Rank your favourite kinds of photos to take — landscapes, people, food, pets, selfies — and tell me why.

B Natural answer

My ranking is landscapes first, then people, food, pets, and selfies. Landscapes are the easiest for me because they give you space to slow down and notice composition. If I am outside early in the morning, I like to tell a story with the frame instead of just showing a pretty view. People photos come second because they can be very honest when someone forgets the camera is there. I am more interested in expression than perfection, so I try to work with movement rather than freeze everything. Food is next, mainly because restaurants already create good color and shape, so the job is half done for you. Pets are lower only because they are harder to control, but that can also make the pictures more fun. Selfies are last for me. I will take them when I need one, but I do not usually spend much time setting them up. They are mostly just proof that I was there, which is fine, but not the kind of photo I get excited about. I think I prefer shots that feel like records of a place, not just a quick upload.

Key phrases in this answer

• tell a story — make an image suggest a narrative or situation“That street shot really tells a story.”
• work with movement — use motion creatively instead of fighting it“In street photos, I work with movement instead of freezing everything.”
• proof that I was there — a simple record that you visited or attended“The selfie was just proof that I was there.”
• catch people naturally — photograph people in a relaxed, unposed way“I try to catch people naturally when they forget the camera.”
• play with light — use light in a creative way“I like to play with light near a window.”
• look at things differently — notice new or unusual angles and meanings“Landscape photos make me look at things differently.”