Describe A Photo That You Took And Are Proud Of: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

When did you take this photo?
What type of camera did you use?
Who was in the photo?
Explain why you are proud of this photo.

79 unique answers with expert feedback

What inspired you to take up photography as a hobby?

I was inspired by my father's encouragement and the joy I felt when capturing moments. The thrill of freezing time in a photograph and sharing it with others made me want to explore photography further.

How do you choose the subjects for your photographs?

I usually choose subjects that catch my eye or evoke emotions. Whether it's a beautiful landscape, a candid moment, or celestial bodies, I look for things that tell a story or capture a feeling.

What challenges do you face in photography?

One challenge is not having professional equipment, which limits the detail I can capture. Additionally, finding the right moment and lighting can be tricky, but I enjoy the learning process and improving my skills.

Band 7

00:00

A photo that I took and I was very proud of was one which I took last year during summer vacation when I went to Manali. It was a scenic picture and it was incredibly beautiful. The mountains were perfectly placed, perfectly angled, the waterfall was flowing from the center, the clouds perfectly aligned, a little bit of sunshine falling on the mountains and you could see that slight shine of the waterfall and the picture was just so calm and scenic and peaceful. When you looked at it, you could feel that we were truly in heaven. So that was something that I was very proud of at that moment.

Follow up questions

What inspired you to take that photo?

I was inspired by the breathtaking beauty of the landscape. The combination of the mountains, waterfall, and clouds created a perfect scene that I wanted to capture. It felt like a moment of tranquility that I wanted to remember forever.

How do you feel when you look at that photo now?

Every time I look at that photo, I feel a sense of peace and nostalgia. It reminds me of the joy and relaxation I experienced during my vacation in Manali. It also makes me appreciate the beauty of nature and the moments that bring happiness.

Have you taken any other memorable photos? What are they?

Yes, I've taken several memorable photos, including one of a sunset at the beach and another of my family during a picnic. Each photo holds special memories and emotions, capturing moments that I cherish and want to look back on.

Band 7

00:00

A photo I took that I'm very proud of is a photo I took on a trip to Jammu and Kashmir when I was 13 or 14, this was the summer of 2016-2017, I was in the 10th grade. This was the first time I realised that a certain amount of pain is okay in order to get fulfilment and satisfaction because the beauty of the snow of the Himalayas for a wondrous 16-year-old who had never seen snow before was impeccable, the joy was insurmountable. We had lost our belongings, we had gone through a lot to get to this point. I was on a horse with so much pain and there were hailstorms, it was cold, I'm from a place which does not get cold and this amount of cold and this amount of pain in order to see something so beautiful did not seem worthwhile when we started the trip but by the end of it when I took this photo on this old Nokia smartphone in a time where smartphones did not fully take off in the part of the country I'm from, taking this with my own hands with perspective changed something in me, it gave me perspective on life that sometimes things that are worthwhile take time, they take patience, they take pain and you have to go through all of this to reach a destination so beautiful. I treasure it so deeply and it is so old, it is not a good photo objectively speaking, it doesn't have light, it's not perfect, the snow is still bright but it shows a change, a point in time where everything turned, a point in time when I started appreciating the beauty of nature and beauty of things around me and the beauty of the journey and not the destination.

Follow up questions

What inspired you to take that photo during your trip?

I was inspired to take the photo because the beauty of the snow-covered Himalayas was breathtaking. It was my first experience with snow, and I wanted to capture that moment of joy and realization about the effort it took to get there. It felt important to document that feeling.

How has that photo influenced your perspective on life?

The photo has influenced my perspective by teaching me that worthwhile experiences often come with challenges. It reminded me that patience and perseverance can lead to beautiful outcomes, and that sometimes the journey itself is more valuable than the destination.

Do you often take photos during your travels? Why or why not?

Yes, I often take photos during my travels because they help me capture memories and emotions. Each photo tells a story and allows me to relive those moments. I believe that photography is a powerful way to appreciate the beauty around us and reflect on our experiences.

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Band 7

00:00

So I'll talk about a photo that I took couple of years back and I'm really proud of it. I'm not a photographer nor do I have interest in photography but there was one incident where me and my husband had gone to Pondicherry couple of years back and we were sitting on the beach and we envisioned the most beautiful sunset that we had ever seen in our life. The place that we were sitting at was a very clean beach with a vision of a very clear horizon. We could see the ocean and the sun meeting and the sun was getting submerged in the ocean with a bit of cloud in between. As the sunset was happening, I could capture all the shades of orange and red undertones. The hues that were captured in the picture was just perfect and I was grateful enough because I did not have people on the beach. So it was a very private affair that we had which helped us capture that perfect photo. After that incident, my husband actually thought that I'm a very good photographer and he went ahead and got me a DSLR and I have been capturing photos ever since. However, going back to that incident, I would say I could never capture a much perfect sunset ever in my life and that was primarily because we were at the right location at the right

Follow up questions

What emotions did you feel while taking that photo?

While taking that photo, I felt a deep sense of peace and happiness. The beauty of the sunset and the serene environment made me feel grateful for that moment. It was a special time shared with my husband, and capturing it allowed me to relive those emotions whenever I look at the photo.

How has photography changed for you since that moment?

Since that moment, photography has become a new passion for me. Receiving the DSLR from my husband motivated me to explore photography more seriously. I've learned about composition, lighting, and different techniques, and I enjoy capturing various moments and landscapes now.

Do you think photography can convey emotions effectively?

Absolutely! Photography can capture emotions and tell stories without words. A single image can evoke feelings of joy, nostalgia, or even sadness. The way light, color, and composition come together can create a powerful emotional impact, making it a beautiful form of expression.

Band 7

00:00

No audio text available

Follow up questions

What types of photos do you enjoy taking?

I enjoy taking landscape photos, especially during my travels. Capturing the beauty of nature and different cultures is something I find very fulfilling.

How do you feel when you look at photos you've taken?

Looking at my photos brings back memories and emotions from those moments. It makes me feel nostalgic and proud of the experiences I've had.

What do you think makes a photo memorable?

A memorable photo often tells a story or captures a unique moment. The emotions it evokes and the context behind it also contribute to its significance.

Show all 79 answers

Cue 1:When did you take this photo?

Mention the specific date or occasion when you took the photo.
Provide some context about what was happening at that time.

Example

I took this photo during my trip to Manali last summer, in June 2022. It was a beautiful sunny day, and I was exploring the scenic landscapes with my friends.

Cue 2:What type of camera did you use?

Specify the type of camera you used, whether it was a smartphone or a professional camera.
Briefly explain why you chose that particular camera.

Example

I used my smartphone, a Samsung Galaxy S21, to take this photo. I chose my phone because it has an excellent camera that captures vibrant colors and details, making it easy to take stunning pictures on the go.

Cue 3:Who was in the photo?

Describe the people in the photo, including their relationship to you.
Share a little about what they were doing at that moment.

Example

In the photo, you can see my two best friends, Priya and Rahul. We were all laughing and enjoying the breathtaking view of the snow-capped mountains, which made the moment even more special.

Cue 4:Explain why you are proud of this photo.

Discuss the emotions or memories associated with the photo.
Explain what makes this photo significant to you.

Example

I am proud of this photo because it captures not just a beautiful landscape, but also a memorable moment with my friends. It reminds me of the joy and freedom we felt during that trip, and it’s a great representation of our friendship.

Conclusion

Example

In conclusion, this photo is more than just an image; it holds a special place in my heart as it represents a wonderful experience with my friends. Every time I look at it, I am reminded of the laughter and the beautiful moments we shared together in Manali.

Following this structure will ensure you cover all the essential points while providing a clear and engaging response to the cue card topic.

Tips to answer this Cue Card

1: Giving Vague Answers

Avoid providing vague or general answers that lack detail. This can make your response less engaging and informative, which may not impress the examiner.

Tip

Be specific about the photo, including details like the location, the moment captured, and the emotions involved.

2: Neglecting to Explain the Context

Failing to explain the context of the photo can lead to a lack of understanding. The examiner may not grasp why the photo is significant to you.

Tip

Include background information about when and why you took the photo, and what it represents to you.

Overlooking Personal Feelings

Not expressing your personal feelings about the photo can make your response less impactful. The examiner wants to hear your emotional connection to the image.

Tip

Share your feelings and thoughts about the photo, explaining why it makes you proud and what memories it evokes.

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