Photography courses offer a structured environment for learning. But to master your skill, you also need proper practice of the knowledge you have gained. Therefore, you must utilise the time between your courses to polish your photography skills.
Improving photography requires consistent practice and experimentation. And a great way to do this is through practical exercises. So step out of your comfort zone and start transforming everyday surroundings into photogenic opportunities.
Here are some creative photography exercises to take your skills to the next level.
- Think on Film
You must adopt the mindset of working with the film. Try shooting a single subject from multiple angles and perspectives, setting restrictions.
When you treat a roll of film as a limited number of exposures for the day, you will be more thoughtful about each shot. Additionally, with no digital preview option, you have to rely on your skills to get the shot right in the camera.
You must trust your instincts and use the knowledge you have been taught in the photography course. It is a good practice to spend more time considering your shot. After all, it is all about thoughtfully composing the shot before taking a photo.
- Shoot Only in Black and White
Dedicate an entire day to shooting only in black and white. From morning till night, you will take pictures without colours, relying on other visual elements. It will allow you to pay closer attention to the arrangements of shapes, lines, and patterns.
Shooting only in black and white is the best way to understand how light and shadow define your subject. You learn to recognise the balance between highlights and shadows, which is important for creating mood and drama.
- Work with a Brief
Working with a brief means giving yourself a challenge. It not only contributes to your problem-solving skills but also helps you focus on fulfilling the client’s vision.
Provide yourself with a proper photography brief. You can also ask someone else to write one for you, including as many details as possible. After that, start shooting accordingly. This exercise will force you to be more focused and intentional in your shooting.
Once you have taken the photos according to the given brief, present the results to the person who created the brief. Ask for their honest feedback. In case you didn’t match their expectations, be prepared to make revisions or shoot again.
- Break the Rules
Traditional photography rules tend to guide how we think we can capture the best shot. Let’s break these rules for a day and give yourself permission to think out of the box. You should try to be a little bit creative rather than just focusing on photographing backlit portraits, midday landscapes, and centred subjects.
When you break the rules, you get to know how you can shoot in unfavourable conditions, which may arise in a real shoot. And even sometimes, the results of these types of shoots are so unexpected and dramatic.
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