A great way to keep yourself busy and get creative is with some at-home photoshoots! These activities are great to do with your kids to get them interested in photography or do by yourself to work on different styles of photography and give your self a challenge. Now, let’s start photographing!
1. Natural Light Food Photography
Food photography is a great way to practise photography, eat so great food and is a pretty easy setup. Whether you’re doing this with your kids, significant other, or by yourself, we suggest making the food beforehand and capturing the process of cooking or baking then doing your photo shoot. This is a great way to try out a new recipe and spend some more time in the kitchen.
TIP: for the best natural light pull your kitchen table or any other table up to a large window and place your food towards the window. You will then shoot with your back facing the window, making sure not to block the light as this can cast shadows onto your subject.
Photo by @shootdelicious via Unsplash
Photo by @diyanaqua via Unsplash
2. Miniature Photography
Miniature photography is a great way to get the kids interested or get the creative juices flowing. For this activity, you will need miniature figurines you could you lego or the ones we have found on Amazon and different household items that the figurines can be placed in and made to look like they are doing the activity. Here is a Youtube video that will go over how to do this photoshoot and other tips.
3. Pinhole Box
This activity comes with a bit of a history lesson as you explore the first form of photography the “camera obscura” where a scene was able to be projected through a small hole and an inverted image appeared on the wall opposite to the hole. This activity replicates the original idea and allows you and your family to go back in time, what your child’s face drops as they are in awe of how this works. You will need Sharp pencil, Empty shoebox with a lid, X-Acto knife (ask an adult for help with this item!), Scissors, Ruler, Wax paper, Tape, and a Blanket and follow the instructions in this blog post from National Geographic.
Photo by @trojantry via Unsplash
4. Mood Board
A mood board is a great idea for every photographer to have as it will keep you motivated, get creative, and interested in capturing more. Print out a few images that catch your eye or something you would like to try to photograph. This could be different styles of photography, different colours, or anything that you find interesting. Stick these images onto a white/black bristol board or a wall in a collage-like style. After you are done, take a look at your board and try to find the common colours, type of images, style and angles/height of the photography, to find your favourite style of photography.
5. Water Droplets
Calm water creates a beautiful reflection and can create some beautiful images. To create the water droplet image you will need a laptop/tablet, an image to be displayed on the tablet with a black border, clean glass that you can get wet either (lens filter or glass from a photo frame), a spray bottle full of water, and a camera. Spray the water onto the glass and place it about a hand distance away from the screen then focus and zoom in on the drops.
Photo by @clarissemeyer & @nguiney via Unsplash
6. Flat Lays
Flat lays are a type of product photography that places multiple different objects in an interesting form that appeals to the eye and usually futures one main product while taking the photo from a high level. This a great way to practise product photography and easy to do with home with things you can easily find around your house.
7. Experiment With Double Exposure
Double exposure is the act of your camera taking two photos on top of each other and playing with the darks and lights to create a beautiful image. Most cameras within their settings give the option of double exposure, after turning this on get creative and have fun exploring this setting.
TIP: Try to photography a variety of images in different lighting situations and try over and underexposing your image.
Photo by @nate_dumlao & @callumskelton via Unsplash
Photo by @thatsmrbio, @joshrh19 & @ingagezalian via Unsplash
8. Try Shooting With Windows & Mirrors
Windows and mirrors can give you some great photos and context that give it a very artistic feel while getting creative with the objects. Try taking the mirror outside for a self-portrait or place your pet in front of your front window and shoot from both inside and out.
9. Shoot A Roll Of Film
Film photography is huge in the world of media and is something every photographer should try. If you don’t have your film camera or you’re not interested in investing in one, order a disposable film camera from Amazon or try a polaroid camera. Send the images into a local camera shop or online to process your film.
Photo by @konstandy via Unsplash
10. Take A Photography Course Online
Online classes are a great way to learn a new style of photography, refresh the basics or work on photo editing. Register for one of our 8 LIVE Virtual Photography Classes on photography basics, photo editing or our specialty workshops which are all up to 50% OFF!
Work On Your Photography Skills At Home
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