understand conventions of photography and genres such as portrait, landscape and documentary

📸 Cambridge IGCSE Art & Design 0400 – Photography

1️⃣ Objective

Understand the key conventions of photography and explore the main genres: portrait, landscape, and documentary.

2️⃣ Core Conventions

• Composition – Rule of thirds, leading lines, framing.
• Exposure – Balance of aperture (f‑stop), shutter speed, and ISO to control light.
• Focus – Depth of field, focal point, and subject isolation.
• Lighting – Natural vs artificial, direction, quality, and colour temperature.
• Post‑processing – Basic edits: cropping, colour correction, contrast.

3️⃣ Genres Explained

📷 Portrait

Captures a person’s personality, mood, or identity. Think of a portrait as a “snapshot of a story” – the face is the main character.

• Lighting – Soft, diffused light (e.g., using a reflector) to flatter skin tones.
• Background – Simple or blurred (bokeh) to keep focus on the subject.
• Pose & Expression – Natural, relaxed poses; use prompts like “think of a happy memory” to elicit genuine smiles.

🌄 Landscape

Shows natural or built environments, often aiming to convey scale, atmosphere, or mood.

• Timing – Golden hour (sunrise/sunset) for warm, soft light.
• Composition – Use leading lines (roads, rivers) to guide the eye.
• Depth – Wide‑angle lenses for expansive views; use foreground interest to add depth.

📚 Documentary

Tells real stories, often with a social or cultural focus. Think of it as a “visual diary” of events or people.

• Ethics – Obtain consent; respect privacy.
• Context – Provide captions or short narratives to explain the scene.
• Authenticity – Avoid staged shots; capture candid moments.

4️⃣ Genre Comparison Table

5️⃣ Practical Tips for Each Genre

1. Portrait – Use a tripod for stability; experiment with 2‑point lighting (key + fill).
2. Landscape – Shoot in RAW for dynamic range; use a polarising filter to reduce glare.
3. Documentary – Keep the camera ready; use a fast lens (f/2.8) for low‑light situations.

6️⃣ Assessment Criteria Snapshot

• Understanding of technical conventions (exposure, composition).
• Ability to choose appropriate genre for a brief.
• Creativity in visual storytelling.
• Quality of post‑processing and presentation.

7️⃣ Quick Reference Cheat Sheet

8️⃣ Final Thought

Think of photography as a language – each genre has its own grammar and vocabulary. Master the conventions, then use them to tell stories that resonate with your audience. Happy shooting! 🚀