What is the difference between a "Type" of photography and a photographic "Theme"?
Types of Photography
A type of photography describes the subject(s) that you work with while photographing. Referring to the previous lecture on "The "3 C's", a type of photography would describe the content. When we are discussing the type of photography, this can refer to both the broader and narrower categories within the field. Here is a beginning list of the many different types of photography that one may work in: portrait, documentary, architecture, photojournalism, travel, environmental portraiture, industrial, still life, sports, events, advertising, aerial and editorial, etc.
And we could even narrow it down and list specifics within each of these types. For example, within the field of architecture photography, we could specify between interior and exterior or even fine-art versus commercial. As another example, under portrait photography we could specify the content as wedding, children, family, senior portraits, etc. Narrowing down the type of photography just gives a bit more specific details about the content that you are shooting. Many confuse a more specific type of photography with a photographic theme, but narrowing down your category is not the same thing. So, let's now investigate what makes a photographic theme.
And we could even narrow it down and list specifics within each of these types. For example, within the field of architecture photography, we could specify between interior and exterior or even fine-art versus commercial. As another example, under portrait photography we could specify the content as wedding, children, family, senior portraits, etc. Narrowing down the type of photography just gives a bit more specific details about the content that you are shooting. Many confuse a more specific type of photography with a photographic theme, but narrowing down your category is not the same thing. So, let's now investigate what makes a photographic theme.
Photographic Themes
The definition of theme can be defined from the dictionary as, "the main subject that is being described in a work of art, in which the style is based". It is also defined as, "a dominant or unifying idea or message". Again in reference back to my "3 C's" framework, a photographic theme would actually encompass all 3 C's! It would entail a defined content, concept and composition.
If we look at these definitions a little further, first we see that there is a "main subject", this would be the content or subject matter. Next, there are three words that elude to concept, they are "idea", "message", and "described". Meaning, what the photographer wants to communicate about their subject matter. So a photographic theme would then be based on both the content and concept. The most important, and often most neglected aspect of building a photographic theme by newer photographers is creating a concept. I can't emphasize enough how important it is for a photographer to think about why they are making the types of photography they are shooting and what ideas they want to express and communicate about their images to those that view them. Very often you will find that the content and concept become intertwined. Lastly, the definition also states, "in which the style is based". This is eluding to the last "C", composition. Part of composition is the way that the photographer arranges the frame and the techniques use. When these ingredients merge a photographic vision or photographic style emerges. More on this topic later.
Let's take a look at an example of a photographic theme. So remember, when we are putting together a photographic theme, we can simply use "The 3 C's" framework. For example, maybe a photographer decides that she would like to make portraits, more specifically, portraits of adults. This is her content. In order to establish the message or idea behind her theme, she needs to decide what she wants to communicate through the portraits of adults. After she has given it some thought and even experimented a little, perhaps she decides on expressing childhood fairy tales. Now she can elaborate even more on her content and concept as they become intertwined. She has decided to put together very elaborate scenes and costumes of a fantasy world. This is also beginning to establish her composition and photographic style, of Narrative Tableaux (more on this to coming up next!). Photographer Annie Leibovitz did just that! Check out her amazing and elaborate Disney portrait series. As you can see, all the images have a unifying theme that is consistent throughout each of the images by establishing a strong photographic theme.
If we look at these definitions a little further, first we see that there is a "main subject", this would be the content or subject matter. Next, there are three words that elude to concept, they are "idea", "message", and "described". Meaning, what the photographer wants to communicate about their subject matter. So a photographic theme would then be based on both the content and concept. The most important, and often most neglected aspect of building a photographic theme by newer photographers is creating a concept. I can't emphasize enough how important it is for a photographer to think about why they are making the types of photography they are shooting and what ideas they want to express and communicate about their images to those that view them. Very often you will find that the content and concept become intertwined. Lastly, the definition also states, "in which the style is based". This is eluding to the last "C", composition. Part of composition is the way that the photographer arranges the frame and the techniques use. When these ingredients merge a photographic vision or photographic style emerges. More on this topic later.
Let's take a look at an example of a photographic theme. So remember, when we are putting together a photographic theme, we can simply use "The 3 C's" framework. For example, maybe a photographer decides that she would like to make portraits, more specifically, portraits of adults. This is her content. In order to establish the message or idea behind her theme, she needs to decide what she wants to communicate through the portraits of adults. After she has given it some thought and even experimented a little, perhaps she decides on expressing childhood fairy tales. Now she can elaborate even more on her content and concept as they become intertwined. She has decided to put together very elaborate scenes and costumes of a fantasy world. This is also beginning to establish her composition and photographic style, of Narrative Tableaux (more on this to coming up next!). Photographer Annie Leibovitz did just that! Check out her amazing and elaborate Disney portrait series. As you can see, all the images have a unifying theme that is consistent throughout each of the images by establishing a strong photographic theme.
Images are copyright owned by Annie Leibovitz. In addition more can be viewed at: http://www.insidethemagic.net/2011/03/photo-archive-latest-in-the-annie-leibovitz-disney-dream-portrait-series-capturing-celebrities-as-colorful-disney-characters/