Photography Question?

Question

My teacher was asking me, "What seems to be the favored subject matter of the photographer?" but i didn't understand, please kindly explain it to me. Thank you!

Answer 1

Subject matter is what the photographer enjoys/is best at photographing. You can tell this from multiple of the selected photographers' pictures, as some photographers tend to stick to one subject matter. General subject matters include People (portraits), Animals, Landscapes, or even mediums such as black and white or color.

Answer 2

That question does not have a right or wrong answer. I believe she was just asking your opinion, base on your observation.

By "favorite" she may have meant the subjects most often seen by you and your peers. It may be that she assumed you were familiar with specific photographers and their favorite subjects.

Consider this. What is the most common subject a portrait studio photographer shoots? Obviously, it would probably be portraits. What does a photographer, working with a home design magazine, most often take while working? Interiors. What do paparazzi shoot? Wildlife photographer? NASA scientists?

So, the answer may depend on what images you have been exposed to. If most of your reading material, outside of school is limited to People Magazine, or others of its type, you will not see as many images of hot rods and motorcycles another student may favor. If you, like me, DEVOUR National Geographics, and Smithsonian Magazines, you will see a LOT more pics of bugs, Estonian farmers, and Arial shots of frozen tundra than most other people.