If you’re looking to expand your photography portfolio, experimenting with different photography styles you should try is a great way to enhance your skills. Each style offers unique ways to capture the world around you, and trying them can help you find your personal creative vision. In this article, we’ll walk you through some of the top photography styles you should try, from classic approaches to more modern techniques. These styles will inspire your photography journey and allow you to explore new perspectives.
1. Portrait Photography
One of the most popular photography styles you should try is portrait photography. This style focuses on capturing people, their expressions, emotions, and personalities. The goal is to showcase the subject in a way that tells a story. Whether you are photographing a professional model or a loved one, lighting, background, and posing play a key role in capturing a compelling portrait. Experiment with different angles, lighting setups, and compositions to add variety to your portraits.
2. Landscape Photography
Landscape photography is a timeless genre that many photographers turn to for both creative expression and relaxation. If you love the outdoors, this is one of the photography styles you should try. Landscape photography involves capturing expansive views of nature, such as mountains, beaches, forests, and even urban landscapes. Pay attention to the lighting, weather, and the time of day. Golden hour, just before sunset or after sunrise, is the perfect time to take breathtaking landscape shots.
3. Street Photography
Street photography is about capturing real-life moments in urban environments. It’s one of the most exciting photography styles you should try because it allows you to document daily life, street scenes, and candid moments. With street photography, you have the freedom to experiment with storytelling, composition, and spontaneous shots. Be sure to be quick and discreet with your camera to catch those unscripted, powerful moments.
4. Macro Photography
If you enjoy details and getting close-up shots of the smallest subjects, macro photography is a style you should try. This style focuses on photographing tiny objects in extreme detail, such as insects, flowers, or textures. You will need a macro lens to get close to your subject, which reveals intricate details that aren’t visible to the naked eye. This style can transform everyday objects into works of art, and it teaches you to focus on the beauty in small things.
5. Architectural Photography
Architectural photography focuses on capturing buildings, both interior and exterior, with a focus on design and structure. This is one of the photography styles you should try if you enjoy symmetry, angles, and perspectives. Architectural photographers often use wide-angle lenses to capture the full scale of buildings or narrow perspectives to highlight specific architectural details. Pay close attention to light, shadows, and the environment to make the structure stand out in your photos.
6. Black and White Photography
If you want to focus on contrasts, shapes, and textures, black and white photography is a style you should try. By removing color, you emphasize composition and light, giving your photos a timeless quality. This style can work with almost any subject, whether it’s portraits, landscapes, or urban scenes. Black and white photography can convey mood and emotion in a way that color sometimes can’t, so experiment with this style to see how it transforms your work.
7. Fashion Photography
For those interested in high-fashion and style, fashion photography is a great genre to explore. This style is all about showcasing clothing, accessories, and beauty in a way that highlights trends and creative expression. Whether working with a model or photographing products, lighting, styling, and composition are key to achieving a professional look. Fashion photography also often involves experimenting with different backdrops and locations to complement the outfits being featured.
8. Event Photography
If you enjoy capturing memorable moments, event photography is a style you should try. This style focuses on documenting events like weddings, parties, concerts, and corporate functions. Event photographers must be adaptable and quick, capturing candid moments as well as posed ones. Lighting plays a crucial role in event photography, especially in low-light settings. Being prepared for various environments and understanding how to make the most of the available light will help you succeed in this style.
9. Product Photography
If you have a keen eye for detail and enjoy capturing objects, product photography is a style you should definitely try. It’s commonly used for e-commerce, advertising, and marketing. The goal is to make the product look appealing and professional by showcasing it in the best light. In product photography, background, lighting, and angles are key to creating clean, sharp images that highlight the product’s features. Experiment with lighting setups and props to create images that grab attention.
10. Aerial Photography
Aerial photography offers a unique perspective by capturing images from above, whether by using a drone or photographing from a high vantage point. This style provides sweeping views of landscapes, cities, or any other scene you wish to capture. Aerial shots can create dramatic images with interesting compositions, as they reveal patterns and lines that are hard to see from the ground. If you haven’t tried aerial photography yet, it’s definitely one of the photography styles you should try to gain a fresh perspective.
Conclusion
Exploring different photography styles you should try is an exciting way to improve your photography skills and discover your personal style. Each genre offers its own set of challenges and creative opportunities. Whether you’re capturing candid street moments or focusing on the fine details of nature, experimenting with these styles will help you become a more versatile photographer. Take the time to try each style, and you’ll not only improve your technical abilities but also develop your unique photographic voice.
