Semester Break

We’ve come to our semester break - somethingsomething how time flies somethingsomething. First off, congratulations on making it this far! You should be very proud that you have been able to stick with this course for 23 lessons. Now that we’re taking a break for a summer, it’s a perfect opportunity for you to start focusing on your long-term project, or if you skipped some lessons, get caught up. Remember, just because there won’t be a new lesson each week, you’re not alone. The discord is still there for you, and you can still join a peer group (click this link to sign up) to have a cohort of accountability friends. In addition, you’ll find a list below of some photography exercises that you can do to keep your skills progressing throughout the next few months. We’re also going to ask for your feedback on the course thus far. Please fill out this feedback form - be honest - we’ll be using it as a metric for the upcoming semester, and next year’s course. 

Semester Break Exercises

To keep those photography and creativity gears turning during our time off, here’s a list of some photography exercises. Do not feel like you need to do them all, they’re here for you on days when you’re feeling stuck or uninspired. You can also check in on the 52 Weeks challenge for additional support.

Constrained Shooting Exercises

Constrained shooting is an excellent way to work on your photography skills. By removing certain variables and focusing on specific limitations, you can sharpen your creativity and problem-solving abilities. These constraints force you to think more critically about composition, lighting, and subject matter, encouraging you to explore new perspectives and techniques. This method of practice helps to develop a deeper understanding of your equipment and its capabilities, ultimately making you a more versatile and skilled photographer. Here are some constrained shooting exercises to try out for yourself:

• One Hour, One Block: Spend an hour photographing within a single city block.

• Single Lens Day: Use only one fixed lens for all your shots in a day.

• Fixed Focal Length: Shoot all your photos at a single focal length.

• One Object Challenge: Choose one object and photograph it in 10 different ways.

• Black and White Only: Shoot exclusively in black and white.

• 24 Shots, No Deletions: Limit yourself to 24 shots (like a roll of film) and don't delete any.

• Single Aperture: Use the same aperture setting for all your photos.

• No Zooming: Use only the zoom you get by physically moving closer to or further from your subject.

• Only Vertical Shots: Take all your photos in portrait orientation.

• Single Subject: Choose one subject and focus all your shots on it for a day.

• One Color Dominance: Photograph scenes where one color dominates.

• Fixed ISO: Set your camera to a single ISO and keep it there.

• Low Angle Only: Shoot all your photos from a low angle.

• No Post-Processing: Take photos that you won’t edit afterward.

• Single Location: Spend an entire shoot session in one location without moving.

• One Light Source: Use only one light source for all your shots.

• Manual Focus Only: Use only manual focus for your entire shoot.

• Reflection Only: Capture only reflections in various surfaces.

• Only Shadows: Focus exclusively on capturing shadows.

• Single Shutter Speed: Use only one shutter speed for all your shots.

• Minimalist Shots: Create images with minimal elements.

• Single Lens Filter: Use the same lens filter for all your photos.

• One Prop: Incorporate a single prop in all your images.

• Fixed White Balance: Set your camera to one white balance setting and keep it there.

• Double Exposure: Create a series of double exposures.

• One Theme: Choose a theme (e.g., happiness, solitude) and stick to it.

• Slow Shutter Only: Use long exposures for all your photos.

• Daytime Silhouettes: Capture only silhouettes during daylight.

• Low Key Photography: Focus on creating low-key (dark) images.

• One Time of Day: Shoot all your photos during a specific time of day (e.g., golden hour).

• Single Color Backgrounds: Use backgrounds of a single color for all your photos.

• Textures Only: Focus on capturing different textures.

• No Autofocus: Turn off autofocus and manually adjust for every shot.

• One Camera Setting: Use a single camera mode (e.g., aperture priority) for all your shots.

• Monochromatic Scenes: Shoot scenes that are predominantly one color.

• Environmental Portraits: Take portraits in a single type of environment.

• In-Camera Effects: Use only in-camera effects for creative shots.

• No Flash: Avoid using flash for all your photos.

• High Angle Only: Capture all your photos from a high angle.

• Through an Object: Shoot all your photos through another object (e.g., a glass, window).

• One Lens Attachment: Use only one type of lens attachment (e.g., macro lens).

• Same Subject, Different Times: Photograph the same subject at different times of the day.

• Zoom Lens at Fixed Focal Length: Use a zoom lens but keep it at a fixed focal length.

• Single Aspect Ratio: Use one aspect ratio (e.g., 1:1, 16:9) for all your shots.

• One Background: Use the same background for all your photos.

• Only Natural Light: Use only available natural light.

• Long Exposure Day: Use long exposures for every shot.

• Only Manual Settings: Shoot entirely in manual mode.

• Same Frame Composition: Keep the same frame composition for all your photos.

• Fixed Perspective: Shoot all your photos from the same perspective (e.g., eye level, bird's eye).

General Photography Exercises

While constrained shooting is a great way to challenge yourself, there are plenty of more open photography exercises which will also give you some focus and direction. These exercises can encourage experimentation and exploration while still providing a framework to guide your creativity. Open exercises allow for more flexibility and personal expression, helping you to discover your unique style and voice as a photographer. Here are some ideas:

• Write your name in photos - find each letter of your name, or objects that can be creatively framed to look like a letter in your name. Edit them together to write it out.

• Choose a shape (circle, square, triangle) and photograph objects that fit that shape.

• Photograph the same location at different times of the day to capture varying light conditions.

• Make a series of images showcasing different textures (smooth, rough, soft, hard).

• Photograph reflections found in puddles, mirrors, windows, etc.

• Photograph objects that create a gradient of colors when placed together.

• Experiment with long exposures to capture motion blur in a scene.

• Photograph your subject through another object (e.g., through a glass, a hole, or a fence).

• Experiment with macro or extreme close-ups of objects to highlight their fine details.

• Find and photograph symmetrical scenes or objects.

• Take photos of subjects in silhouette against a bright background.

• Use natural or man-made frames (like windows or arches) to frame your subject within the photo.

• Create photos that play with perspective to make subjects appear larger or smaller than they are.

• Take portraits of people reflected in various surfaces.

• Experiment with creating double exposure photos either in-camera or through editing.

• Photograph scenes or objects that subtly resemble human faces.

• Photograph small objects to make them appear monumental.

• Photograph a single subject from multiple angles and perspectives.

Next Steps

We’ll be returning to the course in September. Until then, work on your long-term project when time allows, try out some of the above exercises, and maintain activity with your peers in the discord. We’ll try and have regular meet-ups throughout the next few months, so check in on events in the discord, and we’ll pick up with the next lesson September 2, 2024! Have a good break!