The subject matter of a photograph is the primary object being photographed for a project or the primary subject of interest on which a photographer focuses.

Some examples of subject matter are landscapes, faces, skyscrapers or candid street images. The subject is the main object in the picture, the subject matter is the topic or context of the picture. If it is a landscape, it is the landscape itself. If it is a portrait, it is the person in the portrait. If it is a group of people playing a sport, it is the game. When photographers look for subject matter, they either have a specific idea of their goal, or something may catch their eyes and spark inspiration. The subject matter sets a tone for images, and all aspects of the photograph should define and accentuate the subject matter for the best photographic effect.