photography

American  

[fuh-tog-ruh-fee] / fəˈtɒg rə fi /

noun

photographies plural

1. the process or art of producing images of objects on sensitized surfaces by the chemical action of light or of other forms of radiant energy, as x-rays, gamma rays, or cosmic rays.

2. cinematography.

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photography British  

/ fəˈtɒɡrəfɪ /

noun

1. the process of recording images on sensitized material by the action of light, X-rays, etc, and the chemical processing of this material to produce a print, slide, or cine film

2. the art, practice, or occupation of taking and printing photographs, making cine films, etc

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• multiphotography
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• photographies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of photography

First recorded in 1839; photo- + -graphy

Explanation

Photography is the art or process of taking pictures using a camera. If you're very interested in photography, you might want to learn how to develop your own film in a darkroom. You should also practice yelling "Say cheese!" The word photography combines Greek roots phōtos, "light," and graphé, "represent by drawing lines" — so photography is essentially "drawing with light." Since it was invented in the 19th century, the art of capturing images using light has expanded far beyond what the original photographers could have imagined. Today many of us practice photography using our phones. Other advances through the years have included color film, instant photographs, and digital photography, among many others.

Example Sentences

At one point, Weist describes uncovering that former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani maintained a fine-art photography practice while simultaneously waging a highly public censorship battle against the Brooklyn Museum.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 7, 2026

Abraham Lincoln was perhaps the first American politician to understand the power of photography.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 1, 2026

In October 2022, Tobin, who lives near Pasadena, visited the Eastern Sierra town of Lee Vining to learn landscape photography and ended up hearing about — and photographing — the herd.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 30, 2026

Susie said: "What a great way to end such a distinguished career, back in the home of photography."

From BBC • Jun. 28, 2026

It included photography, with the class spending the period learning how to feel comfortable in front of a television camera.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger