People love to have fun, from going to concerts, to hiking a tall mountain that scrapes through the heavenly clouds. Of course, they want to take pictures to photograph their memories and capture the emotions from that day. Even if they are just pictures, the meaning and effort that is captured can leave a mark. This skill of taking pictures, known as photography, is a form of art that can be handy, educational and simply fun.
Photography started in 1822, where the first photo was taken with an old camera with a lengthy exposure time. If anyone was posing, they would have to stay in that position for approximately 10 minutes until the photo was complete. However, over time, photography advanced drastically, with some of the newest cameras being able to capture stunning images with crisp quality in an instant.
Alongside camera upgrades, photo-enhancing software has become more popular in recent years. Frequently, raw photos from the camera may have objects in the background, poor lighting or anything that prevents the subject of the photo from standing out. To combat this, popular software like Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop allow users to control the lighting, or erase the surroundings completely.
The art of photography can be witnessed in many forms, from billboards to modern journalism. Photography has also left its mark on FUHSD schools, specifically through yearbooks, where photos are key.
“Photography is something we realize we have to teach more explicitly in our classrooms,” FHS yearbook teacher Camila Torres said. “Part of it is, we’re trying to learn how to include it in the curriculum. It comes in a little naturally, but it has caused me to bring it into my regular classes that are not yearbook, to think about pictures and photojournalism in a different way.”
Outside of classes, students who have an interest in the skill find it enjoyable. “[Photography] was hard to learn at first, but I had fun learning it,” FHS sophomore Jayden Manaham said. “[People should try it] because it can also be a fun hobby.”
Taking photos is also a good way to bring people together. Photographers witness everyone’s reactions as they see the photos taken, according to Manaham. This not only gives the photographer more confidence in their work, it is also a way to have a good time.
Today, photography is used in every aspect of our everyday lives. From simple things like family meetups, to full weddings. Expert or not, photography is a great way to spend one’s free time, or capture priceless moments of life.
