What's the hardest type of photography?

[William W]

Don't forget the oceans and the skies.

. . . and outer space and inside the earth and inside people and animals too.

WW

[gregj1763]

Photography for me is what I do to relax. Sports, macro, landscapes, wildlife, portraits etc all present me with problems to contend with which I must sort out to get an image I'm happy with. Most of the time I get the shot and if I don't its a learning curve for next time and its no big deal.
Then WHY! have I started doing weddings you ask. Even at this stage, just for friends it can be stressful. One chance, that's all you get. I must be nuts or just love pressure situations
Saying that, I did one last Friday and apart from a couple of difficult lighting situations which caused me a bit of concern it all went fairly well. I'm about half way through the editing of the images at the moment and they are looking pretty good so far.
Yours stressfully, Greg

[NorthernFocus]

Photography for me is what I do to relax. ....Then WHY! have I started doing weddings you ask. ...

If that's what you call fun, I understand that sleeping on bare concrete, ice cold showers, and using pepper spray to clear you sinuses are all delightful by comparison.

[nimitzbenedicto]

Hardest?

Easy.

Shooting something/type/subject/location you don't like.

[Bobobird]

Regarding forensic photography.

There are 2 streams to that. One in the lab setting at the coroner. The other and really difficult one at the scene.

Both can be harrowing early experiences for the photographer but they get used to it.

[pnodrog]

The hardest photography I have ever done was taking photographs for a catalogue of artwork for a gallery. The person who was approving the photographs was a French trained art preservation and restoration expert who was very very exacting over colour accuracy.

Outdoor weddings in bright sunlight comes a distant second.

[dubaiphil]

The hardest type of photography?

Paid work where you try to constantly maintain or better your standards (because if you're not then frankly should should be trying something different to get out of your comfort zone, or quite happily milking a cash cow for all its worth!)

For me, the most difficult type is anything where you are trying to make an image that someone else (not necessarily photographically minded) has envisioned for a project.

[AB26]

I do not believe there is any one particular field of photography that is more difficult than any other.
One particular field may be more difficult to master.
Once you have mastered any field of Photography by gaining enough knowledge and skill ( and using the right equipment) it becomes easier and easier as you gain more knowledge and skill.

The hardest field must be Diamond Photography.

[William W]

Regarding forensic photography:

There used NOT to be two streams.
There are still NOT two streams, in some places around the world.

BUT - MORE IMPORTANTLY: the point is that some Photographers do NOT 'get used to it'.
On this point: I am emphatic.

I could cite specific examples by name; but I don't think such is either called for nor should it be necessary.
Perhaps, merely commenting that outcomes such as: divorce; alcoholism and suicide are linked, shall be sufficient.

I cannot envisage what would drive any human person to wish to argue this point: let alone punctuate what appears to be a casual and unsubstantiated statement, with a smiley face!
Such a script beggars description.

Disgusting.

WW

[Bobobird]

I was going to respond but you do not deserve one.

[NorthernFocus]

...the point is that some Photographers do NOT 'get used to it'.
...

Relative to the issues involved, photography is no different than any other profession that makes one aware of the suffering of others, either due to accident or at the hand of one's fellows. Everyone who pursues said professions, voluntarily or otherwise, must find a way to cope. "Getting used to it" really is just one method of doing so. We all react differently. That's not inherintly good or bad, just different.

[RustBeltRaw]

...the point is that some Photographers do NOT 'get used to it'.

I'm not sure how one could ever get used to covering that side of world. No matter how long you do it, I would hope that horrific events would never become "normal." Even war photography is probably easier, and to me, war photogs are among today's greatest heroes.

I'll be raising my next pint to forensic photogs. I never really thought about how tough their jobs are.