15 Things To Photograph When You Are Out Of Ideas
There is always something to photograph, both at home, and outside. You just need to look!
Last week, I talked about How Photography acts as a tool if you are on a mindfulness journey. Someone questioned- What to photograph when you are not travelling or just following a routine? My answer was - anything and everything.
He’s most definitely not alone in thinking this! At some point, we’ve all felt like there is nothing around us to photograph. You stare out the window, camera clutched in hand, but the world seems devoid of magic. Sunsets? Been there, done that (and the filter). Skyscrapers? Yawn. Flowers? Maybe next spring.
Let me confess something before we go further. Some of my best clicks are from Covid. A work of clicking from home (the home objects). And I was not living in a sea-facing apartment. But staying at home gave me time to look at every object differently. I could play around with light at different hours of the day. And this all gave my creativity a much-needed push.
So I decided to drop in some ideas to jumpstart your creativity and capture captivating photos, even when your muse is missing in action:
1. String Lights
A dreamy subject that evokes a sense of magic and celebration. Frame them against a dark background and you have a sparkling click in hand!
2. Shadows
They are silent storytellers and mysterious structures. Create playful shapes on a sunny afternoon. Or capture someone else’s shadow.
We tell stories using light. We tell stories using shadows. That’s it!
— Merlin Schonfish.
3. Street Lights
Photograph street lights after rain. or their reflection in the puddle of water. This creates a mesmerizing play of light and water.
4. Birds
Pay attention and focus on capturing Bird’s wings, the details of their feathers and beaks.
5. Food
Food photography is all about composition and lightning. Capture the steam rising from a hot cup of coffee, or the pattern of melted chocolate on a dessert.
6. Silhouettes
A classic way to add drama to an everyday object. Seek out objects or place your objects backlit by the sun. Like a bird perched on a telephone wire.
If you think nothing is interesting to shoot, it is you who is not interested.
— Jon Luvelli
7. Jewellery
Jewellery photography needs precise focus and lightning. Use a macro lens to capture the details of the piece. Or, frame a ring or an earring with a hole against a soft background or sun.
8. Your Daily Chores/Everyday Scenes
Find poetry in everyday tasks like your dusting session, stack of dishes, or boiling tea; Focus on the details, textures, and light.
9. Street Photography
People are the heart of street photography! Capture candid moments of interactions, expressions, and emotions. Focus on gestures and posture.
10. Smoke
Capture the wispy tendrils curling upwards from a chimney, or the abstract shapes formed by cigarette/incense stick smoke against a dark background. Play with different shutter speeds to create a sense of movement or a more ethereal effect.
Add a little bit of wow in your composition by understanding the subject from an emotional angle.
11. Abandoned Buildings
Abandoned buildings are a gateway to the past. Photograph the way nature reclaims these structures, with vines creeping through windows or trees pushing through cracked walls. You can also make the frame black and white to create some drama and convert it to a haunting atmosphere.
The Painter constructs. The Photographer discloses.
- Susan Sontag, on Photography
12. Windows of Churches- tainted with sunlight
The stained glass windows of churches are a feast for the eyes. Photograph the vibrant colours, and glasswork, letting the natural light stream through.
13. Archways — Doors, Windows, Frames
Focus on the architectural details of the arch and you will get some amazing natural frames to draw the viewer’s eye into the photograph. Photograph an archway leading to a street, a doorway of an old building, or a natural archway formed by trees and rock formations.
14. Portrait/Self Portrait
You know how to take a portrait of someone else. You can also photograph yourself reflected in a window or a mirror. Or stand against a strong backlight and capture your silhouette. This is a great way to focus on form and emotion without revealing too much detail.
15. Cafe/Eating out
Photograph steaming cups of coffee, colourful pastries arranged on a display case, or people enjoying a meal with friends. Zoom in on the details of your meal.
Bonus Tip: Play with perspective! Don’t be afraid to get down low or climb on a chair to capture your subject from a unique angle. This can add a fresh perspective to even the most ordinary object.
Next time you feel uninspired, grab your camera and look around you. With a little creativity, you can find beauty and capture captivating photos in the most unexpected places.
A picture is a picture, it doesn’t matter what camera you use!
- Chris Geiger
