📘 Part 3: Photos

This episode's vocabulary

Raw (adj.) - raw information has been collected but has not yet been studied in detail.

To commemorate (verb) - to remember officially and give respect to a great person or event, especially by a public ceremony or by making a statue or special building.

Perspective (noun) - a particular way of considering something.

Go to great lengths (idiom) - to try very hard to achieve something.

To manipulate (verb) - to control something or someone to your advantage, often unfairly or dishonestly.

Framing (noun) - the way that the parts of something such as a photograph or scene in a film are arranged so that the objects, colours, etc. around the edges draw attention to the main feature of the image.

Standpoint (noun) - a set of beliefs and ideas from which opinions and decisions are formed.

Privilege (noun) - an opportunity to do something special or enjoyable.

Lucrative (adj.) - (especially of a business, job, or activity) producing a lot of money.

Unparalleled (adj.) - having no equal; better or greater than any other.

To whip (verb) - to bring or take something quickly.

To snap (verb) - to take a lot of photographs quickly.

Utility (noun) - the usefulness of something, especially in a practical way.

Photogenic (adj.) - having a face that looks attractive in photographs.

Perception (noun) - a belief or opinion, often held by many people and based on how things seem.

To align (verb) - to be the same or similar, or to agree with each other; to make two things do this.

Trait (noun) - a particular characteristic that can produce a particular type of behaviour.

To evade (verb) - to avoid or escape from someone or something.

To frame (verb) - to carefully plan or organize ideas, suggestions, methods, etc., in a particular way.

To come in handy (phrase) - to be useful for a particular purpose.

Niche (adj.) - interesting to, aimed at, or affecting only a small number of people.

Questions and Answers

M: Do people take more photos now than before?

R: Oh, I suppose in terms of raw numbers, yes. There are more cameras, more people and an increased demand to take them to commemorate events. So it wouldn't be a surprise to me if that was the case.

M: Do you think equipment is important to photography?

R: I mean, from the perspective of a good photographer, yes. You need to go to great lengths to take a really good photo, like manipulating the lighting, getting framing right and controlling for distractions in the background. If you're not, though, it probably doesn't matter.

M: Do you think being a professional photographer is a good job?

R: That's a good question, really. In a world where everyone has a camera who needs a photographer, right? So from an economic standpoint, generally no. However, if you're a really good professional photographer, you can teach people how to take great photos and charge them for the privilege of that then it could be highly lucrative.

M: Is it easier to take pictures now than in the past?

R: You'd think so, wouldn't you? I mean, historically, people have never had such unparalleled access to cameras, so they're more used to being around and using them. That probably makes taking them easier than before just by being around them so much.

M: Why do people prefer their phones to take pictures and not cameras

R: There's a great deal more ease of access, you just flip or whip out your phone, snap a picture and you're done. Whereas cameras can be big, bulky and expensive. And all the while lacking the utility of a phone.

M: What makes a good photograph?

R: Well, lots of things. Like lighting, framing, position of the subject and the objects that surround them. You need to get all of them right to take something photogenic. And then there's the perception and perspective of the people looking at the photograph, which all have to align with these traits I mentioned before, that's really difficult to do.

M: What skills should a photographer have?

R: The technical terms evade me right now. But I think, what was it, being able to frame the shots, imagine or picture how it will look in your head, and all the forward planning and organizational skills related to that. As well as knowing your equipment and its use as well. That will all come in handy.

M: What do you think is the future of photography?

R: I mean, I imagine they'll keep improving cameras in smartphones to the point where separate cameras will become increasingly niche items. Aside from that cameras themselves might become more sophisticated and complex since that's the trend now. Though, what shape that will take remains to be seen. I can't predict the future that way.