What Type of Photographer Are You?

By: Teresa McGlothlin
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
What Type of Photographer Are You?
Image: Jupiterimages / liquidlibrary / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images

About This Quiz

A picture says 1,000 words, but what does it say about the photographer? Throughout this quiz, we're going to take a look at the person taking the pictures rather than studying the pictures themselves. By the time you've filled us in on the way you take those amazing shots, you'll reveal the kind of photography you should give some serious thought to pursuing. 

Not everyone who picks up a DSLR can call themselves a street photographer. It takes a lot more than pointing and shooting to capture the vibe of the moment. The same could be said for other types of photography as well ... not many fashion photographers are known to take photos of babies! Once you set up your tripod and take aim at the questions, your answers will help us develop a solid picture of you. 

Will you live up to your own personal expectations as a photographer, or will something new click? Tell us how you handle bad lighting, the kind of moments you enjoy capturing and the props you can't live without. Then, we'll tell you what type of photographer is inside you dying to get out. Will you be exposed to a new way of looking at your camera? Let's find out? 

Photographer 1
CasarsaGuru / E+ / Getty Images
Do you have the kind of guts it takes to tell people how to pose?
Elbows up! Chin out! Look at me!
If I'm looking for the perfect angle, I could.
I don't really like to tell people what to do.
I like to catch people off guard.

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Photographer 2
Levente Bodo / Moment / Getty Images
You're standing on a beach at sunset. Where are you going to point your lens?
That's a great time to take a selfie.
I'll try to grab a shot of my friends or family.
I'll have to capture that gorgeous sunset.
I'm more likely to focus on a dog that's roaming the beach.

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Photographer 3
Netflix
Which one of these television shows has the best cinematography?
"The Walking Dead"
"The Crown"
"Sons of Anarchy"
"The Handmaid's Tale"

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Photographer 4
mixetto / E+ / Getty Images
How easy would it be for you to pick up a program like Lightroom or Photoshop?
I know enough to do a little editing.
I'm sure I could catch on with a few tutorials.
I'm practically a pro at that stuff.
There are easier apps out there these days.

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Photographer 5
Hillary Kladke / Moment / Getty Images
If you decided to have a photoshoot with the family pet, what would the scene look like?
There would be costumes!
I would have a plain backdrop.
I would take the dog/cat to a scenic location and catch them in their element.
I'm sure it would end up looking like a crime scene.

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Photographer 6
PeopleImages / E+ / Getty Images
When you share photos online, how many do you group together?
I only share the really good ones.
One photo at a time is enough.
I like to share every photo I take.
I don't post online very much.

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Photographer 7
Wiki Commons by Ansel Adams
Are you a bigger fan of Ansel Adams' landscapes or Annie Leibovitz's babies?
You can't compare their styles!
Annie Leibovitz was far more creative.
Ansel Adams is a god.
Vivian Meier is more my style.

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Photographer 8
adamkaz / E+ / Getty Images
Do you ever turn the camera on yourself and take self-portraits?
I always use models.
I do when I'm testing things out.
I only take selfies on my phone.
It's one of my favorite things to do.

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Photographer 9
Petri Oeschger / Moment / Getty Images
Contractions and all — would you humor your best friend and step in as her birth photographer?
That's a little personal for me.
Sure, it will be a good challenge.
I would be honored.
No, but I would love to do the newborn photos.

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Photographer 10
Wiki Commons by Josh Jensen
Out of these celebrities who love practicing photography, which one surprises you the most?
Jeff Bridges
Jessica Lange
Kendall Jenner
Norman Reedus

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Photographer 11
tomch / E+ / Getty Images
How would you begin to correct the light on a cloudy day?
I'll purchase a couple of lights.
I have a reflector for that.
We'll make the most of whatever weather happens.
Cloudy days have the best lighting!

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Photographer 12
mixetto / E+ / Getty Images
What do you tend to notice first about the fashion photos in magazines?
The clothes
The poses
The location
The makeup

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Photographer 13
Wiki Commons by Jacek Halicki
Would you rather go out taking photos with a Nikon or a Canon?
I usually use my phone.
Nikon is the way to go.
I like Leica cameras more.
I've always been loyal to Canon.

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Photographer 14
pchoui / E+ / Getty Images
When you're traveling, what kind of photos do you usually take?
Food photos
Photos of famous landmarks
My travel companions
Local events

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Photographer 15
amriphoto / E+ / Getty Images
Have you yet added a tripod to your photography gear?
I have one of those tripod bean bag things.
It's on my list!
I don't leave home without it.
I prefer holding the camera.

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Photographer 16
firstthingsfirst / E+ / Getty Images
How would you feel about taking photos of a first birthday party?
That's a job for a different photographer.
Sure, I'll give it a shot.
If it were a favor for someone I cared about, I would do it. Otherwise, no.
It depends how much they're paying me.

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Photographer 17
Jules Frazier / Stockbyte / Getty Images
Which one of your eyes do you close when you wink?
My right eye is more dominant.
I close the left eye.
Hold on. I'll try it.
I use one eye more than the other to take photos.

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Photographer 18
Ryan McVay / Photodisc / Getty Images
What do you think could be done to make school photos look more interesting?
Those cheesy backdrops have to go!
They should make them more candid.
Better lighting could really help.
Stop it with the horrible props!

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Photographer 19
Wiki Commons by Man Ray
Are you a fan of photographers like Man Ray and Francesca Woodman?
Who?
Man Ray did some great, if not totally bizarre, stuff.
Neither one of them is really my style.
Francesca Woodman was talented beyond her years.

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Photographer 20
fstop123 / E+ / Getty Images
What kind of prop would you bring to a real estate photo shoot?
The realtor's sign
Fresh flowers
Nursery items
Extra lamps

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Photographer 21
AleksandarGeorgiev / E+ / Getty Images
If you wanted to add an artsy flair to a photo, how would you modify the colors?
I would make it black and white.
Sepia adds a lot of warmth.
Over saturating the colors works well.
There's nothing wrong with adding a little blur.

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Photographer 22
John M Lund Photography Inc / DigitalVision / Getty Images
Do you belong to any local or online photography clubs?
I've been tempted to join one.
Yes, and they're full of inspiration.
I belong to something online.
I'm not that far along in my photography career yet.

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Photographer 23
Nutkamol Komolvanich / Moment / Getty Images
What's the most frustrating part of trying to take photos of the moon?
Fighting mosquitoes
Dodging the clouds
Getting the exposure right
Getting the flash to stay off

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Photographer 24
Maria Fuchs / Cultura / Getty Images
In your opinion, which of these emotions is the hardest to capture on film?
Love
Anger
Sadness
Surprise

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Photographer 25
cnicbc / E+ / Getty Images
Have you spent any time in a darkroom?
I had a class in school with a darkroom.
That would be a dream come true!
I prefer digital photography.
I've watched someone in a darkroom, but I've never tried it.

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Photographer 26
amriphoto / E+ / Getty Images
What would be the best part of being a sports photographer?
The high-speed lenses
The cash they make
I wouldn't enjoy a second of that.
Getting to see the game so close

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Photographer 27
moodboard / Cultura / Getty Images
Could you see yourself becoming a member of the paparazzi?
It could happen.
That's too competitive for me.
I think it's kind of immoral.
I prefer to take more artsy photos.

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Photographer 28
mother image / DigitalVision / Getty Images
Do you frame a lot of the photos you take?
Only the great ones get framed.
I frame a few of the sentimental ones every year.
I have them printed, but I never make it that far.
They never leave my computer.

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Photographer 29
Isabel Pavia / Moment / Getty Images
Before going out to take photos, do you figure out the golden hour?
The what?
I go out when it's most convenient.
It's the only time to take pictures.
I like dramatic times of day like sunrise.

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Photographer 30
Ababsolutum / E+ / Getty Images
Can you survive without using autofocus?
I think I need my eyes checked, but I can.
I couldn't live without it.
I'm getting better when it's turned off.
Who uses autofocus?

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