Summer Photography Challenge Ideas
As many of you may know for the past two summers I have taken on a summer photography challenge. It all started in the summer of 2014 when I did a portrait photography challenge and took photos of a different friend every week. In the summer of 2015 I did an event photography challenge where I took pictures at different events throughout the summer and quickly learned that wasn’t my jam.
I love doing these challenges because (a) I always learn something and (b) 10 weeks is a short enough time frame to do something that it’s still just as exciting at the end as it was in the beginning.
Well, it’s almost summer again (even though the weather super seriously doesn’t feel like it), and so I’m in search of another photography project idea. I decided to bring in the help of some photographers that I’ve admired to see if they have any suggestions. Here’ what they had to say:
Michael James Photography
I’ve been following Michael James Photography for years now. I love his color palette and journalistic approach to shooting. I always feel like I’m able to grasp the story when I scroll through. Not only that, but he did an incredible job brainstorming summer photo challenge ideas for me. He asked me what I was interested in shooting and reminded me that it’s always good to step outside your comfort zone. He’s also incredibly personable, which makes for awesome conversation, and great ideas:
Well, at this point, it sounds like you’ve covered some people – formal portraiture where things are mostly controlled, and event photography which isn’t far from Photo Journalism work.
I’d encourage you to try something landscape oriented but with structure involved. That seems like it’s right up your alley. So, for instance, maybe City scrapes with a focus on geometric shapes. Sounds juvenile, but also amazing. Especially considering how you’re close too Philly. Have you considered that? Maybe even throw in an additional challenge to focus on something emotionally charged with those structures and city scapes. Dang… Now I’m getting excited and I wish I had time to do that!
Please enjoy a few of his favorite photos and don’t forget to check out his work.
Robert Cornelius
I met Robert from Robert Cornelius Photography two years ago at the first PHLbloggers annual holiday party potluck. I was super impressed how he (and a few other guys) were able to hold their own in a room full of women. I’ve spent so much time watching the videos he makes about the speed edits of his art. (I think we’ve passed photography and gone to art.)
He also had three awesome ideas. And his second one definitely falls into that “getting out of your comfort zone” category Michael was referring to above. Check them out:
One of my favorite ways to come up with an idea for a photo is to find a prop to work off of. It could be just about anything, maybe even something you already have that you’ve always thought was kinda cool…or even kinda boring haha. Try to think about that object and what it could mean or represent and how you could use it in a photo in an interesting new way. I actually have a whole blog post about this if you care to check that out!
Another fun project that you can give yourself is to shoot portraits of strangers. It can be really hard to approach people, especially if you are asking to photograph them. I actually did this very activity in Rittenhouse Square Park just to build up my courage and it ended up turning into a lovely little photo series. It can be quite exhilarating to walk boldly up to a stranger, tell them you think they are beautiful/interesting/cool/whatever and that you’d love to take their picture. You’d be surprised by the amount of people that will say yes if you’re not asking like a total creep-o. I actually have several more of these already shot that I need to edit and get posted. Again, I have a blog post about this if you want to take a peek!
My last suggestion would be to try out shooting creative self portraits. It can be really fun to come up with an idea for a character of some kind and create an image of yourself that tells a story. I’m not talking your typical headshot here – I’m talking about developing a costume/look of some kind, hair, makeup, props, and all that jazz and make an image completely on your own. It can be really fun to get out of your own head space and try something new. Plus even if it makes you feel silly, well, no one has to be there but you! Also if you hate the images, no one ever has to know they exist, haha.
Please enjoy a few of his favorite photos and don’t forget to check out his work.
Tamara Camera
I found Tamara from Tamara Camera online a few weeks ago when she shared my 102 Verbs to use in Currently Blog Posts post. Her blog takes a photo-journalistic approach to sharing stories from both her childhood as well as stories from her own two children’s childhoods.
After studying photography in college, and then continuing to explore the medium over the years, she was able come up with five great ideas to try:
1. Know the company Best Gift Ever? They have photographs of things out in nature and in objects that look like numbers and letters. We ordered one for my sister’s housewarming that said her last name with letters that had a baseball/rocker theme. The photographers at the company have told me you can eye-train yourself to see letters out in public. I think it’s an awesome photo project because of more access to being outside. A to Z! If that is hard, you can also just do an A to Z project where you take 26 photos, of something that starts with every letter of the alphabet.
2. Golden hour. In warm weather, the hour or two before sunset is an amazing use of light. I think every photographer should tackle doing that a little each day or so.
3. Self-portraits are very challenging and I think it’s a great skill to learn, especially in the age of blogging.
4. A summer photography bucket list – getting all the amazing sights of summer. Make a list and then check them off as you photograph them.
5. A street photography project, especially if you live in or near a city.
Please enjoy a few of her favorite photos and don’t forget to check out her work. And the fact that I asked her to send three photos she loves totally explains how she ended up with three photos of her daughter. #curlyhairisthebest
Charles S. Cerrone
When I was an RA in college my senior year, Charles was one of my residents, except I know him as “Shan,” the S in Charles S. Cerrone Photography. It’s been so cool getting to watch him go from always taking photos in the dorm to doing some awesome shots like the one below. He even led a photography walking tour for PHLbloggers to teach us more about how cameras work, composition, and troubleshooting. Super informative, and super great to work with somebody that I knew in a different walk of life.
He has a little bit of experience in giving photo assignments because whenever he finds time he’s teaching others, which is pretty cool. Here was his summer photography challenge idea:
Outside of composition/framing, I think one of the best learning tools for people just starting out with digital photography is understanding when and how to use color. Photography is all about including/excluding things from your environment into the frame. When you get really selective about what colors from you include in your composition, it tops a black and white photo any day. One assignment I give my students is to photograph “color pairs”, ie blue+yellow, red+cyan, green+magenta, natural blacks+whites, etc. Going out and exploring on a nice day while trying to work in those specific colors, and only those colors to your pictures, can turn up some interesting results – and teach you how to be more selective with what you include in your frame. The more you perfect your use of color, the stronger your work gets.
Please enjoy a few of his favorite photos and don’t forget to check out his work.
I’m so excited that these awesome photographers had such great ideas to share. I love the idea of finding geometric shapes in city scapes, shooting creative self portraits with hair and makeup, and a summer bucketlist challenge. They’ve also got me thinking a little harder than I originally started thinking. I was thinking about the top layer of the challenge – take photos of things in the city – but didn’t get to the second layer of (a) that look like letters or (b) that look like geometric shapes. I was also thinking about what I was going to be taking photos of as opposed to why I was going to be taking photos of it. Which is clearly just naive. They’re one in the same, and I really need to think more big picture.
I can’t wait to figure it out. In the meantime, make sure to check out Michael, Robert, and Tamara’s sites. Do you have any additional suggestions for me to add to the list? Or maybe you’ve been inspired to start a photo project of your own?
