Meaning & use
photography
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Meanings
noununcountable
The activity or skill of taking pictures with a camera, often as an art or profession.
Grammar: No plural; used like 'music' or 'art'.
Patterns
- study photography
- a career in photography
- photography of something
She studied photography at college and now works for a magazine.
His photography captures the quiet beauty of everyday life.
Wildlife photography requires patience and expensive equipment.
noununcountable
The business or process of producing images for clients, advertising, or media.
Grammar: Often used with 'commercial', 'fashion', or 'advertising' before it.
Patterns
- commercial photography
- fashion photography
- work in photography
The agency specializes in commercial photography for hotels.
She moved into fashion photography after years of studio work.
noununcountable
The images produced by a particular photographer or for a particular project.
Grammar: Can be used with a possessive: 'her photography' means the photos she took.
Patterns
- someone's photography
- the photography in something
The photography in the exhibition was stunning.
I admire his photography of the desert.
Common combinations
- digital photography
- Digital photography has made it easier to share pictures online.
- a photography exhibition
- We went to a photography exhibition at the local gallery.
- photography skills
- He improved his photography skills by taking a weekend course.
- black-and-white photography
- She prefers black-and-white photography for portraits.
- take up photography
- After retiring, he took up photography as a hobby.
Synonyms and how they differ
- picture-taking
- Informal and less common; use 'photography' for the art or profession.
- camerawork
- Usually refers to how a camera is operated in film or TV, not still photography.
Word family
- photograph noun
- A single picture made with a camera.
- photograph verb
- To take a picture of someone or something.
- photographer noun
- A person who takes photographs, especially as a job.
- photographic adjective
- Relating to photography or photographs.
Commonly confused: photography or photograph? photography or photogenic?
photography vs photograph
A photograph is one picture; photography is the activity or art of taking pictures.
photography vs photogenic
Photogenic means looking attractive in photos; photography is the practice itself.
Practice
She's thinking of studying ______ at university because she loves taking pictures.
Choose one answer.
'Photography' is the field of study or activity. 'Photograph' is a single picture, 'photographer' is a person, and 'photographic' is an adjective.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “photography”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.