Want a photographic challenge? Try out these ideas for creating a series to give your project a new dimension!
By spending a week a month, or just the occasional day here and there restricting your practice to select ideas like the ones below you can expand your creativity, push your photographic skills and create a stunning photographic series.
1. Restricted POV
Take photos of familiar objects, acts or scenes from below waist height. Looking at the world from a different perspective can give the once familiar a whole new feel. PLUS this is a great way to learn to take photographs of children and pets.
Idea
Make a circle with a group of friends, arms around each other , all looking down into the centre. Place or hold the camera low down and in the middle facing up and take the shot.
2. Ditch the idea of a subject
Create a series of photos that focus only on colour, shape or pattern. By paying attention to only detailed shots that fit with your chosen discipline, you will have an impressive series of images that all relate to each other in an abstract way.
The challenge
Even if a particular ‘subject’ as a whole inspires you, stick to your theme of patterns, or textures or colour to pick something out that fits your theme. It could be a triangular fold in a coat, the smooth reflective edge of a car bonnet or the cherry red boots of a passer-by.
3. Restricted subject
Pick a thing, anything - and make that your focus. The colour blue, only wooden objects, pictures of flowers, the subject of decay, only food, only animals, street photography. The list really does go on, and some people make it their whole project!
For a giggle check out the Pictures of Hipsters Taking Pictures of Food blog.
We compiled a fantastic list of 365 Project ideas a while ago - download it, print it, get a pin and close your eyes…. Ideas for your 365 Project and 10 Photo Projects to do Before You Die
4. Staged photography
Set up a series of selfies or portraits of other people that show two sides of a story. Keep the clothes and setting the same - play with lighting, angles and of course expressions to reveal two contrasting sides or emotions.
My personal favourite staged photograph is Jeff Wall’s Insomnia.
5. Shoot from the hip
This is a great way to get some great documentary style photographs in your collection - just pull your camera out, point it at your subject and take a picture without looking through a viewfinder. Make sure you are on auto for the best results.
Have you tried this? Or any of these? Share your photos in the comments below - or give them a go and show us your series!
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