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11 Simple Photography Assignments for You
If you’re not sure what to photograph, some ideas:
- Only shoot in ‘highlight weighted‘ metering: I have found this to be one of the greatest innovations when it comes to exposure, especially shooting ADAP (as dark as possible). It makes your photos typically darker (you don’t blow out the highlights), which makes your photos more mysterious. Highlight weighted mode is in RICOH GR III under ‘AE Metering’.
- Photograph rust, patina, and ‘beautiful decay’. Ironically, even though I hate the suburbs, it actually makes for good photography, because there is a lot of rust, decay, and patina all over the place! Consider rusty cars, rusty car emblems, stuff falling apart, etc.
- Photograph in macro: The other day when it was really cold, I went on a morning stroll and photographed some dandelion flowers (the ones you pick up and blow) with some ice frost, lowered the exposure compensation, and the photos came out really beautiful! You can shoot flowers, your morning coffee bubbles, or any other textures you find interesting.
- Photograph joy: Why is shooting happy photos frowned upon? Perhaps the bias that as artist-photographers we need to somehow be uber-serious and morose. I say photograph more people laughing and smiling! To photograph joyful photos of people we love — isn’t this great?
- Eye: Photograph super-close (macro) of the eye. Make eye contact with the camera when shooting a selfie, or ask your subject to look into the frame. Eyes are the windows to the soul.
- Photograph products: For example, photograph random scripts or product details you find interesting. For example I love car design, so when I am out and about and I see nice details of cars I like (for example, car grille, side silhouette), I photograph it. For example the new grille on the new BMW’s, or even the car design of the Mercedes G-Wagon, or TESLA.
- Diagonal lines: Zebra stripes, or think about the ‘OFF WHITE’ streetwear designs.
- Listen to music when reviewing and selecting your photos, or perhaps even listen to music when you’re out shooting. Make a playlist or select some songs that you feel put you in good vibes for any photo-specific activity. For me, I love the new DONDA album (OFF THE GRID) is some of my favorite music. It gets me dancing, and puts energy into my leg muscles!
- Experiment with bottom-heavy or top-heavy compositions. What I mean is this — experiment with unusual ways to compose a scene. For example if you see a sunset, don’t just center the composition. Either put the sky really really high in the top of your frame, or on the extreme bottom of the frame.
- Only review your photos as small thumbnails. The most efficient way to go through your photos, and to select your best photos.
- Photo Hike: Go on a hike at least once a week, and just shoot photos on the way! Ironically enough I find the stimulation from nature hikes to be beneficial to my street photography. Perhaps the ultimate barbell between nature x the city is ideal?
Books
Some books to get you going:
Share your best photos
If any of these the target assignments inspired you, upload your best photos to arsbeta.com
EQUIPMENT by KIM
If you’re new or need a refresher, start here.