10 Photo Assignments to Inspire and Challenge Your Skills

Liz Masoner is a professional photographer and she shares her tips and techniques on photo editing and how to photograph nature, portraits, and events with film and digital cameras. Liz has over 30 years of experience and she is the author of three books on photography.

The best way to learn photography is to practice, though sometimes you can get stuck in a rut and not know what to shoot. That is why photographers love assignments; they give us a purpose and an idea of what to photograph. 

Why Are Assignments Important?

Self-assignments are key to any photographer's growth. Even professionals with decades of experience will work on personal assignments that they may never get paid for. The goal of any self-assignment is to spur creativity, solve problems, learn new techniques, and challenge yourself.

As you start out in photography, you're probably filled with excitement and ready to shoot anything you can. That being said, sometimes a little direction and guidance are necessary.

Below, you will find ten photography assignments. Each covers a new topic, skill, or concept and they were chosen to help you learn how to see as a photographer. They are meant to be a personal challenge that you can complete at your own pace and with no outside judgment, simply as a means to practice and improve your photography. Hopefully, you will learn something new with each assignment and be able to use that in every photograph you take in the future.

Remember when composing your images to keep in mind the basics: the rule of thirds,  shutter speed , aperture,  depth of field , and  exposure .

Assignment #1: Up Close

This assignment encourages you to get close and personal with your subject. It is an exercise in viewing a common object in a new way and examining its finer details.

  • Choose an object that you see or interact with every day.
  • Focus on a small part of it, get as close as your camera will allow you to focus, and shoot away.
  • Try to capture different angles and unusual lighting to add to the mystery of this tiny world.

From the whiskers of your cat to a fragile Christmas ornament, and even common soap bubbles, there is an entire world that we often overlook because we don't get close enough.

Assignment #2: Motion

Photography is a static medium which means that it doesn't move. Conveying a sense of motion is often crucial to capturing a scene or emotion and it is an essential skill for photographers to practice.

The goal of this exercise is to understand how shutter speeds can be used to convey motion.

  • Choose a subject or series of subjects that will allow you to convey motion in your images.
  • It can be slow motions, like that of a turtle, or fast motion, like a speeding train.
  • Blur it, stop it, or simply suggest that there is motion in the photograph.

Challenge yourself to capture the same motion in different ways. For instance, you might go to a race track and stop the movement of the cars completely in one image, then leave the shutter open and allow them to blur out of the frame in the next. 

Assignment #3: Shadows

Shadows are everywhere and they are vital to photography because this is the art of capturing light. With light comes shadows and when you begin to look at shadows as a photographer, your world will open up.

  • Take a look around for shadows and record them with your camera.
  • You could show the shadow as the total focus of the image. Perhaps the shadow is incidental to the subject.
  • Is the shadow natural or created by flash?

Shadows are integral to creating depth in a two-dimensional medium such as photography. Take some time to seriously explore the "dark side" of the light.

Assignment #4: Water

Water is everywhere in photography and it presents many challenges. There are reflections and movements to work with and in this exercise, you will take a deeper look at water.

  • Find water anywhere: lakes, streams, puddles, even the glass on your kitchen table.
  • Pay attention to reflections and use them to your advantage in the photographs. Use this opportunity to get familiar with a polarizing filter (a very useful tool in your camera kit) so you can accentuate or eliminate reflections.
  • Play with the motion of a stream or the crashing waves. Notice the difference between stopping the flow of water and allowing it to blur to create a real sense of movement.

Be sure to make water the subject and not an accent to the image. Water alone is beautiful and mysterious and your challenge is to explore all of its potential as a subject.

Assignment #5: Leading Lines

A classic assignment in photography schools, 'leading lines ' is a popular and fun subject. The goal of this assignment is to learn how to direct the viewer to your subject using lines.

  • Choose a subject then look around for lines in the scene that you can use to 'lead' the viewer to the subject. 
  • Find an interesting line then determine what the subject of your photograph is.
  • Remember that lines can be man-made or natural. For instance, the yellow line down the middle of the road or a tree branch. Even a person's arm can be a leading line of their face.

Use this assignment as an excuse to take an afternoon photo excursion. Walk downtown or in the woods and look around you for interesting lines that lead the eye to a subject. There is an amazing assortment of lines out there in the world and once you begin to see them, you won't be able to stop. 

Assignment #6: Perspective

How do you normally stand when you shoot? If your answer is straight up like a 5-foot-something human being then this assignment is for you. The perspective assignment challenges you to view the world from an entirely new perspective, which in turn gives the viewer a new look at the ordinary.

  • Take another afternoon or evening for a photo excursion wherever you like.
  • This time, every time you find something to photograph, stop!
  • Ask yourself: How would a squirrel see that tree? How would a robin view that birdbath? How would a snake view that log?
  • Take your photographs from very high or very low angles. Get on your belly or stand on a chair, whatever you have to (safely) do to get the 'right' angle on your subject.

If you pay attention to professional photographs, many of the images that have the WOW factor are photographed from extreme angles. People enjoy these photos because they've never seen an object from that viewpoint. It is new and unique, and you can train yourself to shoot with this in mind.

Assignment #7: Texture

You may have captured a few textural details in the 'Up Close' assignment, but this assignment takes that to the next level. The goal in this one is to study textures and forget about the object itself: the texture becomes the subject. You will also begin to realize how light affects the appearance of texture.

  • Find a few objects that have very detailed textures like trees or rocks, even knit sweaters or woven rugs.
  • Photograph them as close as your lens will allow.
  • Use different angles and capture the same texture as the light changes. Notice how the different lighting directions and camera angles can change how much texture appears.

Textures are all around us and many of the best photographs in the world play up the textural element. This assignment should teach you how to recognize and accentuate those elements in your photos.

Assignment #8: Color Harmony

Color is important to photography because the world is full of color. This exercise requires a bit of study in color theory, which you will then put into practice in your photographs.

Do you remember art class in elementary school? You may have learned that yellow and blue make green, but color theory goes beyond that. There are cool and warm colors, complementary and contrasting colors, neutral colors, and bold colors.

It can get quite complicated, and photographers should have a basic understanding of color so you can use that when composing photographs. You don't have to study color like a painter would but can use tricks used by interior designers to influence your color decisions.

  • Once you have an idea of color theory, take another photo excursion and put what you've learned into practice.
  • Capture photographs with the primary or tertiary colors.
  • Look for complementary colors then contrasting colors to photograph.
  • Try finding a scene to photograph that is filled with neutral colors, then one that uses a bold color to 'pop' from the scene.

This is an advanced lesson, but one that any photographer working with color images will find useful. As you practice working with colors, it will become second nature and you will know how to work with color to change the feel of your images.

Assignment #9: Emotions

Take a photo of a person smiling or scowling, right? Not so. The intent of this assignment is to convey emotion in photographs  without  a face.

  • Take photographs that express each of the basic emotions: happy, sad, and mad.
  • How would you express the feeling of anger with no person? What about happiness? Sadness?

This is a purely conceptual assignment, but it is important to be able to relay emotion in your photographs and you might not always have a person available to do that with. Challenge yourself to think deeper about this one.

Assignment #10: Don't Look!

Are you ready to put your photography skills to the test? In today's world of digital cameras and the ability to see image captures right there on the LCD screen, photographers are losing some of the skills needed to visualize a photograph.

In this assignment, your challenge is to shoot as if you were using a film camera. That means that you will not look at the photographs you've taken until they are downloaded on your computer. Instead of relying on the camera's screen to see if you 'got the shot' you will rely on your instinct and knowledge, just like photographers did before digital photography. Can you do it?

  • Plan a photo excursion to a particular location and permit yourself to photograph only 36 images (a roll of 35mm film).
  • Turn off your camera's LCD screen so it does not show you the image after you have taken it.
  • If you cannot turn off the camera's screen, cut a piece of thick paper and tape it over the screen. Use masking or painter's tape so you don't leave a residue on the back of your camera.
  • Go out and shoot your 36 frames, thinking carefully about each image because you don't have an endless number of shots. Bonus points if you turn your camera to completely manual settings for focus and exposure.
  • Don't peek at your photos until you get home and download them.

How did you do? Were you able to get good exposures on your own? How did it feel to be 'blind' and not know how your image turned out right away? 

This is similar to what it is like to shoot with film and it does require you to think harder about every image you take. Next time you shoot, slow down and pay attention, pretend that the screen is not there and rely on your own skills to create a great image. You will be a better photographer in the end.

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15 Photography Assignments to Challenge and Inspire

By Tata Rossi 23 days ago, Amateur Photography

15 Photography Assignments to Challenge and Inspire

Photography assignments allow you to experiment with something you have never tried before and play around with different photographic approaches. With such an assignment, you will challenge yourself and develop your skills.

15 Ways to Make Photography Assignments

This list of photo assignments consists of 15 points, so I am sure that you will find the idea to your liking.

1. Self Portraits

best photography assignments

The first task is a no-brainer: just take a self-portrait picture each day. Don’t forget to use a tripod and shutter release aside from regular shooting with your arm extended and holding a camera.

Since you will be the model, feel free to unleash your creativity with all sorts of make-up, outfits, poses until you figure out a proper look. Remember to use props as well. Then share your shots with the world via social networks or the dedicated Flickr and Twitter groups.

2. Color Challenge

photography assignments

Here is one of the greatest color photography assignments for the urban environment photos . Bring the camera with you and take pictures for several hours. Pick a color (or ask a friend to choose it for you to complicate the task) and photograph subjects of the chosen color only.

Once you are done, you will find yourself seeing this color everywhere! Then pick the best shots and merge them into a collage or mosaic in Photoshop .

3. After Dark

powerful photography assignments

Practice with night photography and try taking pictures after dark. In case you are outside the city, you may shoot moonlight or star trails. While being in the city, capture light trails of vehicles or buildings with the light-up windows. Regardless of the location, experiment with light-painting by means of long exposure photography and moving a flashlight across areas of the scene.

4. Crop or Rotate All your Photos a Specific Way

One of the best photography practice assignments is to neglect your comfort zone and try something new for a change. For instance, if you have a tendency to snap the same kinds of photos, you should modify their perspective.

Try an approach to cropping or rotating your next 50-100 shots that differs from your regular one. Play around with square photos, 180° rotation or whatever else you can come up with. Once you get out of the familiar artistic routine, you will be able to perceive the world from another angle and get creative.

5. Quit Social Media Temporarily

amazing photography assignments

Social networks can serve as an excellent source of photography inspiration or lead to a complete lack of it. If you use social networks without critical thinking, you may start comparing yourself to other photographers, which will be a total waste of time and effort.

While it may be one of the hardest photography assignments these days, taking a hiatus from social networks is highly important. Log off your Instagram account for some time or uninstall apps that leave you in a bad mood.

In case your job requires staying online on a daily basis, devote some of your time to non-Internet tasks, like taking pictures or gaining knowledge on photography. I suggest taking some online photography courses .

6. Shoot Every Day for a Month

If you wish to become a better photographer , you shouldn’t stop shooting. By taking pictures constantly, you will receive more feedback and will be interacting more actively with the world.

One of the most widespread photography class assignments is to take one picture each day for a month. Do it with the help of the smartphone, DSLR camera or any device that can photograph. But don’t take meaningless pictures just because you have to. The shots you take should resonate with you in one way or another and be valuable to you.

The Zen masters suggest that you have a “daily practice.” When we repeat something, we become closer to recognizing the “truth”. You may read a great number of photo theory books , but you won’t be able to shoot properly. Only through practice, repetition, feedback and constructive criticism, you can grow as a photographer. Remember that this assignment is about forming a habit, not about taking a perfect picture each day.

7. Experiment with a Completely Different Genre

cool photography assignments

The array of photography genres is truly vast. Underwater photography , glamour, smartphone, landscape photography , portrait photography – that’s only a beginning. If you feel like you are losing interest in photography, switch to another genre.

Try staying away from your primary photography genre for a while. In case you shoot portraits, go outside and capture the area where you live in. If you are involved in photographing pets , play around with self-portraiture. By getting familiar with various photography genres, you are widening your photography horizons and gaining new knowledge that may come in useful one day.

8. Put Together a Photo Album

photography assignments you must practice

We live in a digital world, and even nowadays’ photography comes mostly in a digital form. We constantly find ourselves sharing our photos online. It is a rare thing to print photographs, even touch them, let alone create something physical out of them.

That’s why one of the greatest photography tasks is to compile a photo album. You can buy one at a store or online. Print the desired shots in the small 4×6 size. I suggest collaborating on this task with your friend, child or partner. Think of the main idea, theme or story of the album. Put all the printed shots on a surface and consider how you will lay them out in an album, how you will pair them and in what sequence.

No wonder that our parents and elderly relatives used to create a photo book together. It is a nice way to preserve precious memories in a physical form and bring back the moments that we sometimes tend to forget over time.

9. Take Creative Self-Portraits with a Friend

interesting photography assignments

While you may enjoy your own company while taking self-portraits, you may feel bored or lonely after some time. In this case, you can implement one of the most entertaining photography assignment ideas and take self-portraits with a friend (pets are welcome as well!).

Don’t forget to think through the poses, set up the tripod and find the perfect photography light. As you will be engaged in all these activities, you will be able to get a hang of a photographer’s workflow. Then, when it comes to a real photo shoot with the clients, you will be more skilled at dealing with the camera and lights.

10. Attend a Photography Workshop

Photography workshops is an excellent investment in your education as a photographer and one of the most helpful beginner photography assignments.

Pick a workshop that is dedicated to the topic relevant for you. Thanks to workshops, you will get not only theoretical but also practical information. Also, you will have your questions answered by real professionals.

11. Photograph the Same Person or Object Every Day

great photography assignments

In case you aren’t as excited about photography as before, try capturing one and the same person or object each day for a week or month. Similar to the smartphone photography challenge, as a result, you will realize the importance of having the freedom to photograph anything you wish.

While snapping pictures of the same object, you will boost your lighting skills. To make the shots differ from each other, don’t hesitate to play around with various types of lighting and photo editing apps .

12. Go a Month Without Using Social Media

Being the photographer of the 21st century, you may find yourself in the never-ending trap of feeling the need to post photos on social networks each day. It all turns into some sort of addiction – all you crave is likes, comments and new followers. If you don’t receive the online praise you need, your photography stops making sense.

In fact, photography is something you should pursue on your own. What truly matters here is your personal thoughts on your shots, not the opinion of users online. Simply uninstall all the social network applications from the smartphone (you can bring them back once the assignment is over). Posting photos and looking through photos of others is prohibited.

If you manage to stay away from social networks for a month, you will acquire a clearer purpose of your photography work. Besides, you won’t be so obsessed with the imaginary social network competition that everyone seems to be involved in.

13. Shoot with a Limited Amount of Equipment

perfect photography assignments

Regardless of whether you are an experienced, amateur or a beginner photographer , you are likely to be after all sorts of photography gear to enhance your results.

How about photography assignments where you have to use a restricted amount of shooting equipment? You can photograph strictly with one camera body or camera lens . There is no need to do it for an entire month.

For this assignment, I suggest coming up with a plan, and do it, for instance, only once a week. Working with the same gear every day will give you more flexibility in both the creative and physical aspects of the process.

So, in case you deal only with a zoom lens, you will have to experiment whenever you shoot indoors . With a wide-angle lens only, you will need to work on cropping and correcting distortions.

14. Limit Yourself to X Photos a Day

Similar to the previous assignment, limiting yourself to 10, 20, 30 or more shots per day, week or month will help you realize what your true creative needs are. Besides, with a photo limit, you will understand what subjects or scenes you are more inclined to photograph.

Another benefit of a photo limit is that it will bring more patience and creativity into the process. You won’t be able to take numerous pictures of one place, so you will be forced to risk and play around with various perspectives.

15. Take Photos with Your Smartphone Camera Only

unique photography assignments

Take pictures only with a smartphone camera for a week. For better results, download a top-notch camera app and try to figure out all of its settings. A modern smartphone will help beginning photographers get acquainted with the technical side of the shooting process.

To complicate the task, I suggest recreating some of your portfolio photos with the smartphone camera. With this assignment, you will learn all the intricacies of shooting with a smartphone and may even start taking shots not only with a standard camera but with a smartphone one as well on a regular basis!

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Beginner Photography Projects

Beginner Photography Projects image

 photo by shopformoose via iStock 

While you’re stuck at home self-isolating, it may be the perfect time to start some beginner photography projects.

There are a ton of benefits to photography projects, like learning how to develop your artistic eye or figuring out how to use your photography equipment. 

Plus, being forced to complete simple photography projects at home will teach you how to get especially creative with limited space and resources. 

Here are some of our favorite beginner photography projects for you while you’re stuck indoors.  

Photograph a Rubik’s Cube

photography projects 1 image

This may seem like an odd project to start this list out with but here us out.  

Rubik’s Cubes are cheap. They’re probably readily available to you and they will help you to learn how to use leading lines in your photos.

Leading lines are a wonderful compositional tool that help direct the viewer’s eye deeper into the shot. They’re often used in landscape photography, but can be used to bring attention to any kind of subject.

Recommended Photography Reading

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Master a Still Life 

You should definitely include learning how to shoot a still life in your beginner photography projects checklist. 

You can create a classic still life with fruit and wine, or get more creative with random objects lying around your house. 

Still lifes will help you learn how to compose your images, allow you to work on lighting, and hone your other photography skills too. 

Get some great tips on how to shoot still life photos in the video above by Karl Taylor . 

Take a Self-Portrait

photography projects 2 image

 photo by SolStock via iStock 

Not everyone is comfortable in front of the camera, but taking on a self-portrait project can be hugely beneficial for your photography.

Not only does taking a good self-portrait require you to think about posing, lighting, camera settings, and so forth, but you also have to think about styling, colors, the background , and any props you might want to use. 

Self-portraits are also a great way for you to understand what it’s like being in front of a camera, which will help you as you grow your skills and start to take portraits of other people.

Force Your Kids to Sit for a Session

photography projects for beginners 4 image

Photo by  Caroline Hernandez  on Unsplash 

Okay, you don’t have to force them to sit. In fact, my kids love most of my beginner photography projects because I’ll have them pull out all of their toys and have them go crazy for 15 minutes while I take their photos. 

Letting kids be kids in front of the camera can get you some truly authentic and heartwarming environmental portraits. Besides, everyone likes a good candid portrait now and then too, right? 

Plus, if your little one is like mine and loves to mimic you, then you can pick up this adorable camera for toddlers and let them take photos of you too. 

Photograph Your Pets

photography projects for beginners 5 image

Photo by  T.R Photography  on Unsplash 

Most photography projects for beginners include photographing things you already love and simply trying to find a new way to look at those things. So, why not photograph your adorable pets?

You already post about them on social media enough, so you may as well have some excellent photos of them for your next post.

If you need some help getting your pet to stand still, you can purchase this gadget that attaches a ball to your phone . My dog has never sat more calmly before. 

Again, when you’re trying to learn the fundamentals of portraiture, your pets are a great subject. Cats, in particular, will often sit or lay there as you work your portrait magic!

Get some awesome pet photography tips in the video above by Westcott Lighting .  

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Find Cobwebs

simple photography projects 6 image

Photo by  Jill Dimond  on Unsplash 

Whenever I recommend beginner photography projects to people, I try and make them as practical as possible (especially now). 

Which is why many of my photography project ideas for beginners include the chance to clean up their space.  

Go in search of some cobwebs in your house. You can photograph them and play with lighting before cleaning them up.  

Here’s some cobweb photography ideas to get you started:

  • Photograph through the web toward the rising or setting sun so the light filters through the web
  • Head out to your yard in the early morning to photograph the web covered in dew
  • Use a flashlight to illuminate a cobweb at night for a shot with a bright, white cobweb and a dark background

Shoot the Sunrise From Your Window

simple photography projects 7 image

Photo by  Tarik Haiga  on Unsplash 

There is no better time for finding natural lighting in your home than at sunrise and sunset. 

To shoot romantic photos from inside your home, try and capture the sunrise or sunset from your window. 

You can focus on the scene outside your window and how the morning or evening light interacts with it. 

You can also put a subject - your spouse, a child, your pet - in front of the window to take a beautiful natural light portrait . There might even be opportunities for creating a silhouette.

Just be sure you clean the window beforehand. Nothing ruins an otherwise beautiful indoor photo like nose smudges on the glass!

Look for Reflections

simple photography projects 8 image

Photo by  Maddy Baker  on Unsplash 

Most of these beginner photography projects are all about training your eye for photography, which essentially means seeing your surroundings in a new light.

Go search your house for reflections you can find. This may be in your morning coffee, or it may be your windows. You might find something interesting reflected in the hallway mirror. Chances are there is beauty hiding right around the corner. You just need to find it! 

Practice Sun Stars

photography project ideas 9 image

 photo by Suntammy via iStock 

I’m sure you’ve seen sun star photos before… 

You can create sun stars pretty easily, believe it or not. Don’t believe me? Check out my video tutorial below!

As with many of these photography project ideas for beginners, you’ll find it’s easiest to capture starbursts when you’re using a tripod with your camera (even a cheap one for your iPhone will work). 

Begin a Year-Long Project

photography project ideas 10 image

Photo by  Dan Smedley  on Unsplash 

For those of you who have been participating in beginner photography projects for a while, you’ve probably heard of Project 52. 

It’s when you take a photo every single week for a whole year. Usually, all of these photos will pertain to a specific theme you love.  

If you need some inspiration for your Project 52, the 52 Week Photography Challenge is filled with ideas. 

Try New Angles

photography project ideas 11 image

Photo by  Shitota Yuri  on Unsplash 

Whether you’re shooting from the comfort of your home or are working with a client for the first time, you’ll want to know how to explore different angles. Why not try it now?

Get a step ladder and shoot objects around your house from above. Then, crawl around on the ground to figure out what those objects look like from below.

Doing so will help you appreciate how different perspectives can totally change how a subject looks. 

Explore Negative Space

photography project ideas for beginners 12 image

Photo by  Fabrice Villard  on Unsplash 

Negative space is one of the most intriguing concepts to explore in photography and it is especially difficult to explore in your home, which makes it one of my favorite beginner photography projects.

Negative space is simply blank space around your subject. It helps make the subject stronger in the frame, and is often used to create minimalist compositions.

Get some practical tips for using negative space in photography in the video above by Peter Forsgård .

Capture One Thing, 10 Ways

photography project ideas for beginners 13 image

Photo by  Koen Emmers  on Unsplash 

If some of these beginner photography projects are too easy for you, I promise this one won’t be.

Find one object in your home. Then, try and photograph it in 10 different ways. You’ll definitely want to clear your schedule for this one and have YouTube at the ready! 

Master Silhouettes

photography project ideas for beginners 14 image

If you’re one of the lucky ones that have a yard you can escape to during these times, you can practice capturing silhouettes of your kids, your pets, or strangers on the street.  

If you aren’t one of the lucky ones, you can still work on capturing silhouettes, you’ll just need to do it with your windows or artificial light. 

Happy shooting!  

  • How to Carry A Lot of Camera Gear

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Every month, Lenspiration publishes a Photo Assignment. We call them “Shoot to Serve” opportunities because we are taking photos for real businesses or nonprofits that need specific photos for their upcoming projects.

What You should Know about the photo assignments

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Anyone can submit photos for the assignments, but they must first have an account with Lenspiration.

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If you are a Lenspiration Member, you already have an account so are ready to participate. If you're not a member yet , you can create an account to join the membership (try for free here ). Even if you cancel your membership, you will still have an account, so you can continue to participate in the assignments.

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Watch a demonstration video and learn how to go about shooting the assignment yourself. You can always use any of the photography resources on the Lenspiration website for additional help.

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Each assignment is unique. Lenspiration will provide you with the exact details the publisher, ministry, or business is looking for.

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This is the fun part! Use whatever camera you have to go and take pictures for the assignment. Deadlines help eliminate procrastination, so you’re sure to get in some photo practice.

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50 Vital Photography Exercises for Beginners

You have to exercise to build muscle, these photography exercises can help build your photography skills.

What are some basic photography exercises I can do from home?

I have been there too. All I want to do is up my photo game, but sometimes I just don’t feel the inspiration.

That is why I attend photo workshops. I meet lots of cool photographers, and I listen to plenty of lectures, but that is not why I go.

I visit photography workshops to learn about practice photography exercises for beginners. I love practical photography practice assignments. They give me the structure to build camera fundamentals one step at a time.

And so I compiled years of workshops in to the best photography exercise list , and I am sharing it with you.

I know these exercises have helped my friends build portfolios, book clients, and master the elements of photography, and you can use this information however you want.

1. Find your style

Many photographers just take photos that “look pretty.”

This is how we all start, and developing a style is your next step .

Look at the photographers you like. What makes their work unique? It is called style, and it takes a long time to develop.

Start by making a list of feelings, ideas, and messages that you want to capture in your artwork.

Then build color palettes that match those themes.

Find props that contribute to these ideas as well. Lastly, find a model and poses that reiterate these ideas.

Now start shooting.

It will take a few tries before your style starts to develop, but it will be worth it when you are taking million-dollar-pictures!

2. Identify your crutches

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Are you taking the easy way out? Don’t let photography crutches interfere with your creativity .

I used to like taking pictures near train tracks until I realized that I was missing out on tons of amazing locations by settling for the train tracks every time. Besides, train tracks are cliche anyways!

It takes a little more work to scout out interesting places, but I am getting better every day by seeking new and creative ideas.

Find your photography crutches and eliminate them .

3. Photograph Something (or Somebody) You Don’t Like

I love pet portraits because I am an animal lover.

So whenever I take a picture of a pupper, I am always distracted by the cute floppy ears and wagging tail.

It distracts me so much, that sometimes I don’t realize what a bad picture I actually took. The dogs feet were cropped out, the background is overexposed, and the pup isn’t even in focus, but it is still such a cute photo!

Photograph something you don’t like , so your emotions will not get in the way.

You will be more focused on the colors and composition of the image than your feelings towards the subject.

Use this psychological trick to improve your photography.

4. Read Your Camera Manual

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You can’t take great photos if you don’t know how to use your camera, so bust out the owners manual and start reading.

The literature isn’t as exciting as a private eye novella, but it is full of detailed information that will help you understand your camera.

It also teaches you about basic maintenance for your equipment.

So bust out your camera manual and start reading .

This technique might not improve the composition of your work, but you will be a smarter photographer for it!

5. Start Your Photography Blog (and Write Every Day)

Every photographer needs two things: an online portfolio and a blog .

Write about your photography, your dreams, and creative ideas you have. This will create a magical space where your ideas flow freely and you can reflect on your work.

It is also a great way to start collecting feedback from on your work.

A blog is not just a tool to promote photographers. It is a learning tool.

6. Hide the Screen

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My first DSLR camera was a Canon 60D. It is a great camera with a very interesting feature. It has a “flip out” screen.

This is a great tool for monitoring the shot as I line up the composition, but it has a giant drawback.

I feel disconnected from my subject, and overwhelmed by all of the extra information.

Settings, histograms, and the intense desire to make micro adjustments to the exposure all keep me from focusing on what’s really important: taking beautiful pictures.

Look through your viewfinder and keep your finger over the shutter release. Line up your shot and let loose.

7. Forget about Lightroom

Photoshop and Lightroom are powerful image editing programs, but some digital photographers rely on these programs too much.

Spend a day shooting photos that are so good, they do not need Lightroom.

Compose your photos so that you do not need to crop them, expose your photos properly, and get the best results you can just using your camera.

This will make you think twice about how your photo is framed.

8. 100 Photo Challenge

Your goal is to take 100 photos in a day.

I have seen other challenges encourage you to take over 1,000 photos in a day, but that is not a good idea : here is why.

Photography is all about quality over quantity , and you don’t learn anything by running outside, holding down the shutter, and firing until you fill an SD card.

Instead, you should try to take 100 well composed pictures instead of 1000 random ones.

9. Shoot in JPEG for a Day 

Some photographers argue that shooting RAW photos lets you stay sloppy. After all, you can always fix the exposure afterwards, right?

Switch your camera to JPEG mode . Now you have to expose your photos properly in camera.

Taking away the RAW safety net encourages you to take better photos and to think about the photos as you are taking them.

10. A New Camera Orientation

Last week I was looking through my photography library when I had the idea for this exercise.

99% of my photos are horizontal!

I have trained myself to compose great horizontal photos, but I don’t feel so certain when I shoot vertical portraits.

And what about square photos? I haven’t shot very many of those either.

Shooting in a different orientation teaches you about composition, so spend a day with your camera turned 90 degrees and build your composition skills. You’ll thank yourself later.

11. A New Lens

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Everybody has a go-to lens, and most portrait photographers prefer shooting with a 50mm.

The nifty fifty is a classic lens because they are inexpensive and comfortable to shoot with.

Switch it up for a day and use a lens that you are less familiar with.

Wide angle lenses are great practice for street photography, and a telephoto lens is a useful tool for a day of photographing wildlife.

Get used to switching between lenses, and you will become better at framing and composing on the fly!

12. Print your Portfolio

It is easier to see trends and photography habits when your portfolio work is printed out.

When was the last time that you took a close look over your entire portfolio? This is a great opportunity to remove photographs that are too similar, and plan photo shoots to fill in the creative gaps.

Print out your portfolio and give it a serious review .

This one even ends in having a cool conversation starter hanging up on your wall.

13. Rent a Lighting Kit

The lighting kit is easily one of the most important tools for a photographer after the lens and camera body.

But the shocking thing is, most portrait photographers don’t even know how to use it .

Well, lots of camera gear rental companies exist (my favorite is aperturent ), and you can inexpensively rent a lighting kit.

It might sound difficult at first, but there are plenty of “basic lighting kit guides” available online to get you started with your lighting kit. It really isn’t something any photographer should shy away from.

The photos you take with your lighting kit are guaranteed to improve your portfolio, and the skills you learn will make you more valuable as a photographer.

14. Stop using social media

This one is especially difficult, but here is why it works.

I am super influenced by my favorite photographers, and every time I see them do something cool, I try to learn those skills too.

But I need time to develop my own style and explore creativity.

So I cozy up with a nice book, and f orget about social media for a minute. Once I am deep in my own mind, I know the ideas i find are uniquely my own.

From there, I write them down and start planning my next photo session.

Cut off from the digital world and let your creativity simmer!

15. Start using your smartphone camera

The photography world is split on “smartphone photography,” but smart phone cameras are actually amazing practice tools.

Spend a day shooting with just your smartphone camera and discover how useful it can be.

The great thing is that I always have a smartphone with me, so I can capture the picture quickly whenever creativity strikes.

My phone even “geotags” where I take my images, and I can return to interesting spots with my DSLR when I have time!

16. Hire a photographer!

And get your portrait shot.

It sounds a little bit backwards, but this exercise helps photographers understand how their clients feel throughout the process.

What did you like about your photographer? What did you dislike?

Did you learn something that you can use in your photography?

The purpose of this exercise is to work with a professional photographer to understand the photography process a little bit better (and get some cool photos along the way).

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Go somewhere new in seek of photography inspiration , and of course, bring your camera with you.

Everything starts to look the same in my hometown. Once every six three months, I take a photography camping trip to the mountains in search of adventure and new scenery.

But it isn’t just for leisure because I am snapping pictures every second of the way.

Do you bring your camera when you go new places?

The mountains are a 2 hour drive for me, but I bring my camera when I am heading to a new part of town. Guess what, it still has the same effect.

This beginner photography exercise opens your eyes to the sense of wonder and magic in new places, but you have to make sure your camera is there to capture it.

18. Create a Narrative

This camera challenge is excellent practice for intermediate photographers.

If a photo is worth a thousand words, then you should try telling a short story with a sequence of photos .

Invite your friends over and use props, costumes, dramatic lighting, and funny facial expressions to create a series of pictures that tells a short story.

After all, people hire photographers to captures stories.

A news station literally hires photojournalists to report the news through a combination of photography and storytelling.

Even a wedding photographer captures the story of the happiest day of a couple’s life.

But during this exercise, you have a little more room to get creative and discover your style.

19. Shoot black and white

Admit it! Black and white photography is beautiful.

But then why is black and white, sometimes called monochrome, so hard?

The answer is when your eyes look at a color photo, your brain really focuses on the color. When you take away the color, your brain focuses on the composition and value.

Monochrome really highlights the shapes, textures, and contrast in an image. Facial expressions also look more pronounced.

You start to see the world differently when you practice black and white photography exercises.

To do this exercise, just turn your camera to black and white mode and start shooting . Stop focusing on what colors look pretty. Start looking for interesting contrast and compositions.

20. Manual Mode

Practice using your camera in full manual mode for an entire afternoon.

Manual mode is difficult for some photographers.

First you have to understand the exposure triangle. That is how the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO all affect the exposure of the final image.

Once you know how to expose your photos, you have to manually focus your lens.

Twist the focus ring (generally on the end of the lens) to bring your subject in focus. SNAP!

Manual photos take longer to set up because camera computers quickly consider the conditions to calculate the perfect settings for your electronics, but you are in control now!

It is slower to get it all set up, but all of that knob twisting is what taught me how to get more control over my photography.

And if you really want to see just how “manual” photography can get, check the aperture system for the Petzval lens! Check the full review here.

21. Shoot film

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Digital cameras are amazing inventions!

20 years ago, the thought of professional photographers using digital cameras for paid work would have been absurd.

Since then, camera sensors have gotten faster, sharper, and cheaper.

This is great for photographers, but you should practice shooting film .

“Why should I use film?”

Because every shot matters.

A 64GB SD card encourages rapid fire “spray and pray” style photography.

When you shoot with film, every shot matters. You only have a few exposures for each roll of film, and it is just too expensive to waste.

I spend time considering the composition, and use the exposure metering to set up a perfectly exposed photograph.

And guess what, I am always amazed how much better my film work is than my digital photography.

22. “5 Yes, 5 no”

I was terrified of failure when I started photography, and it really held me back.

This street photography exercise is simple and classic.

Bring your camera to the streets, and just ask people if you can take there picture until you have 5 “yes” answers and 5 “no” answers.

The exercise is guaranteed to start some interesting questions, but here is what shocked me when I tried.

It is harder to find “no’s” than you would expect, and it helped me realize that there was no shame in failure.

Rejection is the biggest fear for every “creative type.” Once you destroy your artificial barriers, you reach your true potential as a photographer.

23. Look for triangles

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Build your work around compositions that feature triangles.

A triangle only has three sides, and the shape occurs naturally in urban settings. Just look at the example above and see how the corners of a skyscraper converge to form a triangle with the bottom of the frame.

This exercise reinforces the element of shape in your compositions. It is a great assignment for looking at the world in terms of shape instead of more obvious elements like color.

24.Arm’s Length

Keep your subject at arm’s length (literally) for the duration of your photo shoot.

One of my photography mentors taught me that it is our natural instinct to stand far away from the subject.

Moving closer creates a more intimate shot that really captures the close details of your subject.

25. Capture the season perfectly

This exercise works during any part of the year.

Make it your goal to capture a picture that perfectly reflects the season you are in. For summer, seek out a blazing hot beach where sweaty sunbathers and seagulls frolic on the water’s edge. In the wintertime, look out for snow capped mountain tops.

This can really be any angle you like, these type of things are more fun when you aren’t afraid to get a little creative.

26. Reflect on Your Work

I love to go through my old photos, and you should too!

I see little problems all the time in my old work. For example I took a beautiful picture of my girlfriend on the beach, but look at it!

It came out underexposed. I was using a film camera during that trip, so I didn’t even know until I got home and processed the film.

Reviewing your old work shows you what elements of photography you need to focus on most. Some photographers need to work on the technical aspects of photography: exposure, focus, an so on. Other photographers will discover that they can work on artistic elements like composition and narrative.

27. Use Creative Photography Props

Sometimes you just need to mix it up a bit to get your creative juices flowing.

Introduce a new prop to spice it up.

Looking for ideas? Don’t worry, here is a list of interesting photography props to get you started:

  • Smoke bombs
  • Haze in a can
  • Sparklers (but always follow safety instructions)
  • Peacock Feathers
  • A crystal ball
  • An Umbrella
  • Wooden Letters
  • A copper tube (the “Ring of Fire”)
  • Sports Equipment

The possibilities are endless. You probably have at least one or two of these lying around, and they’re an easy way to inject some fun into you shoot.

28. Recreate your favorite photographer’s work

See if you can capture the same effects that your favorite photographers use. This is the fastest way to master the same skills that made your favorite artists your favorite artists.

I grew up near the mountains, and my favorite pictures are the amazing creeks and rivers that wind down the valley.

Photographer Dave Allen took this amazing picture.

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Photo Credits to Dave Allen

To complete this exercise, I would have to study up on long exposure photography, choose a beautiful stream, and take a well composed photo just like Dave Allen.

Who is your inspiration, and what makes those photos so special?

Follow in the footsteps of greatness and try to reverse engineer their photography.

29. Choose a new subject (for a day)

Do you ever find yourself in a photography rut? It is like the photography version of writer’s block.

It isn’t much fun, and everything starts to look the same.

Try choosing a new subject to shoot for a day . If you usually shoot portraits, then try heading to the nearest state park or national forest and capture the scenic vistas and wildlife. If you usually photograph babies, then try to volunteer your photography skills at a sports event.

Sometimes you just need to approach photography from a new angle to take that next step forward on your photography journey.

30. Step outside your comfort zone

This can mean so many things to so many different photographers.

Just try something new that you don’t usually do.

This can mean using a prop, turning your camera to manual mode, or even shooting on a lens you don’t usually use.

Try something bold and creative, and don’t let the fear of failure hold you back.

When you dedicate yourself to a wild new idea, you might make a mistake, but you will learn at a greatly accelerated rate.

31. Learn about a new tool

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Arrange a photoshoot that relies on a new tool in your photography arsenal. When I started photography, I was just like the 86% of photographers who don’t use additional lighting.

That started to change when I began to experiment with my camera flash. Then I went to a studio and discovered what a big difference studio lights can make.

I chose to learn about lights, and it increased my photography skills tenfold.

What photography tools do you want to learn?

In recent years, drone photography has exploded in popularity, but the “tool” doesn’t have to be a physical device.

Maybe now is the time to master Lightroom?

32. Take a Surreal photo

Most photographers take “realistic photos.”

Think about wedding photos for a minute. If you are a wedding photographer, it is your job to capture the bride and groom the same way they remember that day!

But surreal photographers throw “realistic photos” right out the window. They create unrealistic, dreamy, and sometimes frightening settings for their subjects.

The famous artist Salvador Dali created surreal photography with a relatively simple backdrop.

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Nonetheless, the portrait perfectly captures the eerie symmetry of the models mirrored face.

Take a surreal photo to engage your audience.

33. Photojournalism

You don’t have to travel to third-world war zones to get the inside scoop.

Find a friend , relative, or stranger who has an interesting story and photograph them. Record their story in the form of an interview, and take photos that capture the spirit of their tales.

Post the work in your blog to keep your website fresh!

34. Take a Still Life

Arrange objects from around your house against an interesting backdrop.

Artists have used this exercise for hundreds of years for one simple reason. It is easy to control the environment.

Arranging a still life is an exercise in composition. It forces the artist to consider the shapes, colors, and orientation of the objects they select.

It is important to arrange them in a way that is pleasing to the eye.

Then you have to decide what lens and exposure settings you are going to use to capture your still life.

Would the composition look better with a wide angle lens or a narrow lens?

Does the composition look better with natural light from the window or artificial light from bulbs?

Time is not of the essence when you practice still life photography, so be slow, thoughtful, and methodical for the purpose of this exercise.

35. Capture Something Rare

Humans are, by nature, intrigued by things that are rare and unusual. Just think about it! A fuzzy out of focus image of the “Loch Ness Monster” gets leaked, and suddenly everybody is frenzied. We are desperate to see new things and have new experiences.

Use a rare object or event to build excitement for your photography .

Go photograph something rare.

It might sound like a hard task, but there are actually endless possibilities.

  • Capture a special astronomical event like the next blood moon , solar eclipse , or meteor shower .
  • Use this endangered species map to find and photograph endangered animals in your area.
  • Keep an eye on the local news so you can be the first to photograph local current events.
  • Contact collectors! This is an amazing way to photograph extremely rare and unusual items, and the collectors love to have their collection featured in your blog.

36. Forced Perspective

You have most likely seen forced perspective before even if you didn’t realize it.

Read about it on forced perspective on Wikipedia for the full details.

Put simply, forced perspective is any sort of optical illusion you use to make parts of your image appear close to the camera, further from the camera, bigger, or smaller.

Photographers, architects, and film makers have been using forced perspective for years to achieve visual effects that would require hours of digital special effects to recreate.

Watch the video below to see how Lord of the Rings uses forced perspective when filming the Hobbits sitting around Gandalf.

Try taking a picture that uses a forced perspective optical illusion!

37. Think abstract

Your subject doesn’t have to be a model.

Try capturing interesting textures, abstract shapes, and unidentifiable objects. Move in closer than usual to obscure the item you are photographing.

38. Guess the settings

Have you ever tried this one?

Before you even turn on your camera, just take a long look at your surroundings .

What shutter speed, aperture, and ISO settings would you choose for a perfectly exposed image?

Turn on your camera and dial in your settings. Were you right?

This exercise trains your eye to understand subtle changes in lighting. It will also make it easier to shoot in manual mode.

39. People eating

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It isn’t very flattering.

That is what makes this photography exercise so powerful.

If you can capture a good photo of your dad inhaling chicken wings, then you can make anybody look good.

You might have a little bit of trouble finding somebody who will let you photograph them eating, so it might be best to do this exercise with somebody who you are close to: friends and family.

You will be seriously surprised at how difficult this one is, but it’s fun and you get to eat so, no complaints.

40. Shoot Every Angle

Keep your feet firmly planted in one place, and try to get 12 interesting shots from wherever you are standing.

Look up, down, left, and right to capture multiple exposures from the same spot. No matter where you are, there are always interesting photographs to find.

This exercise builds your framing skills very quickly.

Take time to select the right spot for this one. That will obviously change the outcome pretty dramatically.  

41. Long Exposure

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Long exposure photography is amazing because of how it captures movement.

Look at the highway above. The long exposure captured the headlights and tail lights of passing cars to create the illusion of movement. You can see the actual paths of the travelling cars, and it is beautiful.

Long exposure photography is also popular for bodies of moving waters.

Streams, rivers, waterfalls, and waves all look softer when you use long exposure.

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In the example above, the water pouring over the cliff looks soft and misty because the photographer set the shutter speed to an extended time.

Look around your environment and find an interesting subject for a long exposure photo.

Photography tip: Long exposure photos require the use of a tripod to keep the camera steady during the picture.

42. Visit a Photo Gallery

This photography exercise doesn’t even require a camera.

Just go to a photography gallery.

I like to see photography galleries because it keeps me informed on the trends in art photography. I get to see all sorts of creative ideas and masterful photography techniques.

Photography galleries expose newbie photographers to cutting edge culture and ideas, so there is a always a lot to learn from going to a photography gallery.

Check out your local museums, art galleries, and creative spaces for news about upcoming photography galleries.

43. Photograph Something Fast

Photographers have to be quick.

That is why you should try to photograph something fast.

Uncooperative subjects like squirrels, dirt bikes, and fireworks don’t give you very much time to compose your shot.

This will keep you on your toes and build your camera skills for quick execution.

44.Take a Photo every day for a year

You can choose any time scale you like, but the important thing is to take pictures every day for an extended period of time.

Stephen Covey writes about the importance of being proactive in his book 7 habits of highly effective people .

You don’t need to read his book to understand how important it is to be highly proactive about photography. Taking a picture every day is the fastest way to get good at photography.

45. Attend a photography Meetup

Meetup.com has meetups for every type of enthusiast including photographers, so attend your next photography meetup .

I get to learn from the photographers who are better than me, and I can help teach the photographers who are just starting out. Everybody learns faster and has fun when they work as a team.

46. Shoot Reflections

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Photographers love to use reflections in their photography.

It is an easy way to express narrative elements in an image, and it evokes strong emotions.

You can find reflections on sunglasses and still ponds. Start looking for new and creative opportunities to take reflection photos.

47. Enter a photography contest

There are dozens of websites that run photography contests. Find one that accepts your style of photography and enter it.

You have to think critically to pick a photograph for a competition, and this process can reveal interesting discoveries about your work.

48. Manual White Balance

Our brains do a very good job of perceiving the color white as a “true white” unless the color balance is very far off.

That is why it is difficult to select the perfect white balance on camera mode.

Try manually adjusting the white balance for your next photoshoot. You will start to train your eyes to be more discerning about color temperatures, and you will have more control over your photography.

The point of this exercise isn’t to nail the right balance everytime. That’s pretty great if you are able to do it, but the real value in this is just learning to see the effect the white balance has on the image.

49. Choose a Color

Spend a day looking for objects of a color you choose.

You will be surprised how many things you find! Line them up next to each other and observe the variations in hue.

50.Check the Histogram

Most modern DSLR and Mirrorless cameras can display the histogram on the preview screen.

This is super useful for making sure your photo is properly exposed.

An underexposed photo will have tall peaks on the far left side of the histogram, and an overexposed photo will have tall peaks on the far right side of the histogram.

Take a peek at the histogram preview next time to make sure you are using the right exposure settings, and just to get comfortable using the histogram.

Every photographer runs into a “creativity block” at some point, and having a list of photography exercises is a great way to persevere!

These exercises are guaranteed to build your camera skills and make you a better photographer, but only if you practice!

Do you have any ideas for more photography exercises? Tell me how you practice in the comments below!

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quick photo assignment

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8 Creative Black and White Photography Assignments for You

First sent on ERIC KIM NEWSLETTER >

Dear friends,

Some quick black and white photography assignments to get you going:

  • Photograph your hand . Shoot in RAW, and increase the contrast, to see more details in your hands
  • Inverse your photos : Choose some monochrome photos of yours which you like, and inverse them, to gain a more interesting view into them.
  • Shoot with a flash : Monochrome and a flash renders interesting scenes. Shoot everything you see with a flash and without a flash. You can experiment with RICOH GR II Program Mode and the integrated flash, or the integrated flash on your Fuji, or even the iPhone with Noir mode with the integrated flash!
  • Make a portfolio of your favorite (current) monochrome photos and upload them to your website portfolio.
  • Study the masters of monochrome photography. Andre Kertesz , Henri Cartier-Bresson , Josef Koudelka , Richard Avedon .
  • Experiment with RAW or JPEG high contrast for monochrome . You can download ERIC KIM PRESETS for free to experiment with.
  • Exposure compensation : When you see something interesting, shoot it at -1 exposure compensation, 0, and +1 exposure compensation.
  • Abstract your photos as much as possible . This means, blur your photos, shoot your photos out of focus, and make them more surreal !

Upload your favorite monochrome photos to arsbeta.com

Monochrome thoughts

quick photo assignment

  • How to Make More Meaningful Black and White Photos : With monochrome, our photos feel a bit more timeless. So perhaps with photographing your really meaningful moments, monochrome is better?
  • On Discovering Your Style as a Photographer : To discover your style as a photographer means to discover your taste, and to evolve your artistic vision.
  • All photography is creative : Monochrome is interesting, because we do not naturally see the world as monochrome. Thus, to take the beauty of reality and make it more surreal … this is more artistic?

More monochrome articles >

HAPTIC BOOKS

HAPTIC PRESS — creative books to get you going:

  • PHOTO JOURNAL: Discover more personal meaning in your photos
  • MASTERS: Distilled lessons on photography >
  • STREET NOTES: Street photography assignments >
  • HOW TO SEE: Improve your visual acuity >
  • Street Photography Starter Kit: Master street photography >

See more digital products >

FREE EBOOKS

Monochrome manual.

  • Zen in the Art of Street Photography

More books by KIM >

The motivational thought

If reality existed simply for the sake of photography, it was all worth it!

Never stop shooting, ERIC

New motivation

  • ERIC KIM PODCAST

HAPTIC INDUSTRIES : Creative tools to empower you.

MUSE by KIM. DISCOVER your new MUSE >

Discover more on AMAZON >

If this inspired you, feel free to forward to a friend or subscribe/re-subscribe here .

Dear friends, I am excited to announce my new free book: “ Monochrome Manual .” It is a brief 34-page handbook on the basics of black-and-white photography, full of practical tips, and some of my favorite monochromatic images. If you have a passion for black-and-white photography, download it for free and share it with your friends.

Read more for more download options, or to read the entire book as a blog post:

PDF (38.1MB):

  • Direct Download
  • Dropbox Download
  • Google Drive
  • Google Docs
  • Microsoft.docx

iBooks author file (161.MB):

Table of Contents

  • Why Monochrome?
  • The Subject
  • The Gesture
  • Figure-to-Ground
  • Negative Space
  • Embrace the Light
  • Ambient Light
  • Harsh Light
  • Out-of-Focus

Reflections

  • Self-Portrait
  • The Blacker, the Better

Monochrome Manual - Cover

Black and white is the essence of photography. There is nothing more simple, minimalist, and sublime than a mono (singular) chromatic (color) image.

When I started shooting street photography, I embraced black-and-white, because I felt that it better communicated my emotions and feelings. Not only that, but I often found color to be a distraction to my images.

This manual will share you some practical tips when shooting street photography in black-and-white, and also provide some philosophical reasons why to shoot monochrome. Always, Eric

Why monochrome?

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One of the aesthetic philosophies I love is: “less is more.” Not only that, but the phrase, “Less, but better” also comes to mind.

If you are a photographer that seeks to capture raw emotion in your photos, monochrome is for you. Monochrome helps you cut distractions, to eliminate noise, and to focus on the essence of the scene.

One of the best ways to make a better street photograph is to remove the superfluous from a frame. That means to get a clean background, to not have things sticking out of the head of your subject, as well as to not have unnecessary subjects in your photographs.

I also feel that monochrome better helps you focus on emotions. To capture better emotions in your photographs, capture gestures, body language, and facial expressions. Let’s start from the basics.

The subject

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If you are new to photography or monochromatic photography, I recommend you to start with the basics– a single subject. The purpose of a photograph is to focus your attention to the primary subject of your photograph. By focusing on this one subject, you are able to communicate a certain message or a feeling to your viewer.

The fewer distractions you have in a frame, the more focus you can have to your subject.

Regardless of what type of photography you shoot, try to think: “Who is my subject?”

If you shoot street photography, that means focusing on a single subject that you find interesting on the streets. If you are shooting candidly, try to eliminate other elements or subjects from the frame. If you ask for permission, try to isolate one subject you find interesting, and photograph them.

If you shoot landscapes, perhaps your single-subject is a solitary tree, a solitary rock, or a starfish on the beach. If you shoot architecture, try to find a singular point in a photograph that catches your attention.

By focusing on a single-subject; that element is your “anchor.” To be more specific, your subject is a visual anchor.

Also by incorporating other compositional techniques (leading lines, diagonal lines, and strong contrast) you are able to isolate your viewer’s attention on that single subject.

So start off by capturing your single-subject.

The gesture

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When you have identified your subject, one of the keys to capture a powerful monochromatic image is to focus on a gesture.

A gesture can be having someone’s hand on their head, pointing a certain direction, or having their hands on their hips.

Why are gestures important?

Well, with gestures you can capture emotions in your photographs. So rather than just photographing your subject mindlessly walking in the streets or looking like a scarecrow, try to engage your subject. Take photos while your subject is talking or ask them questions to provoke hand-movement.

The stronger the gesture of your subject, the stronger the emotion in the photograph.

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Figure-to-ground

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One of the secrets to making a stronger photograph is to have strong “figure-to-ground” (contrast) in a scene.

The “figure” is your subject. The “ground” is your background. So for example, if your subject is white, you want them against a black background. Or if you have a black subject, you want them against a white background.

The biggest mistakes a lot of photographers make is that there is not enough separation and contrast between their subject and the background. You can see this when you see street photographs of people with trees, tree poles, or other distracting elements overlapping with the subject.

A good way to make stronger images is to start off with a simple and minimalist background. Start off with a white or black background, and simply add your subjects into the frame.

Negative space

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Another way to make a maximum statement with less is to embrace “negative space.”

Negative space shouldn’t be decorative. Negative space allows you to focus the viewer’s attention onto your subject. Not only that, but having negative space allows the subject in your photograph to “breathe.”

For example, in the photograph above, I have Cindy lit with a single light. The pitch black envelops her– and having just her face lit gives her a “spotlight” effect (like an actor on a stage). The black also helps give focus to the expression of her face– a bit lost, unsure, and looking to the future.

The secret to making strong images with negative space is to intentionally take a step back, and make your subjects smaller than you think they “should” be. Also by lowering your “exposure compensation” — you can make the blacks envelop the entire frame.

Embrace the light

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One of the good things about monochromatic photography is that even if your light is flat, the photos tend up looking “okay.” With color photography, having flat light ruins a photograph.

However if you want to make a truly stellar black-and-white photograph, you need to embrace the light. The ideal light to have is during “golden hour”; either sunrise, or sunset.

Having beautiful light will truly bring your monochromatic images to life. They will make the blacks of your photos darker than ink, and they will make the highlights of your photographs glisten with life. And no amount of post-processing or darkroom magic can “fix” a photograph with poor light.

In this photograph, I made some portraits of a man in Downtown LA during sunset. I made many photos of him, and I got lucky with this moment. A combination of the strong black horizontal lines, the soft expression in his face, and the mysterious hand coming out of the shadows.

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“Eyes are the windows to the soul.” There are no truer words.

When I’m out shooting on the streets, I try to get eye-contact in my images. I can get eye-contact in my photographs either by interacting with my subjects, or taking photos candidly of my subjects until they notice me, and then turn towards me, and make eye-contact with me and my camera.

To highlight the eye of your subject, try to find shafts of light, and set your exposure-compensation to -2 or so. This will highlight the exposure of your subject’s eye, and darken everything else.

If your subject is looking straight into the lens, the viewer will feel more captivated by the image. There is nothing more haunting, memorable, and soul-gripping than strong eye-contact in an image. One of the best ways to study eye-contact in images is to look at Renaissance paintings (some of the most memorable images have the subjects look straight into the eye of the viewer).

downtown la eye contact sheet

After the face, the hands of a person are the second most interesting part of a human.

Why? With hands you can communicate. Many psychologists say that 80% of communication is based on body-language and gestures; not words.

Not only that, but hands often have an interesting story of their own.

For example, in this image, I approached a woman in Downtown LA, and asked to take her portrait. At first she refused, and then I asked if I could take a photograph of her amazing nails instead. She assented (I’ve never met anyone who refused having a photo of their hands taken).

I feel the resulting image is much stronger. By just looking at the woman’s hands, you can infer a lot about her personal style and it makes the viewer wonder, “What kind of woman would have those kind of hands and nails?” The more questions, the more engaging and memorable the image is.

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One of the beautiful things about monochrome is that it highlights shadows.

By incorporating shadows into your photos, you incorporate more mystery and drama to your photos.

For example, in the photograph above, take a look at the shadow. What do you think is the hidden story behind this photograph? This is what makes the photograph interesting to look at; the viewer can make up his or her own story behind the photo. If you want engaging shadows in a photograph, shoot during sunset. The lower the sun sets, the longer the shadows get. A secret to getting (even) longer shadows– try to get the shadow to curl around the edge of a wall (like it is above).

Another tip: only photograph the shadow of a subject (don’t include the subject).

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To make a beautiful black and white photograph, you need strong “figure-to-ground” or strong contrast in a scene.

However when it is really dark, what is one of the best ways to illuminate your subjects? Easy– use a flash.

By using a flash, you will draw your subject out of the shadows. You will make your subject illuminate with brilliance.

You don’t need to shoot with a big external flash; just use the integrated flash in-camera (if you have one). If not, use the smallest and least-obtrusive flash. In terms of technical settings, I just recommend using “P” (program) mode; which will automatically meter your scene.

Using a flash works best when shooting against the sun, in the shade, indoors, or at night.

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If you have never been in a film darkroom; there is a technique called “dodging” (brightening) and “burning” (darkening). Fortunately for us, we can also do this digitally.

For me, I love dark blacks. To me, dark blacks are more mysterious, more sinister, and have more drama.

In this photograph, I took a photograph of a suited man walking by a diagonal wall. I crouched down, and took a quick photograph. I noticed in my LCD screen that his face was (mostly) black. But to make this image even more dramatic, I darkened in his face completely using the “adjustment brush” tool in Lightroom, and totally “burning” (darkening) his face. But isn’t this “cheating?” No — black-and-white isn’t about capturing reality; it is about creating your own version of reality. After all, do you really see the world in black-and-white?

Ambient light

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One of my favorite situations to shoot monochrome in is when there is a faint light source– a little bit of ambient light to light up my subject.

For example, in this image I was at a dive-bar in Provincetown, and I had an engaging chat with the man above. He excused himself for a bit, in order to pick a song on the jukebox. When he was thumbing through the catalogue of songs, I saw a great photo opportunity. I set the camera to -3 exposure-compensation (shooting in “P” mode) and took probably 70-80 photos of this scene.

I love the resulting image. There is a great deal of drama in the photograph, because the soft glow of the jukebox barely illuminates the hollow-looking face of the subject.

If you want to capture more subtle ambient light, try to shoot in the evening– in really dark situations. Try to use just a single light bulb, or even the light of a smartphone. Use ISO 3200+ and -3 exposure.

Harsh light

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If you want to make strong and gritty images, embrace “harsh light.”

You will find harsh light when you are shooting in the middle of the day, anytime between 11am-2pm (depending on the time of the year). During these times of the day, the light isn’t soft and graduated– it stops in jagged edges.

If you are shooting in harsh light, put your subject in the light, and experiment setting the exposure-compensation of your camera anywhere between -2 and -3. What this will do is have your subject well-illuminated in the light, and have the background be pitch-black.

For example in this photograph I saw this badass guy with these fantastic tattoos. I stopped him, and I complimented him on his tattoos and asked to make a few photographs of him. He assented– and I asked him to stand directly in the light– where his tattoos and eyes would be illuminated. If you take a look at my contact sheet, you can see how I asked him to move forwards and backwards (to have the light properly exposed on his face).

There is no such thing as “good” or “bad” light in photography– but there is “harsh” and “soft” light. Experiment with all different lighting situations (shooting without a flash, and with a flash), and you will be able to create monochromatic images with different “looks” and emotion.

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Out-of-focus

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The more mysterious a black-and-white photograph is, the more engaging it will be to the viewer. When a photograph of out-of-focus, it forces the viewer to put in extra effort to try to make out what is happening in a photograph.

In photography, we are always told to have the subject perfectly in-focus. But try the opposite– make photos where your subjects are intentionally out-of-focus.

For me, most of my out-of-focus photos that I like are accidents, or “beautiful mistakes.” Or what I do sometimes is take several photos– some photos in-focus, and some photos out-of-focus, and end up choosing the photos I like best.

I also have found that photos that are out-of-focus in monochrome tend to look aesthetically more appealing than color photographs. Why? Because they look even more haunting and gripping.

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To make more interesting monochromatic images– add an extra “dimension” to your photos. One way to add another dimension to your photographs is to integrate more reflections.

You can add reflections to your photos by finding a spot where you see potential– this can be mirrors, windows, or even in puddles of water.

For this photograph, I was on my lunch break and walking around a local mall. I rode the escalator up, and saw the sides of the escalator make a nice curved leading-lines. I then held up my camera, and waited for a subject to enter the middle of the frame. I then saw a man coming from the right side, and took a photograph the second he was in the middle of the frame. Half a second before I shot the photograph, I noticed his reflection on the left of the frame.

However it wasn’t until I went home that I saw the third reflection on the right of the frame. The reflections make this photo.

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If you are new to black-and-white street photography, you might have gone a bit crazy with the “vignette” tool. I have to admit, when I started shooting monochromatic street photos, I would add a strong vignette to all of my images.

I liked the vignette because it added more focus to the middle of the frame, by darkening the edges of the frame. However what I have learned in my personal photographic journey is that adding too much vignette to an image makes it look more artificial, forced, and unnatural. You never want to add so much vignette that your subject will think, “Wow, this photographer added too much vignette to the image.” You want the viewer to just enjoy the image.

However of course there are cases where a strong vignette will add more power to an image– like this photograph I shot in Seoul in 2009. I feel the vignette helps the woman in the white umbrella pop more, and illuminate her surroundings. The result is the photograph has an “ethereal” feel.

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If you’ve ever watched a film-noir film from the 50’s, you will see a lot of crazy effects done with smoke and fog machines– to add more drama, mystery, and confusion to a scene.

Personally I am not a smoker, but I love the aesthetic quality that smoke brings to an image.

You can shoot smoke in different ways– you can shoot smoky pipes on a cold winter day, or the steam coming out of the sewer. You can shoot in misty situations, or you can ask your friend (or your subject) to blow their cigarette smoke towards you.

When it comes to smoke, it is unpredictable how it will render in a photograph. My practical situation: take photos of the smoke with a flash and without a flash. Sometimes the flash will illuminate the smoke and make it “pop.” Other cases, not using a flash will give the image more drama and mystery. Regardless, smoke is a timeless tool that makes monochromatic images more compelling.

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Life moves fast– one second it is there, and one second it is gone. If you shoot street photography, you might want to capture the vigor and energy of the urban jungle in your images. One of the ways to do this is to add blur to your images. This will make your images more “edgy” and engaging.

There are many ways you can create more blurry images– you can set your camera to “shutter-priority” mode and set your shutter-speed slow (anything slower than 1/10th of a second).

You can shoot with a slow shutter-speed while you are moving, or take the opposite approach and put your camera on a tripod (have a sharp background, but your subjects are like ghosts in your frame).

Another technique to add blur to your photos is to use a flash, but set your shutter-speed to slower than 1/10th second. This will cause your subject to be tack-sharp, but the background to be blurry.

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There is nothing more sublime than beautifully-composed monochromatic images. If you love geometrical elements in a frame, try to incorporate repeating elements into your frame.

For example, I was traveling with Cindy, her mom, and my mom in Portugal. We went to a small seaside down, and found this interesting area where there were all of these repeating windows against bleach-white walls.

In this image, you see the repeating patterns of the black windows (some of them are circular arches, and some of them are rectangles or squares). To continue the repeating pattern of the blacks in the photo (against the white background), I added my mom’s head in the lower-right part of the frame.

A key to have strong repetition in black and white photos: make sure to have “white-space” between the dark elements in a photograph. Also make sure to “fill-the-frame” and make a balanced frame.

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Self-portrait

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If you live in an area where you don’t have a lot of people or interesting subjects, know that you can always photograph yourself– your own shadow, your own reflection, or your own face.

One of the photographers I am greatly inspired by when it comes to self-portraits is Lee Friedlander — he is able to integrate great humor into his self-portraits by putting his shadows and faces in the most unlikely places. In this photograph, I put my shadow over this road separator, and it almost looks like I have these alien-eyes floating above my shadow’s head.

No matter how “boring” the city, town, or neighborhood you live in– you always have yourself (the best subject to photograph). Another idea: do an entire monochromatic self-portrait project, and have fun with it.

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The blacker, the better

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I recently read an essay about the color black by the world-famous designer, Paul Rand.

In his essay, he shares how in modern (Western) society we look down on the color black. We see the color black as evil, darkness, and danger. Unfortunately, this is where a lot of racists find their rationale to look down on black people, and other “colored” peoples.

For me, I think the blacker, the better. Black to me is beauty. Black is not pretentious, black is minimalism, black is elegance, and black is bliss.

If you want to see the world in a deeper way, try to see the world in black-and-white. See how many shades of white, grey, and black you can get in an image. Find your monochromatic bliss, and don’t let color blind your eyes.

Focus on raw emotions, faces, eyes, shapes, lines, and the dance between the light and dark in a frame.

Some of the greatest photographers have spent their entire careers trying to “master” black-and-white; but many of them have died admitting that even they weren’t able to master black-and-white before they passed.

I definitely don’t plan on mastering black-and-white in this lifetime; but I do find it to be not only a beautiful aesthetic in photography, but a way to see the world in a more calm, elegant, and simple way.

Make monochromatic memories, and savor the brilliance it will bring your images.

Always, Eric Thursday, March 31, 2016 / Oakland

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65+ Photography Project Ideas You Can Start Today

Written by  Shutterfly Community Last Updated: Dec 8, 2020

Do you want to sharpen your skills, learn fresh techniques or just have fun with your camera? Photography projects help you accomplish all three.

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Through themed projects, you can capture unique images that follow a certain framework or style. Your project can last a week, month or year—depending on how in depth you’d like to go. To offer you inspiration, we’ve compiled 68 creative photography projects that are appropriate for all skill levels.

Once you’ve completed your project, be sure to create a photo book with your images or select your favorite for a canvas print .

1. Self Portrait

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By switching the focus from other subjects to yourself as the subject, your photography takes on a whole new perspective. When setting up your shot, choose a landmark item to use as a stand-in until you’re ready to jump in the frame.

Play with auto and manual focus with your stand-in until you get the shot just right. Then, enter the scene using the timer option.

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For the wisdom project, the goal is to gather photographs of those who have offered you wisdom or a helpful perspective. You might feature grandparents or mentors—or be inclined to include young ones who have provided you a fresh angle on life.

Aim to capture individuals in their natural state, especially if it’s in a location where they shared a special moment with you.

3. Candid Photo

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Photographing someone in their natural state allows for their true personality to shine through. With a candid photography project, incorporate a range of human subjects for a diverse collection, or capture the same subject across different settings and days.

Building a portfolio of several candids allows you to paint a vivid persona of your subjects.

4. Street Style Photography

quick photo assignment

Authentic street style photography allows you to snag shots of the latest fashion—all without the strut of the runway. Look for colors first (either eye-catching or stunningly neutral), then watch for the cut and structure of the clothes.

Aim for overall beauty within the frame, including the street or walkway, so the focus isn’t solely on the clothes.

5. All About The Details

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Create a collection of shots with unique subjects that focus on the details. Whether the photos are for an engagement , graduation or everyday occasion, you can take portraits of smaller details, like wisps of hair, relaxed hands and prominent features. Making your subjects feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera is the first priority. Plan a single shoot for various angles to help capture what looks best on a given day or moment.

6. Natural Element

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Plan for your gallery of photos to include candid shots of the subject in their element. Whether they love the beach or like to craft, you can capture your subject in their favorite space or place to go.

If a subject feels awkward in front of the camera, have him or her lean against something vertical, like a fence, wall or car. They’ll feel more anchored and their body angle will offer the photo some character without seeming unnatural.

7. Pet Photography

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From cats to dogs to horses, the heart and soul of your pets can be captured with the right technique. Incorporate natural light in your shoot keep watch of your pet’s eyes. Expressions and personality often shine through and it’s a great time to capture these moments.

8. Motherhood

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Being a mother is one of life’s greatest gifts. When we’re parents, beautiful moments take place along with messy and chaotic ones. Encapsulate the full spectrum of motherhood with photos from quiet moments like snuggling with your child to lively times like cooking together in the kitchen.

With any photography project, it’s important that your images tell a story.

9. Panoramic Pictures

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A popular technique for landscapes, panoramic photography enlarges the viewpoint beyond the normal size of a camera lens. To ensure there are no gaps in your panoramic shot, overlap your image by 15-30%.

You’ll also want to keep your camera as level as possible to ensure the photo is even throughout. Don’t forget that panos work well for vertical shots, too, like waterfalls and deep canyons.

10. Sunsets Photos

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Sunsets make for stunning photos—especially when executed well. For maximum beauty, be sure to slightly underexpose the sunset for rich and dramatic colors. Use manual mode and a fast shutter speed for underexposure, or use aperture priority with exposure compensation.

Make your sunset even more magnificent by arranging an object or scene in the foreground of the sunset, like a lake or mountain.

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Mist and fog are natural elements that can enhance the beauty of your photography. Check the weather to determine when fog might pop up. Oftentimes the best lighting for fog photos occurs in the wee hours of the morning or late in the evening after sunset. The low lighting causes a slower shutter speed, which means a shakier camera.

Keep your camera as still as possible or use a tripod. The best places for foggy photos? Open bodies of water and other sweeping landscapes like fields and low rolling hills.

12. Cityscapes

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Hovering skyscrapers and diverse skylines are part of what makes cityscapes such attractive photography. For a cityscapes project, try different vantage points across the city to see what works best (think: a popular lookout compared with a more secret locale).

Prepare for an after sunset shoot, allowing the city lights to pop against the dark sky. Remember to use a wide angle lens to cover as much ground as possible.

13. Water (Rain, Ocean)

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Whether you’re hoping to create scenes of smooth, flowing water or capture dynamic waves crashing against a seawall, it’s critical to have better than average camera equipment. For nearly every water shot, a tripod is also essential to keep the frame still for the length of the exposure (usually two to four seconds).

Pack along a lens-friendly cloth to remove splashes and water marks. Plan to get wet if you’re banking on a stunning water shot.

14. Seasons

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Each season offers its own charms—from snowy branches to colored leaves. Select a location for your seasons project where you’ll snap photos throughout all four seasons. Once the year is complete, you’ll have a collection of stunning images that tell the story of your special place over the course of a year.

15. Star Trails

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Spectacular from edge to edge, star trails photography is an adventure to shoot. The first step is to find a clear sky full of stars, but free of pollution and other light interference. Anchoring your camera on a tripod, set your camera to shoot on manual mode. The faster the lens you have, the better.

Once you have your shot prepared, select drive mode for consecutive shots rather than a single frame. With your remote, let your camera take photos for thirty minutes up to a few hours, depending on the length of star trails you’re creating.

quick photo assignment

Capturing still images with a remote-controlled drone opens up the options for angles and perspectives in your photography. Consider sending a drone above a beach, golf course or mountaintop.

Increase the altitude of your drone for a more impressive viewpoint and try GPS mode for a more stable shot.

17. Food Photography

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As a still life technique, food photography requires a few main ingredients: good lighting, props and style. Place your items near natural lighting or use a flash to give the photo a balanced look. When it comes to the arrangement, consider adding in table setting details like plates and silverware.

Amplify the photo’s texture with decorative pieces like colorful fruits and sprigs of herbs. For a well-rounded food photography project, shoot a variety of foods and dishes.

18. Black and White Month

quick photo assignment

Instead of using the full color spectrum, this project idea prompts you to capture images in black and white only. Two-toned photography provides a different perspective or feel to your work, and gives you a chance to highlight people, places and objects in a novel way.

For instance, a close-up of hands be enticing when displayed in color, but in black and white, the image paints the story that all humankind is united.

19. Everyday Moments

quick photo assignment

Photos that showcase a slice of regular life contain a certain genuine beauty. When preparing for everyday moment shots, make sure subjects are comfortable. People should interact as if you aren’t even present.

The true magic happens when you’re able to capture two people’s true connection.

20. Random Acts of Kindness

quick photo assignment

The random acts of kindness project prompts you to capture someone doing something thoughtful or helpful for another person. By photographing these moments, you’re telling a larger story of humanity.

To be successful in this project, you’ll need to keep a keen eye out for small acts of generosity, like a young man holding the door or a little girl smiling at a stranger.

21. Shoes For a Week

quick photo assignment

Narrow your photography focus for a week by capturing different styles of footwear. From boots to sandals to athletic shoes, diversify your image collection. Be sure to utilize a range of angles to create unique stories for each photo (i.e. a guy lounging with shoes on, two people talking while standing, a woman running).

22. Comfort Zone Challenge

quick photo assignment

Pushing the limits of your creativity often leaves you with impressive and surprising results. With the comfort zone challenge, throw caution to the wind and experiment without expectations.

Maybe that means you’ll shoot a paragliding experience, a fireworks explosion or animals in action. When you’re snapping shots, play around with your shutter speed, aperture, focal length and movement.

23. 30 Strangers

quick photo assignment

Taking a photo of someone whom you’ve only just met can be thrilling. It can also be personally and professionally rewarding. Through the 30 strangers project, you’ll capture 30 portraits of people you’ve never met before. Find people on the street, in a shopping mall or at a park.

Be sure to ask each person’s consent first before posting publicly. The 30 strangers challenge will certainly stretch you outside of your artistic comfort zone.

24. Duotone

quick photo assignment

Duotone photography refers to a multitone production of an image, usually imposed through photo editing techniques. The superimposition of a contrasting color halftone (normally black) over another color halftone enhances the middle tones of an image.

Photographs with one main object, like a flower, seashell or tree, are ideal for creating duotone effects.

25. Perspective

quick photo assignment

Perspective photography can take many forms: those shot from a low angle, ones with strong leading lines and those that look straight up into the sky. Whether your scene is a railroad track or skyscraper, your image should emphasize the angle and the unique perspective you’re hoping to give the viewer.

Train your eye to notice patterns, lines and reflections you can capture from different angles.

quick photo assignment

Not only is coffee delicious and rejuvenating, it’s also a work of art. Collaborate with a barista on a latte design or the type of mug to use. Choose a simple backdrop so the coffee remains the focal point.

A dark backdrop is best if you’re aiming to capture the steam rolling off of a warm drink.

27. Create a Photo Album

elegant wedding anniversary album

Let your memories last forever by creating a photo album for a recent vacation, an adventurous summer or a year filled with fun. Design your photo album with a theme in mind to build cohesion. Vary your layouts from page to page for texture and personality.

28. Traffic Lights

quick photo assignment

When photographing traffic lights and other light trails, the best time is during or after twilight on a night when minimal wind is present. Based on your camera angle and objects, you’ll need to adjust and experiment with your settings.

Often times, shutter priority mode is ideal along with a shutter speed of six seconds. Make stability a non-issue with a tripod, and remember you won’t be using a flash.

29. Happy Days

quick photo assignment

Allow joy to take the center stage of your photos. Whether they’re candid shots of family members interacting or a single subject, make sure the smiles are natural. Enhance the happiness level by highlighting the subject with ample natural lightening.

30. Photo Scavenger Hunt

quick photo assignment

Challenge yourself and your fellow photographers by setting up a photo scavenger hunt . Rather than choosing objects and locations to capture, create a list of photography styles to achieve. For instance, your list might include building a motion blur or catching a clear action shot. At the end of your hunt, you’ll have a collection of impressive photographs.

31. Night Scenes

quick photo assignment

Night scenes, also known as low light photography, allow you to make the most of dark scenes that are hard to capture. When less light is present, it means you’ll also have slower shutter speeds, which equals more camera shake. For this reason, landscapes and long exposures at night time require tripods.

Whether you’re shooting special moments around the campfire or gazing up at the stars, utilize a wide aperture or a low f-number to let in as much light as possible.

32. Polaroids

quick photo assignment

Polaroids offer a timeless feel and give photos a natural frame. When creating a collection of polaroids, be sure to switch up your angles and perspectives. Try a few upclose shots of objects along with macro shots of mountains and lakes.

For polaroids with human subjects, allow for plenty of natural light and aim for candids.

33. Letters/Signs

quick photo assignment

With any inanimate object, the challenge with photography is to bring it to life. With letters and signs, try to enrich the shot with the surrounding scene whether it’s greenery or a neat light fixture. Angle your lens in a way that makes the lettering most striking.

Build a full photography project with at least five to ten different signs.

34. Action Shots

quick photo assignment

To nail a clear action shot—for sports, animals or anything else—the most important aspect is to be prepared. Consider pre-focusing your shot, so when the subject enters the frame, you’re ready.

Because it may take several shots to capture even one solid photo, shoot in short bursts for a few seconds at a time. Keep extra space at either edge of your frame to allow for your subject’s movement.

35. Abstract

quick photo assignment

Fundamental to abstract photography are lines and curves. The shapes you highlight will guide the viewer’s eye to a certain engaging element. To get up close and personal with an object or design, use a macro lens. With the macro, your photo composition will have clearer resolution and sharpness. Complete your project by gathering a collection of abstract photo pieces.

36. New Lens

quick photo assignment

Your camera equipment plays a large role in your work as a photographer. Your tools, like your lenses, can fundamentally change the structure your art.

To sharpen your skills, try using a single lense for an entire month. Ideally, the lense will be new to you—allowing you to master the new tool and broaden your photography skills.

37. Architecture

quick photo assignment

Photographing architecture—whether modern or classic—presents unique challenges. Consider capturing an array of building styles for your portfolio and don’t forget to mix up your angles. Vary your shots by choosing a different weather conditions and times of day.

Through your diversity of shots, you’ll have richer story of the buildings’ relationship with the environment.

38. Thankful

quick photo assignment

To enhance your gratitude and happiness, consider completing a thankful project where you take one photo every day of something you’re grateful for. From flowers to pets to family members, find subjects that have personal meaning to you.

By capturing what you’re thankful for, you connect deeper with the people, places and things that surround you.

39. Sunday Mornings

quick photo assignment

Whether you’re enjoying a cup of coffee or a good book, snap a photo every Sunday morning for one month or a year. Capturing everyday occurrences through photography is a form of artistic journaling, helping you to document life’s big and small moments.

40. Top View

quick photo assignment

The angle of your shot makes all the difference in how appealing and engaging it is. Try a series of photos where your perspective comes from the top. Amp up the creativity by getting higher for your shoot and using a wide angle lens.

A busy environment, like a packed street or active household, can become a striking composition when using a top view perspective because it offers necessary distance from the cluttered setting.

41. Guilty Pleasures

quick photo assignment

We all have foods and activities we love despite feeling that they might not be held in high regard. Perhaps your guilty pleasure is cream-filled donuts or binge watching reruns of your favorite sitcom.

Collecting images of your guilty pleasures will likely bring you humor and levity, knowing that these items are a part of you, but they don’t necessarily define you.

42. Silhouettes

quick photo assignment

Forming a distinct contrast between light and dark, silhouettes highlight one or multiple subjects. Ensure your subject is backlit with the sun behind them. The best times to shoot silhouettes are in the morning or late evening.

Build a stunning image by setting the scene with open space, like in a field or along the beach. Set up your camera angle facing the sun, then ask your subject to stand between the sun and you. Play around with the exact angle until you have a strong contrast.

quick photo assignment

Create a collection of photos shot with prism filters on your lens or by placing a prism in front of your lens. The light that dances off of the prism will add creative effects to your photography by dispersing light before it hits the camera. Secure your camera on a tripod so you can have your hands free to play with the prism and lighting.

Prism photography can include large subjects like nature scenes and architecture or smaller objects like books and candles.

44. Symmetry

quick photo assignment

Finding subjects that offer you symmetry is the foundational step for this photography project idea. Look for symmetry in architecture and nature, but don’t leave out human and animals subjects. Smaller details, like hands or feet, often make for the perfect symmetrical photo.

quick photo assignment

Bokeh photography is denoted by one unique characteristic: a blur produced in the out-of-focus area of an image. The blur, produced by a lens, helps direct the focus of the photo. A fast lens is necessary to achieve this technique, with at least an f/2.8 aperture.

With a wide open lens, you can create bokeh with subjects like butterflies, humans and fencing around a baseball field. These photos are perfect for framing around your home .

46. Action Figures

quick photo assignment

Due to their size, action figures are easy to rearrange and shoot from multiple angles. Bring the scene to life by having the figures interact with each other. If you’re looking for an extra challenge, tell a story through your action figures, like one you would find in a comic book. Include action shots against a simple backdrop.

47. Steel Wool

quick photo assignment

Although it may seem like steel wool photography would require expensive equipment, it is a surprisingly inexpensive technique. For this project, you’ll need the following: a camera, lens, tripod, shutter cable, steel wool, string, stainless steel whisk, lighter and protective gloves. In a dark location—away from combustible items and other people—burn steel wool that’s loosely packed in a whisk.

As the steel wool burns, spin the whisk either vertically or horizontally to create the desired effect. The burning will only last about ten seconds, so you’ll want to set up for at least five seconds of exposure time. Steel wool photography creates wild and interesting images, but be sure to follow safety precautions to avoid hazards.

quick photo assignment

To enhance your skills and test out a nifty shooting technique, try macro photography on tiny subjects like insects, match-heads and flowers. Keeping your budget in mind, choose a magnification lens that lets you make super small items appear larger than life. For your macro project, vary your subjects.

Consider nature’s smallest members, miniature household items and up close shots of human elements for your portfolio.

49. Double Exposure

quick photo assignment

Double exposure, also known as multiple exposure, is a technique that combines two images in a single image. By using double exposure, you can create a distinct effect like a mirror image or ghost-like presence. The layering technique can be done with or without photoshop, depending on your equipment and skill set.

50. Escapism

quick photo assignment

Photography, like any type of art, can be a form of escapism. Through the camera, we can create images that help us step out of reality and into our daydreams. Prepare for your escapism photography project by thinking of your ‘happy places’ or locations you go to get away.

After brainstorming, head to one of those locations and shoot scenes that offer a mystical aura—whether it’s birds fluttering in the forest or the clouds lifting off of the mountains.

51. Shadow Art

quick photo assignment

Just as light is a critical element to photography, so is darkness. With shadow art, the focus is placed on the subject as it blocks light from reaching a surface, like a sidewalk or table. Experiment with the angle, distance and size of your light source to alter the intensity and scale of your shadows.

Consider humans as your subjects, but inanimate objects, too, like musical instruments, buildings and action figures.

52. Texture

quick photo assignment

From brick walls to tiled roofs to wooden fences, textures are all around us. Complete a photo challenge where you take one shot of a textured surface every day. Turn on your auto focus to ensure the object is in perfect focus. Adjust your distance from the subject based on how much detail you want in your image. This idea is perfect if you’re also looking for creative Instagram photo ideas .

Aim for a ninety degree angle when you shoot the image so your texture is lined up straight with the camera.

53. 365 Wardrobe

quick photo assignment

On each day of the year, snap photos of your clothes before you begin the day. Arrange them differently—sometimes orderly, sometimes more carelessly—to gain a sense of how your mood changed from day to day. Remember to include accessories like purses, shoes, belts and headbands.

54. Suspend Time

quick photo assignment

Photography is a powerful art medium: it can even pause time. Whether you’re suspending an item with a fishing line or taking a shot of someone jumping, you can create the look of time being stopped. Start this photography project by choosing three items or people you’d like to suspend.

55. Balloons

quick photo assignment

Bursting with color or more neutral tones, balloons make for versatile props. Let helium balloons off into the sky and capture photos as they float up. Surround the birthday girl with balloons in an otherwise empty room. Or tie a balloon to a child’s wrist and photograph them as they wander through a park.

56. Hotel Carpet

quick photo assignment

If you travel frequently, the hotel carpet project may be the right kind of fun for you. Next time you’re walking through a hotel lobby, glance down at the carpet beneath your feet. All sorts of patterns and colors are used in hotel carpets across the world. Take a snapshot (ideally at a 90-degree angle) of each carpet for a collection that will help you remember all of the places you’ve been.

quick photo assignment

Across neighborhoods and cities, doors provide insight to each home’s character. For this photography project, set out on an adventure to collect as many styles and sizes of doors as possible. Choose a macro approach, where the whole door makes the shot, or go micro by narrowing the frame to door handles and styles of wood.

58. Juxtaposition

quick photo assignment

To build juxtaposition in your photographs, place two opposite subjects next to one another. Like a blue ocean and a green forest, the contrast between the two is noticeable yet stunning. Types of juxtaposition might include a person and their shadow or a thin item next to a thicker item. For this photography project, try several contrasting subjects or locations.

quick photo assignment

Photos full of irony can be humorous or thought-provoking. Maybe you snap an image of a tow truck hauling another tow truck or you notice a descriptive sign in a place that doesn’t quite seem to fit. When it comes to ironic photos, a keen eye is needed along with a quick wit.

60. Fairy Lights

quick photo assignment

Fairy lights make for beautiful focal points. You can wrap the lights around a tree, weave them between human subjects or fill mason jars with them. Build a larger scene by ensuring no backdrop distractions are present or capture the fairy lights up close.

Regardless of what subjects and scenes you decide to shoot, proper exposure is crucial.

quick photo assignment

For this photography project, choose smoke as your primary accent. Incense sticks are easy to use and allow you to play with various colors. Your setup should ensure ample ventilation for the smoke to escape the room. Some photographers merge two photographs (one of the smoke and one of the object) to design a special scene, like one of a toy train blowing smoke or a tea kettle steaming.

62. Vintage Cars

quick photo assignment

From sporty models to classic town cars, vintage vehicles never go out of style. Look for vintage makes at car rallies and exhibitions, although sometimes you’ll come across them in your everyday happenings. The golden hours, right after sunrise or right before sunset, are ideal for shooting cars. Highlight specific parts, like bumpers, trunks and hoods for diverse perspectives.

63. Faces In Things

quick photo assignment

You’ve probably seen images that double as a face and another object. In this photography project, you’ll create a similar effect. Take a close look at nature, food and furniture to locate hidden human faces. Compile as many faces as you can, and see if your friends can guess what’s in the images.

quick photo assignment

Alter your perspective by shooting your subject through a picture frame. The frame technique works best outdoors where you can place ample distance between your lens and your subject. Consider creating scenes with a woman standing on the beach, a tree in an open field or a tall building at the end of a street.

65. Reflections

quick photo assignment

Any body of water—like a lake, river, pond or swimming pool—can act as your reflective tool for this photography project. You’ll want to avoid direct light on the water to eliminate glare. Practice using reflections on waterfront cityscapes or mountains overlooking a lake.

66. Take My Hand

quick photo assignment

When you can represent human connection in photography, the emotion of the image is strengthened. Head out on a hike or stroll through a garden to practice photographing two hands linked together.

67. Picception

quick photo assignment

A relatively new technique, picception images incorporate another camera or photo into the shot. It can be a picture-in-a-picture style or something more subtle like a photograph of someone taking a photograph. While often informal, picception shots can be formal if intentionally designed.

quick photo assignment

Often eye-catching, neon photos provide a stunning mix of light, shape and color. Whether you’re on the Vegas strip or exploring your hometown at night, take photos of neon signs with your camera’s evaluative meter exposure setting. Choose a low ISO of 200 or 100 to avoid noise. Be sure to place your camera on a tripod for stability.

No matter which photography projects you decide to complete, remember to enjoy the process and save copies of your photos. Design a themed calendar or metal print to showcase your results.

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52 photography projects: a great technique to try every week of the year

Our pick of the perfect weekend photography projects

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  • Home photography projects
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Looking for photography projects to stimulate your creativity? Whether you’re a beginner who’s just learning the ropes or a seasoned snapper in need of inspiration, trying out a new technique can help you grow as a photographer. That’s why the list below features our pick of the best ideas to try with your camera.

From painting with light trails to capturing twilight landscapes, there are countless creative ways to use your camera and its lens. This round-up of our favorite weekend projects features suggestions to suit every skill level – whether you’re shooting with a smartphone or a ‘proper’ camera like a DSLR.

Some you can do from the comfort of you home, while others will have you heading out in search of specific scenes. Whether it’s a novel technique or an inventive suggestion for finding fresh subjects, every idea below has one thing in common: it should challenge you to try something different and find a fresh perspective.

Most of the projects can be attempted using the equipment you already own. Those that do require additional materials should all be achievable with pocket-money purchases – and if there’s any crafting involved, it should be well worth the effort when you see the results.

We’ve shared 52 of our favorite suggestions to do in 2022 below. Try them all and, in a year’s time, there’s a good chance you’ll be a better photographer, with a keener understanding of your camera and what it’s capable of. Plus you’ll be all set to attempt the final project: self-publishing a photo book.

The best home photography projects:

1. water drop art.

The basic idea with this project is to suspend a container of liquid and let drops fall through a small hole, then capture the resulting splash. Timing the shutter as the splash is created is everything. We achieved good results using two flashguns set to their lowest power (1/128th), an aperture of f/22 and water mixed with Xanthan gum to make a more viscous solution. We also used a SplashArt water drop kit from PhotoTrigger , which helped to regulate the size and frequency of the drops.

2. Indoor splash shots

For this project you'll need a flashgun that you can fire remotely, a container with clear sides for your water, a coloured background and a tripod. Set up the container and backdrop, then position the flash over the container. With the camera on a tripod and set to manual focus and exposure - f/8, ISO200 and the fastest shutter speed that will work with your flash - drop the object into the water and fire the shutter as it hits.

3. Shapes of bokeh

Out-of-focus orbs of light can add magic to any image, but the bokeh effect needn’t be limited to standard circles. From love hearts to stars, a simple cutout filter can transform background sparkles into brilliant shapes. 

Using your lens cap as a guide, draw a circle on a piece of card. Cut out the circle, score a small shape in the centre using scissors or a craft knife, then push the card onto the front of your lens (or attach it with an elastic band). When you next shoot a scene, any unfocused light will take the form of your shape. 

Use a wide aperture to maximize the effect and remember that, as the filter restricts the amount of light entering your lens, you’ll want to set a longer exposure or higher ISO. Try simple shapes such as triangles to get started, before progressing to stars, hearts, crosses and more.

4. Create smoke art

Smoke trails are a firm favourite among still-life photographers. But how about taking it to the next level and using the shapes in a creative Photoshop project. Once you've taken a few good smoke art photos, make a blank document in Photoshop, then copy and paste one of the smoke images into it. Set the blending mode to Screen and use Warp Transform to reshape it. Continue the process to combine a range of smoke shots into a new image.

5. DIY lightbox

Lightboxes are used to illuminate objects evenly against a plain background, often for the purposes of product or food photography. Luckily, you don’t have to have a pro budget to make one at home. All you need is a cardboard box, some white paper and a table lamp. 

Remove the top flaps, stand the box on one end and cut window holes in either side. Line the box with a single, seamless piece of white paper and cover the holes with thin paper or fabric, taped in place. Then it’s as simple as positioning a desk lamp on one or both sides: the paper will diffuse the light, evenly illuminating whatever object you put inside. 

Or for an even simpler setup, use a single piece of paper as the backdrop, with one white wall made from card, and position near a window (as pictured). Experiment with aperture and shutter speed to shoot subjects with totally white backgrounds or some shadow for a sense of perspective. Then mix things up with color backgrounds. If the quality is high enough, you could list your images for sale on a stock photography website to earn some lockdown pocket money.

6. Lubricate your lens

Want to give your housebound portraits added glow? If you have a spare lens filter lying around, try an old Hollywood trick: smear a layer of Vaseline on the glass to give your images a soft, dreamy look, keeping aperture wide to emphasize the ethereal effect with a shallow depth of field. 

Get experimental by leaving the middle of the filter free from Vaseline to create a halo effect, with the centre in clear focus but the outer elements blurry and soft. Don’t want to sacrifice a filter? Stretch cling-film tight across the lens and keep it in place with an elastic band, before using the Vaseline in the same way. If you’re not into portraits, try the effect when shooting a light source for a unique style of diffusion.

7. Make your own filters

It’s no secret that color is a major element of any image, but you don’t need expensive filters or editing software to experiment with saturation. In fact, you don’t even need to leave your home: all manner of household objects can function as color filters to bring new hues to your photography – and to transform mundane moments into brighter snaps. 

Attach tissue paper to your lens with an elastic band for an instant change of scene, or try shooting through thin fabric with a light source placed behind. Too easy? Take a snap through a laundry capsule for a liquid tone adjustment or use a whisky bottle for sepia shades with a hint of distortion. Petals are pretty effective, too, as are translucent sweet wrappers.

8. Try cross-polarization

This fun project exploits the effect that polarised light has on some plastics. You'll need two polarising filters - ideally one of these should be a sheet of polarising film. You can pick up an A4 sheet of Lee 239 polarising film for £50 (try www.robertwhite.co.uk or www.pnta.com ). The sheet of film should be placed on a lightbox or in front of the only light source. An iPad screen and most computer screens have a polarising filter built in, so if you don't have a sheet of polarising film you can always experiment by creating a white document to fill the screen. Simply attach the circular polariser to the camera lens and rotate it to make the colours appear in clear plastic items

9. Food landscapes

Spice up your food photography! All you need is a set of model figures - Hornby 00 gauge figures are perfect, as they're available in a wide range of poses. Preiser has a great range too. The most important aspect is to establish a sense of narrative. Here you can see that there's a conversation between the characters, with the mountaineer on the 'mash face' being helped by his colleagues on the ground.

10. Fine-art food

Try turning your dinner ingredients into photo art using just a lightbox and a very sharp knife. Slice fruit and vegetables as thinly and evenly as possible, then place them on the lightbox. With the camera positioned directly above, use Live View to focus manually on the details. Set an aperture of f/8 to give adequate depth of field, and dial in some exposure compensation of +1 to +3 stops as the bright light can fool the camera's meter into underexposure.

11. Flowers in ice

A relatively inexpensive way of taking 'kitchen sink' close-ups that look great blown up as wall art. Freeze flowers in plastic containers of distilled or de-ionised water (available through your local auto or hardware store). The flowers will float, so try to weigh them down or fasten them in place so that they freeze under the water. Place the block of ice on top of a clear bowl or glass in a white sink or plate, so that the light can bounce through from below. Position a flashgun off to one side, angled down towards it, and shoot from the opposite side.

12. Abstracts in oil

Oil floating on the surface of water is a great way to make striking abstracts. This table-top photo project exploits the refractive quality of oil and bubbles to accentuate and distort colours. All you need to do is place a few drops of cooking oil on the surface of water in a glass dish. Make sure the dish is supported about 25cm about the table top, then place coloured paper under it and use an anglepoise lamp or flashgun to light the paper.

13. Play with fire

It doesn’t take a pyromaniac to see the photographic potential of fire, but it does take patience, skill and plenty of precautionary measures to capture a stunning action shot of a match igniting. If you’d rather not risk singeing your fingertips, try a different type of flame photography.

Shooting by candlelight alone can lead to magical results. As with any single source of light, it allows you to experiment extensively with shadows – especially if you’re capturing a portrait – while the soft, warm tone and flicker of the flame both contribute to an especially ethereal effect.

In a darkened room, try shooting with a medium-high ISO and a relatively slow shutter speed. Start with just a candle and your subject, before introducing additional elements and playing with positioning. A nearby wall, for example, will throw the candlelight back in different ways, while glass will add to the magic with fiery reflections

Tweak shutter speed to affect the strength of shadows or try adding further flames – though you might need to adjust the white balance if things look more yellow than mellow.

14. Repaint the walls with camera obscura

Familiar with pinhole photography? That technique relies on camera obscura – a natural optical effect that occurs when a small hole in an otherwise sealed space (such as a box) projects an inverted image of the world outside onto the opposite wall. You could make a pinhole camera as an at-home project, or you could go even bigger: with the right setup, you can create the camera obscura phenomenon in an entire room. 

First, you’ll need to black out a room – for example, by taping opaque sheets over your windows. Then you’ll need to make an aperture through which light can enter; the smaller the hole, the sharper but dimmer the image. Camera obscura works best in small/medium rooms, with an aperture of around 10-15mm diameter. Allow your eyes to adjust and determine whether you need to brighten the image by making a larger hole, then marvel as an inverted version of the outside world appears on the wall. 

Capture the entirety of this remarkable natural effect using a wide angle, a relatively long exposure and a tripod, or focus on specific elements of your room to emphasis the effect – such as houses appearing to float upside down on your mantelpiece.

15. Camera tossing

Chucking your precious photographic equipment into the air might sound like something designed to void the warranty, but – provided you’re not too clumsy – camera tossing can deliver some truly spectacular results. Try it in a dark room with a single light source. Set a shutter speed of around one second (roughly the length of time it’ll be in the air) and, as the timer hits zero, launch it upwards. Catching it is the important part, but once you’re comfortable with the technique you can experiment with multiple light sources, different colors and even spinning your camera as you release it.

16. Psychedelic soap film

This is a wonderful project that makes for vibrant desktop wallpaper or abstract wall art. You'll need liquid soap mixed with glycerine for long-lasting soap film, plus a wire loop, a black cloth background and a macro lens of at least 100mm. The colours created by soap film only appear when hit by light from a certain angle, so set up near a north-facing window and shoot from around 45 degrees.

17. Refractive art

Light bends when it passes through water, causing the objects behind to change appearance. This is called refraction, and you'll make use of this phenomenon in this arty photo project. All you need is a few glasses, a flashgun, a tripod and a black-and-white pattern print. Simply place the pattern in the background with the glasses in front. Fill them with different levels of water and move the pattern backwards or forwards to fine-tune the effect.

18. Kitchen close-ups

Your kitchen is an ideal location for shooting a macro project. Its reflective surfaces can be used to create interesting backgrounds for your shots, and a shallow depth of field can transform the most mundane of objects you'll find there. Creating a triptych of images can result in a piece of fantastic wall art for your kitchen too, although it's important to think about how they're going to work together before you start shooting. Here, 3 objects - a fork, a bowl of cereal and coffee granules - were all shot from a similar angle, with the impression of height linking the sequence.

19. Invert the world with a crystal ball

Shoot through a crystal ball and, while you won’t see into the future, you will capture an inverted version of the scene behind the orb. Just as light is refracted when it passes through the glass elements of a lens, the same thing happens with a glass sphere. There are dedicated photography balls on the market, but the effect can often be achieved using a clear marble or even a paperweight. Nothing suitable? A water-filled wine glass can also work. 

All sorts of subjects look good through an orb, from sunsets and cityscapes to abstract items and even portraits. Try shooting with a macro lens to fill the frame with the sphere, or with a wider angle to include some of the scene behind. To really play with perspectives, rotate the image with editing software so that the background is inverted but the scene in the orb is the right way up.  You can also incorporate elements that support the ball into the image, such as hands, bowls or miscellaneous objects.

20. Still-life bokeh

Something as simple as a crumpled piece of foil can be the basis for a creative photo project. Position a still-life subject on a sheet of glass with a piece of dark material underneath it. Scrunch up the kitchen foil then smooth it back out and place it in the background. Shine a table lamp or torch on the foil and, with a tripod mounted camera, dial in the lens's widest aperture to create some beautiful ' bokeh '. During the exposure, shine a flashlight onto the subject.

21. Play with shadows

Photography is fundamentally about capturing light, which is exactly why shadows can be so powerful. They can create contrast with lighter parts of a composition or add texture to an otherwise plain subject. They can even be manipulated to tell a story. Incorporating shadows into your images will challenge you to think not just about the objects within a scene, but how things outside of the frame can affect the light that falls within it.

To play with shadows, all you need is a light source and a solid object to block it. This could be something natural, such as the shadow of a tree cast by sunlight. Equally, it could be something man-made, such as the outline of a street sign created by a car’s headlights. Or it could be something you create yourself: try playing puppet-master by shining a torch and dancing your hand in front of it. 

You can also invert this idea by shooting a subject which is predominantly in shadow and experimenting with how splashes of light fall upon it.

22. Still life light trails

Light trails can be used in all kinds of photography, but they're perfect for a creative still life project. You can use a regular Maglite torch, but try removing the end to reveal the bulb and make the light more direct. Use some electrical tape to attach a coloured sweet wrapper, which you can use as a makeshift 'gel'. Set the canera's shutter speed to around 30 secs with an aperture of around f/8, then start moving the torch within the frame before pressing the shutter. Continue the movement throughout the exposure. Here, we suspended the torch from a piece of string and made a gentle circular movement to create a spiral around the bottle.

23. Light spirals

You'll need to attach a torch, suspended by string, to an open area of ceiling. Fit the widest lens you have on your camera, and mount it on a tripod pointing straight up. With the light turned on, autofocus on the tip of the torch and set the lens to manual focus to lock the setting in. With an aperture of f/11 or f/16 dialled in, use Bulb mode and a remote release to keep the shutter open for a minute or so as you send the torch spinning in the dark…

  • Best camera flash: dedicated flashguns for Canon and Nikon DSLR
  • Best macro lens 2018: close-up lenses for Canon and Nikon DSLRs
  • Macro lenses: how to choose one, and how to use it

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Formerly News Editor at Stuff, Chris has rarely been able to resist the bite of the travel bug – so he now writes about tech from the road, in whichever Wi-Fi-equipped café he can find. Fond of coffee kit, classic cars and sustainable gear, if there’s one thing Chris loves more than scribbling, shooting and sharing his way around the world, it’s alliterative triplets.

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Lesson Plan

Five Photography Assignments That Invite You to Look Closely at the World

Students, try one of these exercises inspired by the visual series The Take. What can you learn about the world by looking at it through a particular lens?

A close-up of a pair of hands with chipped yellow nail polish holding a twig with a caterpillar crawling across it.

By Natalie Proulx

How often do you look — really look — at the world around you? Below, we offer five photography assignments that challenge students to do just that, all inspired by The New York Times visual series The Take .

In this series, The Times asks photographers to explore different cultural themes through images — for example, to document what they see when they look up, to capture the sounds they hear in New York City or to find dance in everyday movements.

What can you learn about the world by looking at it through a particular lens? Choose one (or more) of the five assignments below to try out. For each, we’ll guide you through a warm-up activity, a reading of the Take article that inspired the exercise and your own photo shoot. When you’re done, you can create your own visual article by putting together a gallery of your images and writing a short commentary on what they mean to you.

These exercises are meant to be accessible to anyone with a camera or smartphone, whether you’re an experienced photographer or you’re just looking for a fun visual challenge. If you’d like to experiment with some composition and editing techniques, see our related photography lesson plan .

And if none of these projects inspires you, look through The Take’s archives for more ideas.

Assignment No. 1

Most of us spend our days looking down: at our phones, computers, homework, meals. What would you see if you looked up instead? For this assignment, we invite you to photograph what you see when you turn your gaze to the sky.

Warm-up: Wherever you are right now, look up. What do you see?

Spend some time studying the images, shapes, patterns, colors, lines, light, shadows, angles or movements above you. What catches your attention? What have you never noticed before? How is this angle different from looking at something straight on, straight down or from the side? Is there anything you see that strikes you as artistic, that might make for an interesting photograph?

How often do you look up? What does this quick exercise tell you about what might happen when you do?

Read “ When 4 Photographers Looked Up, This Is What They Saw .”

For this assignment, The Take simply asked photographers to look up. View the photos they made and their commentary on them. Then choose one that stands out to you. What did the photographer want to capture in it? Was the photo successful in your opinion? What does the image say to you? What does it show us about looking up?

Your turn: Photograph what you see when you look up.

You might approach this assignment in two ways: 1) You can carry your camera around with you for a day or several days and photograph anything interesting you see when you look up, as the photographer Ali Cherkis did venturing around New York City. 2) Or you might start with a specific place and idea in mind that you want to photograph, as Stella Blackmon did when she wanted to capture the “sense of wonder” she felt from seeing children climbing in the trees at her great-aunt’s home in Ozark, Mo.

Assignment No. 2

Capture the Sounds of a Place

Photography might seem like it’s all about sight, but it can evoke other senses, too. The Take challenged four photographers to try to capture the sounds of New York City in images. How can you show what the place you live sounds like?

Warm-up: What sounds can you hear in this photograph?

Study the photograph above closely. What might you hear if you were in the scene? Which elements of the image help convey those sounds? What senses or emotions does the photograph evoke in you? What story does it tell about New York City?

Read “ Sounds of the City .”

For this assignment, The Take sent four photographers to capture New York’s soundscape in images. Spend some time with the photos and the photographers’ commentary on them. Which images most strongly and clearly imply sound to you? Which ones surprise you or perhaps challenge an assumption you have about life in New York City? Choose one of these photos and repeat the exercise you did in the warm-up.

Your turn: Photograph the sounds of a place.

For this assignment, you might travel around your city or town and photograph the sounds you find. Or you might focus on a more contained space, such as your school, the skate park, your neighborhood or any other place where you spend time. You might try to capture many disparate sounds — quiet ones, loud ones, harsh ones, pleasant ones — as Daniel Arnold did in his photos of various corners of New York City. Or you can try to capture a particular type of sound, as Ike Edeani did in his photos of the subway stations’ “mini concerts.”

Assignment No. 3

Find Art Wherever You Go

Four photographers went in search of candid moments and images that struck them — impressionistically, conceptually or naturally — as art. Where can you spot art in the world around you?

Warm-up: What does art look like?

How do you know when you see something that is art? What elements make it so? What does it do to you, the viewer?

Look around the space you are in right now. Is there anything that strikes you as art? Perhaps it’s the way your jacket is draped over a chair, how light is coming in through a window, the interesting pattens created by a shadow on your desk or the shape someone’s face makes when they smile or frown. What about this thing makes it seem artistic to you?

Read “ Art Is Everywhere. Just Look to the Streets. ”

The Take invited four photographers to look for art in the streets of New York. Spend some time looking at all of the photographs and reading the commentary. Then, focus on one photographer’s images. How does this photographer conceptualize art? How does that idea come through in one of his or her photos? What do you think makes this photo artistic — impressionistically, conceptually or naturally?

Your turn: Photograph candid moments and images that look like art to you.

Where can you find art in the world around you? You might take your camera out for a day and start shooting anything that strikes you as art. Or you might shoot with a particular vision in mind, such as Sabrina Santiago who was “interested in what people are saying from the back,” or Trevor Wisecup who looked for “abnormalities in our day-to-day life, glitches in the matrix if you will.” Challenge yourself to capture candid moments, rather than trying to stage images.

Assignment No. 4

Explore the Ways We Move

The Take asked four photographers to find dance in our everyday gestures, whether reaching for a jug of milk, hugging a loved one or scaling a rock wall. How can you find beauty in how we physically navigate the world?

Warm-up: Can you see beauty in the ways that people move, even when there is no music?

Can you find dance in people’s everyday rituals and routines? To answer this question you might go somewhere crowded — your school’s hallway, a park, a basketball game — and spend a few minutes just observing people. Do any gestures look like dance to you? What is it about these movements that resemble those that dancers might make?

Read “ There’s Dance All Over, No Matter Where You Look .”

During the height of the coronavirus pandemic in the United States, The Take asked photographers to show how people were physically navigating a world in which awareness of our bodies — how much space we took up, whether we were six feet from our neighbor — had become the norm. What they found was a kind of dance in these everyday movements.

Spend some time with the images and photographers’ commentary. Then choose one photograph to look at more closely. Why does this image speak to you? How does it represent dance? What emotion, experience or idea do you think the photographer wanted to capture in it?

Your turn: Photograph how people move through the world.

For this assignment, you can take your camera around with you for a day or two and snap a photo anytime you see a movement, posture or gesture that looks like dance to you. Or, you can go to a specific place. For example, the photographer Camilo Fuentealba went to Costco to document “the daily rituals we must partake in just to survive,” while Noah Sahady went to the San Bernardino National Forest to capture “the harmony of rock climbers and nature.” You might play with taking both candid and staged shots, or, like Jillian Freyer, shooting the “fragments in between.”

Assignment No. 5

Show Us What Fun Looks Like

Three artists photographed the many forms fun can take. An end-of-day ice cream ritual. Caring for rescued chickens. A bubble bath for an inanimate friend. What does a good time look like to you?

Warm-up: What do you do for fun?

Brainstorm a big list of everything you’re doing for fun these days. Do you play video games? Hang out with friends? Play sports? Make things? Write down everything you can think of, whether it’s an everyday ritual or a special event.

Then go through your list. Which of these activities feels most compelling or unique to you and your friends? Which might make interesting photographs?

Read “ Making Your Own Fun .”

The Take asked three photographers to document how they were having fun during the lockdown period of the coronavirus pandemic. Spend a few minutes looking at the photos and reading the commentary. Then choose one photographer’s images to focus on. What do you notice about their artistic choices — about their composition, the photographic style, how they were made? What do you wonder? What can we learn about fun from these photos?

Your turn: Photograph your fun.

Return to the list you made in the warm-up and choose one or several things from it to photograph. You might consider how you can get creative with your photographic style and composition, as the photographers in the article did. You can stage photos, as Sheida Soleimani did, or you can try to capture more candid moments.

Going Further

Make a Visual Article

Put together your photos with a written reflection to create your own The Take-inspired piece.

Related Article

Once you have completed one of the exercises above, choose three to six photos from your shoot and create a gallery of images that speaks to the theme of the assignment. Then, write a short commentary reflecting on the assignment and what you learned from it, just as the photographers and Times editors do in The Take.

Here are some questions that can help guide your reflection:

Who or what inspired you? Did you stage your photos or seek out candid moments? What composition and editing techniques did you use, and why?

Is there a thread — some theme, emotion or experience — that connects your images? Was it something you set out to capture? Or something you discovered during the shoot or after seeing your finished photos? Taken together, what do your photos reveal about the subject of the assignment?

What is something new you discovered or learned through this exercise? How, if at all, did it make you look at the world or the people around you differently?

How challenging did you find this assignment? Why?

You can put your images and commentary together using a digital program like Google Slides or Canva . Teachers might invite students to share their work via a gallery walk , whether in the classroom or online.

Find more lesson plans and teaching ideas here.

Natalie Proulx joined The Learning Network as a staff editor in 2017 after working as an English language arts teacher and curriculum writer. More about Natalie Proulx

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DIGITAL PHOTO MENTOR

Photography tips, tutorials and guides for Beginner and Intermediate Photographers.

10 Creative Photography Assignments to Inspire You Into Action

10 Creative Photography Assignments to Inspire You Into Action

by Andrew S Gibson | Last Updated: November 8, 2022

Finding interesting things to photograph can be one of the most difficult things for a photographer to do.

You’re surrounded by potentially interesting subjects, but you might not realize it if you’re stuck for inspiration. I have been stuck, so I know what that feels like.

The good news is that the world is full of interesting ideas and subjects. All you have to do is find the good ones and develop them into personal photography projects that work for you.

Of course, wouldn’t be easier if you could find lots of ideas in one place?

quick photo assignment

That’s why I wrote an ebook called 100 Creative Photography Assignments . It gives you lots of ideas for projects that you can do close to home, without traveling to exotic locations.

The book is structured into 20 broad themes, with five assignments for each theme.

To give you a taste of what’s in the book, and to help you get inspired into action here are 10 of my favorite assignments. (The theme for each is shown in brackets after the assignment number and name)

Assignment 3: Urban trees (trees)

Humans have planted trees in formal gardens for centuries to bring nature into towns and cities. Photographing trees in urban environments gives you something that is different than traditional landscapes.

How can you explore the juxtaposition of man-made and natural items?

In the photo below, the tree, which is obviously well-cared for fits in perfectly with the historic home. The two go together, as intended.

But in other situations, you might find a jarring contrast between the natural and urban environments. That is called juxtaposition and it can make for some really striking images.

quick photo assignment

Assignment 8: People and the sea (or a lake)

How do people interact with the sea?

The sea has strong links to leisure, sport, and industry, all of which have plenty of potential photographically. Think beyond simple photos of people on summer holidays. How can you explore the relationship between people and water in more depth?

Another approach is to show scale and photograph people in a way that shows the vast size and scope of the ocean. Yet another is to show people battling the weather, perhaps fishermen at sea.

quick photo assignment

Assignment 20: Framed by color (frames)

Some frames are visual rather than literal. One way to make a visual frame is to look for compositions where the main subject is surrounded by a solid block of color, as in the photo below.

quick photo assignment

This is another assignment that tests your observational skills. It also has the potential to make an interesting series. What happens when you group a set of photos that use color as a frame together?

Assignment 24: Weathered surfaces (texture)

Old buildings of all descriptions are made of materials with interesting textures. The definition of old is relative, your chosen building might be hundreds of years old or just a few.

The important thing is that it looks old. That means visible signs of weathering, like the metal wall and wooden door frame in the photo below. Some texture surfaces, like rust, also have interesting colors that you can use to your advantage.

quick photo assignment

Assignment 31: On the outside (buildings)

One approach to photographing buildings is to include as much of the building as possible in the frame. But what happens if you take another approach?

Have you ever stopped to notice the interesting things that people put outside buildings?

In Italy, I found a shrine on the outside of a colorful red building in Venice (below). In the United States window boxes and mailboxes are commonplace. Nearly everywhere you go you’ll see plants in pots outside people’s homes.

All these items make potentially interesting subjects and have the potential to be turned into an interesting series.

quick photo assignment

This assignment gets more interesting when you do it in different places, and compare the things you find outside buildings in one place with those in another location.

Assignment 39: Urban decay (your local neighborhood)

Some buildings can look good for centuries if they’re well maintained. But others soon fall into decay, especially if they’re not kept up. Look for the beauty in decayed or run-down buildings.

You expect older buildings to be in a state of disrepair, especially if you live in a country that has plenty of ruins. But more modern, urban decay can be just as interesting.

Why do modern buildings fall into disrepair? What stories do they tell about their neighborhoods, towns, and cities?

Another approach to this idea is to photograph urban decay in other countries, and then compare the results with what you capture in your local area.

quick photo assignment

Assignment 54: Capture the character of a place (b/w)

The absence of color gives you another way of capturing the character of a place. Yes, it’s true that in some areas color is an essential part of the essence of the place. But in others, it’s less important.

Working in black and white gives you a chance to see through the colors and get to the essence of a place. Visually speaking that’s texture, contrast, and tone.

But in another way, black and white images seem to help you see further and deeper. They’re moody, atmospheric, and timeless. Use these characteristics to create a set of photos that capture the character of a place.

It’s also an assignment you can do when you travel. It’s easier because you get to see everything with fresh eyes. But for a real challenge try it in your local neighborhood, where familiarity can prevent you from seeing things that might be obvious to newcomers.

quick photo assignment

Assignment 62: Embrace hard light (light and shadow)

In this assignment, your brief is to photograph a scene on a sunny day when shadows are falling across the subject in an interesting way.

Look at the way the sun casts shadows across the scene during the day. How do the shadows move as the sun moves across the sky? Do the shadows make interesting shapes?

For example, in the photo below the shadow falling across the building comes from a neighboring house and you can clearly see the chimney.

quick photo assignment

Assignment 71: Signs (everyday objects)

We’re surrounded by signs – signs that tell us which way to go, what to do, that advertise to us, state the name of a business, or tell us about roadworks.

Signs are designed to be informative, but they can also tell a story. Signs in the American mid-west look different from signs in New York City. Signs here in the UK look different from the ones in rural France. Old signs have character and tell you something about the place.

What interesting photos can you make using signs?

quick photo assignment

Assignment 94: People in the landscape (landscape)

Some landscapes are empty or void of visitors. But others are closer to large population centers and therefore you’re more likely to see other people there in the scene. The idea of a pristine landscape untouched by man is appealing, but it’s also interesting to see how people interact with the scene.

One way to approach this assignment is to use people for scale. A human figure can anchor a composition and show the width and breadth of the landscape. A small figure in the frame emphasizes the size of the landscape, and the idea of people being small compared to the beauty of nature.

The photo below juxtaposes two elements of human interaction. The stone pillar is part of a Neolithic settlement, and the people on the right are modern visitors who came to see it.

quick photo assignment

Taking it further – traveling and exploring your archives

You’ll get the most from these assignments if you make new photos for them. They’ll get you thinking about your local neighborhood – and areas a little further afield – in a new way.

The beauty of these assignments is that most of them are repeatable. You can select your favorites and use them as themes to follow when you’re traveling away from home.

You might also find that you can go through your archives and find photos that match a particular assignment. It’s an interesting exercise because you’ll start to see themes and connections that you didn’t realize were there.

quick photo assignment

For example, I have photos that fit Assignment 39: Urban decay from Alaska, Chile, and my hometown (see above). And I can continue to explore this theme when I travel to new places as well.

These ideas are explored further in Creative Photography Assignments: Themes & Projects, a bonus ebook that comes with 100 Creative Photography Assignments.

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100 Creative Photography Assignments

Buy 100 Creative Photography Assignments now for just $14 USD.

Buy it now and get out there taking photos!

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Note from Darlene: This is perfect if you want to get out there doing some photography. But maybe due to covid, finances, or other circumstances you can’t currently travel. Look no further than your front door to get started! To really challenge yourself do the 100 assignments one a day for the next 100 days!

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About Andrew S Gibson

Andrew S. Gibson is a writer based in England’s southwest. His interest in photography began when his parents bought him a Ricoh KR-10m camera more than 20 years ago. Since then, he’s taken photos in over 60 countries, studied for a degree in photography, and worked as Technical Editor for EOS magazine. Today, he makes a living helping people make better photos through ebooks and photography courses.

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Yes, you can learn to take better photos! It’s my passion to help you learn the photography basics and take better pictures. It’s also the same reason I teach workshops, do photo travel tours, and have online photography courses available.

Enroll in our free photography basics for beginners course, or 12-part portrait photography course , also free.

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STORE > 100 CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY ASSIGNMENTS

100 Creative Photography Assignments ebook

(all prices in USD)

100 Creative Photography Assignments is like a photography workshop in your pocket. It’s filled with over a year’s worth of creative ideas, briefs, assignments and projects that will help you grow as a photographer.

It’s also an inspirational guide that puts the creativity back into your photography. Each brief is designed to get you looking at familiar things in new ways. Most of the assignments can be done close to home, so there’s no need to travel to exotic places.

The book is structured into twenty broad themes, with five assignments for each theme. There’s enough ideas here to keep you busy for a long time to come!

100 Creative Photography Assignments is written for you:

  • The assignments encourage you to explore the world and find interesting subjects in ordinary places.
  • With 100 assignment ideas there are plenty that will appeal to you.
  • It’s easy to read. The book comes in three formats – PDF, ePub and Mobi for Kindle so you can choose the one that is best for your device.

100 Creative Photography Assignments ebook

What you will learn

The aim of  100 Creative Photography Assignments is to help you grow as a creative photographer.

As you work your way through the assignments you’ll start to see connections and themes. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of what creative photography means to you, and how you can develop your ideas and interests with long term projects.

You’ll discover how to look back at photos you’ve made in the past and see how they can fit creative briefs, and how they can guide you to new ideas and projects.

You’ll also learn what to do when you feel stuck or at a creative crossroads. With 100 assignments to choose from you’ll never run out of ideas again.

The story behind the book

A few years ago I got stuck as a photographer. I didn’t know what to photograph, how to find an interesting subject or how to move forward. Finally, I decided to set myself a project photographing craftspeople – people who make things with their hands. I started by contacting a local artist and potter to see if I could photograph them at work. Both said yes, the project got started, and I found my way forward.

Now, I realize the breakthrough was giving myself an assignment with a clear brief. And I wish I had given myself more briefs, and seen how I was surrounded by interesting subjects. I just had to look at familiar subjects differently, and make an effort to photograph them.

So I put together a set of 50 black and white assignments in a book that was published last year. It was so popular that I decided to write another book, with even more assignments. The aim is to give you the same spark of inspiration that I gave myself all those years ago.

I wrote this book imagining that I could go back in time and give it to myself ten or twenty years ago. I would have been a more purposeful photographer and built a much better portfolio of work. Now you can benefit from the lessons I’ve learned.

100 Creative Photography Assignments ebook

Creative Photography Assignments: Themes & Projects (bonus ebook)

Your purchase includes Creative Photography Assignments: Themes & Projects , a PDF that shows you how to develop the assignments into long term themes and mini projects that are easy to tackle. There are several examples from my own photography, showing how the assignments benefit experienced photographers as well as less experienced ones.

100 Creative Photography Assignments ebook

Download your copy today

Click the Buy Now button to make your purchase and start reading your copy of 100 Creative Photography Assignments right away. Payment is by PayPal or credit card.

What others are saying

“I purchased your new ebook; brilliant.” – Paul

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The Guarantee

I’m so confident that my ebooks will help improve your photography that I give you an unconditional guarantee. If, for any reason, you’re not satisfied with your purchase just let me know within two months and I’ll refund the purchase price in full, no questions asked.

The Assignments bundle

Save money with the following bundle:

Buy 100 Creative Photography Assignments and  The Magic of Black & White: 50 Assignments together for just $20 .

Assignments ebook bundle

Sample pages

Here are some sample pages from the book.

100 Creative Photography Assignments ebook

100 Creative Photography Assignments ebook

Title: 100 Creative Photography Assignments

Length: 126 double page spreads (plus 18 page bonus ebook)

Words: approx 16,600 (plus bonus ebook)

Format: PDF, Epub and Kindle Mobi 8. You can view the PDF of 100 Creative Photography Assignments using the free Adobe reader software on any PC or tablet. You can also read it on the iPad using iBooks – it has been optimized for iPad viewing. You can read the epub or mobi versions on tablets and smart phones.

Introduction How to use this book

Trees Ruins Seasonal color Urban trees In the forest Lone tree in the landscape

Sea (or lake) Sunset Architecture and the sea People and the sea Landscapes and the sea Blue hour

Color Color contrast Single dominant color Subtle color Orange and blue Cram color in

Frames Bowls and plates Frames and people Windows and doors Hands Framed by color

Texture Antiques & vintage items Portraits Explore your neighborhood Weathered surfaces Metal

Flowers Keep it simple Flowers in context Botanical gardens Fading beauty Indoor flowers

Buildings On the outside Interiors Street art People Reflections

Your local neighborhood In the area Ruins and abandoned buildings Historic buildings Urban decay Sheds, greenhouses, garages and home offices

Sky Cloud patterns Active skies Stormy skies Moon Silhouette

Vintage Markets, museums and stores Chance finds Vintage cars At home Modern vintage

Black & White Tonal contrast In the street Unusual subjects Capture character (place) Capture character (portrait)

Urban skylines Shoot at night The big city Small towns and cities A famous view People

Light and shadow Last light Embrace hard light Indoor shadows Bright subject, dark background Shadow as a frame

Gardens Wide view Pots and planters Details Greenhouses People and gardens

Everyday objects Signs Abandoned furniture Through the window Laying around Numbers

Composition Minimal composition Pairs Groups of three Selective focus Limited color palettes

Mood A sense of place (twilight) Warm light Cool colors Bad weather A sense of place (gritty reality)

Portraits Hobbies Color driven Colorful characters Low light portraits At work

Landscape Road signs The intimate landscape The nondescript landscape People in the landscape Fading horizons

Cultural life Relationships and connection Cultural celebrations or activities The magic of childhood Local life Subcultures

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21 Free Photography Cheat Sheets (Download Today)

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Expert Photography’s mission is to make photography simple. And the free cheat sheets below will help you learn photography fast . They’re great if you want some quick tips for the various topics we cover. But if you want something more comprehensive… Our 52 premium Quick Capture Cheat Sheets  are designed for fast reference and easy learning. And they’re the perfect visual tool to help you master photography …

Photography Cheat Sheet: Free Basics

We start off this list with six photography cheat sheets focused on the basics of photography. It’s important that you understand how to master your camera settings and exposure before you start venturing into more complex topics. From shutter speed to camera types… this is everything you need to get started.

The Exposure Triangle

Exposure triangle photography cheat sheet

When to Use Each Shutter Speed

Camera settings cheat sheet explaining shutter speed

Aperture (And How It Affects Depth of Field)

Aperture photography cheat sheet

Types of Cameras

Basic camera types photography cheat sheets

10 Steps to Focus Stack Correctly

Focus stacking photography cheat sheet

10 Steps to Taking Good Pictures

A cheat sheet explaining the photography concepts of taking a good picture

Photographing People

Now that you understand the basics of photography, the next step is to practice taking photos of people. There are many different situations you can shoot in, ranging from romantic couples photography to formal family photos . Our photography cheat sheets below explore them all…

15 Tips for Photographing Families

Family photo cheat sheet

7 Creative Family Photography Ideas

Creative family photo ideas cheat sheet

10 Tips to Improve Your Environmental Portraits

Environmental portrait photo cheat sheet

How to Capture Romantic Couples Photos

A cheatsheet for taking couple photos

Wedding Photography Checklist

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Creative Photography Cheat Sheets

One of the most difficult aspects of photography is getting creative with your photos. If you’re a beginner photographer, this can be really tough! There are so many options and techniques to use that it becomes overwhelming. That’s why we created these cheat sheets for you! They go over a number of different styles. And they offer helpful tips for any photographer who wants to get more creative with their images.

4 Steps to Mastering Creative Night Photography

night photography cheatsheet to help the learn improve their photo skills

Spiral Light Photography Cheat Sheet

Spiral light photography cheat sheet

Creative Still-Life Photography Cheat Sheet

Creative still life photography cheat sheet

Niches of Photography

Once you have some experience with photography, you can start experimenting with different niches to find where your passion lies. That’s why we’ve collected a bunch of cheat sheets covering various topics, from pet photography to food photography and more.

12 Tips to Improve Your Nature Photography

A cheat cheat with 12 nature photography concepts to help the learner improve their skills

Pet Photography Cheat Sheet

pet photography cheat sheet

iPhone Photography Tips for Better Photos

iPhone photo cheat sheet

10 Tips for Improving Your Food Photography

Cheat sheet to help the learner improve their food photo skills

Professional Photography & Social Media

Once you’re ready to sell your services or share your photos online, these photography cheat sheets are going to be really helpful.

10 Things Your Photography Contract Must Include

Photography cheat sheets showing what your photography contract must include

How to Write a Photography Model Release Form

Free photography cheat sheets for writing a model release form

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Stop taking the same old boring selfies. Get a list of ideas that will bring yours to the next level.

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Keep your Photo 365 on track by letting the app send you a daily reminder to give you that kick in the butt.

No Network Required

Stuck in a photo rut deep in the Amazon Jungle? No worries. App is fully contained, so no need of wi-fi or network.

Examples/Settings

700+ example images for inspiration, along with info on camera settings, lenses, and techniques to use.

Check this video to know more about this app

What People Are Saying About The App

Photography Assignment Generator for iOS is a new twist on an old problem

A camera app packed with assignments and ideas to help iPhoneographers capture amazing pictures.

Looking for inspiration? The iPhotography Assignment Generator app can help.

iPhotography Assignment Generator Great Tool for Hobbyists, Pros Alike

Need Inspiration? Check Out the Photography Assignment Generator

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For SLR shooters.

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About The Guy Behind This App

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App developer.

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PRIVACY POLICY

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Microsoft Copilot improvements for Windows 11

  • Yusuf Mehdi, Executive Vice President, Consumer Chief Marketing Officer

Microsoft Copilot is your everyday AI companion. As we continue to innovate with Windows, we’re delighted to introduce some useful new features to our Copilot Preview 1 for Windows 11.  These new capabilities build on the introduction of the Copilot Key on new Windows 11 PC keyboards 2 , updates to the Copilot icon on the taskbar, and the ability to dock, undock and resize the Copilot pane.

Starting today, we introduce plugins from your favorite apps like OpenTable, Shopify and Kayak, as well as new skills to simplify your tasks and use of Windows. We can’t wait for you to try these.

In addition to the new features in Copilot, over the next month, we are bringing even more value to Windows 11. We are adding new AI editing capabilities in Photos designed to make creating simpler, enabling easier video editing with the preview of Clipchamp silence removal, and launching improvements to features like Snap, Widgets and Inking, making it even easier to get things done. For our commercial customers, we are also making it even easier to securely manage updates across your organization.

Microsoft Copilot user interface

Copilot in Windows 11

New plugins  .

• Examples of plugins available with Copilot in Windows

With Copilot in Windows, you can now use plugins for easy access to some of your favorite applications.

Need to make a dinner reservation with friends?  Ask Copilot and OpenTable to handle it.  Change your mind and want to stay in? Simply prompt Copilot with “Create a healthy dinner party menu for 8” and watch your options unfold.  Not happy with the salad suggested?  Ask Copilot to swap it for a vegetable and when you’re ready to shop, Instacart is right there for you, all within Copilot in Windows.

Over the next month, we will be adding new ways to connect and get things done from partners like Shopify, Klarna and Kayak, in addition to what OpenTable and Instacart and a growing list of other Copilot in Windows plugins can do.

Sometimes we all need a little help in getting things done, including adjusting our PC settings, quickly accessing the tools and information to make learning and doing easier, and finding the fastest access to help, all at our fingertips.

Beginning in late March, you will see the following new skills enabled within your Copilot in Windows experience.  To use these skills, simply type in a prompt to Copilot in Windows.  For example, type “enable battery saver” or “turn off battery saver” and Copilot will take the appropriate action and confirm completion.

• Example of Copilot in Windows performing a common task to enable Battery Saver mode

  • Turn on/off battery saver
  • Show device information
  • Show system information
  • Show battery information
  • Open storage page
  • Launch live captions
  • Launch narrator
  • Launch screen magnifier
  • Open voice access page
  • Open text size page
  • Open contrast themes page
  • Launch voice input
  • Show available Wi-Fi network
  • Display IP address
  • Show available storage space
  • Empty recycle bin

New creativity app updates

Building on the success of our AI-enhanced Inbox apps, today we begin rolling out two exciting updates designed to make creating simpler.

Generative Erase: When using the Photos app, you can now select and remove unwanted objects or imperfections from your images using the new Generative Erase feature. Snapped the ideal sunset photo but want to remove the airplane flying above?  Generative Erase in Photos can do just that.

Clipchamp silence removal preview : Gaps in conversation are natural in real life, but awkward in a video. With the addition of Clipchamp silence removal, removing those gaps in the audio track is easy.  The preview of silence removal in Clipchamp starts to become available today.  

Accessible by default

Voice Shortcuts: Save your voice and finish tasks faster with new Voice Shortcuts.  You can now create custom commands to quickly accomplish what you’re trying to do using just a single phrase.  From pasting text and media, pressing keyboard keys or mouse clicks, to opening folders, files, apps or URLs, Voice Shortcuts are there to help.

Multi-Display: To make navigating a multiple monitor setup even easier, you can now use voice commands across connected screens, making it easier than ever to navigate between displays or move files and apps.

More to love on Windows 11

Windows 11 and your android platform phone.

Your Windows 11 PC and Android phone connection just got better.  Soon you will be able to access recent photos on your PC or use your phone as a webcam on all video conferencing apps, making your Android device a productivity partner to your Windows 11 PC.

Intelligent Snap suggestions: Make the most of your screen real estate with new personalized layout suggestions. Snap suggestions help you quickly organize open apps based on how you use them, making it even easier to get things done.

Widgets:  Many of us experience information overload from time to time, but still need to stay up to date on the information we care about most.  Now with the new Widgets board experience, you are able to create a focused board  and organize your Widgets into distinct categories – whether for work or play.  If you’re looking to catch up on current events, you’ll find the familiar experience currently available through your feed located right in the discovery dashboard.

Windows Ink: Windows Ink enables natural writing on pen-capable PCs. With this update, we are expanding the number of apps and languages available to Windows Ink to include your favorites like Photos, Paint, WhatsApp and Messenger, all offering greater flexibility for where you ink or type.

Share content to more third-party apps: Need to share your favorite vacation photo with a friend on Snapchat? Windows 11 has expanded the file sharing options to include additional apps like WhatsApp, Snapchat and Instagram, with more apps like Facebook Messenger coming soon.

A unified management solution for our enterprise customers

For our enterprise customers, we are simplifying the update management solution by unifying the Windows Update for Business deployment service with Autopatch into a single update management solution.

Windows Autopatch will now become the unifying Windows update management solution, providing a single way in which organizations can manage updates while maintaining the highest level of control. Windows Autopatch provides the update solution for Windows PCs, Microsoft 365 applications, Microsoft Edge and Teams, and will now leverage AI to program the necessary updates and reduce the impact on team productivity. Learn more about what’s new in Autopatch.

How to take advantage of these new and improved features

Many of these new experiences will start to become available today, via Windows Update and new apps available via Microsoft Store updates. Windows 11 devices will get new functionality at different times, as we will be gradually rolling out some of these new features over the coming weeks initially via controlled feature rollout (CFR) to consumers. Consumers with eligible devices running Windows 11, versions 22H2 and 23H2, who are interested in experiencing these new enhancements now can choose to do so by going to  Settings > Windows Update  and turning on “ Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available ” and then selecting “Check for updates.” We anticipate broad availability for most new features by the April 2024 security update release for all eligible devices.

Most of these new Windows 11 features will be enabled by default in the March 2024 optional non-security preview release for all editions of Windows 11, versions 23H2 and 22H2. IT admins who want to get the new Windows 11 features can use the  enable and control optional updates policy  to enable optional updates for their managed devices.

As is our normal practice, we will closely monitor the rollout of these new Windows 11 features and continue to share timely information on the status of the rollout and known issues (open and resolved) via the  Windows release health dashboard  and  @WindowsUpdate . Please continue to tell us about your experience by providing comments or suggestions via  Feedback Hub .  

For a full list of features available via Windows Update, learn more here .

Ready to upgrade to a new Windows 11 PC?  Find the PC that’s right for you .

1 Copilot in Windows (in preview) is available in select global markets and will be rolled out to additional markets over time.  Learn more.

2 When Copilot for Windows is not available or enabled on the device, pressing the Copilot key will launch Windows Search. The Copilot key will be available on many new Windows 11 PCs starting in early 2024. 

IMAGES

  1. Photography Cheat Sheet: The Best Photo Assignments for Parents

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  2. Photography Assignment Ideas Photo Prompts & Tasks

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  3. Photography project Year 1 2021

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  4. 16 Photography Project Ideas to Improve Your Photography

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  5. 10 Photography Assignments to Stimulate Your Creativity

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  6. Photo Assignment #7 :: Motion in Photography

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VIDEO

  1. quick border designs ||Assignment,project, notebook cover page design #shorts

  2. Ipads or Textbooks?

  3. assignment front page 📄 #art #painting # design #shorts

  4. How to make assignment? How to score good marks in assignments

  5. Important tip about the composition of your photos

  6. Quick Assignment

COMMENTS

  1. 40 Practical Photography Assignments to Reinspire You

    Then you will push your creative boundaries, and be more likely to make a good photo. #9. Limit yourself to only 36 photos in a day. For this assignment, you're only allowed to take 36 photos in ...

  2. 10 Photo Assignments to Inspire and Challenge

    Assignment #3: Shadows. Shadows are everywhere and they are vital to photography because this is the art of capturing light. With light comes shadows and when you begin to look at shadows as a photographer, your world will open up. Take a look around for shadows and record them with your camera.

  3. 13 Creative Exercises for Photographers

    Exercise 13: Two Trips. Put your camera somewhere safe. Walk somewhere without a camera and look for photographs. When you reach your destination, walk back over the same route while still looking for photos. Finally, with camera in hand, retrace your steps for the third time and capture those photographs.

  4. 10 Photography Assignments to Stimulate Your Creativity

    photo by Nikos Koutoulas. 1. The Park Bench. Take your camera and a tripod to a park, and find a busy park bench. Set yourself up some distance away with a long lens aimed at the bench and pre-focused. Settle in, and for the next few hours take images at fixed time intervals, say every ten minutes. This is really an exercise in timelapse ...

  5. 15 Photography Assignments to Challenge and Inspire

    15 Ways to Make Photography Assignments. This list of photo assignments consists of 15 points, so I am sure that you will find the idea to your liking. 1. Self Portraits. The first task is a no-brainer: just take a self-portrait picture each day. Don't forget to use a tripod and shutter release aside from regular shooting with your arm ...

  6. Beginner Photography Projects

    Look for Reflections. Photo by Maddy Baker on Unsplash. Most of these beginner photography projects are all about training your eye for photography, which essentially means seeing your surroundings in a new light. Go search your house for reflections you can find. This may be in your morning coffee, or it may be your windows.

  7. 12 Exciting Photography Assignments to Challenge and Inspire

    Here are 12 exciting photography assignments to help you find the right one. 1. Shoot With a Limited Amount of Equipment. Whether you're a full-time photographer, a hobbyist, or a beginner, you're probably itching to invest in all kinds of equipment to take your photos to the next level. But here's a challenge.

  8. Photo Assignments

    Anyone can submit photos for the assignments, but they must first have an account with Lenspiration. If you are a Lenspiration Member, you already have an account so are ready to participate. If you're not a member yet, you can create an account to join the membership (try for free here ). Even if you cancel your membership, you will still have ...

  9. 50 Vital Photography Exercises for Beginners

    24.Arm's Length. Keep your subject at arm's length (literally) for the duration of your photo shoot. One of my photography mentors taught me that it is our natural instinct to stand far away from the subject. Moving closer creates a more intimate shot that really captures the close details of your subject.

  10. 8 Creative Black and White Photography Assignments for You

    Some quick black and white photography assignments to get you going: Photograph your hand. Shoot in RAW, and increase the contrast, to see more details in your hands. Inverse your photos: Choose some monochrome photos of yours which you like, and inverse them, to gain a more interesting view into them. Shoot with a flash: Monochrome and a flash ...

  11. 65+ Photography Project Ideas You Can Start Today

    15. Star Trails. Spectacular from edge to edge, star trails photography is an adventure to shoot. The first step is to find a clear sky full of stars, but free of pollution and other light interference. Anchoring your camera on a tripod, set your camera to shoot on manual mode. The faster the lens you have, the better.

  12. 100 Photography Assignments Sheets

    WAS $49, TODAY ONLY $34. 100 Photography Assignment Sheets. Printable / Desktop & Mobile Versions. Three Bonus Photography Ebooks covering ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed. Free Monthly Photography Magazine + past editions (73 issues to date) Lifetime Access including future updates. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. >> YES, GRAB THIS DEAL.

  13. 52 photography projects: a great technique to try every ...

    The best home photography projects: 1. Water drop art. The basic idea with this project is to suspend a container of liquid and let drops fall through a small hole, then capture the resulting ...

  14. 25 Photography Exercises For Beginners That'll Help You Succeed

    Light trails (created by people or cars on the road) are created using a combination of slow shutter speed and balancing ISO. To have ALL moving subjects in an environment 'disappear' from your image, your shutter speed must be minutes long. Yes, 1-4 minutes is the general time to achieve this for 1 image.

  15. Five Photography Assignments That Invite You to Look Closely at the

    For this assignment, we invite you to photograph what you see when you turn your gaze to the sky. Stella Blackmon for The New York Times. Warm-up: Wherever you are right now, look up. What do you ...

  16. 10 Creative Photography Assignments to Inspire You Into Action

    Assignment 20: Framed by color (frames) Some frames are visual rather than literal. One way to make a visual frame is to look for compositions where the main subject is surrounded by a solid block of color, as in the photo below. This is another assignment that tests your observational skills.

  17. 100 Creative Photography Assignments

    100 Creative Photography Assignments is written for you: The assignments encourage you to explore the world and find interesting subjects in ordinary places. With 100 assignment ideas there are plenty that will appeal to you. It's easy to read. The book comes in three formats - PDF, ePub and Mobi for Kindle so you can choose the one that is ...

  18. 21 Free Photography Cheat Sheets (Download Today)

    A+. Expert Photography's mission is to make photography simple. And the free cheat sheets below will help you learn photography fast. They're great if you want some quick tips for the various topics we cover. But if you want something more comprehensive…. Our 52 premium Quick Capture Cheat Sheets are designed for fast reference and easy ...

  19. Composition in Photography: Assignment Discussion

    Quick Assignment for Beginners At first I thought of providing visual examples (photographs) to go with the definitions above and analyzing them for you so as to give a better idea of what is what . But even though this is an assignment discussion article and we are supposed to learn the right answers to the previous assignment, it feels wrong ...

  20. 100+ Great Photoshop Tutorials for Clever Beginners

    Create a Living Galaxy Photo Manipulation Effect in Photoshop. 4. Create an Instagram Story Template with Adobe Photoshop. Instagram stories can be great Photoshop projects, believe it or not. In these Photoshop tutorials for beginners, you'll learn to quickly create Instagram story templates for your accounts.

  21. PhotoSolve

    The most efficient way to finish assignments. Scan and answer questions effortlessly with PhotoSolve powerful AI! Photo. Solve. Learn. Get PhotoSolve. Chrome. IOS. Android. Home; Support; Join our Discord

  22. LearnPhoto365 Photography Assignment Generator App

    Photography Assignment Generator for iOS is a new twist on an old problem. "A boatload of photographic ideas...a clever app that should get your creative juices flowing." TUAW / (LINK) A camera app packed with assignments and ideas to help iPhoneographers capture amazing pictures. "It isn't another photography app with filters and effects.

  23. AI Homework Assignment Generator

    A homework assignment is a task assigned by educators as an extension of classroom work typically intended for students to complete outside of class. Written exercises, reading and comprehension activities, research projects, and problem-solving exercises are a few examples of homework varieties. However, the primary goal remains the same: to ...

  24. Microsoft Copilot improvements for Windows 11

    Microsoft Copilot is your everyday AI companion. As we continue to innovate with Windows, we're delighted to introduce some useful new features to our Copilot Preview 1 for Windows 11. These new capabilities build on the introduction of the Copilot Key on new Windows 11 PC keyboards 2, updates to the Copilot icon on the taskbar, and the ability to dock, undock and resize the Copilot pane.

  25. ScienceDirect

    ScienceDirect is a leading platform for peer-reviewed scientific research, covering a wide range of disciplines and topics. If you are looking for an article published in 2020 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, you can use the advanced search function to filter by journal, year, and keyword. You can also browse related webpages to find more articles of interest.

  26. 2024 Las Vegas-1 pit stall assignments

    See where your favorite Cup Series driver will pit for the Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas (3:30 p.m. ET, FOX).