photography
fuh-TOG-ruh-fee
Photography (noun) means the art, technique, or business of taking photographs. Example: “She studied photography in college.”
noun
1
The art, technique, or business of taking photographs.
"She studied photography in college."
"His photography captures everyday street life beautifully."
"Photography is her hobby, and she takes her camera on every walk."
How to use photography
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe skill or activity of taking pictures with a camera.
Common pairings
study photography
wildlife photography
a career in photography
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Word forms
- Plural
- photographies
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She studied _____ in college.
Etymology
Borrowed from French photographie, from Greek photo- ("light") and -graphia ("writing" or "recording") — literally "drawing with light."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for photography
geography
biography
demography
tomography
ideography
topography
lithography
iconography
mammography
discography
paleography
pornography
See all rhymes for photography →
Frequently asked questions
What does “photography” mean?
The word “photography” means the art, technique, or business of taking photographs. In plain terms, the skill or activity of taking pictures with a camera.
How do you pronounce “photography”?
“Photography” is pronounced fuh-TOG-ruh-fee (/fəˈtɑ.ɡɹə.fi/ in IPA).
How do you use “photography” in a sentence?
Here is “photography” used in a sentence: “She studied photography in college.”
What part of speech is “photography”?
“Photography” is a noun.
Where does the word “photography” come from?
The word “photography” comes from French. Borrowed from French photographie, from Greek photo- ("light") and -graphia ("writing" or "recording") — literally "drawing with light.".
Is “photography” a common word?
“Photography” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What are the types of photography?
Photography covers many genres, including portrait, landscape, wildlife, street, documentary, sports, macro (extreme close-up), architectural, and fashion photography. Each has its own techniques and equipment. Commercially, fields like product, wedding, and event photography are also common ways photographers specialise and make a living.
Can photography be learned?
Yes. While a good eye helps, photography is very much a learnable skill. The technical side — exposure, focus, composition, and lighting — can be taught through courses, books, and practice, and modern cameras and phones make experimenting easy. Most photographers improve steadily by shooting often and reviewing their results.
Is photography an art or a technical skill?
It is both, which is part of its appeal. Photography demands technical control over light, focus, and exposure, but also artistic judgement about composition, timing, and mood. The definition itself spans the art, the technique, and the business — and the strongest photographers blend creative vision with solid craft.
What is the difference between photography and videography?
Photography captures still images — single frozen moments. Videography records moving images with sound over time. They share equipment and skills like framing and lighting, but differ in storytelling: a photograph distils one instant, while video unfolds a sequence. Many professionals today offer both.
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