chemically while the digital camera can store information electronically.

The term photography was derived from the Greek words ¡°phos which means light and ¡°graphis which means paintbrush, hence, its literal translation would be ¡°drawing with light. There are 3 types of photography:

∙ Black and White Photography

Originally, all photos were in black and white. Even though color films were already available during the late 1800's, for decades, monochrome pictures have dominated the art of photography because of its classic appearance and cheaper materials.

During the modern times, black and white pictures have become less popular and most photographs were produced in color. Nevertheless, black and white photographs are still being produced today and many people like them because of their dramatic appeal.

∙ Color Photography

Photography in color was first explored in the 1800's. During those years, experiments in color photos could not be perfected because the colors kept on fading. The very first color photography was produced in 1961.

The early techniques of taking a color picture needed three cameras with each of them having a color filter in their lenses. This method gives the photographer three channels needed to reproduce an image (in color) inside a darkroom or in a processing place.

As years passed by, the art of producing color pictures were perfected. Color photographs can be used in slide projectors (positive transparent) or can be enlarged using specially coated papers (color negative films).

∙ Digital Photography

Digital photography is the latest technology in producing black-and-white as well as color pictures. This type of photography uses digital imaging sensors (for recording the image as electronic information) instead of chemicals for producing photos.

The difference between chemical and digital photography is that digital photography can be easily manipulated unlike the analog type. Furthermore, analog photography uses films and photo paper while the digital types of photography use controllable mediums and devices.

Photography is used in the following fields:

Advertising - The photographs used in advertising are created to illustrate and sell a product or service. Different advertising agencies and design firms specialize in this style of photography.

Glamour and Fashion - This photography style typically incorporates fashion models. Similar to advertising, it also emphasizes products like clothes, shoes and perfumes but the shots require more flair so they are usually glamorous, sophisticated or edgy.

Crime Scene - Crime scene photography, as the term suggests, is photography done on a scene of a crime to aid investigation. Usually, this type of photography is needed in murder and robbery crime scenes. Infrared or black-and-white cameras are often used for capturing details.

Still Life - This type of photography involves non-living subjects which can either be natural or artificial (man-made).

Food Photography - This type of photography is often used for packaging, editorial or advertising. This is pretty much similar to still life photography but would require exceptional skills for presentation.

Editorial - Editorial photography is intended for illustrating an idea or a story within a magazine's context.

Wedding and Portrait - These are some of the most popular types of photography for the simple reason that they are used to commemorate or give tribute to a person or group of persons, in the case of portraits, while wedding photography captures a couple's special day.

Fine Arts - Fine art photographs are created to accomplish an idea. The pictures will then be reproduced and sold to customers.

Landscape - Landscape photographs are usually taken and sold as postcards to tourists and travelers.

Photography is considered art by a lot of people. However, many artists claim that it is just a mechanical duplication of images. What everyone can agree on is that photography remains one of the greatest forms of human creativity.