A Guide to Photography 

Do you find yourself taking a moment to basque in the beautiful scenery around you? Or are you the person who is first to grab your phone to capture memories you will cherish forever?  

If you can see the beauty in all things, and you want a job that provides an outlet for your creativity, becoming a photographer may be the ideal career for you.   

Photography is a diverse and exciting career, where you can capture stunning images of the things you find interesting in life. Whether you adore animals, enjoy being out in nature or you’ve just got a great knack for capturing a person’s best side, you can earn a living by doing something you love.  

If you’re enthusiastic about getting behind the camera, find out more about this artistic career path below. We explore the photography background and who invented the art form, as well as the vast range of avenues you can explore and how to get into this career. 

 

 

What is Photography 

Photography is an art that involves using a digital sensor or film to capture light and create an image. A photographer will use a lens to focus the light that reflects or emits from the object being captured. This transforms it into an image in the light-sensitive surface within the camera during a timed exposure.  

Through the electric image sensors, electrical charges are produced in the pixels which allow the image to be processed electronically and stored for display or processing. The photographer will then either chemically develop the image or print it on their chosen paper or material.  

Photography today is famously used for art, films and videos, but it is a vital element of other important fields like business, science, manufacturing and more.  

When Was Photography Invented? 

Photography came about through a culmination of developments in chemistry and optics. So, if you’re wondering who invented photography, there isn’t one singular name to take the credit. However, the world’s first photograph was taken in 1826 by a French scientist named Joseph Nicéphore. 

This historic image was named ‘View from the Window at Le Gras’ as the image was of the courtyard and outbuildings he could see from his family’s country home.  

Photography since progressed as humanity discovered new ways to capture images. If you’re wondering ‘when was colour photography first used?’ and when other exciting developments in photography occurred, we have noted key photography milestones below: 

• The first colour photograph – 1861 – taken by Scottish physicist James Clerk 
• The first photographs of movement – 1878 – taken by English photographer Eadweard Muybridge 
• The first night shot of animals – 1906 – taken by photographer and wildlife enthusiast George Shiras 
• The first underwater photograph in colour – 1926 – taken by Dr William Longley and National Geographic staff photographer Charles Martin 
• The first archaeology photograph – 1912 – taken by Yale University professor and explorer Hiram Bingham 

As more creative ways to capture images emerged, the avenues of photography snowballed and show no signs of slowing down. Now, there are numerous types of photography you can explore and specialise in, with new styles and trends taking our interest on a regular basis. 

 

 

What Type of Photographer Can I Become? 

With advances in photography technology, we’ve come a long way since the days of black and white photography. While this type of monochrome photography is still popular today, there are many more exciting things you can do in your photography career. 

Nude Photography 

A popular avenue of photography that has stemmed from the popularity of nude portraits throughout history. This genre of fine-art photography aims to capture the aesthetic qualities of the human body such as form, composition and emotional content.  

Portrait Photography 

Probably the most famous example of portrait photography was the haunting image named ‘Afghan Girl’ that was captured by National Geographic photographer Steve McCurry in 1984. With just one image, the photographer opened our eyes to what was unfolding in refugee camps across the world. 

Wedding Photography 

Capture the celebration of love between two people on their wedding day. Wedding photographers are always in demand as people want to have images of their special day to cherish for years to come.  

Landscape Photography 

If you’re fascinated by the natural wonders of the world then a great way to incorporate this appreciation is through landscape or nature photography. Landscape photography typically consists of large-scale renderings of natural and man-made scenes. Whereas nature photography can include landscapes, but it also includes shots of wildlife and plants, as well as close-ups of nature scenes and natural textures.  

Still Life Photography 

This genre of photography captures a singular or a group of inanimate objects. The photographer is able to arrange the objects for artistic effect, giving them more control of the outcome of the image. Both product photography and food photography fall into this category. 

Fashion Photography 

A well-known style of photography that we see across billboards and within magazines is fashion photography. The allure of the desirable models wearing the latest designs not only drives sales for the fashion house or brand, but it can ignite trends as well as inspire change in our behaviour to move towards more sustainable shopping habits. 

Animal Photography 

If you’re obsessed with animals, then this is the photography specialism for you. Both wildlife photography and pet photography come under this umbrella. So, no matter if you’re amazed by the majestic and marvellous creatures that run free in the wild or you love the idea of working closely with adorable pets, you can as an animal photographer.  

Street Photography 

Often referred to as candid photography, street photography captures everyday life in the public domain. It often involves candid pictures of strangers and daily occurrences that would otherwise go unnoticed. This is in an attempt to capture the essence and spirit of urban life.  

 

 

How to Make Money with Photography? 

There are clearly many types of photography you can explore, but the question if you want to make this a career is how to earn a living from your photography work. Like most creative jobs, the salary of a photographer varies widely depending on how they choose to work and the type of photography work they produce.  

When employed, a photographer in the UK can expect to earn between £16,000 to £22,000 when starting out, but with experience, this can go anywhere up to £65,000 depending on how good your reputation is.  

As a self-employed photographer, your earnings will depend on how much work you can secure. If clients can clearly see your skills and quality while they are looking for photographers, they are more likely to choose you over the competition.  

So, to get photography jobs, the public needs to be able to see evidence of your work and knowledge before they make contact. This takes a combination of things, including: 

• Creating a photography portfolio  
• Building a website that shows your work and contains your business details 
• Creating social media accounts for your photography work 
• Using the appropriate hashtags to get your photography pictures to trend online 
• Entering your work into photography competitions 
• Completing photography courses that evidence your abilities 

Besides showing off what you can do through examples of your work, taking the time to study photography courses will be highly beneficial. Besides teaching you the ropes behind the camera, it will give potential clients more confidence in your capabilities as a photographer.  

Study Photography Courses 

If you want to learn photography for a new career or even as a hobby, there are many online photography courses that enable you to pick up this knowledge from home.  

By studying photography online, you can work through the photography course at your pace. This allows you to study after work or around your other lifestyle commitments, and even get qualified faster than in offline courses.  

With Stonebridge Associated Colleges, you can study: 

• Advanced Digital Photography Techniques 
• Art of Combining Photography and Painting 
• Basic Camera Handling Skills 
• Digital Photography 
• Pet Photography 
• Photo Journalism 
• Wildlife Photography, and more 

Explore these courses in more detail on our website. 

Get Started Today! 

If the idea of getting a job as a photographer or starting your own photography business appeals to you, Stonebridge Associated Colleges can help you get qualified for the role.  

Our online photography courses will help you get the skills you need from home. Plus, as some of our courses provide you with a nationally recognised qualification, you will be able to evidence your skills and knowledge to your clients or employer. 

Find out more by calling our Course Executives today. They will run you through each of our online photography courses, what they contain and how you can get started. 

Call them on 0121 392 8288 or contact them online now.