The bustling life of St. Petersburg, passersby of different classes, elegant women and the very vibrant moments of the country that no longer exist.
Alfred Eberling, a student of Ilya Repin, was, first of all, an artist. Before the 1917 Revolution, he painted portraits of Nicholas II and the Russian highest nobility, while, in Soviet times, Stalin, Molotov, Trotsky and other Party leaders posed for him. His portrait of Vladimir Lenin was printed on the Soviet ten-ruble banknotes in 1937 and became the standard of Soviet monetary miniatures.
Among other things, Eberling was the ancestor of Russian street-photography. In the late 19th century, he bought a photo camera and got incredibly keen on taking pictures. He had a Pocket Kodak that was able to do photos with a little exposure, which let the photos to be incredibly vivid. Dive into these city street scenes from St. Petersburg!
A man hurrying along Nevsky Prospekt.
A couple strolling on Fontanka Embankment.
A family walking on Liteyny Prospect.
Women getting out of a car of a horse-drawn city tram.
And a horse tram driver Nevsky Prospekt.
People bustling across the Anichkov bridge.
An elegant woman attracting everyone’s attention on the Nevsky Prospekt.
Kids playing with nannies in Alexander Garden.
A postman captured reading by the entrance to the General Staff Building.
A jolly gentleman walking along Italyanskaya Street.
A very serious woman walking along Karavannaya street.
Two ladies caught strolling in front of the Winter Palace.
Boys looking at the Neva River.
A baby in a stroller followed by a woman in a fancy kokoshnik headdress.
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A new exhibit at the Library of Michigan in Lansing showcases more than 50 panoramic photographs taken in the state. The collection includes pictures from as far back as 1863.
The exhibit “By the Yard” refers to the length of panoramas which were often called “yard longs.”
Visitors can see dozens of these wide-angle photographs on display that range from three to eight feet long.
They show men going off to war, class photos, a U.P. Train wreck, cruise ships on the Great Lakes, Buffalo Bill’s Traveling Show and some of the state’s older buildings. The most recent picture in the exhibit is from 2004.
Bill Castanier is the president of the Historical Society of Greater Lansing. He said they offer a look into Michigan’s past where people liked to gather for large group photos.
“Imagine gathering several hundred people together, it was [an] almost party-like atmosphere to get people, and then you had to line them all up you know it was like herding cats,” Castanier said. “I just think it showed tremendous optimism right at that period of time.”
Panoramic photographs were most popular between 1900-1940. Cameras weighed up to 50 pounds and taking photos could be difficult.
“The slightest movement would show as a blur,” Castanier said. “If it got cloudy, you had to stop shooting the photograph because it would make one side dark and one side light. It was a real trick.”
Many of the photos featured in the exhibit were donated by Dan Barber’s estate. Barber was a member of the Historical Society of Greater Lansing and helped come up with the idea for the exhibit before he died in 2020. The photos will be stored at the Library of Michigan when the exhibit ends.
Castanier said he hopes people who may have their own panoramic photos at home will take the time to save them and write down any information they may have about the photo. It’ll be worthwhile in the future, he said.
“Looking back at history is a good way to see who we are today. We can see things evolve overtime … you can see people and how we develop with clothing and things we care about and don’t care about,” he said.
The Library of Michigan will host four free lectures on the history of photography that are scheduled throughout the duration of the exhibit. The exhibit runs through May 1.
Film photography is a timeless medium that has had a resurgence in the last few years. Despite the cost of film and development rising, people are still drawn to the beautiful surprise that analog photography brings. However, aside from being a pretty pricey hobby, film photography has several negative environmental impacts and might not be as sustainable as you think. These issues are addressed in a great new film, just released by The Boston Scope.
To fully understand how film photography might impact the world, we first have to understand what it’s made from. Photographic film is made using a transparent strip of film base coated in a gelatin emulsion, containing light-sensitive silver halide crystals. The size of these crystals determines the sensitivity (ISO), contrast and resolution of the film, and gives the best film such as Porta 400 or Kodak 200 its signature aesthetic.
• Check out the best film cameras – vintage classics still loved today!
Gelatin is a colorless, flavorless substance that comes from collagen in animal body parts. It’s an extremely versatile bi-product that can be used in food, medicine and, of course, photographic film. Film emulsion is made by combining gelatin with a silver halide, such as silver nitrate, to create a coating on a plastic base. So whether you shoot 35mm, 120 or 220 film, you’ve definitely used a gelatin emulsion.
Watch video: A film’s environmental footprint
Another reason film photography isn’t planet-friendly is that it’s incredibly chemically intensive. Every stage of the process involves a different toxic chemical, from developing to the stop bath to fixing the final image. Developer solutions are typically made of metol, phenidone or hydroquinone plus an alkaline, agent such as sodium carbonate or borax and sodium sulfite to delay oxidation.
Developer is the one chemical that cannot be reused and recycled, and as it’s toxic it must be disposed of correctly. Stop bath and fixer are also highly toxic, but the fact that they can be used multiple times makes their environmental impact considerably less damaging.
Developing film is also a water-intensive process and, despite advancing technologies, the process hasn’t changed much over the last 30 years. In 1997, the Environmental Protection Agency conducted a study showing that even a small photographic processing facilities typically discharge 1,000 gallons (4,500 liters) of water waste a day.
Millions of people all over the planet still live without clean water close to home or access to a proper toilet, which makes using water to develop photos seem like an incredibly unfair privilege – let alone a questionable use of water.
It’s not all doom and gloom for film photography, though; since most film cameras are second-hand, and parts can reused and recycled by camera shops who repair and resell bodies – such as Boston-based CatLABS which features in the film. These vital repairs give the cameras a new lease of life and save them from ending up in landfill.
Many photo processing labs and used camera dealers are very aware of the environmentally damaging effects of film photography, so try to find other ways to minimize their footprint – such as reusing packaging, keeping water consumption to a minimum and holding out hope that one day there will be an alternative way.
Best 35mm film • Best film cameras • Best darkroom equipment
Best known for his brightly colored pop art pieces, Andy Warhol’s creative endeavors didn’t stop at canvas and paints. Although he isn’t as well known for his photographic pursuits as he is for his paintings, Warhol was also a dab hand behind the lens. Some of his most striking work will be on display in ‘Andy Warhol & Photography: A Social Media’, an exhibition taking place at the Art Gallery of South Australia.
Throughout the Seventies and Eighties, Warhol was often found with a camera in hand. Whether he was working in his studio taking photos of Farrah Fawcett and Debbie Harry, or documenting his close circle of friends like John Lennon, Liza Minnelli, Elizabeth Taylor and Jackie O, Warhol’s work captured a snapshot of his life and that of his celebrity cohorts.
• These are the best instant cameras (opens in new tab), from reimagined Polaroids to the modern Fujifilm Instax
Warhol’s approach to photography, like his art, was outside the box. He was always looking for ways to reinvent the wheel, whether that was through taking portraits using a photo booth, capturing friends partaking in everyday beauty rituals, or painting one of Hollywood’s most famous faces in the most unlikely of colors.
From March 03 – May 14 2023, Warhol’s photographic work will be on display at the Art Gallery of South Australia alongside an extensive program of talks, live music and tours put together by the gallery’s senior curator, Julie Robinson.
Flying in from New York to offer some personal insight into Warhol’s life is his longtime friend and fellow photographer, Christopher Makos. He will be reminiscing about the days they spent together at Broadway’s legendary Studio 54 theater and nightclub, the hours that passed in Warhol’s studio, as well as how the artist always had a camera by his side.
In a gallery debut, on the first Friday of every month, visitors can enjoy a themed program inspired by Warhol’s life and art and take part in interactive activities based on 15 minutes of fame, saints and sinners, and into the limelight.
Other highlights during the exhibition include a talk on Andy Warhol and the Queer Gaze, An Evening with Henry Gillespie (Warhol’s famous Australian babysitter) and Supersaturate – an after-hours event just for teens aged 13-17 looking to walk away with a memento of the night.
Despite living many years before the age of smartphones and social media, Warhol arguably was one of the world’s first influencers – and his collection of Polaroids and prints is his tactile Instagram account, where he captured the mundane and magical moments he shared with friends.
Although the event is ticketed, with prices starting at AU$10 for a child and going up to AU$25 for an adult, all the talks, workshops and events taking place as part of the exhibition are free to attend. Click here for details and ticket info (opens in new tab).
Orlando photographer Amanda Kossina celebrated the opening of her new photo studio in Downtown Avalon Park, in East Orlando. Kossina Creative Photography is an Award-Winning Orlando Photographer Specializes in Maternity, Newborn, & Family Sessions.
ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Kossina Creative Celebrates Grand Opening of Photography Studio
Award-Winning Orlando Photographer Specializes in Maternity, Newborn, & Family Sessions
Orlando, FL: Last Friday night, Orlando photographer Amanda Kossina celebrated the opening of her new photo studio in Downtown Avalon Park, in East Orlando. The 1,900 sq ft studio features over 80 themed sets for cake smash sessions. It’s also home to an extensive wardrobe of high-end gowns for maternity shoots. To add a unique flair to each shoot, the studio has 40 backdrops and newborn props in every size, shape, and color.
The night began with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the East Orlando Chamber of Commerce. Before cutting the ribbon, Amanda Kossina explained why this night meant so much to her. She opened her first photography studio in early 2020. A few weeks later, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, and her big plans to celebrate the opening had to be shelved. Instead, her focus turned to keeping her new small business alive in the middle of a global catastrophe. Now, three years later, she is grateful to not only have survived the pandemic but have the chance to move into a larger studio.
“I feel so thankful to everyone celebrating with me tonight,” she said to a packed room of friends, family, and clients. “This feels like a new beginning in so many ways. I am excited about this new space because it allows me to continue to serve this beautiful community!”
After the ribbon cutting, guests were treated to refreshments. The night ended with a chance to participate in a giveaway drawing. Prizes included a free photo session with Amanda and a gift basket provided by fellow EOCC member Arise Chiropractic. To strengthen the solidarity of local businesses, Kossina Creative catered food from Cheese to Share and Café Coquí, two of Avalon Park’s staple eateries. Dessert was provided by another local favorite, With Love, Custom Cakes by Vindy Lopez.
About Kossina Creative: Kossina Creative is an award-winning photography studio based in Orlando, FL. Founded in 2015 by Amanda Kossina, they specialize in maternity, newborn, cake smash, and family sessions. Kossina Creative’s brand new studio is located at 3680 Avalon Park East Blvd, Suite 220, Orlando, FL 32828. For session inquiries and bookings, you can visit KossinaCreative.com or call/text 407-205-7297.
You may not realise it immediately, but a lot of your phone’s functionalities are actually fuelled by AI. The technology is running on your phone behind the scenes even when you are not using it, handling a variety of tasks at all times. It analyses your phone’s usage to squeeze more power out of the battery, helps you take crisp photos, identify music, assists you in understanding a different language, and a lot more.
Until some time ago, AI was reserved for expensive equipment that used the most advanced technology. But now AI has become such an integral part of mobile applications that chipmakers felt the need to develop AI chips dedicated to machine learning and deep learning tasks for faster processing. Here’s a look at the various ways AI is being used in phones so far.
AI in smartphone voice assistants
Google Assistant, Siri, and Bixby are the most popular voice assistants right now, and you can access at least one of them on any smartphone. Even the most basic of functions of these voice assistants involve the use of AI. The “Hey Siri” detector, for example, uses a Deep Neural Network (DNN) to convert the acoustic pattern of your voice into a “probability distribution over speech sounds,” according to a research blog post by Apple. It then uses a process to computer confidence score to ascertain if the phrase you uttered was “Hey Siri.”
But that’s only the tip of the iceberg. Siri, Google Assistant, and Bixby are built to process and understand much more than prompts like “Hey Google” and “Hey Siri.” They instantly process complex queries and respond by constructing clear sentences as a human would. These sentences aren’t saved responses – the AI assistants are trained with the rules of linguistics to help them construct sentences, similar to chatbots like ChatGPT.
The use of AI and machine learning is crucial in voice assistants because of the sheer amount of things they can help you with – set reminders, give directions, read out news, control your devices, send messages, and a lot more. To program these tasks manually would have been a gargantuan task, so voice assistants are trained to learn from experience and make decisions on their own.
AI in smartphone photography
While AI image processing was initially limited to high-end smartphones, even entry-level offerings include them now. AI in imaging ensures that your snap looks presentable no matter what the ambience or your skills are. It works its magic by enhancing images, sharpening blurry elements, reducing noise for pictures taken in low-light scenarios, adding a bokeh effect, and a lot more. AI is especially handy in budget smartphone cameras because it help make up for the lacking in hardware with software processing, significantly improving quality.
A good example of AI application in smartphone photography would be the True Tone tech featured on Google Pixels. Camera technology has historically failed to accurately capture people of colour resulting in unflattering photos for those with darker skin tones. With True Tone, Google improved its camera tuning models and algorithms to highlight diverse skin tones more accurately.
Another example is Samsung’s Single Take feature. Single Take ensures that “precious moments that pass in the blink of an eye are not lost,” according to Samsung. It records video for up to 20 seconds while simultaneously snapping up to 10 pictures per second. Once that’s done, AI adds various effects to highlight the best photos and videos, generating up to 10 photos and up to 4 video clips in real-time.
AI in smartphone face recognition
Android smartphones do support facial recognition but they push users to use the far more accurate fingerprint tech that just about every phone running the OS comes with. iOS is where the real facial recognition action lies. First launched on the iPhone X in 2017, the tech replaced Apple’s Touch ID fingerprint scanning system. It’s now a staple across all the latest iPhones. It works using a number of hardware components such as the TrueDepth camera system and the AI-supporting Bionic chips.
The AI kicks in when the iPhone checks scans of your face against the one you’ve set up and stored on your device to see if it’s a match. AI helps Face ID to adapt to changes in your appearance such as wearing makeup or growing facial hair. Over the years Apple has updated Face ID tech, increasing its accuracy and with the iOS 14.5 update, Face ID even works when you are wearing a mask.
AI in augmented reality applications
Dedicated smartphone chips boast cutting-edge AI processors, known as Neural Processing Engines or similar, that power on-device Augmented Reality experiences like Apple’s iconic Animoji. As VR gains traction and its possibilities unfold, AI continues to showcase its abilities in real-time object tracking and recognition. Scene recognition through the camera lens is a great example of AI’s practical applications. Devices now have the capability to distinguish between various types of scenes, such as animals, scenes like sunsets, and text-filled images.
An image without a story is like a blank sheet of paper that doesn’t have any value.
Designing compositions with narratives can be challenging for beginner photographers who are just getting started on this career path. However, working on themed photography projects can help them improve their skills. Such projects can teach them to design consistent compositions with engaging storylines.
This article provides the top 15 creative ideas for photography projects for beginners. You will also get some basic knowledge of essential photography gear and photography tips that will help you with your photography project.
Keep reading to learn!
What Are Photography Projects?
Photography projects are groups of photographs arranged while maintaining a particular category, style, subject, theme, technique, or equipment. The projects can be anything the photographer can imagine working on as long as they convey a story.
For instance, the theme can be street, vintage, or landscape photography; the subject can be children, fruits, flowers, pets, or vehicles; the equipment can be a telephoto, zoom, or film camera; or the style can be lifestyle, portrait, or fashion photography.
However, a photography project doesn’t need to meet only one specific criterion. A photographer is free to incorporate multiple criteria into their project, such as street photography of pets or vintage photos of vehicles.
Working on these projects can be a great way to create a unique collection of photographs that reflect the photographers’ interests, passions, and creativity. Therefore, regardless of the type of project, the photographer’s goal is to establish consistency within the series.
What Are the Benefits of Photography Projects?
Photography projects assist photographers in determining their niche and developing their individual photographic approach. If you are a beginner photographer, you can challenge yourself with photography projects. You can try out one week or one-month-long projects to learn photography basics. However, you can try out the 52 weeks photography project for in-depth learning.
How else can a photography project help you besides teaching you the basics of photography? Let’s learn what other benefits photography projects offer.
Asset for the portfolio
A portfolio is very important for a photographer to establish a photography career. It is the source for showing potential customers their best work. Besides, working on photography projects allows photographers to add more value to their portfolio while giving viewers an idea of their area of expertise.
Improves skills and creativity
Working on photography projects requires creativity to make the project theme or subject unique and eye-catching because hundreds and thousands of other photographers may be there working on similar projects.
However, along with creativity, the photographer needs to have certain skills, such as editing, sequencing and designing, to include their own visual style in their projects. Hence, in the process of creating something extraordinary, photographers’ skills and imagination get polished and result in producing stunning images.
Explore diverse niches
Photography projects are a great source for experimenting with different types and styles of photography. Besides, it helps beginner photographers explore diversified niches and test their abilities and strengths.
The numerous difficulties that come with photography projects also encourage photographers to step outside of their comfort zones and create extraordinary work they may have never imagined they could create one day.
Participate in competitions
Photography competitions are a hotspot for budding and professional photographers. Photographers worldwide participate in different photography contests to showcase their work, establish their names, and build connections.
Photographers can use their photography projects to participate in contests and get their work validated by experts and other photographers. This will help the photographers’ work be recognized and boost their confidence. Moreover, photographers can get funding for their future projects too.
Publish a photo book or participate in an exhibition
Photography projects can be used for commercial purposes too. Many photographers put together their photography projects to publish photo books. Since people enjoy watching stories unfold through images, these photo books are popular among photography enthusiasts.
Furthermore, photographers can use images from their projects to participate in exhibitions. They can put their work on display for viewers, and if the image manages to grab their attention, it might end up being purchased.
Top 15 Beginner Photography Project Ideas
Following are the top 15 photography project ideas for beginners that you can try for your upcoming photography projects.
1. Self-portrait photography
Finding subjects can be difficult at times, so why not use yourself as a subject and take self-portraits for your project?
Self-portraits can be a good theme to create your personal story. You can take pictures of yourself from various angles. For instance, mount your camera on a tripod, set a timer, and give your desired poses. Also, you can use reflective surfaces, mirrors, or still water to capture your reflection.
However, self-portraits are not limited to capturing your face and body. You can create artistic self-portrait compositions by photographing specific body parts, such as the eyes, half-face, hands, legs, or other gestures, expressions, or emotions.
2. Your furry friends (Pet) photography
Pets like cats, dogs, hamsters, ferrets, or birds all have their own charm. People love to see pet photographs as they are mostly candid and genuine. So, shooting pets can be a fun photography project for beginners.
Similar to humans, pets’ eyes are a gateway to their souls. Their eyes express their playful nature and emotions the most. Hence, when shooting pets, keep the focus on their eyes. Make sure to ensure their comfort as well. Use their favorite snacks or toys as a treat to keep them calm and happy.
Moreover, it would be best if you photographed them in natural light. To capture their natural activities, try to maintain silence and take pictures from a distance.
3. Panoramic photos
If you are interested in photographing landscapes, consider using the panoramic photography technique for your project. Although telephoto or wide-angle lenses can capture distant landscapes or wide-angle images, they cannot provide the same field of view as panorama photos. Hence, working on panoramic photography projects can give your project a unique perspective.
The shooting process for panoramas is different from other photography types. You have to position your camera vertically for the best results and maintain the level of the camera. For that, you must use a sturdy tripod.
Besides, panoramic images require the merging of multiple images. Therefore, you have to shoot each scene in such a way that one-third or 15–30% of the scenes overlap with the adjacent scenes to ensure there are no gaps in your images. Also, moving the panning direction from left to right makes merging easier for photo stitching software.
4. Sunrise & Sunset photos
Sunrise and sunset photography can create a fantastic project theme for landscape photography enthusiasts. The location’s position, the cloud’s structure, the foreground elements—everything together- make every sunset and sunrise photograph unique.
When shooting sunset or sunrise, select a location from which you will get an unobstructed view of the horizon. It’s best to shoot from the top of a hill or mountain because you can use the mountain, trees, or ocean as your foreground element to make the image aesthetic.
Want to add some drama to your sunset or sunrise photographs?
Use manual camera settings, such as manual focus, high aperture for greater depth of field, fast shutter speed, medium ISO, etc.
Make the foreground elements or clouds underexposed.
Shoot in bizarre weather like a sky filled with storm clouds.
Design the composition according to the rule of thirds.
5. Cityscapes
If you have a wide-angle lens, telephoto lens, or drone, you can try shooting cityscapes for your photo project. The diverse skylines, streets, lakes, rivers, hovering skyscrapers, bridges, and expressways are all part of the cityscapes that give a different aesthetic to the photographs.
You can experiment with different vantage points to make the location unique. For instance, you can shoot from street level, the top of a building, or along the waterfront. Especially at night, when the entire city is lit up, the city lights stand out against the dark sky, and the reflection of the city along the waterfront appears the best.
Moreover, cityscapes look their best in all types of photography, whether it be abstract, during the golden hour, in bad weather, at night, or during the day. All you need to do is ensure that the image is clear of all distractions to shoot breathtaking cityscapes.
6. Water photography (Rain, River, Ocean, etc.)
Despite having no shape or color, water can captivate people with its various forms of beauty. The movement or flow of water, its interaction with light, and its location make all the difference.
You can use rainfall, ocean waves, spring flow, or reflections of sunlight on the water to design different themes and create amazing stories. For example, shooting raindrops can be a great macro photography project for beginners.
Some creative ideas for water photography are-
Water droplets on a glass
Dropping objects on still water to create a splash effect
Waves crashing against a seawall or on the shore
Hair flipping in a pool, river, or beach
Spring water flowing down hills
Reflection of sky or landscape in still water bodies
Note: Use a waterproof shield or plastic bag to protect the camera from getting damaged. In case the lens gets wet, keep a microfiber cloth nearby to wipe it off.
7. Food photography
If you can’t decide on the subject or theme for your project, go for food photography. This can be an excellent photography idea at home, as you neither have to travel long distances like landscape photographers nor stay awake for the whole night to shoot the sunrise.
Natural lighting is best for photographing food. But if you have a strobe light, you can use that too. Just make sure to keep the background simple. To give the food items a pop of color, you can use their key ingredients as props.
You can also try the following to make the images more tempting:
Angles and vantage points
Flat lay shots
Low angle shots
Side shots
Macro or close-up shots
45° shots
75° shots
Add motions
Splashing
Sprinkling
Food in the air
Dripping or melting
Composition style
Center framing
Rule of thirds
Rule of odds
Golden triangle
However, if you don’t want to deal with the hassle of cooking or spend money on fancy tableware, you can photograph food items at restaurants.
8. Black & white photography
If you want to hit the emotions of your viewers with your project, black-and-white photography can be a great initiative. This vintage-style monochrome photography technique makes the viewers nostalgic and gives them the feeling of traveling to the past.
Moreover, the different shades of gray help to bring the viewers’ focus to the subject, shapes, texture, etc.—without causing any distraction. You can shoot in the camera’s black-and-white mode or convert your images to black-and-white with the help of photo editing software.
9. Abstract photography
If you’re looking for unusual photography ideas for your project, try abstract photography. People love to see mysteries. And mystery is a key component of abstract images. However, it can be challenging because maintaining visual balance, proportion, appropriate lighting, angle of view, and other elements is essential, along with using a lot of creativity.
You can try capturing motion, experimenting with everyday objects or places, or shooting through objects such as glass, water, or objects with different shapes. Abstract photography ideas can come anytime and anywhere. Since it is not possible to always carry a camera, you can try phone photography.
10. Photograph house plants & flowers
Do you need ideas for indoor photography projects for beginners? Try out photographing house plants. You can document the growth of your house plants, like the first time you planted them, how they sprout, bear flowers, and so on.
You can also search around your neighborhood, the gardens of your friends and family, or flower fields to look for different types of flowers. Photograph them during the golden hour or take macro shots with water droplets on the petals or leaves to give them a unique perspective.
11. Extreme weather conditions
Unexpected dramatic events result from extreme weather conditions, such as thunderstorms, wildfires, tornadoes, snowstorms, sandstorms, etc. Photographing such weather conditions is highly recommended if you want to add thrill to your photography project.
Usually, these visuals are rare for ordinary viewers. That’s why it’s an effective source for making people stun with dramatic, jaw-dropping natural calamities.
12. The sky is the limit
Photographing the sky can be considered an easy photography project for beginners. Every day, different patterns of clouds form. Depending on the lighting, the beauty of these clouds appears differently. You can combine sky photography with cityscapes, landscapes, weather, and other types of photography.
The golden hour is the ideal time to capture dramatic sky photography. During this period of the day, the sun remains closer to the horizon, giving the sky a yellow, orange, and red look, which multiplies the beauty of the sky tenfold.
13. Shadows or silhouette photography
Shadow photography can be combined with other photographic styles, such as self-portraits, abstracts, or black-and-white photography. You can create an entire series of shadow images for your projects, be it by photographing your own shadow on the wall or using patterns created using grids, fabric, or fences.
You can add mystery to your self-portraits by casting shadows on your face or creating silhouettes, which will only make the shape of your body visible. This photography style is also suitable for architectural photography. The change in the position of the sun creates different shapes and patterns. You can use them to give the images a unique perspective.
14. Find Cobwebs
One of the most intriguing forms of natural architecture is spider webs. These webs can be a good subject for both macro and mobile photography ideas for beginners.
These fascinating webs can be found in different sizes and patterns. However, only the web could look flat and dull. So, to give the webs an intriguing abstract effect, keep an eye out for webs that have trapped insects or other elements like dew, sunlight, etc.
15. Everyday moments
Lifestyle photography or photographing everyday moments can add a slice of life to your photography project. You can capture genuine moments with family members, friends, pets, or fun times with siblings.
Photographing daily moments can work as an excellent photography project to do at home for beginners. It can keep you motivated to shoot regularly and improve your photography skills. Besides, you can preserve these precious memories for the future.
If you prefer visual learning, here is a video with tips. You can watch it here:
Essential Pieces Of Gear Every Beginner Photographer Needs
Photography can be a lengthy process at times. Hence, carrying some essential photography equipment can help prevent casualties in emergency situations.
Let’s check out what equipment do you need as a beginner photographer.
The all-rounder 50 mm lens
The best lens for a beginner to use when starting with photography is the 50mm lens. The focal length of this lens falls somewhere between a wide-angle and a telephoto lens.
It is appropriate for almost all types of photography, including candid, landscape, street, panorama, and portrait shots. Therefore, you won’t need to swap lenses between shoots if you have a 50mm lens.
Memory card
It takes several attempts to capture the perfect image. Besides, high-resolution images take up a lot of space. Therefore, carrying an extra memory card is essential because you wouldn’t want to go through all of your photos and delete some of them to free up space.
Flash or manual flash
Images may not turn out exactly as you had hoped due to a lack of light. That’s why it’s a good idea to bring a portable strobe or manual flash along with your photography gear to meet your lighting needs. The benefit of using a manual flash is that you can control the light intensity despite your camera settings.
Card Reader
A card reader helps move pictures from the camera to your hard drive or computer faster than a USB cable. Besides, you don’t have to worry about your camera’s battery running out or not using the camera during the image-transferring process.
Flash Drive or hard disk
Carrying a flash drive or hard disk is important for photographers whose projects require extensive travel over a long period of time. You can keep a backup of your photographs in case your memory card gets damaged or pictures get deleted accidentally.
Essential photography tips for beginners
The following are some helpful photography tips for beginners photographers that will help them with their photography projects.
Use an existing camera or phone
The success of photography depends on a photographer’s ability to design effective compositions. Therefore, as a beginner, you should practice taking photos with whatever camera or smartphone you own rather than investing in a high-tech camera.
No matter how advanced your camera or lens is, keep in mind that your photos won’t turn out well until you have mastered the fundamentals of photography.
Experiment with and without flash
Flash is a great way to add more light if the composition’s frame is too dark. However, the improper use of flash can sometimes cause a washed-out effect on the images. Also, if the flash directly hits your subject’s eyes, it can cause a red-eye effect. So, take photos with and without flash to see which one looks best.
Try something innovative
Usual or straightforward photographs are boring. They lack elements that can stimulate the viewer’s attention or emotion. So it’s important to think differently and try photographing from a different perspective. You can experiment with various vantage points, angles, and compositional rules, which viewers usually don’t get to see on their own.
Try to use an ultra-wide, macro, mid, or long-range lens
You can experiment with different categories of lenses, such as taking close-up shots with a macro lens, landscape shots with a wide-angle or telephoto lens, and so on. As a beginner photographer, you should start sharpening your lens with techniques while experimenting with different lenses.
Try to use natural light
Whether your photography project is based indoors or outdoors, natural light is always the best light source. Although you have complete control over the position and intensity of artificial lights, there is no substitute for the realistic feel that comes from natural light. Hence, make an effort to use natural light whenever you can.
Spend time with other photographers
Every photographer has some knowledge to offer. Meet with other photographers and spend time with them to learn about their photography techniques. You can collaborate with them to explore the various photography techniques they have expertise in and practice with their gear. This will strengthen your networking while also assisting you in developing your skills.
Final Verdict
Every type of photography requires certain equipment, location availability, the photographer’s level of expertise, and so on. Considering all these aspects, we have stated the above photography project ideas.
Hopefully, this article has helped you generate ideas for your photography project. Remember, whatever theme you choose, complete it in a fun-loving way.
NUDITY IS “so strong and pure”, says Monica Bellucci, an Italian actress and model. “The moment you photograph a naked body, for some reason, you always get the picture”. She is speaking in “The Man and the Beauty”, a forthcoming documentary about Gian Paolo Barbieri, a Milanese fashion photographer. Ms Bellucci has been something of a muse to him since she began modelling in 1989 and he photographed her nude several times.
“Working with Gian Paolo is special, unique”, she continues, emphasising the “environment of total trust” between them. “He looks at you in a way that [makes] you feel at the same time enhanced and respected.” In the film, she lies in a pool of water during a shoot for a GQ calendar in 2001, wearing a dress that resembles cling film. Later, Mr Barbieri plunges into another tank and fusses with equipment to secure the perfect shot.
It is this attention to detail that helped Mr Barbieri secure his reputation as one of the greatest living fashion photographers. He is part of a generation of artists such as Richard Avedon, Helmut Newton and Irving Penn who blurred the line between fashion and fine art. Over the course of his decades-long career he has captured fashion legends and celebrities—Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren, Donatella Versace and Vivienne Westwood, to name a few—in striking black-and-white portraits (pictured, below). Many of these images are on display at “Gian Paolo Barbieri: Unconventional”, a retrospective of his work at 29 Arts In Progress Gallery in Milan. It also marks the first time that several of his colour photographs are being exhibited.
From the day he picked up a camera, irreverence and inventiveness have defined his approach to photography. His earliest attempts were taken on the terrace of his family home in Milan: a young Mr Barbieri styled his friends as characters from novels, paintings and films such as “Sunset Boulevard” (1950), using fabrics pilfered from his father’s textile factory. He is mostly self-taught, with the exception of a stint in 1958 shooting starlets on set at Cinecittà, the film studio in Rome where “Cleopatra” was made.
Cinema was a source of inspiration for the photographer, whose work draws on Italian Neorealism and the dramatic lighting of film noir. He particularly admired the Italian film-maker Federico Fellini; the women in Mr Barbieri’s photographs give off the same mix of sophistication and sex appeal as Anita Ekberg in “La Dolce Vita” (1960).
After a short apprenticeship in Paris with Tom Kublin, a photographer at Harper’s Bazaar, Mr Barbieri returned to Milan in 1962 and opened a studio there. His work was published in Novità the following year, which later became Vogue Italia. This was the start of the relationship with Condé Nast that launched his career in high-end fashion and he began collaborating with brands such as Armani, Valentino and Versace.
In “The Man and the Beauty”, couturiers such as Domenico Dolce, Stefano Gabbana and Giuseppe Zanotti highlight Mr Barbieri’s creativity. He sought to raise the bar in fashion advertising, experimenting with neon lights in his shots. His image on the cover of Vogue Italia lit up newsstands in 1976 (pictured, below). In 1998, he hand-coloured a black-and-white photo that was inspired by the classic Rita Hayworth film “Miss Sadie Thompson”, imitating a technique popular with photographers in the 1950s.
One of the most memorable images in the exhibition depicts Yasmeen Ghauri, a model, in the Seychelles in 1993 wearing clothes by Gianfranco Ferré, another designer. She is standing in front of a dramatic backdrop that Mr Barbieri fashioned from enormous Ravenala madagascariensis leaves (pictured, top). Nowadays such a scene would probably be created on Photoshop. Fashion photography today is mostly digital; several luxury brands have shot global campaigns on iPhones in recent years. The deft, meticulous approach that Mr Barbieri pioneered feels all but forgotten. Then again, without his vision, fashion houses may never have realised the power of creative advertising.
The photographer has shied away from the self-portrait during his career. Now 88 years old and suffering from Parkison’s disease, the documentary is one of the few times he has stood in front of the lens. He is a reluctant subject. “I do not love being the focus of attention,” he says. All the same, the film and exhibition are important tributes to his towering influence on his field. ■
“Gian Paolo Barbieri: Unconventional” is showing at 29 Arts In Progress Gallery in Milan until April 22nd. “The Man and the Beauty” will be released on streaming platforms in Europe in spring.
In the first of a new series sponsored by MPB, we will profiling professional photographers from different genres and looking at what gear they keep in their kit bag and how they know when it’s time to move on to a new camera or lens. First up, wildlife photographer Tesni Ward tells us what go-to gear is always in her kit bag, what gear she has sold over the years and how she knows when it’s time to move on from a camera or lens.
What camera are you using right now?
I bought the OM System OM-1 when it came out. I decided to upgrade from my Olympus OM-D E-M1X because of the OM-1’s subject detection and because its lowlight performance was significantly improved. It’s the biggest jump in camera quality I’ve seen since upgrading from the OM-D EM-1 to the Olympus OM-D E-M1 II.
What gear is in your kit bag right now?
Inside my bag these days, I have the
Olympus OM-1
Olympus M.ZUIKO Digital ED 150-400mm f4.5 TC 1.25X IS PRO
Olympus OM-D E-M1X w/ M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40-150mm F2.8 PRO
M.Zuiko Digital ED 12–40mm F2.8 PRO
Sometimes I have the M.Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm F2.8 Pro and M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f/2.8 Macro for subjects like common lizards to help capture detail. I’m not a macro photographer but sometimes I like to dabble.
How often do you sell your gear?
I rarely sell my gear for various reasons. I like to hang on to old camera bodies because I always have a second camera when I go out. I still like the E-M1X because of its handling. It’s like it’s moulded to your hand. I really like using that camera, so I kept it.
There are also occasions when I want to have a dabble at camera trapping. So having an older camera that I’m not as worried about losing or breaking, gives me that flexibility.
How do you know when it’s time to sell your gear?
When I switched from Canon to Olympus years ago, I sold my gear because it needed a new home. I also needed to help fund my new purchases. I sold my kit lenses to help me buy pro lenses. Nowadays, I try to get it right the first time around.
How do you make sure the next gear you purchase is right for your needs?
I try to use it first. In the UK, Olympus has testing days. You can go to a retailer and say you want to use this camera and lens, and they’ll give it to you for a weekend. Sometimes pros can get things for a little bit longer. Even general users can get hold of most of the gear to try before I buy.
With lenses, I look for image quality. I’ve had lenses in the past that failed me. There’s nothing more frustrating than when you’re doing everything right but your kit is letting you down. AF is very important in my work, and so I look for fast, accurate AF performance. Newer lenses are much faster and more accurate. I don’t want AF to be hunting when I’m trying to take a shot.
What’s your advice for new photographers who might be looking to sell their beginner gear?
My advice is to go to retailers like MPB. They’ll give you cash and you can put that money towards your new kit. It’s so much less stress and hassle. You can get a quote online. All you have to do is fill in a form and state the quality – they give you a quote – you send it off and they assess it. If you’ve said it’s good, but it’s like new according to them, you can often get more money.
I sent an old camera system in the box brand new. I’d misquoted them because there was an extra lens in the box that I wasn’t aware of. I won a competition and the prize was a camera that was more a holiday camera than what I need for my work. It was never going to be used, so I sold it. It couldn’t have been easier.
Sponsored: Thinking of selling your camera or lens to help finance an upgrade? Get a free instant quote from MPB and find out what your kit is worth. Selling your gear to MPB is easy and secure. Plus get free doorstep pickup and super-fast payment. We’re loved and trusted by more than 250,000 visual storytellers around the world and we’re rated excellent with five stars on Trustpilot. Buy. Sell. Trade. Create.
