What is photography and how to know it?

Photography is basically a mixture of applied science, imagination and design, professional skills and organizational ability. Therefore, the correct way to learn photography technology should start with a comprehensive understanding of the whole process of photo formation, rather than focusing on technical details prematurely. This includes two aspects, on the one hand, the understanding of the photographic equipment and the photographic process itself, on the other hand, the understanding of the diversified visual ways that objectively, truly and accurately constitute the image picture, and the understanding of the self-expression and public interpretation of the work. Why take pictures? What does photography actually include? Compared with other picture composition methods or information and thought expression methods, what role can photos play? What method can be used to judge the quality of photographic works? This is exactly what this chapter will elaborate.

For many people, one of the most attractive things about photography is the mystery of the photographic equipment itself. All the high-tech modern technology condensed in photographic equipment is to press the camera button one by one in order to adapt to people's hands and eyes, the "click" sound when precision parts are in place, and the photographic equipment is "armed to the teeth", which has great attraction. Although the equipment is critical and the detailed knowledge about the equipment is interesting and important, taking pictures is not just as simple as playing with the camera a few times. Another attraction of photography is its actual process, which skillfully deals with the stimulation brought by various complicated photography problems, as well as the rewards obtained by exerting technical expertise and making final images. People can recognize and appreciate the photographic effects from its inherent "quality", such as excellent details, rich colors and colorful colors. This process provides a way for photographers to "capture what they see" and form pictures of things around them without strenuous painting. A camera is a time machine, which can condense any selected person, scene or environment, and seems to give users a kind of strength and will.

In addition, photography has an attractive aspect, that is, the enjoyment brought by the visual composition of photos, that is, no matter what the content of the subject is actually, we can get real satisfaction from conceiving the picture, such as the geometric shape of lines and corridors, the balance of colors, the cutting and design of scenes and so on. You can even get more enjoyment by changing the angle of view quickly or choosing different shooting moments properly.

Perhaps it is mainly because photography is a fast, convenient and true way to record things that people are attracted to it and then engage in photography (one of the reasons). However, the most important thing in photography is the subject itself, and what the photographer wants to express objectively or will reproduce. Photography is both evidence and proof, and it is also a diagram of events, and the camera is a visual record book.

On the contrary, photography is often used to manipulate or explain reality, so photos often highlight some "motives" or attitudes of photographers. Photographers can arrange scenes (such as advertising photography), or they can selectively put some aspects of events on photos and ignore others (such as politically inclined news photography reports). Therefore, it can be said that photography is a powerful means of persuasion and publicity. Photography always looks real. Under the control of human beings, photographers can express whatever they choose.

Another reason (the second reason) for photographers to engage in photography is to master a method of self-expression. The actual theme may not be as important as its expression. It seems strange that photography can be expressed by actually very objective things, such as metaphor and fantasy, but what is expressed is not directly related to the theme. However, the audience may understand other things from the images they see, such as flickering flames, shadows or peeling paint. This is how some expressionist artists express ordinary objects as conscious works of art, and they create a picturesque beauty by reducing details and simplifying colors.

The above content is only part of all kinds of activities and interests covered by the umbrella of the term "photography". They are equal, and it is difficult to tell the good from the bad. Some of them will try to blend into the work of a photographer, and some will blend into any professional photography field. The photographer's pleasure in creating photos is probably mainly based on technology, art or communication, and his interest in a certain city can easily develop into a hobby in another field. As a beginner, it is beneficial to keep an open mind and curiosity. We should study all these aspects of photography hard and enrich ourselves with a comprehensive "basic course". A better way is to learn through practice, rather than just relying on theory.