fotografieren
to photograph
To take a picture of something or someone with a camera, smartphone, or similar device.
EXAMPLE
Sie liebt es, auf Reisen alte Gebäude zu fotografieren.
She loves photographing old buildings when she travels.
fotografieren
to photograph
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Meanings
Usage tips
Verb ending '-ieren'
The ending '-ieren' is typical of many verbs that come from international or Latin words. The word 'fotografieren' (to photograph) is derived from 'Fotografie' (photography), which literally means 'writing with light'.
EXAMPLE
Viele deutsche Verben enden auf „-ieren“, zum Beispiel „studieren“ oder „reparieren“.
Many German verbs end in '-ieren', for example 'studieren' (to study) or 'reparieren' (to repair).
Use with the accusative
The thing or person being photographed is always in the accusative. You ask: Wen oder was fotografierst du? (Whom or what are you photographing?)
EXAMPLE
Im Urlaub habe ich den Sonnenuntergang fotografiert.
On vacation, I photographed the sunset.
Sich fotografieren lassen
When another person takes a photo of you, you use the construction 'sich fotografieren lassen' (to have one's photo taken). This is a very common and useful phrase.
EXAMPLE
Wir haben uns vor dem Brandenburger Tor fotografieren lassen.
We had our photo taken in front of the Brandenburg Gate.
Compare with
fotografieren vs aufnehmen
to record / take in
Fotografieren clearly means creating an image with a camera or a similar device. Aufnehmen is more general and can also refer to other images or sounds; when it refers to a photo, the meaning is usually made clear by words such as Foto or Bild.
fotografieren
Für den Ausweis fotografiert die Mitarbeiterin den Besucher mit der Kamera.
For the ID card, the employee photographs the visitor with the camera.
aufnehmen
Für den Ausweis nimmt die Mitarbeiterin mit der Kamera ein neues Foto auf.
For the ID card, the employee takes a new photo of the visitor with the camera.
In real life
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