photography / photograph
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photography
The technique, art, or process of creating and editing images with the help of light on a light-sensitive medium.
In ihrem Kurs lernt sie die Grundlagen der digitalen Fotografie.
In her course, she is learning the basics of digital photography.
'Die Fotografie' (photography / photograph) belongs to a word family. Related words are the verb 'fotografieren' (to photograph), the person 'der Fotograf' (male photographer) or 'die Fotografin' (female photographer), and the adjective 'fotografisch' (photographic).
Ein guter Fotograf versteht die technischen und künstlerischen Aspekte der Fotografie.
A good photographer understands the technical and artistic aspects of photography.
In the singular without an article or with 'die', 'Fotografie' usually refers to the art or technique. If someone says 'einer Fotografie' (a photograph) or uses the plural 'Fotografien' (photographs), a single image is meant.
Sie interessiert sich sehr für die Geschichte der Fotografie.
She is very interested in the history of photography.
For a single image, 'das Foto' (photo) is the common word in everyday language. 'Die Fotografie' (the photograph) is used more in a formal, professional, or artistic context, for example in museums or specialist books.
Die Künstlerin nennt ihre Werke nicht einfach Fotos, sondern Fotografien.
The artist does not simply call her works photos, but photographs.
picture / image
'das Bild' and 'die Fotografie' can both mean a single photo. In everyday language, 'Bild' is very general and can also be a drawing, a painting, or another kind of visual representation. 'Fotografie' is more specific: it is an image created by photographing. The word sounds more formal or more artistic than 'Foto'. Learners may confuse the words because a photograph can also be called a 'Bild'. When the way it was created is important, or when the topic is art, 'Fotografie' fits better.
Die Fotografie von der alten Brücke hängt in der Ausstellung.
The photograph of the old bridge is hanging in the exhibition.
Maria hängt ein neues Bild über das Sofa.
Maria hangs a new picture above the sofa.