Cool MatePhotography
UK /["/fəˈtɒɡrəfi/"]/US /["/fəˈtɑːɡrəfi/"]/
Definition
the art, process or job of taking photographs or filming something
In simple words: The art or practice of taking pictures.
Examples
- Her hobbies include hiking and photography.
- **digital photography**
- **colour/black-and-white photography**
- aerial/underwater photography
- fashion photography by David Burn
- the **director of photography** *(= the person who is in charge of the actual filming of a film, programme, etc.)*
- Did you see the film about Antarctica? The photography was superb!
- a commercial stock photography archive
- an exceptional online source for fine-art photography
- the shifting clouds caught in time-lapse photography
Usage notes
Commonly used in both casual and formal settings. Not appropriate in very technical or scientific discussions about imaging technology.
Grammar pattern
standalone noun
Memory hint
Think of 'photo' + 'graphy' as 'writing with light' — capturing images.
Collocations
- black-and-white
- colour/color
- digital
- collection
- exhibit
- exhibition
Synonyms
- picture-taking
- imagery
- snapshot
- photo
- visual art
Antonyms
- painting
- drawing
Common mistakes
- Confused with 'photograph' as a verb vs 'photography' as a noun.
- Using 'photography' to refer only to digital images, ignoring traditional methods.
- Omitting the context, leading to vague discussions about images instead of the art form.