Photography is a visual art that reflects the world around us. Photos show the human condition, capture the beauty of nature and record the events of our lives. In some cases, the photo can also convey the pain, anger or disgust of the subject.

Photography is a creative process that requires an artist to be reflective, to have a keen eye and to trust his or her intuition. To be a good photographer, one has to be open to the creative aspects of photography and willing to explore the many different genres of photography.

Often, the most compelling photos are those that are ambiguous. They can suggest other meanings, such as the threat of drought. These are also the photos that elicit the most meaningful feedback from viewers.

When taking a photograph, a photographer’s intent is to create an image that captures the experience of the moment. Some photographers shoot for fun, others for career, and still others for artistic purposes.

A photo can capture the power, grace, sadness or passion of the subject. It can even show the beauty of the place in which it was taken.

A photo can also convey a positive experience. A photo of a beautiful tree in full blossom or a beautiful sunrise can suggest the bounty of Springtime or the potential for danger. Photographs can be used to promote universal notions of family, love, and kindness.

In contrast, a photo of a lion statue can be used to convey wealth or strength. Another example is a photo of a child with its grandparents, which can convey empathy, compassion and universal notions of kinship.