Photography Shot Types Research

Shot types and framing in regional magazine photography is important as it can affect genre and audience representation. Ensuring that landscape photography fits convention and fits the themes attached to the magazine is pivotal in terms of the success of my magazine.

Regarding shot type and subject a landscape images, most regional magazines opt for basic, traditional landscape images - for Cornwall Today that's images of Cornwall's beautiful landscape. Occasionally Cornwall Today will include a subject to the image, this often correlates to the main article story of the specific issue. For example, appearing in the foreground could be a harbour, with boats taking the centre stage, or in other cases tin mine ruins and traditional landmarks. By focusing on the natural scenery, extremely wide shots and very wide shots are used in the form of majestic landscape images.

With concern to the different styles of landscape photography, and the way that shot types affects this, there are three main styles which are presented across the photographic range - representational, impressionistic and abstract. Representation landscape images are ones which are most natural and perhaps traditional in terms of photographic ideas. These images avoid props and artificial elements, whereas the photographer will focus on shot style, framing and lighting. Impressionistic landscape images present a sense of surrealism. This is where the audience is presented with an image which shows an impression of a landscape image, as oppose to a traditional image. This is maybe where specific photographic techniques are used, or where short type effects the audience's perception. Finally, abstract landscape photography shots present elects of the landscape as graphic components. Sometimes, the photographer explores a themes which may seem counterintuitive to place emphasis on.

Below are two examples of shot types which I will be required to explore throughout my landscape photographic journey.

Extremely Wide Shot

Very Wide Shot