what is photography

1. Photography Basics - What is Photography All About?
If you're new to photography, but you're interested in embracing it as a hobby, congratulations!
Photography is an immensely enjoyable pastime that you'll be able to enjoy and share with the
people around you until the day you die.
If you're wondering where to start, try reading the rest of this article for a basic introduction to
photography, starting with the most basic question of all: what is photography?
# What is photography?
Strictly speaking, photography is 'the process of producing a still picture by recording light
radiation'. If we're being generous we could say that photography has been around since the early
1800s, but in terms of it being something open to the average person to get involved in, the
agreed-on date is more likely to be 1900 - the year in which Kodak introduced the $1 'Brownie'
camera.
Photography is somewhat unusual in that while it is definitely an art form (in that it's capable of
producing something that appeals to the senses) there are strong technical elements to it as well.
In this way it contrasts with an art form such as drawing or painting, where little or no technical
knowledge of the medium is necessary. It's a rare professional photographer who isn't also an
expert with the technical aspects of photography, though they do exist.
# What sort of camera will I need?
This question has two very different answers. On the one hand, any kind of camera at all can be
used to make interesting images, so one could say that that's the answer: 'any kind of camera at
all'. On the other hand, photography is arguably its most enjoyable when done with a camera that
is versatile and easy to control manually, and so one could say that the answer can only be: 'an
SLR'. Certainly if you don't currently own a camera, you're even remotely interested in taking up
photography as a hobby, and you have the money, an entry-level (digital) SLR is the right way to
go.
# How do I improve?

2. Unsurprisingly, getting better at photography involves a lot of trial and error. While digital
photography makes trial and error a much better strategy than it used to be by massively reducing
the cost of taking a photo, there's still no need to do this blindly. Reading about photography in
books, magazines and online is also a useful way to improve, as is looking at a lot of photographs
taken by other people. You'll quickly learn that people generally agree on a set of 'rules' that
produce pleasing photography, and while eventually you'll break these rules to good effect, there's
no question that it's worth learning them first.
Tobias Sterling is a featured writer on Clivir.com. He provides more tips and guide on Beginners
Photography Basics, How to Take Photos of Children and Depth of Field in Photography on
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