The topic of photography might come up in part one of your IELTS Speaking test. In this case, you could be asked, ‘Do you like photography?’
Here are some tips on how to answer this question really well, including 10 good example answers (go straight to the answers here).
Photography vs Taking Photos
If someone asks you about photography, it doesn’t only mean ‘taking photos.’
Photography is the creative art of taking beautiful photos and also processing them to make them look amazing. It’s a higher level skill (read example answers about simply ‘taking photos’ here).
So in your answer to this photography question, it’s a good idea to let the examiner know that you understand photography is the art of taking amazing photos.
You might mention the skill of photography or how much you admire this skill in others. For example, you could say:
Yes, I do. I’m not very good at taking photos myself, but I appreciate good photography when I see it in magazines, or online.’
Or:
‘Yes, I do. I’d say I’m quite good at photography. I’ve been practicing taking pictures for years and I understand how to make a photo look stunning.’
See more example answers below.
Try To Be Fast and Fluent
Remember that part one of the speaking test is only meant to warm you up.
So the most important thing is to speak as quickly and fluently as you can, without hesitation.
Don’t pause while you try to think of amazing vocabulary related to photography. Just say anything you can think of, as fluently as you can, without hesitation.
Save the advanced vocabulary for part two when you’ll have more time to think and prepare.
Keep It Short
Don’t ramble (speak for too long) in part one. Keep your answers quite short. About 10 or 20 seconds is fine.
It’s important to know when to stop talking.
You can follow the three-step YES Method to help you with this. Just say:
- Your answer (say ‘yes, I do’ or ‘no, I don’t’)
- Explain your answer (say why you like or dislike photography) or add more details
- Stop talking (wait patiently for the next question)
Here are 10 good example answers. Read them and see if you can borrow some ideas for your own answer.
‘Yes, I Do’ Answers
1. Sure, I’m a big fan of photography. In fact, I took a photography course about six years ago and really enjoyed learning how to take beautiful pictures wherever I go.
2. Yes, I do. I’d say I’m a very visual person and so I really enjoy looking at gorgeous photographs online. I’m not very good at photography myself, but I appreciate the skill of real photographers.
3. Yes, I do. I think photography is one of the most important art forms these days. We all need to have some skill in photography because of social media, which needs lots of great photos.
4. Yes, I do. I love taking photos and I’ve always wanted to learn real photography so I can take even better pictures of myself and my friends.
5. Yes, I do like photography. I remember last year I visited an amazing photography gallery in my city, which had many incredible pictures. They were powerful and I found them quite moving.
‘No, I Don’t’ Answers
6. No, to be honest, I don’t really care about photography. But I do like other forms of art, like painting and creative writing.
7. No, I don’t. I’ve never been interested in photography, either taking photos myself or seeing the photos of other people. I just find it all a bit boring.
8. No, I don’t really like photography, to be frank. I have a few friends who love photography and they take their cameras everywhere they go. But I just can’t get into it.
‘Kind Of’ Answers
9. Well, to be frank, I’m really not into photography. But I do sometimes enjoy the photos of other people. When I’m trying to decide where to travel or where to eat, photos I see online help me to decide.
10. I suppose I’m kind of interested in photography. I like taking photos, although I’m not very skillful. I’d like to learn more about it one day. Perhaps I’ll even take a photography course.
Your Turn To Answer
Turn on your voice recorder and give this question a go yourself. Ask out loud, “Do you like photography?”
Answer clearly and quickly, without hesitation. Use the three-step YES Method and remember to focus on fluency rather than vocabulary and grammar.
When you’ve finished, listen to your recording, and then answer again. Try to improve a little each time.
This is a fantastic way to prepare for a band-seven score in part one of your IELTS Speaking test.