LESSON

3 THE MEDIUM OF ART

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Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the lesson, the students shall be able to:
 Differentiate artworks according to medium; and
 Clarify the role of medium in the creative process.
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Artists find ways to express themselves with almost anything available. It is a stamp of their
creativity to make extraordinary images and objects from various but fairly ordinary materials. From
charcoal, paper and thread to paint, ink and found objects like leaves, artists continue to search for
ways to construct and deliver their message.

This lesson explores traditional and non-traditional mediums associated with two-dimensional
and three-dimensional artworks, time arts/ auditory arts and combined arts.
 Painting and Allied Arts
 Sculpture
 Architecture
 Dance, Music, Literature
 Drama, Theatre and Film

Medium is one of the aspects of art that directly correlates with its composition and presumed
finality of the artwork. Medium is the mode of expression in which the concept, idea, or message is
conveyed. It may be concrete or tangible, such as paintings, sculptures, monuments and structures; or
it may be ephemeral o something transient, such as a track (recording of sound), a film or a
performance. The appreciation or engagement with the artwork is also affected by the medium
spatiotemporally. For concrete works, the objects physically manifest themselves for a prolonged or
lasting period. For ephemeral works, on the other hand, it is durational.

A chosen medium must not be expected to yield the same result. Giving two different artists the
same exact material and the general qualifier or “painting,” the end product will stir vary minimally or in
an exponential scale. This is where techniques come in, as it is the reason why art history is described
by a seemingly limitless example of works of art. The technique of the artwork shows the level of
familiarity with the medium being manipulated. It alludes to the necessity of additional tools or
implements (e.g., hammer and chisel may come in handy for sculptors), or consideration of time (e.g.,
behavior of different kinds of paint especially in drying time requirements), and the specificity of the site
of creation (e.g., indoor or outdoor production requirements).
 LESSON

3.1 PAINTING AND ALLIED ARTS

Medium, which comes from the Latin word “medium”, denotes the means by which an artist
communicates his idea. This are the materials which are used by an artist to interpret his feelings or
thoughts.
On the basis of medium, the arts are primarily classified as visual and auditory. Visual arts
are those whose mediums can be seen and which occupy space.

Two Major Classes/Division of Visual Arts

a. Two-dimensional arts – produces flat (or virtually flat) images

 painting, drawing, printmaking and photography.
b. Three-dimensional arts – incorporates height, width, and depth.
 sculpture, architecture, landscape, community planning, industrial technology, industrial
design, crafts like ceramics and furniture.

The auditory arts are those whose mediums can be heard and which are expressed in time.
These are music and literature. The combined arts are those whose mediums can be both seen and
heard, and these exist in both space and time. These are dance, the opera, the drama, and the movies.
Along with the music, these are also known as the performing arts because each artwork grasps the
meaning of a significant event or similar sequences consisting chiefly of a series of continuous incidents.
Technique is the manner in which the artist controls his medium to achieve the desired effect. It is the
ability with which he fulfils the technical requirements of his particular work of art. It has something to
do with the way he manipulates his medium to express his ideas in the artwork.

Visual arts are those arts that are perceived with our eyes. The most common visual arts are
painting, sculpture, and architecture.

A. Painting
Painting is the art of creating meaningful effects on flat surface by the use pigments.
Different mediums are used in painting. Each medium exerts a pronounced effect on the finished
product, is capable of varied treatment, and determines its own stroke. The materials of the painter
are pigments applied to wet plaster, canvas, wood or paper. (walls, glass, pottery, stones, and
leaves)
MEDIUMS

1. Watercolor
Is a painting method in which the paints are made of pigments
suspended in a water-soluble vehicle. The traditional and most common
support for watercolor painting is paper; other supports include papyrus, bark
papers, plastics, vellum or leather, fabric, wood and canvas.
In East Asia, watercolor painting with ink is referred to as “brush
painting” or “scroll painting”. In Chinese, Korean, Japanese painting, it has
been the dominant medium, often in monochrome black or brown.
The finger-painting with watercolor paints originated in China.
Advantages: Simple and clear spontaneity is its principal essence. Invites brilliance and a variety of
hues.
Disadvantages: Difficult to produce warm and rich tones.

2. Fresco
Is any of several related mural painting types, done on plaster on
walls or ceilings. The word fresco comes from the Italian word Affresco which
derives from the Latin word “fresh”. Frescoes were often made during the
Renaissance and other early time periods. Water is used as the vehicle for
the dry-powder pigment to emerge with the plaster, and with the setting of
the plaster, the painting becomes an integral part of the wall.
Fresco must be done quickly because it is an exacting medium –the
moment the paint is applied to the surface, it becomes an integral part of the
wall. The image becomes permanently fixed and almost impossible to
remove.

3. Tempera
Is a permanent, fast-drying painting medium consisting of colored
pigment mixed with a water-soluble binder medium.
Tempera paintings are very long lasting.
Egg tempera was a primary method of painting until after 1500 when
it was superseded by the invention of oil painting. A paint commonly called
tempera is commonly used and referred to by some manufacturers in
America as poster paint.
Advantages: Produces luminous tones- the colors being clear and beautiful/
Disadvantages: Corrections are difficult to make. Artist must be precise and
exact in his work.
4. Pastel
Is a painting medium in the form of a stick consisting of pure powered
pigment and a binder. The pigments used in pastels are the same as those
used to produce all colored art media, including oil painting.
Textured paper is the most popular surface for pastels. But you can
also use boards, canvas, and even sand paper.
Its preservation requires protective measures such as framing under glass.
Nonetheless, when made with permanent pigments and properly
cared for, a pastel painting may endure unchanged for centuries.
Advantages: Colors are luminous, a very flexible medium.
Disadvantages: Difficulty in preserving the finished product in its original
freshness.

5. Encaustic
Encaustic painting involves using heated bees wax to which
colored pigments are added. The liquid or paste is then applied to a
surface. The simplest encaustic mixture can be made from adding
pigments to bee’s wax. Metal tools and special brushes can be used to
shape the paint before it cools.
6. Oil
Oil painting is the process of painting with pigments that are bound
with a medium of drying oil, such as linseed oil, which was widely used in
early modern Europe. Oil painting were prized for their body and gloss.
In its simplest form, oil painting is a mixture of three things:
Pigments, Binder, and Thinner. Pigment is the colour element, while binder
is the liquid vehicle or carrier which holds the ground-up pigment to be
applied to the canvas or whatever support is to be painted. A thinner is
usually added to the viscous pigment-oil mixture to make it easier to apply
with a brush.
Advantages: Flexibility. Slower drying providing the artists more time to
work with creations and make changes. Creates luminous, hardwearing
colors.
Disadvantages: Hard to move on next stage in painting because of slow
drying.

7. Acrylic
Acrylic paint is a fast-drying paint containing pigment
suspension in acrylic polymer emulsion. Acrylic paints can be diluted
with water, but become water-resistant when dry. Depending on how
much the paint is diluted.
 Acrylic are extremely versatile and vibrant, offering the artist a wide range of textures, colors
and consistencies. Acrylics are also affordable, making them ideal for covering large areas with paint.
Because these paints are opaque and fast drying, they can be very forgiving, allowing you to cover up
mistakes with more paint. They can be painted on almost anything and dry into a water-resistant
surface. The heavy body color of acrylics is buttery and smooth, blending in the canvas almost like oils.
Because they basically dry into a plastic surface, they are ideal for using in multimedia painting as well.

8. Gouache
Is a water-based paint consisting of pigment and other
materials designed to be used in an opaque painting method.
The water particles are larger, the ratio of pigment to water is much
higher.
Pigment such as chalk is also present. This makes gouache
heavier and more opaque, with greater reflective qualities. Like all
water media, it is diluted with water.
 9. Ink
Ink painting are done with a liquid that contains pigments
and dyes and is used to color a surface to produce an image, text
or design. Ink is used for drawing with a pen or brush, ink can be
a complex medium, composed of solvents, pigments, dyes,
solubilizers and other materials.

10. Aerosol
Is a type of paint that comes in a sealed pressurized
container and is released in a fine spray mist when depressing a
value button. It leaves a smooth, evenly coated surface. Standard
size cans are portable, inexpensive and easy to store.
B. MOSAIC. Mosaic art is a picture or decoration made of
small pieces of inlaid colored stones or glass called “tesserae”,
which most often are cut into squares glued on a surface with a
plaster or cement. It is usually classified as painting, although,
the medium used is not strictly pigment.

Mosaic art is an important feature of Byzantine

Churches.

C. Stained Glass. Is an artwork that is common in Gothic

cathedrals and churches. This is made by combining many
small pieces of colored glass which are held together by bands
of lead.

D. Tapestry. This is a fabric consisting of a warp

upon which colored threads are woven by hand to
produce a design, often pictorials, wall hangings and
furniture covering.

E. DRAWING

Drawing is the simplest and most efficient way to communicate visual ideas, and for centuries,
charcoal, chalk, graphite and paper have been adequate enough tools to launch some of the most
profound images in art. Leonardo da Vinci’s The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne and Saint John the
Baptist wraps all four figures together in what is essentially an extended family portrait. Da Vinci draws
the figures in a spectacularly realistic style, one that emphasizes individual identities and surrounds the
figures in a grand, unfinished landscape. He animates the scene with the Christ child pulling himself
forward, trying to release himself from Mary’s grasp to get closer to a young John the Baptist on the
right, who himself is turning toward the Christ child with a look of curious interest in his younger cousin.

The traditional role of drawing was to make sketches for larger compositions to be manifest as
paintings, sculpture or even architecture. Because of its relative immediacy, this function for drawing
continues today. A preliminary sketch by the contemporary architect Frank Gehry captures the complex
organic forms of the buildings he designs. Drawing is also used to readily document what an artist sees,
remembers, or imagines. And drawing, of course, is often used to create finished works of art in their
own right.
Types of Drawing Media

Dry Media

Dry includes charcoal, graphite, chalks and pastels. Each of these mediums gives the artist a
wide range of mark making capabilities and effects, from thin lines to large areas of color and tone. The
artist can manipulate a drawing to achieve desired effects in many ways, including exerting different
pressures on the medium against the drawing’s surface, or by erasure, blotting or rubbing. Different
colors and textures of paper can further increase an artists’ visual options.

This process of drawing can instantly transfer the sense of character to an image. From
energetic to subtle, these qualities are apparent in the simplest works: the immediate and unalloyed
spirit of the artist’s idea. You can see this in the self-portraits of two German artists; Kathe
Kollwitz and Ernst Ludwig Kirchner. Wounded during the first world war, his Self-Portrait Under the
Influence of Morphine from about 1916 presents us with a nightmarish vision of himself wrapped in the
fog of opiate drugs. His hollow eyes and the graphic dysfunction of his marks attest to the power of his
drawing.

Graphite media includes pencils, powder or compressed sticks. Each one creates a range of values
depending on the hardness or softness inherent in the material. Hard graphite tones range from light to
dark gray, while softer graphite allows a range from light gray to nearly black. French sculptor Gaston
Lachaise’s Standing Nude with Drapery is a pencil drawing that fixes the energy and sense of
movement of the figure to the paper in just a few strokes. And Steven Talasnik’s contemporary large-
scale drawings in graphite, with their swirling, organic forms and architectural structures are testament
to the power of pencil (and eraser) on paper.

Gaston Lachiase, Standing Nude with Drapery, 1891. Graphite and ink on paper. Honolulu Academy of Arts. Licensed under
Creative Commons.
 Charcoal, perhaps the oldest form of drawing media,
is made by simply charring wooden sticks or small
branches, called vine charcoal, but is also available in
a mechanically compressed form. Vine charcoal
comes in three densities: soft, medium and hard, each
one handling a little different than the other. Soft
charcoals give a more velvety feel to a drawing. The
artist doesn’t have to apply as much pressure to the
stick in order to get a solid mark. Hard vine charcoal
offers more control but generally doesn’t give the
darkest tones. Compressed charcoals give deeper
blacks than vine charcoal, but are more difficult to
manipulate once they are applied to paper.

Charcoal drawings can range in value from light grays to rich, velvety blacks. A charcoal
drawing by American artist Georgia O’Keeffe is a good example.

Pastels are essentially colored chalks usually

compressed into stick form for better handling.
They are characterized by soft, subtle changes in
tone or color. Pastel pigments allow for a resonant
quality that is more difficult to obtain with graphite
or charcoal. Picasso’s Portrait of the Artist’s
Mother from 1896 emphasizes these q ualities.

More recent developments in dry media are oil pastels, pigment mixed with an organic oil
binder that deliver a heavier mark and lend themselves to more graphic and vibrant results. The
drawings of Beverly Buchanan reflect this. Her work celebrates rural life of the south centered in the
forms of old houses and shacks. The buildings stir memories and provide a sense of place, and are
usually surrounded by people, flowers and bright landscapes. She also creates sculptures of the
shacks, giving them an identity beyond their physical presence.

Wet Media

Ink: Wet drawing media traditionally refers to ink but really includes any substance that can be put into
solution and applied to a drawing’s surface. Because wet media is manipulated much like paint –
through thinning and the use of a brush – it blurs the line between drawing and painting. Ink can be
applied with a stick for linear effects and by brush to cover large areas with tone. It can also be diluted
with water to create values of gray. The Return of the Prodigal Son by Rembrandt shows an expressive
use of brown ink in both the line qualities and the larger brushed areas that create the illusion of light
and shade.

Felt tip pens are considered a form of wet media. The ink is saturated into felt strips inside the pen
then released onto the paper or other support through the tip. The ink quickly dries, leaving a permanent
mark. The colored marker drawings of Donnabelle Casis have a flowing, organic character to them. The
abstract quality of the subject matter infers body parts and viscera.
 Other liquids can be added to drawing media to enhance effects – or create new ones. Artist
Jim Dine has splashed soda onto charcoal drawings to make the surface bubble with effervescence.
The result is a visual texture unlike anything he could create with charcoal alone, although his work is
known for its strong manipulation. Dine’s drawings often use both dry and liquid media. His subject
matter includes animals, plants, figures and tools, many times crowded together in dense, darkly
romantic images.

Traditional Chinese painting uses water-based inks and pigments. In fact, it is one of the oldest
continuous artistic traditions in the world. Painted on supports of paper or silk, the subject matter
includes landscapes, animals, figures and calligraphy, an art form that uses letters and script in fluid,
lyrical gestures.

Two examples of traditional Chinese painting are seen below. The first, a wall scroll painted by
Ma Lin in 1246, demonstrates how adept the artist is in using ink in an expressive form to denote figures,
robes and landscape elements, especially the strong, gnarled forms of the pine trees. There is
sensitivity and boldness in the work. The second example is the opening detail of a copy of “Preface to
the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion” made before the thirteenth century. Using ink and brush,
the artist makes language into art through the sure, gestural strokes and marks of the characters.

Ma Lin, Wall Scroll, ink on silk. 1246 Used under GNU Free Documentation License

Opening detail of a copy of Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion. Before the thirteenth century. Hand
scroll, ink on paper. The Palace Museum, Beijing. Licensed through Creative Commons.
 Drawing is an artform in its own right as well as a foundation for other two and three-dimensional
works of art, even being incorporated with digital media that expands the idea of its formal expression.
The art of Matthew Ritchie starts with small abstract drawings. He digitally scans and projects them to
large scales, taking up entire walls. Ritchie also uses the scans to produce large, thin three-dimensional
templates to create sculptures out of the original drawings.

F. Printmaking. A print is anything printed on a surface that is a direct result from duplicating process.
Ordinarily, the painting of graphic image, is done in black ink or white paper and becomes the artist’s
plate. One of the advantages of printmaking is the process of making many copies of the original
drawing. Today, printmaking maybe categorized as painting because it has long been acknowledged
as an independent art.

Five Major Types of Prints.

1. Woodcut – this is made from a piece of wood. The

design stands as a relief, the remaining surface of the block
being cut away. A woodblock prints just as do the letters of
a typewriter. The lines of the design are wood, so they are
not very fine. Woodcuts can be identified because of their
firm, clear and black lines.

2. Engraving – This is the art of forming designs by cutting,

corrosion by acids. Once the lines of the drawing have been cut
out of the copper, the plate is inked. Then the surface is wiped
clean, leaving only the incisions containing ink. The plate is then
put into a printing-press, along with a sheet of paper. The paper
picks up the impression of the ink from the grooves, thus
completing the print.

3. Relief - Printmaking relief is one of the categories of

printmaking where the method includes using a block of wood,
linoleum, or matrix. The design is etched on the surface of
these blocks and matrix.

The ink is then applied to the surface using a roller. The

recesses areas will remain ink-free. Thus, when contact with
the paper, the ink is transferred, leaving the recessed area
ink-free. This is when the image is created.
 4. Intaglio - This printmaking technique is the reverse of relief
printmaking. Rather than leaving the recessed area ink-free, the
sunken area holds the ink. The images are then transferred using a
heavy roller.

5. Stencil Printing - Stencil printing transfers patters or design

using a brush, spray. The ink or paint is then brushed and sprayed
on the open areas of the stencil cut made from metal or
cardboard.

G. Photography as Art Form

Since its invention photography has affected how the world views and consumes history, as
well as everyday life. A photograph is capable of not only capturing a brief moment in time, but can
represent an entire social movement or be a catalyst for change.

A Brief History
Joseph Nicéphore Niépce is widely created with creating the first stable photographic image
through camera obscura in 1826. Requiring several days of exposure time, the images lacked clarity
on the silver nitrate-coated paper used to produce them. Wanting to improve upon the resulting image,
Niépce partnered with Louis Daguerre. After Niépce’s death in 1833, Daguerre would go on to create
daguerréotype images, named after himself, which reduced exposure time and created sharper, more
stable pictures. His daguerréotype process was commercially released in 1839 and popularized
photographic technology among the middle classes.
Paper based-methods first developed by Henry Fox Talbot in the late 19 th century would
eventually replace the metal-based daguerréotype. The first commercially-available color photography
process, Autochrome, was released in 1907 and was based on innovations by Louis Ducos Hauron and
Charles Cros. Although readily available, it wasn’t until Kodachrome film offered a more affordable and
quicker process in 1936 that color photography was widely used among the public. Introduced by
Dycam, digital photography would enter the public in 1990 and go on to revolutionize the way the public
took and consumed images.

Techniques
Photography as an art form arose from advancements in technology which allowed
photographers to manipulate their images to fit their artistic expression. Photographers are able to
drastically change the outcome of an image through choosing various cameras, lenses, film, and the
framing and timing of a shot. Filters, studio lighting, various darkroom processes, and digital
enhancement add even more tools for photographers to manipulate their images.
 The equipment and techniques chosen largely depend on the genre, the photographer’s
individual style, and the overall tone they are attempting to achieve. Portrait photographers wishing to
make an individual subject the focal point for a shot may use a large aperture for a shallow depth of
field to put their subject in focus while keeping the background blurred. Landscape photographers
wanting to clearly capture an entire panoramic view may choose the opposite.
Choosing black and white over color gives a timeless quality to photos and brings elements
such as line, texture, and tone to the forefront. The choice of black and white (or another monotone
process) may also help lead the eye away from elements that may distract from the photographer’s
intended focus. Though some photography purists insist on forgoing digital enhancement of any kind,
many choose to use it to retouch imperfections and enhance color, among other effects.

Mediums of Photography/ Different Types of Camera

Compact Digital Cameras

Compact digital cameras literally allow anyone to capture beautiful images by simply pointing
the camera at the subject and clicking the shutter. Also known as a point-and-shoot camera, it is the
most user-friendly of all camera types. It is smaller and lighter, doesn’t require film or extra lenses,
and does all the hard work of automatically adjusting its settings to deliver well-exposed photos every
time. You won’t have the freedom of adjusting the settings to your liking, but with a good artistic eye
and a knack for composition, you should have no problem producing great photos

This walk-around digital camera is incredibly handy and surprisingly very durable, which is why
you’ll probably still see people using their Canon and Sony digital compact cameras from over a decade
ago. It fits right in your pocket or a small camera pouch, so it’s the perfect choice for photography
enthusiasts who want to have the convenience of being able to take higher resolution snapshots
(compared to most smartphone cameras) whenever, wherever.
Pros: Cons:
 Very user-friendly  Usually can’t customize shutter speed and
 Light and compact aperture
 No need for film or extra lenses  Limited aperture and zoom range
 Full auto mode  Noisier photos due to small sensor
 More affordable  Lower resolution
 Slower focus

Digital SLR Cameras

DSLR (or digital single lens reflex) cameras take photos to the next level of image quality. This
more “serious” type of camera is best known for delivering remarkably sharp and spectacular images,
with beautiful background broken, and even high-resolution videos with the help of their advanced
sensors, manual settings, and wide range of interchangeable lenses.
Today, professional photographers and videographers from around the world mostly use
DSLRs (now alternatively known as hybrid single reflex lens cameras or HDSLR) for commercial
purposes. Many of Canon’s and Nikon’s DSLR cameras are being used for capturing hi-res images for
magazines and billboards, and even full HD 1080p videos at up to 60fps for television shows and
movies.
Pentax DSLRs are also well-known for being the perfect camera buddy for shooting under the
most difficult weather situations. While they are considered high-end, there are more affordable entry-
level DSLRs for beginners. They are suitable for almost every kind of photography out there, so literally
anyone—from hobbyists to event and sports photographers—can opt for this type of camera.
There are two types of DSLRs: the full-frame or 35mm, and the crop sensor or APS-C. A full-frame
DSLR camera has a 36x24mm sensor, which typically yields better image quality and low-light
capability. They also tend to be more expensive than their crop sensor counterparts, which covers less
of the image projected by the lens due to the smaller sensor.

Pros: Cons:
 Fully customizable settings  Bigger and bulkier
 Large sensors for cleaner images  Higher cost
 Optical viewfinder  Requires ample know-how
 High-resolution photo output
 Full HD to UHD video output
 Wide variety of camera body and lens choices

Mirrorless Cameras

Mirrorless cameras are the latest in professional cameras—they are basically more compact
DSLRs without the internal mirror that reflects light onto the sensor.

What’s interesting about mirrorless cameras is that they are now capable of capturing
incredible, high-resolution images with even faster shutter speeds and record ultra HD videos that only
the most expensive, higher-end DSLRs can produce.
 The main reason why many still prefer DSLRs, however, is that they have access to a bigger
collection of lenses. However, mirrorless cameras are great investments considering their growing
collection of lenses.
Overall, it’s a combination of two popular types of digital cameras—a point-and-shoot for its
compact size and somewhat simpler controls, and a DSLR for its interchangeable lenses and
impressive output.
Similar to the DSLR, mirrorless cameras also come in two types: full-frame and crop sensor.

Pros:
Cons:
 Electronic viewfinder
 Shorter battery life
 Smaller and lighter
 Slower autofocus
 Simpler operation and controls
 Fewer lenses and accessories
 Faster and better for video
 Higher video quality even in lower-end models
 Shoots more images at faster shutter speeds

Action Cameras

We’ve definitely seen the abundance and rising popularity of action cameras in the past few
years, and it’s not hard to see why. Common action cameras like the GoPro can fit in the palm of your
hand, but they’re some of the most durable and versatile types of digital cameras that offer very high-
resolution output.

A wide range of accessories like waterproof housing and mounts allow the user to attach action
cameras to helmets, bicycles, and even drones, which enable hands-free shooting in different types of
situations. This opens up a whole new world of photographic possibilities, as this type of camera allows
you to capture impressive wide-angle photos and videos with sound from almost any angle and
environment, whether underwater or on top of a mountain.
 If you’re the adventurous or sporty type and simply want to take breathtaking photos and videos
that will “take you back” to those moments, action cameras are for you.

Pros: Cons:
 Rugged and compact  Viewfinder too small, if available
 Lightweight  Exposure setting not fully customize
 Versatile and mountable on almost any surface  Fixed focus
 Remote view and shutter via smartphone  Limited digital zoom

360 Cameras

The 360-degree camera takes half dome to full-circle panoramic photos and videos using back-
to-back lenses. Like action cameras, some of them are also water resistant and mountable on many
surfaces, such as on top of cars, helmets, or drones. Above all, they take the most realistic pictures and
videos with stunning panoramic views that you can truly immerse yourself in, virtual reality style.

It’s a very good camera choice for taking vacation photos that you can proudly show off to your
loved ones and on social media. After all, we still can’t get enough of this new Google Streetview-style
photography and videography. However, because of its non-traditional output, images cannot be printed
unless they are cropped as a rectangular panoramic frame.
 It can also be a challenge to produce perfect panoramic shots because a lot can go wrong with
the image stitching and composition (especially since it’s hard to hide the camera director in the shots).
But when it works, the results can be truly exceptional.

While mostly geared toward hobbyists, professional photographers can also benefit from this
type of camera if they wish to create highly unique, immersive digital photos that allow them to capture
a certain scene from all angles.

Pros: Cons:
 Small and lightweight  Lower resolution
 Versatile and mountable on almost any surface  Sensitive to camera shake and blurring
 Takes very realistic 360-degree photos and videos  Fixed focus
 Allows live view or streaming  Limed digital “pinch” zoom, if available
 Can be challenging to frame shots
 For digital viewing only

Film Cameras
Film cameras may seem outdated in our new digital world, but they are by no means obsolete.
Today’s film cameras provide more artistic output than ever before. Much to the delight of film
photography enthusiasts, there are still classic 35mm film cameras being sold today with improved
bodies and enhanced capabilities.

The younger generation has learned to love film cameras, thanks to the birth of instant and
Lomography cameras, which produces (and sometimes prints out) vintage-style photos with vignettes
and Instagram-style “filters” with every click of the shutter. Rangefinder cameras, which manually
measure subject distance, have been improved while retaining the vintage body and analog settings.
 Medium format film cameras provide an even bigger surface frame (up to 4 times bigger than
the usual 35mm, but smaller than large format) and is widely-used by gallery artists for its capability to
develop huge prints without losing image quality and to capture natural-looking, wide-angle shots as
our eyes actually see them in the real world.

Film cameras obviously require more hard work in achieving your desired images, but they are
loved for their unmatched ability to produce gorgeous, artistic photos that are great for galleries and
photo albums.

Pros: Cons:
 Image resolution and size (for medium  Analog settings
and large format)  Expensive and recurring film cost
 Beautiful, artistic photos  No internal light meter
 Vintage-looking hardware  Risk of parallax, focus and exposure errors
 Cheap, good quality lenses

Bridge Cameras
 A bridge camera is a type of camera many people choose when they get more serious about
photography. You may have discovered you love taking pictures. Is using your phone or compact
camera limiting? Bridge cameras are far more capable and without the limitations of smaller cameras.
At a glance, a bridge camera with a viewfinder looks like a DSLR camera. However, despite
their likeness, there are significant differences. They are smaller, lighter, and easier to handle. Picking
up your first bridge camera can be an ideal way to embark on developing your love for photography.
Bridge cameras fill the gap in quality between phones and compacts and the first two types of
cameras on our list. The size of the sensor is not as big as in most DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. It
is though, bigger than you’ll find in compact cameras and phones.
This type of camera has a fixed lens. You cannot swap it out for another lens. All bridge cameras
have zoom lenses. The higher end models have zooms with an incredible range, from very wide to
ultra-tele-photo.
Pros:
Cons:
 Small and light
 Lens quality
 Easy to use
 Battery life
 Versatile zoom lenses
 Lower image quality than mirrorless or DSLR
 Affordable
 Moe difficult to control manually
 Reasonable size sensor

Smartphone Cameras

You know what they say, “The best camera is the one you have with you”. There’s no doubt
that the smartphone camera has been the widespread choice of photography for everyone, the
smartphone camera is the most popular choice of camera for everyone, everywhere. The main reasons
are because they are so easy to use and they are always with us. Mobile photography may get a bad
rep, but when it’s the only camera you have on you, it can get the job done surprisingly well.
Storing all your photos in your device and having the option to upload them immediately also
appeals to many people. You can capture all the candid moments, landscapes, and portraits without
much effort. With new iPhones and Androids coming out every year, the quality of smartphone cameras
has improved dramatically.
 Another cool addition to smartphone photography is the use of lenses for your iPhone, Android,
Google Pixel 4, or Huawei. This is a smart choice for keen photographers looking for different
perspectives. From macro, fisheye, to telephoto lenses, you can easily clip on these little lenses to your
mobile device. They provide more flexibility than the standard lens on the phone. Quality may not always
be so great.

Pros: Cons:
 Small, lightweight, and versatile  Limited settings and functions
 Convenience  Small sensors
 Easy storage and cloud backup  No Manual control
 Add-on lenses  Image Quality
 Great selection of accessories

Instant Cameras/ Polaroid Cameras

Compact instant cameras are back and they’re definitely a fun option. Instant cameras are not
only fun and easy to use, but there are different types available when it comes to “instant” photography.
They cover a wide spectrum of photography styles. These range from toyish point-and-shoots
to advanced instant cameras, Polaroids, and more. Instant cameras are like a hybrid of vintage analog
and digital photography. So you’re getting the best of both worlds when you use them!

Some of the most popular instant cameras you’ll find on the market are Fujifilm, Polaroid, Leica,
Canon, and Lomography. The Fujifilm Instax Minis are quite popular, as well as the Polaroid One Step
models. Whichever one you decide to go with, we’re sure you’ll have plenty of fun with this type of
camera.

Pros: Cons:
 Compact design  Can be expensive
 Easy to use  Film can be pricey
 A fun way to snap photos  No interchangeable lens
 Prints instantly  Limited control settings
Medium Format Cameras
Back in the day, photographers used medium format cameras with 120mm films. But
nowadays, medium format camera is a different type of camera. It is now replaced with a digital medium
format back with a sensor size similar to 120mm film. There aren’t many in the market due to its higher
price point and its niche market. However, these cameras are incredibly powerful and targeted for
enthusiasts and pro photographers.

Modern medium format cameras have transformed in every way. From size, price, image
quality, portability, and design. You may even dismiss some as a DSLR since they look so portable. So
what makes them so powerful?
Medium format cameras have very large sensors. They produce higher image resolution than
full-frame cameras. We’re talking 50-100 megapixels with in body stabilisation. The resulting images
are stunningly detailed and higher quality than in a full-frame DSLR or mirrorless camera.
Some popular brands that sell medium format cameras include Fujifilm, Hasselblad, and Leica.
Pros: Cons:
 Large sensor size (120mm)  Very expensive
 Low light noise  Can be quite bulky and heavy
 Shallow depth of field  Slower auto-focus
 Interchangeable lens
 Wide dynamic range
 Excellent image quality

Rugged Cameras
 Here, the difference is in the build quality. Rugged cameras are all-weather and all-terrain
cameras targeted towards adventurers. So, even if you drop the camera from a height or into water. It
will be able to withstand the fall to an extent

Underwater Cameras / Waterproof Cameras

Waterproof cameras come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and vary massively in price, from
cheap and cheerful fixed lens cameras to give to your kids to take into the sea with them on holiday, to
more serious interchangeable lens cameras designed to be taken on underwater adventures.
Waterproof disposable film cameras can be a lot of fun on holiday, providing an affordable
means of capturing moments when you need to leave your smartphone somewhere safe and dry.
For more serious underwater photography, you might want to consider a waterproof point and
shoot camera. These are slightly chunkier than regular compact cameras because of the additional
sealing.
Most different types of cameras meant for underwater use with or without cases can be taken
down to maximum depths of 15 to 30 meters.
There are also underwater cameras designed specifically for scuba divers to take with them to
capture sea creatures and shipwrecks, some of which come complete with a lighting rig.
Most action cameras are now waterproof down to a depth of around 10 meters, and any that
aren’t can be put inside a watertight housing.