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15 Photography Assignments to Challenge and Inspire

By Tata Rossi 23 days ago, Amateur Photography

15 Photography Assignments to Challenge and Inspire

Photography assignments allow you to experiment with something you have never tried before and play around with different photographic approaches. With such an assignment, you will challenge yourself and develop your skills.

15 Ways to Make Photography Assignments

This list of photo assignments consists of 15 points, so I am sure that you will find the idea to your liking.

1. Self Portraits

best photography assignments

The first task is a no-brainer: just take a self-portrait picture each day. Don’t forget to use a tripod and shutter release aside from regular shooting with your arm extended and holding a camera.

Since you will be the model, feel free to unleash your creativity with all sorts of make-up, outfits, poses until you figure out a proper look. Remember to use props as well. Then share your shots with the world via social networks or the dedicated Flickr and Twitter groups.

2. Color Challenge

photography assignments

Here is one of the greatest color photography assignments for the urban environment photos . Bring the camera with you and take pictures for several hours. Pick a color (or ask a friend to choose it for you to complicate the task) and photograph subjects of the chosen color only.

Once you are done, you will find yourself seeing this color everywhere! Then pick the best shots and merge them into a collage or mosaic in Photoshop .

3. After Dark

powerful photography assignments

Practice with night photography and try taking pictures after dark. In case you are outside the city, you may shoot moonlight or star trails. While being in the city, capture light trails of vehicles or buildings with the light-up windows. Regardless of the location, experiment with light-painting by means of long exposure photography and moving a flashlight across areas of the scene.

4. Crop or Rotate All your Photos a Specific Way

One of the best photography practice assignments is to neglect your comfort zone and try something new for a change. For instance, if you have a tendency to snap the same kinds of photos, you should modify their perspective.

Try an approach to cropping or rotating your next 50-100 shots that differs from your regular one. Play around with square photos, 180° rotation or whatever else you can come up with. Once you get out of the familiar artistic routine, you will be able to perceive the world from another angle and get creative.

5. Quit Social Media Temporarily

amazing photography assignments

Social networks can serve as an excellent source of photography inspiration or lead to a complete lack of it. If you use social networks without critical thinking, you may start comparing yourself to other photographers, which will be a total waste of time and effort.

While it may be one of the hardest photography assignments these days, taking a hiatus from social networks is highly important. Log off your Instagram account for some time or uninstall apps that leave you in a bad mood.

In case your job requires staying online on a daily basis, devote some of your time to non-Internet tasks, like taking pictures or gaining knowledge on photography. I suggest taking some online photography courses .

6. Shoot Every Day for a Month

If you wish to become a better photographer , you shouldn’t stop shooting. By taking pictures constantly, you will receive more feedback and will be interacting more actively with the world.

One of the most widespread photography class assignments is to take one picture each day for a month. Do it with the help of the smartphone, DSLR camera or any device that can photograph. But don’t take meaningless pictures just because you have to. The shots you take should resonate with you in one way or another and be valuable to you.

The Zen masters suggest that you have a “daily practice.” When we repeat something, we become closer to recognizing the “truth”. You may read a great number of photo theory books , but you won’t be able to shoot properly. Only through practice, repetition, feedback and constructive criticism, you can grow as a photographer. Remember that this assignment is about forming a habit, not about taking a perfect picture each day.

7. Experiment with a Completely Different Genre

cool photography assignments

The array of photography genres is truly vast. Underwater photography , glamour, smartphone, landscape photography , portrait photography – that’s only a beginning. If you feel like you are losing interest in photography, switch to another genre.

Try staying away from your primary photography genre for a while. In case you shoot portraits, go outside and capture the area where you live in. If you are involved in photographing pets , play around with self-portraiture. By getting familiar with various photography genres, you are widening your photography horizons and gaining new knowledge that may come in useful one day.

8. Put Together a Photo Album

photography assignments you must practice

We live in a digital world, and even nowadays’ photography comes mostly in a digital form. We constantly find ourselves sharing our photos online. It is a rare thing to print photographs, even touch them, let alone create something physical out of them.

That’s why one of the greatest photography tasks is to compile a photo album. You can buy one at a store or online. Print the desired shots in the small 4×6 size. I suggest collaborating on this task with your friend, child or partner. Think of the main idea, theme or story of the album. Put all the printed shots on a surface and consider how you will lay them out in an album, how you will pair them and in what sequence.

No wonder that our parents and elderly relatives used to create a photo book together. It is a nice way to preserve precious memories in a physical form and bring back the moments that we sometimes tend to forget over time.

9. Take Creative Self-Portraits with a Friend

interesting photography assignments

While you may enjoy your own company while taking self-portraits, you may feel bored or lonely after some time. In this case, you can implement one of the most entertaining photography assignment ideas and take self-portraits with a friend (pets are welcome as well!).

Don’t forget to think through the poses, set up the tripod and find the perfect photography light. As you will be engaged in all these activities, you will be able to get a hang of a photographer’s workflow. Then, when it comes to a real photo shoot with the clients, you will be more skilled at dealing with the camera and lights.

10. Attend a Photography Workshop

Photography workshops is an excellent investment in your education as a photographer and one of the most helpful beginner photography assignments.

Pick a workshop that is dedicated to the topic relevant for you. Thanks to workshops, you will get not only theoretical but also practical information. Also, you will have your questions answered by real professionals.

11. Photograph the Same Person or Object Every Day

great photography assignments

In case you aren’t as excited about photography as before, try capturing one and the same person or object each day for a week or month. Similar to the smartphone photography challenge, as a result, you will realize the importance of having the freedom to photograph anything you wish.

While snapping pictures of the same object, you will boost your lighting skills. To make the shots differ from each other, don’t hesitate to play around with various types of lighting and photo editing apps .

12. Go a Month Without Using Social Media

Being the photographer of the 21st century, you may find yourself in the never-ending trap of feeling the need to post photos on social networks each day. It all turns into some sort of addiction – all you crave is likes, comments and new followers. If you don’t receive the online praise you need, your photography stops making sense.

In fact, photography is something you should pursue on your own. What truly matters here is your personal thoughts on your shots, not the opinion of users online. Simply uninstall all the social network applications from the smartphone (you can bring them back once the assignment is over). Posting photos and looking through photos of others is prohibited.

If you manage to stay away from social networks for a month, you will acquire a clearer purpose of your photography work. Besides, you won’t be so obsessed with the imaginary social network competition that everyone seems to be involved in.

13. Shoot with a Limited Amount of Equipment

perfect photography assignments

Regardless of whether you are an experienced, amateur or a beginner photographer , you are likely to be after all sorts of photography gear to enhance your results.

How about photography assignments where you have to use a restricted amount of shooting equipment? You can photograph strictly with one camera body or camera lens . There is no need to do it for an entire month.

For this assignment, I suggest coming up with a plan, and do it, for instance, only once a week. Working with the same gear every day will give you more flexibility in both the creative and physical aspects of the process.

So, in case you deal only with a zoom lens, you will have to experiment whenever you shoot indoors . With a wide-angle lens only, you will need to work on cropping and correcting distortions.

14. Limit Yourself to X Photos a Day

Similar to the previous assignment, limiting yourself to 10, 20, 30 or more shots per day, week or month will help you realize what your true creative needs are. Besides, with a photo limit, you will understand what subjects or scenes you are more inclined to photograph.

Another benefit of a photo limit is that it will bring more patience and creativity into the process. You won’t be able to take numerous pictures of one place, so you will be forced to risk and play around with various perspectives.

15. Take Photos with Your Smartphone Camera Only

unique photography assignments

Take pictures only with a smartphone camera for a week. For better results, download a top-notch camera app and try to figure out all of its settings. A modern smartphone will help beginning photographers get acquainted with the technical side of the shooting process.

To complicate the task, I suggest recreating some of your portfolio photos with the smartphone camera. With this assignment, you will learn all the intricacies of shooting with a smartphone and may even start taking shots not only with a standard camera but with a smartphone one as well on a regular basis!

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10 Photo Assignments to Inspire and Challenge Your Skills

Liz Masoner is a professional photographer and she shares her tips and techniques on photo editing and how to photograph nature, portraits, and events with film and digital cameras. Liz has over 30 years of experience and she is the author of three books on photography.

The best way to learn photography is to practice, though sometimes you can get stuck in a rut and not know what to shoot. That is why photographers love assignments; they give us a purpose and an idea of what to photograph. 

Why Are Assignments Important?

Self-assignments are key to any photographer's growth. Even professionals with decades of experience will work on personal assignments that they may never get paid for. The goal of any self-assignment is to spur creativity, solve problems, learn new techniques, and challenge yourself.

As you start out in photography, you're probably filled with excitement and ready to shoot anything you can. That being said, sometimes a little direction and guidance are necessary.

Below, you will find ten photography assignments. Each covers a new topic, skill, or concept and they were chosen to help you learn how to see as a photographer. They are meant to be a personal challenge that you can complete at your own pace and with no outside judgment, simply as a means to practice and improve your photography. Hopefully, you will learn something new with each assignment and be able to use that in every photograph you take in the future.

Remember when composing your images to keep in mind the basics: the rule of thirds,  shutter speed , aperture,  depth of field , and  exposure .

Assignment #1: Up Close

This assignment encourages you to get close and personal with your subject. It is an exercise in viewing a common object in a new way and examining its finer details.

  • Choose an object that you see or interact with every day.
  • Focus on a small part of it, get as close as your camera will allow you to focus, and shoot away.
  • Try to capture different angles and unusual lighting to add to the mystery of this tiny world.

From the whiskers of your cat to a fragile Christmas ornament, and even common soap bubbles, there is an entire world that we often overlook because we don't get close enough.

Assignment #2: Motion

Photography is a static medium which means that it doesn't move. Conveying a sense of motion is often crucial to capturing a scene or emotion and it is an essential skill for photographers to practice.

The goal of this exercise is to understand how shutter speeds can be used to convey motion.

  • Choose a subject or series of subjects that will allow you to convey motion in your images.
  • It can be slow motions, like that of a turtle, or fast motion, like a speeding train.
  • Blur it, stop it, or simply suggest that there is motion in the photograph.

Challenge yourself to capture the same motion in different ways. For instance, you might go to a race track and stop the movement of the cars completely in one image, then leave the shutter open and allow them to blur out of the frame in the next. 

Assignment #3: Shadows

Shadows are everywhere and they are vital to photography because this is the art of capturing light. With light comes shadows and when you begin to look at shadows as a photographer, your world will open up.

  • Take a look around for shadows and record them with your camera.
  • You could show the shadow as the total focus of the image. Perhaps the shadow is incidental to the subject.
  • Is the shadow natural or created by flash?

Shadows are integral to creating depth in a two-dimensional medium such as photography. Take some time to seriously explore the "dark side" of the light.

Assignment #4: Water

Water is everywhere in photography and it presents many challenges. There are reflections and movements to work with and in this exercise, you will take a deeper look at water.

  • Find water anywhere: lakes, streams, puddles, even the glass on your kitchen table.
  • Pay attention to reflections and use them to your advantage in the photographs. Use this opportunity to get familiar with a polarizing filter (a very useful tool in your camera kit) so you can accentuate or eliminate reflections.
  • Play with the motion of a stream or the crashing waves. Notice the difference between stopping the flow of water and allowing it to blur to create a real sense of movement.

Be sure to make water the subject and not an accent to the image. Water alone is beautiful and mysterious and your challenge is to explore all of its potential as a subject.

Assignment #5: Leading Lines

A classic assignment in photography schools, 'leading lines ' is a popular and fun subject. The goal of this assignment is to learn how to direct the viewer to your subject using lines.

  • Choose a subject then look around for lines in the scene that you can use to 'lead' the viewer to the subject. 
  • Find an interesting line then determine what the subject of your photograph is.
  • Remember that lines can be man-made or natural. For instance, the yellow line down the middle of the road or a tree branch. Even a person's arm can be a leading line of their face.

Use this assignment as an excuse to take an afternoon photo excursion. Walk downtown or in the woods and look around you for interesting lines that lead the eye to a subject. There is an amazing assortment of lines out there in the world and once you begin to see them, you won't be able to stop. 

Assignment #6: Perspective

How do you normally stand when you shoot? If your answer is straight up like a 5-foot-something human being then this assignment is for you. The perspective assignment challenges you to view the world from an entirely new perspective, which in turn gives the viewer a new look at the ordinary.

  • Take another afternoon or evening for a photo excursion wherever you like.
  • This time, every time you find something to photograph, stop!
  • Ask yourself: How would a squirrel see that tree? How would a robin view that birdbath? How would a snake view that log?
  • Take your photographs from very high or very low angles. Get on your belly or stand on a chair, whatever you have to (safely) do to get the 'right' angle on your subject.

If you pay attention to professional photographs, many of the images that have the WOW factor are photographed from extreme angles. People enjoy these photos because they've never seen an object from that viewpoint. It is new and unique, and you can train yourself to shoot with this in mind.

Assignment #7: Texture

You may have captured a few textural details in the 'Up Close' assignment, but this assignment takes that to the next level. The goal in this one is to study textures and forget about the object itself: the texture becomes the subject. You will also begin to realize how light affects the appearance of texture.

  • Find a few objects that have very detailed textures like trees or rocks, even knit sweaters or woven rugs.
  • Photograph them as close as your lens will allow.
  • Use different angles and capture the same texture as the light changes. Notice how the different lighting directions and camera angles can change how much texture appears.

Textures are all around us and many of the best photographs in the world play up the textural element. This assignment should teach you how to recognize and accentuate those elements in your photos.

Assignment #8: Color Harmony

Color is important to photography because the world is full of color. This exercise requires a bit of study in color theory, which you will then put into practice in your photographs.

Do you remember art class in elementary school? You may have learned that yellow and blue make green, but color theory goes beyond that. There are cool and warm colors, complementary and contrasting colors, neutral colors, and bold colors.

It can get quite complicated, and photographers should have a basic understanding of color so you can use that when composing photographs. You don't have to study color like a painter would but can use tricks used by interior designers to influence your color decisions.

  • Once you have an idea of color theory, take another photo excursion and put what you've learned into practice.
  • Capture photographs with the primary or tertiary colors.
  • Look for complementary colors then contrasting colors to photograph.
  • Try finding a scene to photograph that is filled with neutral colors, then one that uses a bold color to 'pop' from the scene.

This is an advanced lesson, but one that any photographer working with color images will find useful. As you practice working with colors, it will become second nature and you will know how to work with color to change the feel of your images.

Assignment #9: Emotions

Take a photo of a person smiling or scowling, right? Not so. The intent of this assignment is to convey emotion in photographs  without  a face.

  • Take photographs that express each of the basic emotions: happy, sad, and mad.
  • How would you express the feeling of anger with no person? What about happiness? Sadness?

This is a purely conceptual assignment, but it is important to be able to relay emotion in your photographs and you might not always have a person available to do that with. Challenge yourself to think deeper about this one.

Assignment #10: Don't Look!

Are you ready to put your photography skills to the test? In today's world of digital cameras and the ability to see image captures right there on the LCD screen, photographers are losing some of the skills needed to visualize a photograph.

In this assignment, your challenge is to shoot as if you were using a film camera. That means that you will not look at the photographs you've taken until they are downloaded on your computer. Instead of relying on the camera's screen to see if you 'got the shot' you will rely on your instinct and knowledge, just like photographers did before digital photography. Can you do it?

  • Plan a photo excursion to a particular location and permit yourself to photograph only 36 images (a roll of 35mm film).
  • Turn off your camera's LCD screen so it does not show you the image after you have taken it.
  • If you cannot turn off the camera's screen, cut a piece of thick paper and tape it over the screen. Use masking or painter's tape so you don't leave a residue on the back of your camera.
  • Go out and shoot your 36 frames, thinking carefully about each image because you don't have an endless number of shots. Bonus points if you turn your camera to completely manual settings for focus and exposure.
  • Don't peek at your photos until you get home and download them.

How did you do? Were you able to get good exposures on your own? How did it feel to be 'blind' and not know how your image turned out right away? 

This is similar to what it is like to shoot with film and it does require you to think harder about every image you take. Next time you shoot, slow down and pay attention, pretend that the screen is not there and rely on your own skills to create a great image. You will be a better photographer in the end.

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7 Skill-Building Photography Exercises That Really Work

Anyone can take a photograph, but taking a great photograph? Difficult. These photography exercises actually work.

Despite how easy it looks, photography is hard, with three learning curves to conquer: the technical aspects of the camera, the theory of light and shadows, and the actual composition of a photo (sometimes called "seeing the shot").

That last part is the hardest thing for beginners to grasp. Composition has an artsy component that can't be easily taught. It must be discovered by the photographer themselves.

Fortunately, there are photography exercises that can help "develop your photographic eye". And with practical experience being the only guaranteed way to understand composition, these are the most effective photography exercises we've found.

1. Crop Someone Else's Photos

Great photography starts with the eye, not the camera. This means it should be possible to develop your photographic eye without ever touching a camera or lens. And it is! For this photography composition exercise, all you'll need is one of the easy-to-use photo editing programs like Paint or GIMP.

First, learn the fundamental rules of photo composition . You don't have to know every single one of them right now, but you should know at least one, as this exercise will force you to put these rules into practice. We recommend starting with the Rule of Thirds .

Next, go to a free photo-hosting site like Flickr or 500px and download a bunch of images to your computer. (The easiest way is to right-click and "Save Image As"). Any kinds of images will work, but this exercise works best with portraits and landscapes.

Now, open one of the images in your photo editing program of choice and start cropping. Try all of the standard aspect ratios, including 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, and 16:9. Try cropping vertical photos as horizontal, or horizontal photos as vertical. Move the subject around. Be creative.

The point is to experiment and see how different crops can change the look and feel of an image, and how certain crops are more aesthetically pleasing than others. This experience is invaluable when you start framing your own shots through the viewfinder.

NB: You can play around with someone else's images, but do NOT upload them or republish them on the internet in any way. That would be a violation of copyright law unless you have express permission from the image's original owner.

2. With One Subject, Shoot 10 Photos

Here's a common mistake made by newbies: always taking photos from the same height and from the same angle. It's natural to stand up straight and take snapshots from eye-level, but that's boring. After all, everyone knows what the world looks like from eye-level.

If you want your photos to be more compelling, change things up. Capture the world from unusual angles and positions: viewpoints that are foreign to most people.

This photography exercise helps train your sense of angles. First, find a subject. Any subject. It could be a stove-top kettle, a pet dog, a fire hydrant, a herb garden, a manhole cover. Anything works.

Then take 10 photos of it. No two photos should be alike. Try looking directly down at it. Then try looking directly up at it. Shift the angles. Look at the front of the subject, then the back, then the sides.

The possibilities are countless, and even the smallest tweaks to the angle can have a large impact on the resulting photo. Do this for hundreds of subjects and you'll start seeing angles everywhere you go without even trying.

Related: Photography Terms All Photographers Should Know

3. With Three Objects, Shoot 10 Photos

In some cases---like landscape, astronomical, and street photography---the idea is to capture scenes in the moment as they are. In other cases---like portrait, food, and product photography---the idea is to construct your own scenes.

As you imagine, this isn't easy. There are many factors to juggle such as lighting and background, but one particular aspect that newbies find difficult is how to position multiple subjects within the frame.

That's what this photo composition exercise is about. Find three random objects, such as action figures, fruit, bowls, candles, plants, or whatever else you have to hand. It doesn't matter if they're related to each other or not, although it will be easier if they're all similar in size.

Now position them however you wish. Think of it as if you're composing the objects for a photo shoot (that is what you're doing, after all). Do this 10 times, rearranging them in different ways each time. Over time, this will stretch your creative muscles and develop your eye.

4. With One Lens, Shoot 1,000 Photos

The focal length of a lens controls more than just the zoom factor of a shot. Yes, all things being equal, an 18mm lens requires you to be closer to the subject than a 50mm lens or an 85mm lens. But different focal lengths can evoke different feelings from a photo, too.

For example, the wide angle of an 18mm lens comes with a lot of distortion, which can produce a comical or whimsical effect. On the other hand, a 200mm lens has a compression effect that makes the photo seem flatter than, say, an 85mm or 50mm lens.

In short, different focal lengths require different approaches when composing shots. That's why we recommend mastering one kind of lens at a time, preferably starting with a 50mm prime. Read up on the common camera lenses and when to use them .

For this exercise, all you have to do is stick with one focal length for your next 1,000 photos. It's easiest with a prime lens, but if you only have a zoom lens, just pick a focal length and leave it there. Switch to another focal length when your 1,000 photos are complete.

By the end, you will have a better understanding of how to use the different focal lengths at your disposal to achieve the shot you're after.

5. Hula-Hoop Photo Walks

Creativity is often seen as something that's infinite, and full of possibilities. And while there's technically nothing wrong with that, the truth is that creativity needs limits and constraints to really flourish.

If you've ever felt like you wanted to take photos but didn't know where to start, where to go, or what to shoot, then you'll know what I'm talking about. Restrictions are good, and that's how this photo exercise is going to unlock your creative potential.

Take a hula hoop and go outside. Toss it up into the air, then let it bounce and roll around until it eventually comes to a stop. Now stand inside the hula hoop, take a look around, and shoot 10, 20, or 50 photos of anything. But try to make them good.

When you're done, toss the hula hoop into the air again and repeat the process. If you don't have a hula hoop, just pick a random direction and walk a random number of steps to find your next spot. Pretty soon your creative juices will start flowing, guaranteed.

6. Weekly Photo Challenges

Weekly photo challenges are popular on the internet, but different photography communities have different names for them: Photo of the Week, 52 Photos Project, Sunday Photo Prompt, etc. The key is to take 52 photos over the course of one year.

Ideally, you'd take part in some kind of community version of the challenge because this gives you a chance to see the photos of other participants, and a chance for others to critique your work. But if you'd rather do a personal challenge instead, that's fine too.

Sometimes each month has a theme, but not always. It's up to you how you want to do it. We recommend setting a regular weekly deadline and sticking to it. Need inspiration? Check out 52 Weeks Photography Challenge , 52 Frames , or 52 Weeks of Photography .

7. Recreate Someone Else's Photos

Once you feel a little more comfortable behind the camera, you may want to try recreating photos that others have shot. Browse Instagram, Flickr, or 500px, pick a few that seem within your skill range, and have at it!

The goal here isn't to make an exact 1-to-1 replica of your source material, so don't be discouraged if you can't get that far. Rather, this photography exercise is meant to get you thinking in ways you haven't considered. To push you outside your comfort zone.

At first, your imitation photos will look like garbage compared to your source photos. That's normal. Keep at it, however, and you'll start to see fast improvements. Along the way, you may even start to discover your own voice and sense of style as a photographer.

Photography Is a Long But Rewarding Journey

Don't expect to unlock your photographer's eye overnight. It's a gradual process that could take weeks, months, or even years before you really start to "see" photographs before taking them. But the journey is well worth taking, so don't give up!

If these photography exercises weren't enough and you need even more ideas, then we highly recommend checking out these free lessons to learn the basics of photography .

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The 30-Day Photography Challenge Project (Start It Today)

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Getting started is one of the biggest hurdles in photography. That’s why I created this 30-day photo challenge. It will kickstart your photography and help you realize your potential. Each day, an exciting photography challenge boosts your creativity and skills.

By the end of the challenge, you will have generated many more ideas. You can also involve friends and family and compare results! Tag each other and ExpertPhotography on Instagram to share your photos and inspire others.

Person holding up an 35mm film camera to take a picture for a 30-day photo challenge

What Is a Photography Challenge?

A photography challenge is a daily exercise that helps you become more creative with your photography .

Each challenge encourages you to experiment with new ideas and techniques you wouldn’t otherwise consider. By pushing you out of your comfort zone, they help you learn to take better photos in almost any situation.

And what is a 365 photo challenge? Most photo challenges, like this one, last thirty days. But those dedicated to learning photography can try the 365 photo challenge that lasts a year . It’s quite a commitment, but it’s worth trying!

Silhouette of a photographer and tripod on a ridge at sunrise for a photography challenge

Our 30-Day Photo Challenge

Each link takes you through the challenge for the day. So, let’s get started!

Day 1: Self Portrait

We all know how to take selfies . But this photo challenge teaches you how to do one more formally and with plenty of creativity!

Day 2: Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds can be hard to grasp for absolute beginners. But we designed this little photography challenge to show you how simple it is to use this composition guide.

Day 3: Black and White

It’s easy to take photos in color. But do you ever wonder how your images would look in black and white? This photography challenge will certainly answer that question.

Day 4: Depth

If you continuously suffer from images that look flat, this challenge is perfect for you. It’s the best way to learn how to create dynamic pictures that appear to pop out of the frame.

Day 5: Texture

Taking photos of textures is a great way to study how light interacts with surfaces. Now, I challenge you to create dramatic pictures of highly textured objects.

A wall of desert rock with cracks and textures

Day 6: High Angle

Are you tired of shooting at the same angle all the time? Take a high-angle photo of a subject that would otherwise look boring at eye level and surprise yourself.

Day 7: Low Angle

Now, let’s discover what awesome images you can create while taking photos crouching low or on your belly!

Day 8: Sunset

Everyone takes photos of sunsets. Now, let’s see how you can step it up a notch as a creative photographer.

Day 9: Silhouette

We often take silhouette shots by accident. For today’s photo challenge, intentionally take silhouette images.

Day 10: Bokeh

This is one of the easiest and most fun photo challenges you can do. Time to open up your lens aperture and capture incredible bokeh shots!

Colorful bokeh in a mirror as a photo challenge

Day 11: Landscape

Let’s explore places and take breathtaking landscape photos for this photo challenge.

Day 12: Balanced

Photography is all about symmetry. Go out there and train yourself to look for balance in various scenarios.

Day 13: Unbalanced

For this photo challenge, you must look for asymmetrical elements to incorporate into your photography.

Day 14: Lens Flare

Take photos facing the sun and surprise yourself with beautiful lens flares.

Day 15: Portrait

Get out of your comfort zone and take portraits of people in different situations.

Close-up portrait of a woman with flowers for a photography challenge

Day 16: Dynamic Tension

For interest and drama, look for the interaction of opposing elements, such as contrasting shapes, colors, or lines.

Day 17: Slow Sync Flash

You don’t need fancy equipment for this challenge. Today, you learn a few creative techniques using only your camera and flash.

Day 18: Frame Within a Frame

Improve your composition skills by trying the frame-within-a-frame technique.

Day 19: Panorama

Are you bored with regular landscape images? Now is the time for you to learn how to take panoramas!

Day 20: Panning

Do you need to improve your action photography ? If so, you’ll find this easy technique helpful. It’s surprising how easy it is!

Pan shot of a bicycle courier moving with blurred lines

Day 21: Colorful Water Drops

So far, our photography challenges have been quite simple. Now it’s time to break out of the traditional and experiment with conceptual photography !

Day 22: Harris Shutter Effect

This trippy photo challenge uses red, blue, and green filters to create psychedelic effects. Need we say more? You have to try it!

Day 23: Light Painting

This is one of the most useful photo challenges you can do at night. It involves lighting up the dark parts in your frame to create interesting exposures.

Day 24: Water Splash

Have you ever wondered how to freeze water splashes in your photo? You’re in for a treat because this photo challenge will teach you how to do it.

Day 25: Street Photography

Walk around and train your eye to capture decisive moments.

Black-and-white photo of a man in a suit walking on a sidewalk with a building facade backdrop

Day 26: Shallow Depth of Field

Knowing how to use your aperture is a crucial skill in photography. And this photo challenge is exactly what you need to practice what you learn.

Day 27: Architecture

For this photography challenge, you’ll learn to take pictures of buildings like a seasoned pro!

Day 28: Hidden Camera Mirror Photo

Celebrate your last photography challenge with a selfie—without your camera showing in the photo!

Day 29: Night

This photography challenge is a great way to test your photography skills. Taking photos at night requires knowing how to use your equipment correctly.

Day 30: Light Graffiti

Take out your colorful flashlights and do some pretty artwork at night! This is a more free-form style of light painting.

Colorful circular light graffiti against a black background as a creative photography challenge

Conclusion: 30 Day Photography Challenge

Our 30-day photography challenge is an excellent way to learn new techniques and improve the ones you already know. Of course, you shouldn’t stop after 30 days! Remember that photography is just like regular exercise. The more you do it, the better you can flex your skills.

I hope you enjoy these different photo challenge ideas. They will undoubtedly help you improve your photography!

Check out our Wow Factor Photography course for creative photo exercises and learning opportunities.

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photography assignments for practice

Photographers Field

Exploring the photographic field, 27 engaging photography exercises for beginners to learn from {free pdf}.

Many times we start our photography journey with just noticing things around us. What we should also do is to start learning different ways to communicate through our images. If you didn’t yet hop on the 52 week photography challenge , we have added these 30 engaging photography exercises for you to develop your skills during the next few months.

Table of Contents

Why Should You Do These Exercises ?

The question actually is, why shouldn’t you?

Have you been monitoring your journey as a photographer, and what kind of changes have you been seeing?

When you decide to start moving to the direction of intentional practice, the development will follow.

27 Engaging Photography Exercises

Every exercise will force you to inspect your images from a different perspective, so try to focus on only one exercise at a time.

These exercises vary from photographic ones to ones that will have you inspecting your work as an artist. Each of them is essential in learning new ways of creating images.

Looking for ways to inspire your own photographic journey? These 27 photography exercises will raise your creativity to a new level. [download your free PDF]

1. Photograph something you love

This can be anything you decide. It can be an event, a place or an object. You can also choose to photograph people, but since it might require more effort than choosing to photograph other elements, we recommend you get back to it once you’re mastered to be comfortable with your camera.

2. Photograph something round

This is pretty self-explanatory. We have alot of organic and non-organic round shapes around us, so the framing will ultimately determine what round objects you let into the image.

Looking for ways to inspire your own photographic journey? These 27 photography exercises will raise your creativity to a new level. [download your free PDF]

3. Photograph someone close to you

Family members, other relatives or friends. People you already feel comfortable being with. See how directing them and having the access to be close to them might affect your way of photographing.

4. Photograph an object / subject that is moving

Running people, passing by cars or other vehicles. Can you use your cameras setting so that you stop their movement – or on the other hand – set them so that the movement is visible and can be seen in the final image?

Looking for ways to inspire your own photographic journey? These 27 photography exercises will raise your creativity to a new level. [download your free PDF]

5. Learn to use negative space

Negative space is an important element when creating your image; it gives more stillness and room for other elements to pop up in your work. How you decide to compose it, is up to you. In landscape negative space is a natural way of creating imagery, but how can you add it to let say, portraiture?

6. Focus on an object in the frame

Once depth of field is nothing new to you, start implementing the focus point only on the subject you want to emphasize. You will be able to truly bring the focus point to the elements that you want to show. This is a highly effective way of photographing, especially if there is surrounding noice in your frame.

7. Play with shadows

In this one try to focus not on the object itself, but on the shadows that the objects / subjects have. What kind of shapes can you find, and are they even more interesting that the objects itself? Can you frame them in a way that creates an abstract image?

8. Shoot analog

Many photographers say that photographing with a digital camera might feel convenient, but also steals the image of it’s moment. Since there is no rush in taking the image or no surprise whether you’ve had the shot you were looking for, you will approach it differently. At least at some point, try to photograph with an analog camera, and see how your approach changes. The best film cameras to start out as a beginner, are listed here.

Looking for ways to inspire your own photographic journey? These 27 photography exercises will raise your creativity to a new level. [download your free PDF]

9. Create a self-portrait

We are quick to photograph others, but what if you turn the camera to yourself? You can better practice lighting, but self-portraiture is a great way to start accepting ourselves as we are, without judgement. You can also practice as long as you feel like it, since theres not pressure in succeeding.

10. Play with reflections

Take a walk and look around; notice any mirrors, ponds or glass windows? They can be a great tool for seeing the world differently. Using them as self-portrait elements or just reflecting two different surfaces into one image.

Looking for ways to inspire your own photographic journey? These 27 photography exercises will raise your creativity to a new level. [download your free PDF]

11. Analyze your images

If you can, print out your favorite image you’ve made and look at them critically; what are the main themes you like to work with? Do you have a specific way of composing the elements in your images (ie. always horizontal / vertical) ? Are you great at photographing people, or are you more intrigued by moments or small details in your life? Looking deeper into what you’re good at and what you like to focus on, can determine better who you are as a photographer.

12. Use objects to frame your image

It’s called ‘frame-within-a-frame’ – look for elements which you can use as a frame within your image: branches of trees, window panes or doors can all work when framing your main object / subject in the image. But you can get creative and use a cut out fabric or a cardboard to create this frame.

Looking for ways to inspire your own photographic journey? These 27 photography exercises will raise your creativity to a new level. [download your free PDF]

13. Look at things through shapes and lines

Once you manage this one, it will support your photographic journey in every image you’ll ever take. When looking at great photography locations, noticing how the surrounding elements will play out in your images will determine whether they will work or not. Seeing lines immediately or noticing if the place already has an organic shape which you can use in your images, will help you to better build impressive images.

14. Create a photo essay

Creating a photo essay is another great way to find your visual language. How do you form a story through images, what kind of different images are you combining to tell an intriguing story? Try to shoot 5 images alternating between different angle of views and practicing composition.

15. Use less light in your images

When starting out photography, we often think the image is created around the light. Which it essentially is, but tweaking the amount of light you let in, is what can drastically change the mood the image. Shed only a beam of light on your subject or or let the light be reflected from an illuminating surface like screens, will give just enough light to build interest.

Looking for ways to inspire your own photographic journey? These 27 photography exercises will raise your creativity to a new level. [download your free PDF]

16. Learn to read the light in the space

Eventually this will be essential if you don’t want to always guess what settings you’re going to adjust when you’re about to shoot. Being able to look around you to verify; what is the main light source in the room and how or if you’re going to fill it with any additional light. And if not, how are you going to set your camera to support the lighting circumstances that are present.

17. Try to shoot black and white

For the aesthetic purposes and the feel of film, it’s quite nice and is definitely worth a try. Black and white film will also let you understand the importance of color, once it’s absent, you will notice how the viewer focus will move once the colors are not colliding with each other. Will they focus more on the narrative in the image instead of reading the colors ?

Looking for ways to inspire your own photographic journey? These 27 photography exercises will raise your creativity to a new level. [download your free PDF]

18. Create a theme before you start photographing

One way of shooting is this intuitive way of noticing details and thins you want to take a picture of. Another way is to plan ahead; what elements are you looking for to photography, and why? This is also much needed if you’re planning on doing a photoessay, or possibly even small commission job – staying ahead with knowing how you create the storyline.

19. Create a new photo by cropping

Some days you’ll notice later how you could’ve created an amazing image if you you’d go closer to your subject or object you were shooting. Instead of starting to crop the images and not moving an inch closer, try to crop it the way you’d like the image to be. Then next time, use this image as a guideline to go closer and create the actual image.

20. Recreate a photo you like

Maybe don’t choose the most ambitious one as your first picture, but do choose one that for some reason you feel is well created or -lighted or just sparks your interest in some way.

Looking for ways to inspire your own photographic journey? These 27 photography exercises will raise your creativity to a new level. [download your free PDF]

21. Learn to create a moodboard

If you want to plan more on what you photograph, creating a moodboard will bring you more focused view on what it is the photos are going to look as whole. We often just want to photograph without much thought, but it brings another level of reward once you see the end result of multiple ideas come into one.

22. Use a disposable camera in one day

This has a similar effect then photographing with an analog camera, except that you cannot do fancy settings or think much about the images. Disposable cameras will not give you the best quality in images but it will give its own feel to them. Photograph one full roll in your disposable camera and see what comes out. To find the best disposable cameras, I’ve made an extensive list for them here . For additional challenge; create small photo essays of the images you make.

Looking for ways to inspire your own photographic journey? These 27 photography exercises will raise your creativity to a new level. [download your free PDF]

23. Photograph something abstract

We are prone to trying to find meaning in our images, but what if you decide that there isn’t any and just look for things that you find aesthetically pleasing? It can be texture, color collision or just something you turn into nothing specific.

24. Choose a spot to photograph from

Trying to find new ways of looking at the same things; choose one spot you create 3 images for 3 days in a row. You can direct your camera upwards or downwards, or however you see fit. But do not change the spot you’re photographing from. Think about the time you shoot the images at and if they differentiate from each other.

25. Photograph a person without any faces

If you feel you’re not familiar with photographing people just yet, start by photographing them without showing their face. This will let them be at ease but you will also find it easier to access their space when you do not have to think too much about identifying them in a specific way.

Looking for ways to inspire your own photographic journey? These 27 photography exercises will raise your creativity to a new level. [download your free PDF]

26. Create a fictional journalistic image

Having even the slightest interest for journalism and the visual aspect of it, this will work as a stepping stone in understanding how journalistic images are created. Usually, of course these events are actual, but how a photographer decides to portray the event is always a responsibility and it can change the viewpoint of how the viewer will see it. Create a fictional happening and build an image that could easily be published in your local paper.

27. Go closer

This was almost covered in one of the earlier exercises, but is such an important aspect of photography overall that it needs to be underlined. As much as changing your viewpoint changes the content of your images, so does the distance you have between you and your subject. As Robert Capa once said: “If your photographs aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough”.

These photography exercises can be found in the free PDF below . Follow your development and how you perform these exercises.

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photography assignments for practice

50 Vital Photography Exercises for Beginners

You have to exercise to build muscle, these photography exercises can help build your photography skills.

What are some basic photography exercises I can do from home?

I have been there too. All I want to do is up my photo game, but sometimes I just don’t feel the inspiration.

That is why I attend photo workshops. I meet lots of cool photographers, and I listen to plenty of lectures, but that is not why I go.

I visit photography workshops to learn about practice photography exercises for beginners. I love practical photography practice assignments. They give me the structure to build camera fundamentals one step at a time.

And so I compiled years of workshops in to the best photography exercise list , and I am sharing it with you.

I know these exercises have helped my friends build portfolios, book clients, and master the elements of photography, and you can use this information however you want.

1. Find your style

Many photographers just take photos that “look pretty.”

This is how we all start, and developing a style is your next step .

Look at the photographers you like. What makes their work unique? It is called style, and it takes a long time to develop.

Start by making a list of feelings, ideas, and messages that you want to capture in your artwork.

Then build color palettes that match those themes.

Find props that contribute to these ideas as well. Lastly, find a model and poses that reiterate these ideas.

Now start shooting.

It will take a few tries before your style starts to develop, but it will be worth it when you are taking million-dollar-pictures!

2. Identify your crutches

photography assignments for practice

Are you taking the easy way out? Don’t let photography crutches interfere with your creativity .

I used to like taking pictures near train tracks until I realized that I was missing out on tons of amazing locations by settling for the train tracks every time. Besides, train tracks are cliche anyways!

It takes a little more work to scout out interesting places, but I am getting better every day by seeking new and creative ideas.

Find your photography crutches and eliminate them .

3. Photograph Something (or Somebody) You Don’t Like

I love pet portraits because I am an animal lover.

So whenever I take a picture of a pupper, I am always distracted by the cute floppy ears and wagging tail.

It distracts me so much, that sometimes I don’t realize what a bad picture I actually took. The dogs feet were cropped out, the background is overexposed, and the pup isn’t even in focus, but it is still such a cute photo!

Photograph something you don’t like , so your emotions will not get in the way.

You will be more focused on the colors and composition of the image than your feelings towards the subject.

Use this psychological trick to improve your photography.

4. Read Your Camera Manual

photography assignments for practice

You can’t take great photos if you don’t know how to use your camera, so bust out the owners manual and start reading.

The literature isn’t as exciting as a private eye novella, but it is full of detailed information that will help you understand your camera.

It also teaches you about basic maintenance for your equipment.

So bust out your camera manual and start reading .

This technique might not improve the composition of your work, but you will be a smarter photographer for it!

5. Start Your Photography Blog (and Write Every Day)

Every photographer needs two things: an online portfolio and a blog .

Write about your photography, your dreams, and creative ideas you have. This will create a magical space where your ideas flow freely and you can reflect on your work.

It is also a great way to start collecting feedback from on your work.

A blog is not just a tool to promote photographers. It is a learning tool.

6. Hide the Screen

photography assignments for practice

My first DSLR camera was a Canon 60D. It is a great camera with a very interesting feature. It has a “flip out” screen.

This is a great tool for monitoring the shot as I line up the composition, but it has a giant drawback.

I feel disconnected from my subject, and overwhelmed by all of the extra information.

Settings, histograms, and the intense desire to make micro adjustments to the exposure all keep me from focusing on what’s really important: taking beautiful pictures.

Look through your viewfinder and keep your finger over the shutter release. Line up your shot and let loose.

7. Forget about Lightroom

Photoshop and Lightroom are powerful image editing programs, but some digital photographers rely on these programs too much.

Spend a day shooting photos that are so good, they do not need Lightroom.

Compose your photos so that you do not need to crop them, expose your photos properly, and get the best results you can just using your camera.

This will make you think twice about how your photo is framed.

8. 100 Photo Challenge

Your goal is to take 100 photos in a day.

I have seen other challenges encourage you to take over 1,000 photos in a day, but that is not a good idea : here is why.

Photography is all about quality over quantity , and you don’t learn anything by running outside, holding down the shutter, and firing until you fill an SD card.

Instead, you should try to take 100 well composed pictures instead of 1000 random ones.

9. Shoot in JPEG for a Day 

Some photographers argue that shooting RAW photos lets you stay sloppy. After all, you can always fix the exposure afterwards, right?

Switch your camera to JPEG mode . Now you have to expose your photos properly in camera.

Taking away the RAW safety net encourages you to take better photos and to think about the photos as you are taking them.

10. A New Camera Orientation

Last week I was looking through my photography library when I had the idea for this exercise.

99% of my photos are horizontal!

I have trained myself to compose great horizontal photos, but I don’t feel so certain when I shoot vertical portraits.

And what about square photos? I haven’t shot very many of those either.

Shooting in a different orientation teaches you about composition, so spend a day with your camera turned 90 degrees and build your composition skills. You’ll thank yourself later.

11. A New Lens

photography assignments for practice

Everybody has a go-to lens, and most portrait photographers prefer shooting with a 50mm.

The nifty fifty is a classic lens because they are inexpensive and comfortable to shoot with.

Switch it up for a day and use a lens that you are less familiar with.

Wide angle lenses are great practice for street photography, and a telephoto lens is a useful tool for a day of photographing wildlife.

Get used to switching between lenses, and you will become better at framing and composing on the fly!

12. Print your Portfolio

It is easier to see trends and photography habits when your portfolio work is printed out.

When was the last time that you took a close look over your entire portfolio? This is a great opportunity to remove photographs that are too similar, and plan photo shoots to fill in the creative gaps.

Print out your portfolio and give it a serious review .

This one even ends in having a cool conversation starter hanging up on your wall.

13. Rent a Lighting Kit

The lighting kit is easily one of the most important tools for a photographer after the lens and camera body.

But the shocking thing is, most portrait photographers don’t even know how to use it .

Well, lots of camera gear rental companies exist (my favorite is aperturent ), and you can inexpensively rent a lighting kit.

It might sound difficult at first, but there are plenty of “basic lighting kit guides” available online to get you started with your lighting kit. It really isn’t something any photographer should shy away from.

The photos you take with your lighting kit are guaranteed to improve your portfolio, and the skills you learn will make you more valuable as a photographer.

14. Stop using social media

This one is especially difficult, but here is why it works.

I am super influenced by my favorite photographers, and every time I see them do something cool, I try to learn those skills too.

But I need time to develop my own style and explore creativity.

So I cozy up with a nice book, and f orget about social media for a minute. Once I am deep in my own mind, I know the ideas i find are uniquely my own.

From there, I write them down and start planning my next photo session.

Cut off from the digital world and let your creativity simmer!

15. Start using your smartphone camera

The photography world is split on “smartphone photography,” but smart phone cameras are actually amazing practice tools.

Spend a day shooting with just your smartphone camera and discover how useful it can be.

The great thing is that I always have a smartphone with me, so I can capture the picture quickly whenever creativity strikes.

My phone even “geotags” where I take my images, and I can return to interesting spots with my DSLR when I have time!

16. Hire a photographer!

And get your portrait shot.

It sounds a little bit backwards, but this exercise helps photographers understand how their clients feel throughout the process.

What did you like about your photographer? What did you dislike?

Did you learn something that you can use in your photography?

The purpose of this exercise is to work with a professional photographer to understand the photography process a little bit better (and get some cool photos along the way).

photography assignments for practice

Go somewhere new in seek of photography inspiration , and of course, bring your camera with you.

Everything starts to look the same in my hometown. Once every six three months, I take a photography camping trip to the mountains in search of adventure and new scenery.

But it isn’t just for leisure because I am snapping pictures every second of the way.

Do you bring your camera when you go new places?

The mountains are a 2 hour drive for me, but I bring my camera when I am heading to a new part of town. Guess what, it still has the same effect.

This beginner photography exercise opens your eyes to the sense of wonder and magic in new places, but you have to make sure your camera is there to capture it.

18. Create a Narrative

This camera challenge is excellent practice for intermediate photographers.

If a photo is worth a thousand words, then you should try telling a short story with a sequence of photos .

Invite your friends over and use props, costumes, dramatic lighting, and funny facial expressions to create a series of pictures that tells a short story.

After all, people hire photographers to captures stories.

A news station literally hires photojournalists to report the news through a combination of photography and storytelling.

Even a wedding photographer captures the story of the happiest day of a couple’s life.

But during this exercise, you have a little more room to get creative and discover your style.

19. Shoot black and white

Admit it! Black and white photography is beautiful.

But then why is black and white, sometimes called monochrome, so hard?

The answer is when your eyes look at a color photo, your brain really focuses on the color. When you take away the color, your brain focuses on the composition and value.

Monochrome really highlights the shapes, textures, and contrast in an image. Facial expressions also look more pronounced.

You start to see the world differently when you practice black and white photography exercises.

To do this exercise, just turn your camera to black and white mode and start shooting . Stop focusing on what colors look pretty. Start looking for interesting contrast and compositions.

20. Manual Mode

Practice using your camera in full manual mode for an entire afternoon.

Manual mode is difficult for some photographers.

First you have to understand the exposure triangle. That is how the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO all affect the exposure of the final image.

Once you know how to expose your photos, you have to manually focus your lens.

Twist the focus ring (generally on the end of the lens) to bring your subject in focus. SNAP!

Manual photos take longer to set up because camera computers quickly consider the conditions to calculate the perfect settings for your electronics, but you are in control now!

It is slower to get it all set up, but all of that knob twisting is what taught me how to get more control over my photography.

And if you really want to see just how “manual” photography can get, check the aperture system for the Petzval lens! Check the full review here.

21. Shoot film

photography assignments for practice

Digital cameras are amazing inventions!

20 years ago, the thought of professional photographers using digital cameras for paid work would have been absurd.

Since then, camera sensors have gotten faster, sharper, and cheaper.

This is great for photographers, but you should practice shooting film .

“Why should I use film?”

Because every shot matters.

A 64GB SD card encourages rapid fire “spray and pray” style photography.

When you shoot with film, every shot matters. You only have a few exposures for each roll of film, and it is just too expensive to waste.

I spend time considering the composition, and use the exposure metering to set up a perfectly exposed photograph.

And guess what, I am always amazed how much better my film work is than my digital photography.

22. “5 Yes, 5 no”

I was terrified of failure when I started photography, and it really held me back.

This street photography exercise is simple and classic.

Bring your camera to the streets, and just ask people if you can take there picture until you have 5 “yes” answers and 5 “no” answers.

The exercise is guaranteed to start some interesting questions, but here is what shocked me when I tried.

It is harder to find “no’s” than you would expect, and it helped me realize that there was no shame in failure.

Rejection is the biggest fear for every “creative type.” Once you destroy your artificial barriers, you reach your true potential as a photographer.

23. Look for triangles

photography assignments for practice

Build your work around compositions that feature triangles.

A triangle only has three sides, and the shape occurs naturally in urban settings. Just look at the example above and see how the corners of a skyscraper converge to form a triangle with the bottom of the frame.

This exercise reinforces the element of shape in your compositions. It is a great assignment for looking at the world in terms of shape instead of more obvious elements like color.

24.Arm’s Length

Keep your subject at arm’s length (literally) for the duration of your photo shoot.

One of my photography mentors taught me that it is our natural instinct to stand far away from the subject.

Moving closer creates a more intimate shot that really captures the close details of your subject.

25. Capture the season perfectly

This exercise works during any part of the year.

Make it your goal to capture a picture that perfectly reflects the season you are in. For summer, seek out a blazing hot beach where sweaty sunbathers and seagulls frolic on the water’s edge. In the wintertime, look out for snow capped mountain tops.

This can really be any angle you like, these type of things are more fun when you aren’t afraid to get a little creative.

26. Reflect on Your Work

I love to go through my old photos, and you should too!

I see little problems all the time in my old work. For example I took a beautiful picture of my girlfriend on the beach, but look at it!

It came out underexposed. I was using a film camera during that trip, so I didn’t even know until I got home and processed the film.

Reviewing your old work shows you what elements of photography you need to focus on most. Some photographers need to work on the technical aspects of photography: exposure, focus, an so on. Other photographers will discover that they can work on artistic elements like composition and narrative.

27. Use Creative Photography Props

Sometimes you just need to mix it up a bit to get your creative juices flowing.

Introduce a new prop to spice it up.

Looking for ideas? Don’t worry, here is a list of interesting photography props to get you started:

  • Smoke bombs
  • Haze in a can
  • Sparklers (but always follow safety instructions)
  • Peacock Feathers
  • A crystal ball
  • An Umbrella
  • Wooden Letters
  • A copper tube (the “Ring of Fire”)
  • Sports Equipment

The possibilities are endless. You probably have at least one or two of these lying around, and they’re an easy way to inject some fun into you shoot.

28. Recreate your favorite photographer’s work

See if you can capture the same effects that your favorite photographers use. This is the fastest way to master the same skills that made your favorite artists your favorite artists.

I grew up near the mountains, and my favorite pictures are the amazing creeks and rivers that wind down the valley.

Photographer Dave Allen took this amazing picture.

photography assignments for practice

Photo Credits to Dave Allen

To complete this exercise, I would have to study up on long exposure photography, choose a beautiful stream, and take a well composed photo just like Dave Allen.

Who is your inspiration, and what makes those photos so special?

Follow in the footsteps of greatness and try to reverse engineer their photography.

29. Choose a new subject (for a day)

Do you ever find yourself in a photography rut? It is like the photography version of writer’s block.

It isn’t much fun, and everything starts to look the same.

Try choosing a new subject to shoot for a day . If you usually shoot portraits, then try heading to the nearest state park or national forest and capture the scenic vistas and wildlife. If you usually photograph babies, then try to volunteer your photography skills at a sports event.

Sometimes you just need to approach photography from a new angle to take that next step forward on your photography journey.

30. Step outside your comfort zone

This can mean so many things to so many different photographers.

Just try something new that you don’t usually do.

This can mean using a prop, turning your camera to manual mode, or even shooting on a lens you don’t usually use.

Try something bold and creative, and don’t let the fear of failure hold you back.

When you dedicate yourself to a wild new idea, you might make a mistake, but you will learn at a greatly accelerated rate.

31. Learn about a new tool

photography assignments for practice

Arrange a photoshoot that relies on a new tool in your photography arsenal. When I started photography, I was just like the 86% of photographers who don’t use additional lighting.

That started to change when I began to experiment with my camera flash. Then I went to a studio and discovered what a big difference studio lights can make.

I chose to learn about lights, and it increased my photography skills tenfold.

What photography tools do you want to learn?

In recent years, drone photography has exploded in popularity, but the “tool” doesn’t have to be a physical device.

Maybe now is the time to master Lightroom?

32. Take a Surreal photo

Most photographers take “realistic photos.”

Think about wedding photos for a minute. If you are a wedding photographer, it is your job to capture the bride and groom the same way they remember that day!

But surreal photographers throw “realistic photos” right out the window. They create unrealistic, dreamy, and sometimes frightening settings for their subjects.

The famous artist Salvador Dali created surreal photography with a relatively simple backdrop.

photography assignments for practice

Nonetheless, the portrait perfectly captures the eerie symmetry of the models mirrored face.

Take a surreal photo to engage your audience.

33. Photojournalism

You don’t have to travel to third-world war zones to get the inside scoop.

Find a friend , relative, or stranger who has an interesting story and photograph them. Record their story in the form of an interview, and take photos that capture the spirit of their tales.

Post the work in your blog to keep your website fresh!

34. Take a Still Life

Arrange objects from around your house against an interesting backdrop.

Artists have used this exercise for hundreds of years for one simple reason. It is easy to control the environment.

Arranging a still life is an exercise in composition. It forces the artist to consider the shapes, colors, and orientation of the objects they select.

It is important to arrange them in a way that is pleasing to the eye.

Then you have to decide what lens and exposure settings you are going to use to capture your still life.

Would the composition look better with a wide angle lens or a narrow lens?

Does the composition look better with natural light from the window or artificial light from bulbs?

Time is not of the essence when you practice still life photography, so be slow, thoughtful, and methodical for the purpose of this exercise.

35. Capture Something Rare

Humans are, by nature, intrigued by things that are rare and unusual. Just think about it! A fuzzy out of focus image of the “Loch Ness Monster” gets leaked, and suddenly everybody is frenzied. We are desperate to see new things and have new experiences.

Use a rare object or event to build excitement for your photography .

Go photograph something rare.

It might sound like a hard task, but there are actually endless possibilities.

  • Capture a special astronomical event like the next blood moon , solar eclipse , or meteor shower .
  • Use this endangered species map to find and photograph endangered animals in your area.
  • Keep an eye on the local news so you can be the first to photograph local current events.
  • Contact collectors! This is an amazing way to photograph extremely rare and unusual items, and the collectors love to have their collection featured in your blog.

36. Forced Perspective

You have most likely seen forced perspective before even if you didn’t realize it.

Read about it on forced perspective on Wikipedia for the full details.

Put simply, forced perspective is any sort of optical illusion you use to make parts of your image appear close to the camera, further from the camera, bigger, or smaller.

Photographers, architects, and film makers have been using forced perspective for years to achieve visual effects that would require hours of digital special effects to recreate.

Watch the video below to see how Lord of the Rings uses forced perspective when filming the Hobbits sitting around Gandalf.

Try taking a picture that uses a forced perspective optical illusion!

37. Think abstract

Your subject doesn’t have to be a model.

Try capturing interesting textures, abstract shapes, and unidentifiable objects. Move in closer than usual to obscure the item you are photographing.

38. Guess the settings

Have you ever tried this one?

Before you even turn on your camera, just take a long look at your surroundings .

What shutter speed, aperture, and ISO settings would you choose for a perfectly exposed image?

Turn on your camera and dial in your settings. Were you right?

This exercise trains your eye to understand subtle changes in lighting. It will also make it easier to shoot in manual mode.

39. People eating

photography assignments for practice

It isn’t very flattering.

That is what makes this photography exercise so powerful.

If you can capture a good photo of your dad inhaling chicken wings, then you can make anybody look good.

You might have a little bit of trouble finding somebody who will let you photograph them eating, so it might be best to do this exercise with somebody who you are close to: friends and family.

You will be seriously surprised at how difficult this one is, but it’s fun and you get to eat so, no complaints.

40. Shoot Every Angle

Keep your feet firmly planted in one place, and try to get 12 interesting shots from wherever you are standing.

Look up, down, left, and right to capture multiple exposures from the same spot. No matter where you are, there are always interesting photographs to find.

This exercise builds your framing skills very quickly.

Take time to select the right spot for this one. That will obviously change the outcome pretty dramatically.  

41. Long Exposure

photography assignments for practice

Long exposure photography is amazing because of how it captures movement.

Look at the highway above. The long exposure captured the headlights and tail lights of passing cars to create the illusion of movement. You can see the actual paths of the travelling cars, and it is beautiful.

Long exposure photography is also popular for bodies of moving waters.

Streams, rivers, waterfalls, and waves all look softer when you use long exposure.

photography assignments for practice

In the example above, the water pouring over the cliff looks soft and misty because the photographer set the shutter speed to an extended time.

Look around your environment and find an interesting subject for a long exposure photo.

Photography tip: Long exposure photos require the use of a tripod to keep the camera steady during the picture.

42. Visit a Photo Gallery

This photography exercise doesn’t even require a camera.

Just go to a photography gallery.

I like to see photography galleries because it keeps me informed on the trends in art photography. I get to see all sorts of creative ideas and masterful photography techniques.

Photography galleries expose newbie photographers to cutting edge culture and ideas, so there is a always a lot to learn from going to a photography gallery.

Check out your local museums, art galleries, and creative spaces for news about upcoming photography galleries.

43. Photograph Something Fast

Photographers have to be quick.

That is why you should try to photograph something fast.

Uncooperative subjects like squirrels, dirt bikes, and fireworks don’t give you very much time to compose your shot.

This will keep you on your toes and build your camera skills for quick execution.

44.Take a Photo every day for a year

You can choose any time scale you like, but the important thing is to take pictures every day for an extended period of time.

Stephen Covey writes about the importance of being proactive in his book 7 habits of highly effective people .

You don’t need to read his book to understand how important it is to be highly proactive about photography. Taking a picture every day is the fastest way to get good at photography.

45. Attend a photography Meetup

Meetup.com has meetups for every type of enthusiast including photographers, so attend your next photography meetup .

I get to learn from the photographers who are better than me, and I can help teach the photographers who are just starting out. Everybody learns faster and has fun when they work as a team.

46. Shoot Reflections

photography assignments for practice

Photographers love to use reflections in their photography.

It is an easy way to express narrative elements in an image, and it evokes strong emotions.

You can find reflections on sunglasses and still ponds. Start looking for new and creative opportunities to take reflection photos.

47. Enter a photography contest

There are dozens of websites that run photography contests. Find one that accepts your style of photography and enter it.

You have to think critically to pick a photograph for a competition, and this process can reveal interesting discoveries about your work.

48. Manual White Balance

Our brains do a very good job of perceiving the color white as a “true white” unless the color balance is very far off.

That is why it is difficult to select the perfect white balance on camera mode.

Try manually adjusting the white balance for your next photoshoot. You will start to train your eyes to be more discerning about color temperatures, and you will have more control over your photography.

The point of this exercise isn’t to nail the right balance everytime. That’s pretty great if you are able to do it, but the real value in this is just learning to see the effect the white balance has on the image.

49. Choose a Color

Spend a day looking for objects of a color you choose.

You will be surprised how many things you find! Line them up next to each other and observe the variations in hue.

50.Check the Histogram

Most modern DSLR and Mirrorless cameras can display the histogram on the preview screen.

This is super useful for making sure your photo is properly exposed.

An underexposed photo will have tall peaks on the far left side of the histogram, and an overexposed photo will have tall peaks on the far right side of the histogram.

Take a peek at the histogram preview next time to make sure you are using the right exposure settings, and just to get comfortable using the histogram.

Every photographer runs into a “creativity block” at some point, and having a list of photography exercises is a great way to persevere!

These exercises are guaranteed to build your camera skills and make you a better photographer, but only if you practice!

Do you have any ideas for more photography exercises? Tell me how you practice in the comments below!

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DIGITAL PHOTO MENTOR

Photography tips, tutorials and guides for Beginner and Intermediate Photographers.

10 Creative Photography Assignments to Inspire You Into Action

10 Creative Photography Assignments to Inspire You Into Action

by Andrew S Gibson | Last Updated: November 8, 2022

Finding interesting things to photograph can be one of the most difficult things for a photographer to do.

You’re surrounded by potentially interesting subjects, but you might not realize it if you’re stuck for inspiration. I have been stuck, so I know what that feels like.

The good news is that the world is full of interesting ideas and subjects. All you have to do is find the good ones and develop them into personal photography projects that work for you.

Of course, wouldn’t be easier if you could find lots of ideas in one place?

photography assignments for practice

That’s why I wrote an ebook called 100 Creative Photography Assignments . It gives you lots of ideas for projects that you can do close to home, without traveling to exotic locations.

The book is structured into 20 broad themes, with five assignments for each theme.

To give you a taste of what’s in the book, and to help you get inspired into action here are 10 of my favorite assignments. (The theme for each is shown in brackets after the assignment number and name)

Assignment 3: Urban trees (trees)

Humans have planted trees in formal gardens for centuries to bring nature into towns and cities. Photographing trees in urban environments gives you something that is different than traditional landscapes.

How can you explore the juxtaposition of man-made and natural items?

In the photo below, the tree, which is obviously well-cared for fits in perfectly with the historic home. The two go together, as intended.

But in other situations, you might find a jarring contrast between the natural and urban environments. That is called juxtaposition and it can make for some really striking images.

photography assignments for practice

Assignment 8: People and the sea (or a lake)

How do people interact with the sea?

The sea has strong links to leisure, sport, and industry, all of which have plenty of potential photographically. Think beyond simple photos of people on summer holidays. How can you explore the relationship between people and water in more depth?

Another approach is to show scale and photograph people in a way that shows the vast size and scope of the ocean. Yet another is to show people battling the weather, perhaps fishermen at sea.

photography assignments for practice

Assignment 20: Framed by color (frames)

Some frames are visual rather than literal. One way to make a visual frame is to look for compositions where the main subject is surrounded by a solid block of color, as in the photo below.

photography assignments for practice

This is another assignment that tests your observational skills. It also has the potential to make an interesting series. What happens when you group a set of photos that use color as a frame together?

Assignment 24: Weathered surfaces (texture)

Old buildings of all descriptions are made of materials with interesting textures. The definition of old is relative, your chosen building might be hundreds of years old or just a few.

The important thing is that it looks old. That means visible signs of weathering, like the metal wall and wooden door frame in the photo below. Some texture surfaces, like rust, also have interesting colors that you can use to your advantage.

photography assignments for practice

Assignment 31: On the outside (buildings)

One approach to photographing buildings is to include as much of the building as possible in the frame. But what happens if you take another approach?

Have you ever stopped to notice the interesting things that people put outside buildings?

In Italy, I found a shrine on the outside of a colorful red building in Venice (below). In the United States window boxes and mailboxes are commonplace. Nearly everywhere you go you’ll see plants in pots outside people’s homes.

All these items make potentially interesting subjects and have the potential to be turned into an interesting series.

photography assignments for practice

This assignment gets more interesting when you do it in different places, and compare the things you find outside buildings in one place with those in another location.

Assignment 39: Urban decay (your local neighborhood)

Some buildings can look good for centuries if they’re well maintained. But others soon fall into decay, especially if they’re not kept up. Look for the beauty in decayed or run-down buildings.

You expect older buildings to be in a state of disrepair, especially if you live in a country that has plenty of ruins. But more modern, urban decay can be just as interesting.

Why do modern buildings fall into disrepair? What stories do they tell about their neighborhoods, towns, and cities?

Another approach to this idea is to photograph urban decay in other countries, and then compare the results with what you capture in your local area.

photography assignments for practice

Assignment 54: Capture the character of a place (b/w)

The absence of color gives you another way of capturing the character of a place. Yes, it’s true that in some areas color is an essential part of the essence of the place. But in others, it’s less important.

Working in black and white gives you a chance to see through the colors and get to the essence of a place. Visually speaking that’s texture, contrast, and tone.

But in another way, black and white images seem to help you see further and deeper. They’re moody, atmospheric, and timeless. Use these characteristics to create a set of photos that capture the character of a place.

It’s also an assignment you can do when you travel. It’s easier because you get to see everything with fresh eyes. But for a real challenge try it in your local neighborhood, where familiarity can prevent you from seeing things that might be obvious to newcomers.

photography assignments for practice

Assignment 62: Embrace hard light (light and shadow)

In this assignment, your brief is to photograph a scene on a sunny day when shadows are falling across the subject in an interesting way.

Look at the way the sun casts shadows across the scene during the day. How do the shadows move as the sun moves across the sky? Do the shadows make interesting shapes?

For example, in the photo below the shadow falling across the building comes from a neighboring house and you can clearly see the chimney.

photography assignments for practice

Assignment 71: Signs (everyday objects)

We’re surrounded by signs – signs that tell us which way to go, what to do, that advertise to us, state the name of a business, or tell us about roadworks.

Signs are designed to be informative, but they can also tell a story. Signs in the American mid-west look different from signs in New York City. Signs here in the UK look different from the ones in rural France. Old signs have character and tell you something about the place.

What interesting photos can you make using signs?

photography assignments for practice

Assignment 94: People in the landscape (landscape)

Some landscapes are empty or void of visitors. But others are closer to large population centers and therefore you’re more likely to see other people there in the scene. The idea of a pristine landscape untouched by man is appealing, but it’s also interesting to see how people interact with the scene.

One way to approach this assignment is to use people for scale. A human figure can anchor a composition and show the width and breadth of the landscape. A small figure in the frame emphasizes the size of the landscape, and the idea of people being small compared to the beauty of nature.

The photo below juxtaposes two elements of human interaction. The stone pillar is part of a Neolithic settlement, and the people on the right are modern visitors who came to see it.

photography assignments for practice

Taking it further – traveling and exploring your archives

You’ll get the most from these assignments if you make new photos for them. They’ll get you thinking about your local neighborhood – and areas a little further afield – in a new way.

The beauty of these assignments is that most of them are repeatable. You can select your favorites and use them as themes to follow when you’re traveling away from home.

You might also find that you can go through your archives and find photos that match a particular assignment. It’s an interesting exercise because you’ll start to see themes and connections that you didn’t realize were there.

photography assignments for practice

For example, I have photos that fit Assignment 39: Urban decay from Alaska, Chile, and my hometown (see above). And I can continue to explore this theme when I travel to new places as well.

These ideas are explored further in Creative Photography Assignments: Themes & Projects, a bonus ebook that comes with 100 Creative Photography Assignments.

photography assignments for practice

100 Creative Photography Assignments

Buy 100 Creative Photography Assignments now for just $14 USD.

Buy it now and get out there taking photos!

photography assignments for practice

Note from Darlene: This is perfect if you want to get out there doing some photography. But maybe due to covid, finances, or other circumstances you can’t currently travel. Look no further than your front door to get started! To really challenge yourself do the 100 assignments one a day for the next 100 days!

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About Andrew S Gibson

Andrew S. Gibson is a writer based in England’s southwest. His interest in photography began when his parents bought him a Ricoh KR-10m camera more than 20 years ago. Since then, he’s taken photos in over 60 countries, studied for a degree in photography, and worked as Technical Editor for EOS magazine. Today, he makes a living helping people make better photos through ebooks and photography courses.

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Enroll in our free photography basics for beginners course, or 12-part portrait photography course , also free.

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10 Photographic Assignments to Hone Your Skills

A Post By: Darren Rowse

A few months ago I wrote about how setting myself photographic assignments was one of the things that had helped me to improve my photography the most.

Sunset Shooters

The idea was that it is often when you put yourself into a situation specifically for photography that you are forced to practice the theory that you know and you see your photography improve.

The assignments I mentioned were all different types of photography or places to take photos – weddings, road trips, sporting events, festivals, portrait sessions, concerts, trips to the zoo etc.

What I didn’t mention in the post was another set of ‘assignments’ or challenges that I’ve set myself over the years which have also led to a lot of photographic growth.

In these challenges I tend to set myself the challenge to only shoot in one particular way for a period of time (for me it is usually a weekend challenge as that is when i take most of my images).

These challenges all relate to your camera and limiting yourself in some way to either switch off some element of the automated aspects of your camera, limiting yourself to really hone a skill or to practice some kind of technique.

While this isn’t really a natural way to shoot – I find that focusing in on one particular aspect or skill in photography at a time can really help to see improvements in that period of time which means when you next need that skill you’re all ready to go!

Here’s a few suggestions based upon weekends that I’ve done:

  • The one focal length/lens weekend – either choose a single prime lens or a focal length at one end of a zoom and only shoot at that focal length for a whole weekend (choose one you don’t naturally shoot in a lot). This teaches you a lot about that focal length and makes you think about your composition of your shots.
  • The one aperture weekend – this can be hard if you shoot a wide range of subjects like I do but choose an aperture and try to stick to it for a period of time. To do this you’ll find it easier if you shoot in Aperture Priority mode – you’ll also probably find it best to choose either to shoot at one end of the aperture spectrum. This will teach you a lot about depth of field and get you thinking also about how to balance shutter speeds and ISO to get well exposed images.
  • The one shutter speed weekend – similarly to the aperture challenge this can be challenging but spending some time either looking to capture subjects with long or very fast shutter speeds will teach you a lot. To do this shoot in Shutter Priority Mode .
  • Manual Exposure Mode Weekend – if you don’t venture into fully manual shooting that much set yourself a challenge to shoot in manual mode for a weekend. This is perhaps the best way possible to teach yourself about exposure!
  • Manual Focusing Weekend – similarly if you rely upon your camera to always focus for you in Auto focus – switch to a weekend of just shooting with manual focus. This will break you out of your laziness and help you to really think about focal points.
  • Switch cameras – got an older camera in your cupboard that you’ve been neglecting? Perhaps its an old film camera or an old digital camera without all the bells and whistles of your current one? Take it for a spin – sometimes older cameras require you to think more about settings and not rely upon the features of your modern camera. Shooting with film cameras also makes you slow down and get the shot right the first time.
  • Compositional Rules – pick a ‘rule’ like the Rule of Thirds and try to adhere to it in every shot you take over a weekend. Alternatively choose to break the rule as much as possible but still end up with ascetically pleasing shots.
  • Explore a Technique – spend a weekend really honing your skills in a particular shooting technique. For example you might like to spend time working on using Fill Flash in your shots – or Slow Sync Flash – or Zoom Blur – or Panning etc
  • Lighting Technique – similarly set yourself the challenge to practice your skills with a particular lighting. It might be Natural light , window shots , one light portrait setups, silhouettes , classic lighting etc
  • Recreate someone else’s work – one last one that I am borrowing from a friend. My friend chooses an image each week from a photographer that he admires and he sets out to recreate it. While he never passes the shots he takes off as his ideas he finds it useful to analyse the work of others and to then try to recreate those shots – in doing so he finds he learns a lot.

There are of course many more – please suggest your favourite challenges/assignments in the comments section below!

10 Photographic Assignments to Hone Your Skills

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Darren Rowse

is the editor and founder of Digital Photography School and SnapnDeals .

He lives in Melbourne Australia and is also the editor of the ProBlogger Blog Tips . Follow him on Instagram , on Twitter at @digitalPS or on Google+ .

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Select a city

Select country, how to practice photography, do you have a camera and a passion for photography.

Great, it's time for practice!

To be effective in your practice, you will need to master three important aspects of photography: the technical aspects of the camera, the theory of light and shadow, and the actual composition of a photo. Watch this video to refresh photography basics:

photography courses

Let's start by planning your photography practice and move on to some helpful exercises that will help you gain confidence in your camera, your lens, and building your composition.

Set goals This is an important first step in your practice. It may seem boring, but it makes the whole process easier! The idea behind setting goals is to give yourself a clear path to reach the level you want. You can always shorten or exceed your goals, but they guide and motivate you while showing you your progress.

You can set one or more objectives, here are some examples:

  • become confident with basic manual adjustments and understand how, why and where to use them to create the photo you imagine;
  • improve your understanding of photographic composition in order to frame photos that show greater intention and a better ability to connect with your subject;
  • take better travel photos that reflect your experience and not basic tourist shots;
  • to become a professional photographer and participate in competitions.

Think about what is important to you, there are no right or wrong answers. Goals can change and adapt, but having a clear vision of what you want to achieve over a period of time will help you stay focused, motivated, and measure your progress.

Research the location Researching the terrain and access to a location, reviewing your previous images of that location, other people's photos, and revisiting a location multiple times, are sure ways to improve your chances of getting a better composition and a variety of shots in different conditions and lighting.

Make photography your frequent activity Set aside time once a week, even if it's only an hour, to take pictures. Taking pictures doesn't necessarily mean going outside with a camera. It can be indoor photography, photo editing, reading articles or books, all activities that will enrich your experience.

Anything that helps build your understanding and empowers you will pay off in the future. If you have a friend who is also interested in photography, you can organize a regular activity together.

Where to practice photography

Where to practice photography

Beginner photographers are sometimes embarrassed to go out to practice or don't know good places to take compelling photos. The best places to practice photography are:

  • A local park is always a good option as you have more time to adjust camera settings and get comfortable with different light settings etc.
  • Art museums allow you to frame existing compositions in good lighting and train your eye to capture colors as you see them in real life.
  • Street festivals. You can usually weave through the crowds and get to the places that lend themselves best to photography. When you grab someone's attention, a smile can change everything, and it's a great shot. Get in the thick of the action, especially at Independence Day celebrations, Halloween parties, Christmas fairs and parades.
  • Parties or weddings are great opportunities to capture moments that can be very personal to the people who have invited you. Strive to capture moments of intimacy or pure joy in the families of those present. Do not opt ​​for easy and posed shots. Seek to fill your entire frame with movement and party vibes.
  • Shows by small local groups. The advantage of band concerts is that it's easy to be invisible. People are there to listen to the music. Pay attention to how people react to bands and their music. As with conventions, it helps to know the group you attended.

Always apply the concepts, discipline and techniques, wherever you are, whatever your shot. It's about getting in the mindset of shooting and being confident about it, wherever you go and there are plenty of opportunities for photography everywhere. If something is beautiful enough, try to find a way to capture it. I hope these places will help boost your confidence and instincts so that wherever you are, you can shoot comfortably. Practice makes perfect. Take each shot to refine your technique until spontaneous photography becomes second nature to you.

Maintenance of your equipment

Photography practice ideas

Cropping photos of other photographers Great photography begins with the eye, not the camera. This means that it should be possible to develop your photographic eye without ever touching a camera or lens. And that's the case! For this photo composition exercise, all you need is an easy-to-use photo-editing program like Paint or GIMP. First, learn the basic rules of photographic composition. You don't have to know them all right now, but you should know at least one because this exercise will force you to put these rules into practice. We recommend starting with the rule of thirds. Go to a free photo hosting site like Flickr or 500px and upload a number of images to your computer. (Easiest is to right-click and save image as). Any type of image can be used, but this exercise is most effective with portraits and landscapes.

Photography practice ideas

Recreating photos of other photographers Once you feel a little more comfortable behind the camera, you might want to try recreating photos that others have taken. Browse Instagram, Flickr, or 500px, pick a few that seem within reach, and get started! The goal is not to make an exact replica of your source material, so don't be discouraged if you can't do it. Rather, this photography exercise is meant to make you think about things you hadn't considered. To push you out of your comfort zone. At first, your copycat photos will be a let down compared to the original images. It's normal. But if you persevere, you will quickly see improvements. Along the way, you may even begin to discover your own voice and style as a photographer.

Shooting 10 Photos With One Subject Here's a common mistake made by beginners: always taking pictures at the same height and from the same angle. It's natural to stand up straight and take pictures at eye level, but it's boring. After all, everyone knows what the world looks like from eye level. If you want your photos to look more appealing, switch things up. Capture the world from unusual angles and positions: viewpoints that are foreign to most people. This photographic exercise will help you develop your sense of angle. First, find a topic. No matter what subject. It can be a kettle on the stove, a pet dog, a fire hydrant, a herb garden, a manhole cover. Everything is possible. Then take 10 photos of this subject. No photo should be identical to another. Try looking directly down at it. Then try looking straight up. Change the angles. Look at the front of the subject, then the back, then the sides. The possibilities are endless, and even the smallest changes in angle can have a big impact on the resulting photo. Do this for hundreds of subjects and you'll start seeing angles everywhere you go without even trying.

Shooting 10 Photos With Three Objects In some cases, such as landscape, astronomy and street photography, the idea is to capture the scenes as they are. In other cases, like portraiture, food and product photography, the idea is to build your own scenes. As you can imagine, it's not easy. There are many factors to juggle such as lighting and background, but one particular aspect that beginners find difficult is knowing how to position multiple subjects in the frame. This is the subject of this photo composition exercise. Find three random objects, such as figurines, fruits, bowls, candles, plants, or whatever you have on hand. It doesn't matter if they are related to each other or not, although it will be easier if they are all a similar size. Now place them as you wish. Think of it like composing the objects for a photo shoot. Do this ten times, rearranging them in a different way each time. Over time, you will develop your creative muscles and your eye.

Shooting 100, 500, or 1,000 Photos With One Lens The focal length of a lens not only controls the zoom factor of a shot. Yes, all things being equal, an 18mm lens requires you to be closer to the subject than a 50mm or 85mm lens. But different focal lengths can also evoke different feelings in a photo. For example, the wide angle of an 18mm lens is accompanied by a lot of distortion, which can produce a comical or whimsical effect. In contrast, a 200mm lens has a compression effect that makes the photo look flatter than, say, an 85mm or 50mm lens. In short, different focal lengths require different approaches when composing photos. This is why we recommend that you master only one type of lens at a time, preferably starting with a 50mm lens. Learn about common camera lenses and when you should use them. For this exercise, you just need to stick to one focal length for your next 1,000 photos. It's easier with a prime lens, but if you only have a zoom, just pick a focal length and leave it at that. Switch to another focal length when you have taken 100, 500 or 1000 photos. Eventually, you'll better understand how to use the different focal lengths available to you to get the shot you're looking for.

Photography practice test

Exercising composition at a random location Creativity is often perceived as something infinite and full of possibilities. And while there's technically nothing wrong with that, the truth is that creativity needs limits and constraints to flourish. If you've ever wanted to take pictures but didn't know where to start, where to go, or what to shoot, then you know what I'm talking about. Restrictions are good, and that's how this photography exercise will unleash your creative potential. Go out and find a good shooting spot, pick a random place to stand, don't think too much. Now stand there, look around, and take 10, 20, or 50 pictures of anything. But try to make them good. When you're done, take a random direction and take a random number of steps to find your next spot. Very quickly, you will learn to adapt to the place where you are and to find good frameworks there, it is guaranteed.

Watch a video to have a better idea of exercises like those we listed

Photography practice test

You probably want to know if practicing photography has brought the desired result. At the beginning of the article, we talked about setting goals, from the simplest to the most demanding in terms of effort. This is the time to make a list of your goals and review each item, it will already be a great indicator of your progress. You can also compare your before and after photos of regular practice, and ask yourself a few questions:

  • Do I better understand the manual settings of my camera?
  • Am I able to control ISO sensitivity, aperture and shutter speed to get good quality photos?
  • Do I know the rules of composition and am I able to take a good photo using them?
  • Have I learned to take staged photos with different objects? What about quick shots on the street with a lot of movement around? After analyzing these questions, you can understand which part of the process requires more analysis and work. You can then easily find more specific information on the question you are interested in.

Also, you can watch this video and check if you make these common photography mistakes:

Photography theory practice

With all the excitement that comes with buying a new camera, it can be easy to overlook the user manual. But what most people don't know is that it contains a lot of key information that can help you get the most out of your device and learn how to take better photos.

If you still have your user manual hidden somewhere, it's not too late to retrieve it and go through it from cover to cover. Know what each button on your device does and what you can do with its different settings.

Try out information you’ve read The best way to retain your new knowledge of how your camera works is to practice what you've read. As well as giving you an idea of what your device's controls and settings can do, it's also a good way to find out what features you'll be using regularly. Remember: you don't have to try everything at once. You can spread the application of what you have learned over several days of practice. Trying and making as many mistakes as possible is a good way to hone your photography skills. With constant practice, the time will come when you finally succeed in taking the right shot.

Photography practice exercises

Make advantage of all camera’s settings Just look at the famous photojournalist Henri Cartier-Bresson. According to an article in the New York Times, Bresson rose to fame by using a hand-held 35mm camera to photograph significant events that marked the 20th century (e.g., the Spanish Civil War and the German occupation of France). His career as a photographer is proof that you don't need fancy equipment to take better pictures. Just get the most out of your camera and what it can do for you. If you must, start with simple photos and backgrounds. Then, once you get the hang of it, move on to more complex scenes and shots.

Don’t forget a tripod The simple act of using a tripod can dramatically improve the quality of your photos. A tripod gives you stability when taking photos, making your images look sharper and more balanced. This also avoids the risk of having unwanted elements in the frame. Just be sure to mount your tripod on a flat, stable surface and use a tripod that's perfectly suited for your camera. Once the tripod is mounted, make sure your camera and tripod are level by checking with a spirit level. You wouldn't want your photos to come out tilted. For added stability, especially if your tripod is lightweight, hang something heavy under your tripod. This will act as an anchor to keep it from moving when trying to take photos of a particular scene.

Frame your photo by using the edges of each element as a guide A useful trick is to align the edges of certain frame elements to create a path that leads to your subject. This will make your photos more balanced and visually appealing. Besides edges and lines, look for other attractive shapes, textures, and patterns in the scene that can serve as a guide for framing your subject.

Regularly look at as many good photos and photographers to train your eye Read photography books, attend exhibitions and browse photography portfolios online. Since photography is a visual art, you can practically learn what makes a good photo by studying it – or looking at it carefully. If you find a photo you like, ask yourself the following question: "What do I like about this particular photo?" Explore how you can make your shots look like this. Remember it or write it down for reference the next time you shoot. Or if that's not your style, jump right into experimenting to recreate that particular style with your camera. Another way to enrich your photography skills is to visit online photography resources. The Adorama Learning Center, for example, is a great place to find tips, camera and gear recommendations, and anything photography-related.

How to teach photography to beginners

Expose your work to get a feedback At first, it can be quite intimidating to exhibit your work. But feedback from others can help you figure out what you're doing wrong and what needs improvement. There are groups on photo-sharing sites like Flickr where you can upload your photos to be critiqued. If you are not yet ready to share your work with the public, you can also ask photography enthusiasts around you to critique your work. While this is helpful, you don't have to know how to use post-processing tools to improve your shots. Sometimes all it takes is a few simple tweaks in your setup, knowledge, and approach to photography to take better photos.

If you want more information and specific exercises to improve every aspect of the photographic process, follow the link to read our Practical Photography Exercises article, where we have compiled a wide variety of exercises to develop your understanding of ISO, aperture and shutter speed, composition, use of photographic equipment, theory of light and shadow:

Photography practice exercises

52 photography projects: a great technique to try every week of the year

Our pick of the perfect weekend photography projects

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  • Home photography projects
  • Outdoor photography projects
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  • Long-term photography projects

Looking for photography projects to stimulate your creativity? Whether you’re a beginner who’s just learning the ropes or a seasoned snapper in need of inspiration, trying out a new technique can help you grow as a photographer. That’s why the list below features our pick of the best ideas to try with your camera.

From painting with light trails to capturing twilight landscapes, there are countless creative ways to use your camera and its lens. This round-up of our favorite weekend projects features suggestions to suit every skill level – whether you’re shooting with a smartphone or a ‘proper’ camera like a DSLR.

Some you can do from the comfort of you home, while others will have you heading out in search of specific scenes. Whether it’s a novel technique or an inventive suggestion for finding fresh subjects, every idea below has one thing in common: it should challenge you to try something different and find a fresh perspective.

Most of the projects can be attempted using the equipment you already own. Those that do require additional materials should all be achievable with pocket-money purchases – and if there’s any crafting involved, it should be well worth the effort when you see the results.

We’ve shared 52 of our favorite suggestions to do in 2022 below. Try them all and, in a year’s time, there’s a good chance you’ll be a better photographer, with a keener understanding of your camera and what it’s capable of. Plus you’ll be all set to attempt the final project: self-publishing a photo book.

The best home photography projects:

1. water drop art.

The basic idea with this project is to suspend a container of liquid and let drops fall through a small hole, then capture the resulting splash. Timing the shutter as the splash is created is everything. We achieved good results using two flashguns set to their lowest power (1/128th), an aperture of f/22 and water mixed with Xanthan gum to make a more viscous solution. We also used a SplashArt water drop kit from PhotoTrigger , which helped to regulate the size and frequency of the drops.

2. Indoor splash shots

For this project you'll need a flashgun that you can fire remotely, a container with clear sides for your water, a coloured background and a tripod. Set up the container and backdrop, then position the flash over the container. With the camera on a tripod and set to manual focus and exposure - f/8, ISO200 and the fastest shutter speed that will work with your flash - drop the object into the water and fire the shutter as it hits.

3. Shapes of bokeh

Out-of-focus orbs of light can add magic to any image, but the bokeh effect needn’t be limited to standard circles. From love hearts to stars, a simple cutout filter can transform background sparkles into brilliant shapes. 

Using your lens cap as a guide, draw a circle on a piece of card. Cut out the circle, score a small shape in the centre using scissors or a craft knife, then push the card onto the front of your lens (or attach it with an elastic band). When you next shoot a scene, any unfocused light will take the form of your shape. 

Use a wide aperture to maximize the effect and remember that, as the filter restricts the amount of light entering your lens, you’ll want to set a longer exposure or higher ISO. Try simple shapes such as triangles to get started, before progressing to stars, hearts, crosses and more.

4. Create smoke art

Smoke trails are a firm favourite among still-life photographers. But how about taking it to the next level and using the shapes in a creative Photoshop project. Once you've taken a few good smoke art photos, make a blank document in Photoshop, then copy and paste one of the smoke images into it. Set the blending mode to Screen and use Warp Transform to reshape it. Continue the process to combine a range of smoke shots into a new image.

5. DIY lightbox

Lightboxes are used to illuminate objects evenly against a plain background, often for the purposes of product or food photography. Luckily, you don’t have to have a pro budget to make one at home. All you need is a cardboard box, some white paper and a table lamp. 

Remove the top flaps, stand the box on one end and cut window holes in either side. Line the box with a single, seamless piece of white paper and cover the holes with thin paper or fabric, taped in place. Then it’s as simple as positioning a desk lamp on one or both sides: the paper will diffuse the light, evenly illuminating whatever object you put inside. 

Or for an even simpler setup, use a single piece of paper as the backdrop, with one white wall made from card, and position near a window (as pictured). Experiment with aperture and shutter speed to shoot subjects with totally white backgrounds or some shadow for a sense of perspective. Then mix things up with color backgrounds. If the quality is high enough, you could list your images for sale on a stock photography website to earn some lockdown pocket money.

6. Lubricate your lens

Want to give your housebound portraits added glow? If you have a spare lens filter lying around, try an old Hollywood trick: smear a layer of Vaseline on the glass to give your images a soft, dreamy look, keeping aperture wide to emphasize the ethereal effect with a shallow depth of field. 

Get experimental by leaving the middle of the filter free from Vaseline to create a halo effect, with the centre in clear focus but the outer elements blurry and soft. Don’t want to sacrifice a filter? Stretch cling-film tight across the lens and keep it in place with an elastic band, before using the Vaseline in the same way. If you’re not into portraits, try the effect when shooting a light source for a unique style of diffusion.

7. Make your own filters

It’s no secret that color is a major element of any image, but you don’t need expensive filters or editing software to experiment with saturation. In fact, you don’t even need to leave your home: all manner of household objects can function as color filters to bring new hues to your photography – and to transform mundane moments into brighter snaps. 

Attach tissue paper to your lens with an elastic band for an instant change of scene, or try shooting through thin fabric with a light source placed behind. Too easy? Take a snap through a laundry capsule for a liquid tone adjustment or use a whisky bottle for sepia shades with a hint of distortion. Petals are pretty effective, too, as are translucent sweet wrappers.

8. Try cross-polarization

This fun project exploits the effect that polarised light has on some plastics. You'll need two polarising filters - ideally one of these should be a sheet of polarising film. You can pick up an A4 sheet of Lee 239 polarising film for £50 (try www.robertwhite.co.uk or www.pnta.com ). The sheet of film should be placed on a lightbox or in front of the only light source. An iPad screen and most computer screens have a polarising filter built in, so if you don't have a sheet of polarising film you can always experiment by creating a white document to fill the screen. Simply attach the circular polariser to the camera lens and rotate it to make the colours appear in clear plastic items

9. Food landscapes

Spice up your food photography! All you need is a set of model figures - Hornby 00 gauge figures are perfect, as they're available in a wide range of poses. Preiser has a great range too. The most important aspect is to establish a sense of narrative. Here you can see that there's a conversation between the characters, with the mountaineer on the 'mash face' being helped by his colleagues on the ground.

10. Fine-art food

Try turning your dinner ingredients into photo art using just a lightbox and a very sharp knife. Slice fruit and vegetables as thinly and evenly as possible, then place them on the lightbox. With the camera positioned directly above, use Live View to focus manually on the details. Set an aperture of f/8 to give adequate depth of field, and dial in some exposure compensation of +1 to +3 stops as the bright light can fool the camera's meter into underexposure.

11. Flowers in ice

A relatively inexpensive way of taking 'kitchen sink' close-ups that look great blown up as wall art. Freeze flowers in plastic containers of distilled or de-ionised water (available through your local auto or hardware store). The flowers will float, so try to weigh them down or fasten them in place so that they freeze under the water. Place the block of ice on top of a clear bowl or glass in a white sink or plate, so that the light can bounce through from below. Position a flashgun off to one side, angled down towards it, and shoot from the opposite side.

12. Abstracts in oil

Oil floating on the surface of water is a great way to make striking abstracts. This table-top photo project exploits the refractive quality of oil and bubbles to accentuate and distort colours. All you need to do is place a few drops of cooking oil on the surface of water in a glass dish. Make sure the dish is supported about 25cm about the table top, then place coloured paper under it and use an anglepoise lamp or flashgun to light the paper.

13. Play with fire

It doesn’t take a pyromaniac to see the photographic potential of fire, but it does take patience, skill and plenty of precautionary measures to capture a stunning action shot of a match igniting. If you’d rather not risk singeing your fingertips, try a different type of flame photography.

Shooting by candlelight alone can lead to magical results. As with any single source of light, it allows you to experiment extensively with shadows – especially if you’re capturing a portrait – while the soft, warm tone and flicker of the flame both contribute to an especially ethereal effect.

In a darkened room, try shooting with a medium-high ISO and a relatively slow shutter speed. Start with just a candle and your subject, before introducing additional elements and playing with positioning. A nearby wall, for example, will throw the candlelight back in different ways, while glass will add to the magic with fiery reflections

Tweak shutter speed to affect the strength of shadows or try adding further flames – though you might need to adjust the white balance if things look more yellow than mellow.

14. Repaint the walls with camera obscura

Familiar with pinhole photography? That technique relies on camera obscura – a natural optical effect that occurs when a small hole in an otherwise sealed space (such as a box) projects an inverted image of the world outside onto the opposite wall. You could make a pinhole camera as an at-home project, or you could go even bigger: with the right setup, you can create the camera obscura phenomenon in an entire room. 

First, you’ll need to black out a room – for example, by taping opaque sheets over your windows. Then you’ll need to make an aperture through which light can enter; the smaller the hole, the sharper but dimmer the image. Camera obscura works best in small/medium rooms, with an aperture of around 10-15mm diameter. Allow your eyes to adjust and determine whether you need to brighten the image by making a larger hole, then marvel as an inverted version of the outside world appears on the wall. 

Capture the entirety of this remarkable natural effect using a wide angle, a relatively long exposure and a tripod, or focus on specific elements of your room to emphasis the effect – such as houses appearing to float upside down on your mantelpiece.

15. Camera tossing

Chucking your precious photographic equipment into the air might sound like something designed to void the warranty, but – provided you’re not too clumsy – camera tossing can deliver some truly spectacular results. Try it in a dark room with a single light source. Set a shutter speed of around one second (roughly the length of time it’ll be in the air) and, as the timer hits zero, launch it upwards. Catching it is the important part, but once you’re comfortable with the technique you can experiment with multiple light sources, different colors and even spinning your camera as you release it.

16. Psychedelic soap film

This is a wonderful project that makes for vibrant desktop wallpaper or abstract wall art. You'll need liquid soap mixed with glycerine for long-lasting soap film, plus a wire loop, a black cloth background and a macro lens of at least 100mm. The colours created by soap film only appear when hit by light from a certain angle, so set up near a north-facing window and shoot from around 45 degrees.

17. Refractive art

Light bends when it passes through water, causing the objects behind to change appearance. This is called refraction, and you'll make use of this phenomenon in this arty photo project. All you need is a few glasses, a flashgun, a tripod and a black-and-white pattern print. Simply place the pattern in the background with the glasses in front. Fill them with different levels of water and move the pattern backwards or forwards to fine-tune the effect.

18. Kitchen close-ups

Your kitchen is an ideal location for shooting a macro project. Its reflective surfaces can be used to create interesting backgrounds for your shots, and a shallow depth of field can transform the most mundane of objects you'll find there. Creating a triptych of images can result in a piece of fantastic wall art for your kitchen too, although it's important to think about how they're going to work together before you start shooting. Here, 3 objects - a fork, a bowl of cereal and coffee granules - were all shot from a similar angle, with the impression of height linking the sequence.

19. Invert the world with a crystal ball

Shoot through a crystal ball and, while you won’t see into the future, you will capture an inverted version of the scene behind the orb. Just as light is refracted when it passes through the glass elements of a lens, the same thing happens with a glass sphere. There are dedicated photography balls on the market, but the effect can often be achieved using a clear marble or even a paperweight. Nothing suitable? A water-filled wine glass can also work. 

All sorts of subjects look good through an orb, from sunsets and cityscapes to abstract items and even portraits. Try shooting with a macro lens to fill the frame with the sphere, or with a wider angle to include some of the scene behind. To really play with perspectives, rotate the image with editing software so that the background is inverted but the scene in the orb is the right way up.  You can also incorporate elements that support the ball into the image, such as hands, bowls or miscellaneous objects.

20. Still-life bokeh

Something as simple as a crumpled piece of foil can be the basis for a creative photo project. Position a still-life subject on a sheet of glass with a piece of dark material underneath it. Scrunch up the kitchen foil then smooth it back out and place it in the background. Shine a table lamp or torch on the foil and, with a tripod mounted camera, dial in the lens's widest aperture to create some beautiful ' bokeh '. During the exposure, shine a flashlight onto the subject.

21. Play with shadows

Photography is fundamentally about capturing light, which is exactly why shadows can be so powerful. They can create contrast with lighter parts of a composition or add texture to an otherwise plain subject. They can even be manipulated to tell a story. Incorporating shadows into your images will challenge you to think not just about the objects within a scene, but how things outside of the frame can affect the light that falls within it.

To play with shadows, all you need is a light source and a solid object to block it. This could be something natural, such as the shadow of a tree cast by sunlight. Equally, it could be something man-made, such as the outline of a street sign created by a car’s headlights. Or it could be something you create yourself: try playing puppet-master by shining a torch and dancing your hand in front of it. 

You can also invert this idea by shooting a subject which is predominantly in shadow and experimenting with how splashes of light fall upon it.

22. Still life light trails

Light trails can be used in all kinds of photography, but they're perfect for a creative still life project. You can use a regular Maglite torch, but try removing the end to reveal the bulb and make the light more direct. Use some electrical tape to attach a coloured sweet wrapper, which you can use as a makeshift 'gel'. Set the canera's shutter speed to around 30 secs with an aperture of around f/8, then start moving the torch within the frame before pressing the shutter. Continue the movement throughout the exposure. Here, we suspended the torch from a piece of string and made a gentle circular movement to create a spiral around the bottle.

23. Light spirals

You'll need to attach a torch, suspended by string, to an open area of ceiling. Fit the widest lens you have on your camera, and mount it on a tripod pointing straight up. With the light turned on, autofocus on the tip of the torch and set the lens to manual focus to lock the setting in. With an aperture of f/11 or f/16 dialled in, use Bulb mode and a remote release to keep the shutter open for a minute or so as you send the torch spinning in the dark…

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Formerly News Editor at Stuff, Chris has rarely been able to resist the bite of the travel bug – so he now writes about tech from the road, in whichever Wi-Fi-equipped café he can find. Fond of coffee kit, classic cars and sustainable gear, if there’s one thing Chris loves more than scribbling, shooting and sharing his way around the world, it’s alliterative triplets.

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10 Photography Assignments To Improve Your Photography

  • January 31, 2018
  • 4 minute read

Table of Contents Hide

Photography assignments to improve your photography.

“A picture is worth a thousand words.’’ Yes, the phrase is true as it reminds of the well spent times of the past. The essence of the pictures in your album has a spectacular charm that’s truly second to none. Though photography appears a breeze, it is hard. Photography is not a new thing. It’s a skill that inspires learners of all generations. Taking great photos let you click memories for your lifetime. Photography differs from all other hobbies as it gives wings to your artistic vision. It lets you showcase your creativity and expands your boundaries of career.

photography assignments for practice

Whether you are an amateur who want to brush up your photography skills or a master in the art, it’s always good to try new things. The theory of lights and shadows, technical aspects of a camera as well as the actual composition of a photo, learning the different aspects can add refinement to your skills. Do you want to improve your skills? If that sounds too brave and audacious for a beginner like you, then here are some Amazing Underwater Photography Ideas and Tips you can try out.

Then, here are the photography assignments to improve your photography:

photography assignments for practice

While this photography assignment is often avoided, yet it adds a beautiful touch of flare to the all-embracing composition. By light hitting the lens, it creates a sunburst. Let your subject stand with back facing the sun and shoot directly into the sun. This will enable you to create a beautiful lens flare. Try to shoot in the manual mode as it lets you adjust the exposure.

Light Painting

photography assignments for practice

Essentially, it’s an art that embraces your carefree and artistic skills. By using long exposure and lights, you create a light painting effect. You would require an external light source and dark location to let your subject illuminate.  Here are some  Cute Newborn Baby Photography Ideas and Tips  for you to dope on

Black And White

photography assignments for practice

It’s truly an excellent creative exercise. Black and white is a compositional element that challenges you to view the world differently. Appropriate black and white involve right settings and perfect lighting tocreatea right composition. It gives you a timeless feel and invokes a deep emotional response.

Silhouette Photography

photography assignments for practice

It revolves around lighting, composition, and exposure. In order to create perfect silhouette photography, select a strong subject and let it position with its back facing the setting sun. Thereafter, pay immense attention to settings and play with the shutter speed to come up with excellent results.  Do remember the saying that you explore and let the camera do the rest and this can be the beautiful rain photography ideas and tips that you are looking for.

Motion Blur

photography assignments for practice

It’s an ultimate way to give your photography an artistic feel. With the help of fast moving objects, it lets you create visually interesting compositions. Play with your shutter speed, hold the camera still when the subject moves. Make use of long exposure to blur the subject which further results in a wonderful haze of colors. With the subject in focus and a blurred background, you can master this photography assignment to improve your photography.

Great Portraits

photography assignments for practice

Capturing great portraits is not everyone’s cup of tea. Paying close attention to the direction of light allows you to make the subject look best. Practice the art of bouncing the light back onto the face of the subject. This assists you make your subject stand out from the background.

Night Photography

photography assignments for practice

Night photography is a challenge; however, if you conquer the art, you can capture sharp night time photography. This artistic skill offers a whole new realm to your photographic aspect. Make use of slow shutter speed and use a tripod to make your camera still.  Here you also check these tips that will surely help you to Improve your Night Photography. 

Flash Photography

photography assignments for practice

Learning how to use your on-camera flash can truly add to your photography. It works best during day time where additional light is a requirement. Diffuse the flash to ensure that the images do not wash out terribly. Flash come up to be handy when additional light source is pivotal.

photography assignments for practice

It’s a great visual element for your photography. Most importantly, the out-of-the-focus of light often results in a blurred, soft foreground. Open the aperture as wide as possible and use a wide lens to draw the subject into focus while making background blur out.

Street Photography

photography assignments for practice

This photography assignment works well to improve your photography. Though it is quite challenging, however, an immense practice can let you capture the strangers on the street beautifully. Take photos of the storefronts, architecture, and everything on the street to make it stand out. Also you can sharpen your photography skills with our list of popular travel photography tips for beginners.

photography assignments for practice

Here are some amazing Full Moon Photography Tips and Ideas that will come handy if you are keen on taking creative moon pictures. So, shutterbugs!! Practice, practice, and practice the aforesaid photography assignments and let your pictures scream loud your creative skills.

In this article:

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40 Practical Photography Assignments

Hollywood, 2011

Dear friend,

One of the most difficult things in photography is to stay motivated and inspired.

I know that I have hit “photographer’s block” many times in my career.

Sometimes it is good to try out different photography assignments— to push yourself outside of your comfort zone, try a new approach, and to take action. Simply sitting on your bum and thinking about photography won’t improve your photography. You can only re-spark your passion for photography by making photos, or doing something hands-on.

Here are a list of photographic assignments which I hope help you. Feel free to skip around, and choose the assignments which appeal to you:

1. 5 yes, 5 no

If you’re interested in street photography, often the fear of rejection is worse than the rejection itself.

If you want a simple assignment to build your confidence, try the “5 yes, 5 no” challenge.

The concept is simple: approach a bunch of strangers and ask for permission to make their portrait. You have to keep asking until you get 5 people to say “yes” and 5 people to say “no.”

You will discover it is harder to get a “no” than a “yes”.

If you’ve got all 5 “yes’s” but not 5 “no’s” — you need to purposefully go out and look for the scariest people you think will say “no.”

The purpose of this assignment is to help you face rejection. In life, photography, and everything else — we are slaves of fear. This will help you face your fear head-on.

If you’re really really afraid of getting rejected— try out this assignment (a variation of the 5 yes/5 no assignment).

Go out and try to get 10 people to reject having their photos as quickly as possible.

If you go out and try to find people to say “yes” to getting their portrait shot— you might become paralyzed. Instead, only approach people who you think look unfriendly and will say “no.”

Funny story — you will find that often the scariest/meanest looking people are the nicest (and vice-versa).

3. Exposure compensation

I am a big proponent of shooting in “P” (program mode). Essentially the camera chooses the aperture/shutter speed for you, as well as the exposure.

If you want to get better exposures in your photos (in P mode) — try experimenting with exposure-compensation.

Ask a person to stand in the bright sun, and take a series of different photos (with different exposure compensations):

Then look at your LCD screen, and look at the exposure of each photo. Then look at the real world — how does your exposure-compensations change how your photos end up looking?

Don’t get too nerdy with this — figure out what exposure-compensations work well for your camera, in different settings. Each camera thinks differently and has different exposure compensation modes. So treat this assignment as a way for you to better understand the light, and how your camera thinks.

If it is really bright outside, I generally photograph at -1 exposure-compensation, to make the skin tones of my subject look more natural, and also to darken the shadows. I love the dramatic look this gives my images.

Furthermore, if you’re shooting in the shade, you will often need to shoot +1 exposure-compensation to light your scene better.

But once again — experiment with different exposure-compensations, and figure out what works best for you.

4. 1,000 photos in a day

If you’re a photographer who only takes 1-2 photos of a scene and tends to run away, try this assignment.

The assignment: take 1,000 photos in a single day.

The purpose of this assignment is for you to learn how to “work the scene”. If you see a good scene, try to take at least 10 photos of each scene. This will allow you to capture better perspectives, angles, and moments.

I don’t want you to always take 1,000 photos everyday. But this might help you break through “photographer’s block.”

5. Eye contact/no eye contact

When I’m shooting street photography, I’m not sure whether a photograph with eye contact or without eye contact will be better.

Solution? Try to get both.

If I’m shooting candidly, I will get close to my subject, and take multiple photos, until they notice my presence. Then I wait for them to notice me, and then I take a photograph when they make contact.

Then when I go home, I have the decision of choosing between two version of a photo: one with eye contact, and one without. Sometimes eye contact works better, sometimes it doesn’t.

There is a saying that “eyes are the windows to the soul.” I generally find photos with eye-contact to be more compelling, soulful, and intense for the viewer.

However at the same time, sometimes having photos with the subject looking away from the camera gives you a more moody feel.

I often like to study famous (painted) portraits of people in the past for inspiration. Look at the paintings with eye contact, and without.

6. Ask your subject to look up, down, left, right

If you approach a stranger, and ask permission to make their portrait (or if you’re photographing a model) — it is hard to direct your subject.

One tip I learned: ask them to look in different directions.

For example, ask your model to look into the camera, and don’t smile. Then ask them to look up, down, left, and right.

Often people have a “better side.” Not only that, but by having your subject look up and down, you change the mood of the photo.

When your subject is looking up, they look more confident, encouraged, and powerful.

When your subject is looking down, they look more downtrodden, depressed, and negative.

Another tip: ask your subject to look at your hand while you’re photographing them. Then move your hand, and see how their eyes track your hand.

Changing the eye and head position of your subject will change the emotion of the photo. Experiment with different head positions with your subject, and you will have more photos to choose from.

7. Only photograph things on the ground

When it comes to photography, we often just photograph what is in front of us, at eye-level.

Yet we never look down, and we never loop up.

As a simple assignment, do a photo project of just photographing stuff on the ground. You will find lots of interesting subject-matter if you look closely enough.

The world is a rich and beautiful place to take photos. Sometimes we complain that there is “nothing to photograph.” Yet in reality — we’re just not looking hard enough.

Change your perspective and view. Don’t just look ahead. Look down. Look up. Look into cracks in-between walls. Be curious, and change your perspective.

8. Take at least 10 photos of each scene

I mentioned this tip a bit earlier — but the mistake we make as photographers is that we’re easily satisfied with 1-2 photos, and we move on.

The problem with only taking 1-2 photos (and then checking our LCD screen) — we don’t push ourselves. When in doubt, try to photograph 25% more than you think you need to photograph.

This will force you to be more creative. You will try to photograph your scene from different distances (close, far) and from different angles (left, middle, right). You can also switch up your positioning (crouching, standing, or tippy-toe).

It is rare to see a good photo-moment. Don’t settle with just 1-2 photos. “Work the scene” — and try to take at least 10 photos of each scene. Then you will push your creative boundaries, and be more likely to make a good photo.

9. Limit yourself to only 36 photos in a day

For this assignment, you’re only allowed to take 36 photos in a day (same amount of photos in a roll of film).

This exercise will help you learn restraint. It will balance out some of the other assignments which encourage you to take more.

If you only had 36 photos you could take in a day, how much more selective would you be with your shooting? What superfluous photos would you not shoot?

I also find that by taking fewer photos, I appreciate each scene more.

You can do this assignment on a digital camera, or on a film camera.

10. Shoot 1 street corner for an hour

In street photography, we’re impatient. Rather than sticking in one good area and waiting for our subjects to come to us, we run around (often wasting our energy) to just find a few good photos.

The solution: find an interesting street corner, don’t move, and photograph it for an hour.

The purpose of this assignment is to realize that it can be more effective to find a good scene, background, or area — and wait for your subjects to come to you.

Not only that, but if you stay put in one area— you will get to know the area better. You will observe the flow of subjects, and get a feel of a place better. Not only that, but you will be more “invisible” in the scene— people will ignore you.

11. Delete all the photos from your social media account

An occasional purge is good for our physical, mental, and spiritual health.

Try to do this every once in a while: delete all the photos from your social media, and start from scratch.

Don’t delete the original photos. Keep them on your hard drive, print them out, or archive them.

However if you have a lot of photos cluttering your social media account, make a practice of doing a 100% purge. Delete all the photos (or mark them private), and then re-start from scratch.

Often we let our past work prevent ourselves from innovating and creating new future work.

Purge your past. And start refreshed.

12. Go a month without using social media

Often as photographers we fall victim to the “social media” treadmill — of always uploading a photo everyday, just to feel relevant. We want it for the likes, the comments, the new followers. Yet we get addicted to social media like heroin. Without our daily “hit” of external affirmation — we feel our photography is pointless.

Yet photography should be a personal pursuit. Why care about what others think about your photos? How do you feel about your own photos?

Uninstall all the social media apps from your phone (don’t worry you can re-install them after a month). Don’t upload any photos, look at anyone else’s photos, and try your best not to cheat.

By “fasting” from social media from a month — you will get a better sense of why you make photos. And I can guarantee you, you will feel less stressed and anxious to keep up with the “social media rat race.”

13. Only shoot black and white for a year

We don’t see the world in monochrome. Black and white is an abstraction in the world. That is why it looks more “artistic” to the average person. It is novel, unique, and different.

However it takes a while for you to train your eye to see the world in monochrome.

Many photographers shoot black and white their entire life, and still never master it. I’ve also found that if I switch between black and white and color too often— I can never learn how to really see the world in one.

The assignment is to shoot only black and white for an entire year. You can shoot RAW+JPEG with a black and white preview. And perhaps you can just use the black and white JPEG’s. If not, apply a simple black and white preset to all of your RAW photos (upon importing them).

How would you visualize the world in monochrome? I’ve found myself looking more for emotions, mood, smoke, shadows, lines, graphical elements, and minimalism.

This will be different for you — but learn how to see in monochrome.

14. Only shoot color for a year

The opposite assignment to the prior one; shoot only color for a year.

To see the world in color is different than seeing the world in black and white.

Personally, I’ve found shooting color to be more difficult than shooting black and white. Why? Because color leads to more complexity. You need to compose and frame a scene well, but also think about the color-combinations of a scene.

Not only that, but different colors evoke different moods and emotions.

Monochrome is easy to use because it reduces and removes distractions. Color introduces more complexity and distractions.

I would personally recommend most photographers to first try to master monochrome before taking on color photography.

Color photography also requires your exposures to be better, and for you to shoot in better lighting conditions. For color photography, try to shoot sunrise and sunset (golden hour), or use a flash.

Train your eyes to become sensitive to different colors— and play and have fun with it. See how you can mix different colors in a scene, whether they be complementary colors or contrasting colors.

15. Only shoot JPEG for a month

RAW and post-processing is a blessing and a curse. The problem is that many of us modern photographers over-rely on fancy post-processing techniques to improve our (mediocre) photos.

I’m guilty of it — I’ve added HDR to my photos, added selective color, intense vignettes, and “overly-processed” many of my photos (thinking that they would make the photos better).

But no matter how much you polish a turd, it will still be a turd.

Shoot only JPEG for a month.

If you’re really anxious, shoot JPEG+RAW (but only use the JPEG’s) for a month.

This way you can’t rely on fancy post-processing techniques to “salvage” your photos. A great photo shouldn’t require any excessive post-processing.

16. Only shoot with your smartphone for a month

We often make the excuse that we don’t always have our cameras with us. I know personally when I owned a DSLR, it would be a pain in the ass to carry with me everywhere I went.

But today we’re blessed by modern technology— especially with the smartphone. The smartphone is the ultimate camera— it is always with us, fits in our front pocket, and can also be used to edit/post-process/publish our photos.

If you have a big bulky camera and never take photos, take this challenge upon yourself: only shoot with your smartphone for a month. Lock up your “real” camera in a drawer, and see how you can be the most creative with just your smartphone.

The purpose of this assignment is to realize that photography is less about the gear — more about your personal vision, and how you see the world. The tool isn’t as important as your eye.

This assignment might also teach you the importance of just always having your camera with you, ready, and prepared to click.

17. Stick to one camera, one lens for a year

We’re rich. We live in a culture of abundance. Most photographers I know aren’t starving. Most photographers have an over-abundance of cameras, lenses, and gear.

If you’re a photographer who has too much “choice anxiety” from owning too much gear— only stick to one camera, one lens for a year. Lock up your other gear in a drawer, better yet, sell it or give it away to friends.

If you really want to hone in your photographic vision; you don’t want to be distracted by gear. Also it takes a long time to get to know one camera and one lens/focal length quite well.

By sticking with consistent gear, you will have fewer gear distractions — which will give you more creative focus.

18. Only shoot horizontal, vertical, or square for a month

I believe in “creative constraints” — by having fewer options, you are forced to be more creative.

For example, take framing. Try to only shoot horizontal (landscape), vertical (portrait), or square-format for a month.

Framing and composition is all about knowing what to leave out of the frame.

Restrict yourself to one orientation for a month — and you will find more visual consistency with your work. And you will be forced to compose more creatively.

19. Only shoot one square block for a month

With unlimited options, we become paralyzed. We don’t know what direction to take our creative work.

Restrict yourself geographically. For a month, only shoot one square block (both sides). This way, you will really have to dig deep, and find something very interesting in that one square block.

The benefit of this project is that you know exactly where to shoot. Just one specific area. And I think it is better to get to know one area very well, rather than knowing a lot of different areas superficially.

Being a great photographer isn’t about traveling the world, to exotic places, and making interesting photos overseas.

Being a great photographer is making the best out of what you have. For not complaining where you live; and being the best photographer in your own home town.

20. Shoot everyday for a month

The only way to become a better photographer is to shoot more. The more you shoot, the more feedback you will get, and the more connected you will feel with the world.

For a month, take at least 1 photo everyday. It can be with your smartphone, DSLR, or whatever camera you have.

Just make sure it is something personally-meaningful to you. Don’t just take the photo for the sake of it. Take a photo everyday of something that stirs your heart. That makes your soul sing.

The Zen masters recommended having a “daily practice.” By repetition, we reach a deeper understanding of “truth.”

In photography, we can read a hundred photo theory books, and still not learn anything. We only learn through taking photos, repetition, feedback, critique, and constantly seeking to improve ourselves.

Don’t put pressure on yourself that everyday the photo has to be great. But just build the habit.

21. Don’t shoot for a month

To balance out the prior experiment; try to go a month without taking any photos.

You’re not allowed to take photos for a month.

Ironically enough, this assignment might be the best way to re-invigorate your passion for photography. Why? We take photography for granted. But when something is taken away from us — we appreciate it more.

22. Shoot “selfies” for a week

Many of us complain that we don’t have interesting subjects to photograph.

Not true; your best subject is yourself. Because you’re always available, and you won’t say “no” to yourself.

There are different ways you can shoot ‘artistic selfies’ of yourself. Photograph your shadow, reflection, or put your camera on a tripod and setup a scene and shoot yourself.

To photograph yourself is an incredibly intimate experience. It is an experience that allows you to be comfortable on the other side of the camera. Not only that, but it makes you realize that no matter what, you can always photograph something — who better than yourself?

23. Have your portrait (professionally) shot

I learned this lesson from Sara Lando — if you don’t like being photographed, have another photographer (professionally) shoot your headshot. You will learn what is comfortable (and what isn’t comfortable) being a subject.

If you are a photographer, yet you don’t like having your own photo taken, you debilitate yourself. You assume everyone else doesn’t like having their photo taken (not true).

The secret is how can you make a photo of others (and of yourself) that makes the subject comfortable, at ease, and happy to be photographed?

24. Shoot with a focal length (you’re uncomfortable with) for a week

We all have our preferences for a certain lens or focal length. If you want to push your creative boundaries, shoot with a focal length that you are very unfamiliar or uncomfortable with for a week.

If you’re a 28mm guy, try shooting only with a 200mm lens for a week. If you’re usually a 200mm telephoto type of person, try a 35mm lens. If you usually shoot with a 50mm lens, try a 28mm lens.

By shifting our focal length, we shift our perspective, how we see the world, and how we approach our subjects.

By pushing ourselves outside of our comfort zone for a week, you will gain a new perspective and also perhaps find more gratitude for the focal length you’re already comfortable with.

Or better yet, you might find a new focal length you prefer— that can help you be more creative and innovative with your work.

25. “.7 meter challenge” (1-arm length challenge)

I learned this assignment from my buddy Satoki Nagata. If you’re uncomfortable getting close to your subjects, pre-focus your lens to .7 meters (about 1-arm length distance), and only shoot that distance for a month.

This assignment will force you to get physically and emotionally closer to your subjects.

You don’t need to shoot all your photos candidly. Ask for permission.

The more comfortable you’re shooting at a close distance— the easier it will be for you to take a step back.

26. Decapitate heads for a week

I often find photos of hands, feet, or body gestures more interesting than faces. So the assignment is to take photos of your subjects without including their faces/heads in the photo.

Try it out— for a week “decapitate” your subjects (don’t photograph their faces). This will force you to see the other characteristics and attributes of your subject on a deeper level.

27. Buy a mannequin (and use it as a test subject)

I learned this assignment from my friend Charlie Kirk — if you want to learn how to make better portraits, how to better use studio/flash, or how to frame — buy a mannequin as a test subject.

The great thing about having a mannequin is that you will always have a willing subject.

Try using different focal lengths, different settings, different apertures, shutter-speeds, different lighting setups, and anything else you want to experiment with.

This will allow you to better understand how to use your camera technically, how light (especially artificial light) works. Not only that, but you will have a forever patient subject at your disposal (whenever).

28. Only shoot with a flash for a week

There is a bias in photography against shooting with a flash. People say it looks “harsh” and unnatural” when compared to using natural light.

Yet the flash helps us overcome difficult lighting situations. It gives us more freedom to shoot at different points in the day, when the light might not be so nice.

For a week, experiment taking photos only with a flash. You will discover how the flash works during the day, in the shade, indoors, and other effects it might have on your images.

Having a flash is a good tool in photography. It can help you open up creative doors and opportunities. It will give you more freedom to shoot at all points during a day.

You don’t always need to shoot with a flash, but try to learn it to the best of your ability, and you can use it in special situations (or in all situations).

29. Put together a photo album

Today’s world is (mostly) digital. In photography, we spend 99% of our efforts sharing our photos online. Very rarely do we print our work, arrange and edit our work, and create physical objects with our photography.

Buy a cheap photo album at the store or online. Print a bunch of your photos as small 4×6’s. Then put together a photo album.

Do it with your partner, children, or friends. Make a theme, concept, or a story. Have fun. Spread the 4×6 prints on the floor, and figure out what kind of pairing, sequencing, and flow you want to add to your album.

Handling physical prints is a different experience than just looking at them on your computer or phone. The physicality of photography adds another dimension — for us to be more creative, to find more by-chance connections, and for us to be more engaged with others.

Making a photo album is a nice communal activity — something that families did a lot in the past. Making photo albums can help us re-connect ourselves with the past, but also create physical documents that will be well-preserved into the future.

30. Print your portfolio

Most of us have our portfolios online. Few of us have printed portfolios.

Look at your entire library of images, and ask yourself: Which of these 10 photos represent who I am as a photographer?

Then print out those photos at any size you like. Figure out how you would like the photos to be sequenced. Then carry them around with you, and share them with your friends. Ask them to sequence your photos according to their emotion and feeling.

Learn to show your photos as prints, rather than just a phone or computer. See how people react differently to your photos, and see how it feels different for you as a photographer.

Photos don’t exist until they’re printed. When photos exist in atoms, we have a deeper connection with them as humans. When we can hold a photo, or a memory in our hands— it feels more real. We appreciate it more, and we feel more connected with them.

I find a nagging sense of incompletion if I don’t print my photos. I appreciate my photos on my computer, but I love them when they’re printed.

This assignment will also give you a good opportunity to re-evaluate your entire body of work and ask yourself: What photos really show who I am?

31. Give away a photo everyday (for a week)

I feel the best gift you can give others as a photographer is prints. Why? Because prints are meaningful, easy to transport, and relatively inexpensive to print.

As an assignment, print out a bunch of your photos, and for a week, give out at least 1 print a day (to a stranger, friend, your barista, family member, etc). See how it affects their mood, and your own mood.

Photos are about sharing moments, art, and history. Share a little bit of your own soul by giving away your photos. You might discover that giving away your photos for free is more meaningful than selling them.

32. Start your own photography blog, and blog consistently for 30 days straight

I’m not a big fan of traditional “social media” – because you have no control. You’re a slave to the platform, and you don’t have as much ownership and creative opportunities.

When you create your own blog, you have more flexibility. You can publish your photos, text, and ideas in different format. If you own the blogging platform (I recommend wordpress.org) you then really own your content.

Blogs are great because they are historical documents of our past. Blogging is more difficult than sharing photos on social media— but it is also more personally-meaningful.

Furthermore, if you have a blog, it is easier indexed by Google. And anyone with a web browser can access your work — rather than only people on a certain social media platform.

The assignment is to start your own blog, and blog consistently for 30 days straight. It can be about anything. You can just upload a photo everyday, upload photos that inspire you, or share some personal stories behind your favorite images. Don’t take it too seriously— but try it for a consistent month.

By making a blog, you gain more ownership of your own photography, creativity, and work on the internet. If you’re a slave to a social media platform, your influence is very limited— and you don’t have as many different ways to express yourself creatively.

I see blogs as the future of photography — don’t be left behind.

33. Write down a list of photographic subjects you don’t like to photograph

How do you know what your “style” is in photography? For me, it is knowing what you don’t like to photograph.

For this assignment, figure out what genres of photography you dislike. Write them down, and simply avoid taking those photos.

Then by process-of-elimination — figure out what kind of photographer you are (based on what you don’t like to photograph).

Most people I know who are interested in street photography don’t like to take photos of sunsets and landscapes. People I know who like to shoot flowers don’t like to take photos of people. Photographers who like to shoot monochrome generally dislike shooting color (and vice-versa).

Find out who you are via subtraction and process-of elimination. Treat your photographic style the same.

What do you not like photographing? Then just don’t photograph it — photograph the opposite.

34. Intentionally try to take “shitty” photos for a week

One of the biggest barriers in our photography is that we always try to take really good photos. But it is rare that we make good photos.

So flip the concept upside down — try to intentionally shooot “shitty photos” for a week. Get rid of your concepts of good composition, framing, and light. Just take shitty photos of whatever you find interesting.

Follow your gut, soul, and instincts. Just click. Don’t think too much.

Then after a week, see if you feel more loose in your photography, less “blocked” creatively. Do you take yourself less seriously? Are you having more fun?

Perfectionism ruins us. Seek to make “good” photos. And in order to do so give yourself permission to make bad photos.

35. Create your own photography portfolio website

If you want to be more serious with your photography (and taken more seriously) — make a photography portfolio website. It can just be your firstnamelastnamephoto.com (or better yet, firstnamelastname.com).

Make your own photography website, and put on your 3 best projects (restrict each project to your 10 best photos). This way, you will be able to think more about long-term projects, rather than getting swept away in the social media madness of just uploading a single (random) photo a day.

When you pass away, what kind of body of work do you want to leave behind? Do you really think that your social media profile will exist after you pass away? Will anyone even look at it?

Having a website (instead of just having social media) is better— but not the best.

Aim on creating a body of work, and several bodies of work — then publish them as books.

36. Buy one photo book a month (for a year)

I’m a big proponent of photography books and education. For a simple motto, remember the phrase: “Buy books, not gear.”

Gear quickly gets outdated. A great photo book will increase in value over time — both monetarily and its value to you as a photographer.

I recommend trying to invest in at least one photo book a month (for a year). You don’t need to buy an expensive photo book — invest in a book that you plan on re-reading over and over again.

I also recommend buying photo books whenever you have the urge to buy a new piece of gear. Why? Photo books will actually help improve your photography, and the novelty of a new photo book will inspire you.

Every photographer needs inspiration from somewhere. Most of us get our inspiration online, on social media.

There are great photographers online, but if you really want to learn the work of the masters, invest in photo books. Photographers spend many years, thousands of dollars, to create their own book. Therefore you’re more likely to get better images in a photo book, than just when looking online.

A good photo book will last for your entire life— and will always be a great source of inspiration for you.

37. Look at all the portfolios of all the Magnum photographers

You are what you eat. If you look at the work of great photographers, you will aspire to make great photographs.

I also go this assignment from my buddy Charlie Kirk — go to the magnumphotos.com website and study all the portfolios of the Magnum photographers.

Write a list of which photographers you admire. Analyze their work, and ask yourself, “Why” you like their work.

Furthermore, when you find a photographer whose work really speaks to you, buy all their photo books, watch all their YouTube interviews, and learn as much about them as you can from them.

The more great images we look at, the more inspired we will be to make great photos. By analyzing great compositions and images, we will subconsciously take better photos when we’re shooting.

Also you will find there are a lot of Magnum photographers whose work you don’t “get” or “like.” That is fine — just think to yourself, “What about their work do I not like? And why would other people like their work?”

38. Attend a photography workshop

I think photography workshops are great— because you get a “shortcut” in your learning and education.

For a workshop, you get a distilled source of information from your teacher — often in a few days or a week.

I personally think that photography workshops are a much better “bang for the buck” than photography schools. And they’re much shorter, focused, practical, and hands-on.

Find a photography workshop on a topic that interests you. And know that you’re investing your money into your education — always the best investment for your money.

If you want practical instruction in photography, to learn, have any questions addressed, attend a workshop or two.

39. Learn how to process black and white film

I don’t think digital is better than film, nor is film better than digital. They’re different. But more similar than dissimilar.

I feel the process of shooting film, and learning how to develop it, makes you appreciate the art and process of photography much more.

When I started off in digital photography, I took for granted that you could take a photo and instantly see it on the back of your LCD screen.

Shooting film has taught me patience, appreciation for the process, and the tactile hands-on approach.

If you’ve never processed your own black and white film, give it a try. There are tons of YouTube tutorials on how to do it. By processing your own black and white photos, you will feel a lot more connected with your images. You might fall in love with the process and the magic.

After shooting film for several years, I came back to digital photography with new enthusiasm. I appreciated digital photography so much more — in terms of the convenience, the flexibility, and the modern technology.

If you’ve never processed your film before, give it a go. And not only that, but try to print your photos in a darkroom at least once — the experience might totally change how you view photography.

40. Photograph only hand gestures for a day

I think that great photos tend to have two things: 1) Great composition and 2) Great emotion.

We all know how to make better compositions. Few of us know how to capture emotions.

A practical way to capture better emotions: capture hand-gestures and body language of your subjects.

So for a whole day, do nothing but photograph people doing interesting hand-gestures. Not only that, but afterwards, look at your photos (with hand-gestures in them), and mimic the hand-gesture. This will help you connect emotionally, and empathize with your subjects.

Photos of people just walking (and doing nothing with their hands) tends to be boring. Hand-gestures are much more dynamic, interesting, and emotional.

Much of communication is body-language and hand-gesture based. Photos are silent and don’t say words. But hand-gestures do.

I hope this list of 40 photography assignments will help inspire and uplift you. It is hard to stay motivated in your photography — but know that photography isn’t a race. Photography is a personal journey for yourself. You want to take your time, enjoy the process, and gain personal meaning through your photography.

Never compete with any other photographer. Don’t compare yourself to other photographers by how many followers/likes you have on social media.

Only gauge your progress in photography by your own standards of yourself, and by your own gut.

Know that dips in motivation in photography are natural — and part of the game. What matters the most is how are you going to overcome these mental blocks and barriers in your photography. Are you going to let them encourage you to try harder? Or are you going to give up photography all-together.

Tenacity and staying in the game of photography is the goal. Never give up friend. Let’s stick in photography together for the long-haul.

Always, Eric

Street Notes: A Workbook & Assignments Journal for Street Photographers

photography assignments for practice

If you want to stay inspired when you’re shooting on the streets, pick up a copy of “ Street Notes ” — essentially a workshop that can fit into your back pocket.

Many of the assignments in the book are mirrored in this article, but I’ve personally found it much more motivating to have a printed book (than just looking at information on my phone). Plus there are lots of space for you to journal, reflect, and mark your progress.

See you on the streets.

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65 Best Photography Books for Beginners in 2024

Reading books will always be the best way to increase your knowledge. Here's a list of the best photography books for beginners - some of them are free.

Learn | By Ana Mireles

This list of the best photography books for beginners will help you learn and improve your skills.

They’re also a great way to complement your studies if you attend a photo school .

Often young photographers don’t consider photography books because there are so many resources online.

However, there’s still great value in them.

Some of the most famous and talented photographers shared their knowledge and work in these books.

It’s not uncommon to find more of their images in a book than whatever they share online.

Understanding-exposure-photography-book

Easy to understand book for beginners to learn how to take better photos in less time.

Also, they often dig deeper into the theory and concepts in a book than they do in a video tutorial. This doesn’t mean that online resources aren’t helpful.

They cover different aspects of learning, and they teach you in different ways. They complement each other.

If you’ve ever thought – how can I teach myself photography? Then the books in this list can be beneficial.

Some of these photography books are scholarly, and others have a more lively style or a Q&A format. We all learn in different ways, so you can look for something that better fits you.

I also included books covering many aspects of learning photography, from camera basics to retouching to forming a business.

If you want to start your photography journey but don’t know where to begin, you’re in the right place.

Table of Contents

What Should a Beginner Photographer Learn?

photography assignments for practice

Credit: MD Iftekhar Uddin Emon

Every teacher has their method, and every student has different needs. However, there are some things that every beginner photographer should learn.

You need to know how to use your camera. This way, you’ll learn to measure the light and control all the settings. Getting the correct exposure is just the first step. Then, you’ll learn how to use those settings to achieve your desired results.

You’ll also need to learn about light. Remember that the camera uses light to create your images. So, you need to understand how it works. Then, learn how to control and modify it.

It’s also essential to learn how to process your images. In digital photography, this is done with editing software. In film photography, it’s done in the darkroom.

Either way, it’s an integral part of the process, and you must learn how to do it.

Lastly, I recommend that you learn how to communicate with your images. This involves finding a photographic genre that interests you, developing a creative style, and executing it.

You can learn all these aspects through photography books. I tried to include options targeting all these steps in this list.

If you plan to make a living from photography, you must also learn how to create and grow your business. You’ll find a few books on this topic here on the list as well.

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15 Best Free Books for Beginners in 2024

You don’t need to start your photography training by spending lots of money. There are many free resources online that can get you started.

Here, I made a list of the best 15 free books for beginners, but you should check out Shotkit’s comprehensive collection of free photography books .

1. 8 Types of Natural Light That Will Add Drama To Your Photographs

photography assignments for practice

Anne McKinnell 

Most photographers start by capturing images using natural light. This free e-book helps you to take great photos using different types of natural light. Anne McKinnell discusses how to shoot at different times of the day, with different light quality and directionality.

2. 20 Ways to Make Better Photographs Without Buying Any More Gear

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Craft Vision

This is a 50-page photo book that tells you about 20 steps you can take to improve your images. The primary purpose is to help you focus and offer a clear direction to your photography education.

It’s not about buying new gear – it’s about applying yourself.

3. A Photographer’s E-Guide to Making Sharp Photographs

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Scott Bourne – Animoto.com & Viewbug.com

Many photographers struggle to capture sharp images . One of the issues why this is so difficult is the multiple things that could cause this problem f from low light to improper focus.

This 20-pages photography book covers all the possible reasons why your images aren’t sharp enough. It tells you how to prevent this from happening again and possible solutions for the images you already have.

4. Before The Shutter: Planning Your Next Travel Photography Adventure

photography assignments for practice

Anne McKinnell

A successful photograph is the result of hard work and good planning. To capture images that inspire, you need to do the legwork. In this free e-book, Anne McKinnell shows you the process of creating professional-looking photos, starting way before the shot and finishing long after.

5. Exposure: Understanding Light

photography assignments for practice

Nigel Hicks

This book accompanies a 4-week online photo course. You can download the pdf for free even if you’re not enrolled in the course.

Since it contains only the course notes, it doesn’t go very deep but explains some key concepts like color temperature. You can consider taking the course if you find it interesting and like Nigel Hicks writing.

6. Good Photos in Bad Light

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Darwin Wiggett

Darwinn Wiggett is a talented landscape photographer. In this photography book, he shares real-life examples of bad weather conditions and how to make the most of them.

7. Insights from Beyond the Lens. Inside the Art and Craft of Landscape Photography

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Robert Rodriguez Jr

In this book, Robert Rodriguez Jr shares an insight into his personal approach to landscape photography . The content is based on his Beyond the Lens blog.

While he shares the behind-the-scenes of his images, he also encourages the reader to focus on their motivation, passion, and vision.

8. Introduction to Photography

photography assignments for practice

Carleton University

In this book, you’ll find all the photography basics you need to start shooting. While it doesn’t explore each topic in depth, it goes through many technical aspects, from camera settings to composition.

9. Lighting 101

photography assignments for practice

David Hobby

David Hobby gives invaluable tips for using artificial light in this book. From the basic gear to the technical aspects of using flash as your only light or balancing it with environmental light.

10. Lighting Essentials

photography assignments for practice

This photography book helps you to give the first steps in the vast world of lighting for photography and video. It covers natural light, flashes, and continuous lighting. If you enjoy the style, there are many other online resources at the UNSW.

11. My Five Easy Steps to Shoot in Manual

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Kimberly Gauthier

This photography book gives you useful tips for getting off the automatic and shooting in manual mode. Keep in mind that this is the first step to taking control and making the images you want to do.

12. Photography for Beginners

photography assignments for practice

Joseph Scolden

This e-book is dedicated to digital photography with DSLR cameras. Some chapters are helpful for other types of cameras , such as the ones dedicated to exposure. However, there’s much about the best cameras and lenses, which is applicable only if you’re a DSLR photographer.

13. Photoshop. 20 Photo editing techniques

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Edward Bailey

Digital photographers need to learn about editing. Adobe Photoshop is the industry standard for photo editing and retouching. This is one of the best photography books for beginners. You’ll find for free to take your first steps into the subject.

14. Studio Lighting Workbook

photography assignments for practice

Melanie Heinrich

In this photography book, Melanie Heinrich shares all the basics you need to work in the studio.

First, she introduces studio lighting , props, backgrounds, etc. Then, she dedicates a chapter to a different type of photography so you can learn about portraits, still life, and product photography .

15. Ultimate Field Guide to Photography

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National Geographic

As you know, National Geographic photographers are famous in the photography industry for creating stunning images of nature, wildlife, and travel. This free photography book will give you useful tips about gear, composition, and technique.

50 Best Photography Books for Beginners in 2024

Even experienced photographers use books to find inspiration, stay updated, or learn new photography skills. This is even more important for beginners.

While free photography books are a great way to start, sometimes it is necessary for new photographers to invest in their education.

That’s why I’ve made this list of the best photography books for beginners, so you know which ones would give you the best value for your money.

Remember that using paid books doesn’t necessarily mean you must spend a lot of money. You can look in public or university libraries to see if you can loan them. Also, consider buying them second-hand if you don’t have a big budget.

16. Annie Leibovitz: Portraits 2005-2016 

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Annie Leibovitz – Phaidon

To become a good photographer, you need more than photography techniques . That’s why studying the work of world-famous world famous photographers .

Annie Leibovitz is one of the best portrait photographers. If you’re interested in this photographic genre as an art form, this is one of the best books you can get.

Here you can see how her work developed over the years. You’ll find some of her most famous and never before published images in this collection.

17. Ansel Adams (The series)

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Ansel Adams

Ansel Adams is one of the most famous landscape photographers in history. He also developed the zone system and studied the black-and-white photography technique to perfection.

If you’re interested in film photography, Ansel Adams’s trilogy of books is a must-read. Composed of The Camera, The Negative, and The Print, you’ll get all the technical knowledge to achieve incredible images.

If you prefer digital photography, you can still learn from his great images how to approach landscape as fine art photography .

18. Best Business Practices for Photographers. Third Edition

photography assignments for practice

John Harrington – Rocky Nook

This is one of the best photography books for beginners who want to make a living out of this craft. You won’t find any advice on how to take great photos.

Instead, it’s all about pricing, negotiating with clients, getting insurance, and everything you need to make a career in photography.

John Harrington is aware that it’s not only the cameras and technique that evolve, but the photography business is constantly changing too. That’s why he did this reviewed and updated version of his book Best Business Practices.

19. BetterPhoto Basics 

photography assignments for practice

Jim Miotke – Amphoto

Even if it was published in 2010, this is still one of the best photography books for beginners. Here you can find all the tools to learn photography.

You’ll also find many photo assignments to put theory into practice and start taking great photographs.

Beyond the basic tools, it also teaches you some creative, more advanced techniques, such as capturing fireworks, using HDR, etc.

20. Black and White Photography. A Basic Manual

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Henry Horenstein – Little, Brown and Company

Henry Horenstein is a professor at the Rhode Island School of Design. Thanks to his teaching experience, he gives clear explanations and how-to guides in this book. In fact, it’s used as a manual in many schools and universities, including Harvard, Yale, and MIT.

21. Capture Your Style. Transform Your Instagram Photos, Showcase Your Life, and Build the Ultimate Platform

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Aimee Song – Abrams

If you want to build your brand on Instagram, this photography book can be very helpful. Here, you can learn how to prop and style fashion and food photography . Also, how to edit your images and use them to ‘craft your voice and story’ on Instagram.

22. Complete Digital Photography, Ninth Edition

photography assignments for practice

This book is perfect if you want to learn how to create stunning digital photography.

You’ll find the ninth revision currently on sale, so you can be sure that the information is updated. It includes everything from mastering your camera, lighting, post-processing, etc.

If you want to get a glance before you buy it, you can download the chapter on composition completely free on their website.

23. Dusk to Dawn. A Guide to Landscape Photography at Night

photography assignments for practice

Glen Randall – Rocky Nook

In this great digital photography book, you’ll find everything you need to plan, shoot, and edit your night landscape images .

The book is also packed with great photographs with all the information on when, where, and how they were taken.

24. Exposure Solutions. The Most Common Photography Problems and How to Solve Them

Bryan Peterson – Amphoto Books

This is one of the best photography books for beginners who want to learn creative and complex exposures. In this book, you can learn everything from exposing high-contrast scenes to paint with shutter speed.

25. Extraordinary Everyday Photography. Awaken Your Vision to Capture Stunning Images

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Brenda Tharp & Jed Manwaring – Amphoto Books

This book aims to help you stimulate your artistic expression in everyday situations. If you keep thinking that you can’t take great photographs because you can’t travel to an exotic location, this book is for you.

26. Guide to Digital Photography. Everything You Need to Shoot Like the Pros

Joe McNally – LIFE

Joe McNally was a LIFE magazine photo editor and photographer. In this book, he teaches beginner photographers how to make the best out of their digital cameras.

He also aims to show you that sometimes it is good to “outthink your camera or push your camera to go for the gold.”

27. Hashtag Authentic. Finding creativity and building a community on Instagram and beyond

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Sara Tasker – Frances Lincoln

If you want to learn how to improve your smartphone photography and build a profitable Instagram account, you should check out this book.

You’ll learn how to shoot ad edit photographs for Instagram, find your storytelling voice, and grow your followers.

28. Henry Cartier Bresson

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Clement Cheroux – Thames & Hudson

Henry Cartier Bresson is one of the most famous photographers in history. There’s much that you can learn from his images and method.

If you can afford it, go for The Decisive Moment – one of the most groundbreaking photography books you can find.

Since having this type of budget is difficult, look for Henry Cartier Bresson by Clement Cheroux. This will give you a nice introduction to his life and work.

29. How to Create Stunning Digital Photography – Tony Northrup’s DSLR Book

photography assignments for practice

Tony Northrup – Mason Press

If you think photography books aren’t enough, you’ll love this one. Your purchase also gives you access to 20 hours of online video training and entrance to a private classroom-style Facebook group.

You’ll also get continuous updates of the book and video for free. This digital photography book covers beginner and advanced techniques and proposes exercises for practicing what you learned.

30. How to Photograph Food. Compose, Shoot & Edit Appetizing Images

photography assignments for practice

Beata Lubas – Ilex Press

If you’re interested in photographing food, you’ll love this book. Beata Lubas explains in an easy and approachable everything you need to know. You’ll find information about gear, lighting, and post-processing your images like a pro.

31. Langford’s Basic Photography. The Guide for Serious Photographers

photography assignments for practice

Michael Langford, Anna Fox, and Richard Sawdon Smith – Routledge

This book mixes scholarly and practical information that’s continuously updated to keep its place as one of the best photography books for beginners.

Here you’ll find everything you need to know for digital and film photography. It will take you from the preparation to the realization to the post-production – both digital or in the darkroom. You’ll also learn how to finish and present your work.

32. Learning to See. A Photographer’s Guide From Zero to Your First Paid Gigs

photography assignments for practice

David Molnar – Harper Collins Publishing

This is one of the best photography books if you want to become a professional photographer . David Molnar helps you to identify your vision and execute it. Then, it explains how to create a photography business and start earning from your passion.

33. Light – Science & Magic. An Introduction to Photographic Lighting

photography assignments for practice

Steven Biver – Routledge Taylos & Francis Group

Light is the raw material you need to make photographs. As such, you need to understand how it works and how to use it. To do it, this is one of the best photography books you can find.

Light – Science & Magic is a must-have in every photographer’s library. The latest edition is updated with all the flash, fluorescent, and LED light advances.

34. Lighting for Digital Photography. From Snapshots to Great Shots

photography assignments for practice

Syl Arena – Peachpit

If you’ve read your camera manual and you’ve learned all about how to use it, Syl Arena teaches you how to use light.

This book teaches you how to influence and modify light to help you translate your artistic expression in your photographs.

35. Mastering Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO, and Exposure

photography assignments for practice

Al Judge – CreateSpace

If you want to take control of your camera, this photo book will help you do it in just a few hours. Al Judge teaches you how to use aperture, shutter speed, and ISO to expose your photographs properly.

36. Mastering Film Photography: A Definitive Guide for Photographers

photography assignments for practice

Chris Gatcum – Ammonite Press

If you’re interested in going ‘old school,’ this is one of the best photography books for beginners from the digital age.

It starts with a crash course about film photography and choosing your camera. Then, you’ll learn how to expose, use filters, use a flash without TTL, and more.

37. Mastering Lighting & Flash Photography. A Definitive Guide for Photographers

photography assignments for practice

Richard Bradbury – Ammonite Press

This is another must-have of the photography books. Learning to use natural light and flash photography is key to achieving professional-looking images.

This book teaches you how to choose and create the right light. Then, it dedicates a chapter to different genres, from portrait photography to interiors to cars. It also includes lighting tips from commercial photographers.

38. Mastering Histograms

photography assignments for practice

Histograms are an essential tool in digital photography, which every beginner photographer needs to know. This book teaches you about all the types of histograms, how they relate to Ansel Adams’ zone system, and how to use them to improve your images.

39. Mastering Portrait Photography

photography assignments for practice

Paul Wilkinson & Sarah Plater – Ammonite Press

If you’re interested in doing portraits that communicate with the viewer and say something about the subject, you need this book.

The authors explain everything you need to know, from choosing the equipment, the lighting, and the posing for a dynamic and exciting portrait.

40. National Geographic Image Collection 

In the book The National Geographic Image Collection, you’ll find the most famous examples of nature, wildlife, and travel photography.

Starting with the first images collected in the 19th century, you’ll journey all the way to the current days with a behind the scene profile of the collection.

41. Night Sky Photography. From First Principles to Professional Results

photography assignments for practice

Adam Woodworth – Illex Press

From gear to post-production, this book tells you everything you need to know to do night sky photography . It’s not a book for all beginners, but if you’re a beginner landscape photographer looking to shoot at night, this book may interest you.

42. On… Composition. The Ultimate Photography Masterclass

photography assignments for practice

Michael Freeman – Illex Press

Michael Freeman is one of the most prolific and recognized authors of photo books. In this volume, he talks all about composition.

By the way, all the books from the series Michael Freeman On… are great for any beginner photographer.

43. Photo Basics. The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Great Photography

Joel Sartore & Heather Perry – National Geographic

The great thing about this book is that it’s useful for any photography enthusiast. It doesn’t matter what type of camera you have – you may even be taking photos with your phone. Still, this book will give you valuable tips from framing to archiving your images.

44. Photography Demystified. Your Guide to Gaining Creative Control and Taking Amazing Photographs

photography assignments for practice

David McKay – McKay Photography Inc

This book aims to take you out of auto mode to take the photos you want. If you’ve ever seen your pictures and felt disappointed because they look nothing like they did in your mind, then this is the perfect book for you.

45. Photography Rules. Essential Dos and Don’ts from Great Photographers

photography assignments for practice

Paul Lowe – Frances Lincoln

If you don’t like the scholarly approach of reading a photography book from cover to cover, this is the one for you. You can read a rule per day in random order or devour the book in a day – your choice.

Whichever way you choose, you’ll find it helpful and inspirational, with tips and tricks covering all photography aspects.

46. Photography Q&A. Real Questions, Real Answers

photography assignments for practice

Zack Arias – Peachpit

Zack Arias chose over 100 hundred questions received from the public and answered them clearly and honestly in this photography book.

The topics range from photographic practice to career advice. This book is easy to read and full of helpful and practical information.

47. Picture Perfect Practice

photography assignments for practice

Roberto Valenzuela – Peachpit

This is one of the best photography books you can get if you believe – like the author – that the best way to learn photography is by doing it.

Here, you’ll find a series of challenges and how to solve them. The book is divided into location, posing, and execution. Each contains chapters that will help you handle everyday situations and make the best of them.

48. Read This if You Want to Take Good Photographs

photography assignments for practice

Henry Carroll – Laurence King Publishing

If you don’t like technical and scholarly photography books, you’ll love this one. Instead of using complicated terms or graphs, it uses “iconic images and playful copy.” This way, you can learn with an easy and hands-on approach.

49. Read This if You Want to Take Good Photographs of People / Places

photography assignments for practice

In the same style as Read This if You Want to Take Good Photographs, you can continue with the series to specialize in your preferred genre. Whether you like photographing people or places, these photo books will help you improve your images.

50. Shooting film

photography assignments for practice

Ben Hawkins & Liza Kanaeva – Hunsicker – Illex Press

Not all photography books about shooting film are old – this one was released last year. Thanks to this, you’ll find an updated guide to buying second-hand cameras and images from a new wave of film photographers to inspire you.

You’ll also learn beginner and advanced shooting techniques and analog processes.

51. Shooting in Sh*tty Light. The Top Ten Worst Photography Lighting Situations and How to Conquer Them

photography assignments for practice

Lindsay Adler & Erik Valind – Peachpit

This is one of the best photography books for beginners because it deals with everyone’s worst fear – sh*tty lighting.

You’ll often find yourself doing a photo shoot in less-than-ideal situations – what can you do? Well, that’s the answer that you’ll find in this book. The authors present you with the ten worst situations and help you to overcome them.

52. Sketching Light. An Illustrated Tour of the Possibilities of Flash

Joe McNally – New Riders Publisher

If you’re a beginner photographer starting to use artificial light, this is one of the best photography guides. Joe McNally explains how to use, shape, and modify flash lighting. It covers everything from the Nikon Speedlights to big flashes.

53. Studio Anywhere. A Photographer’s Guide to Shooting in Unconventional Locations

Nick Fancher – Peachpit

This is one of the best photography books for beginners because it’s dedicated to people with minimal equipment and shooting in a garage or some other unconventional location.

Here, the author talks about how to make the most out of what you have so you can make portfolio-ready images.

54. The Art of Photography. An approach to Personal Expression

photography assignments for practice

Bruce Barnbaum – Rocky Nook

While this book does cover some technical aspects, it aims to go beyond. Bruce Barnbaum goes into the philosophical and creative part of photography as one of the visual arts. It helps you to find a personal approach to the medium.

The second edition is updated and revised, but if your budget is limited, you can buy find the original version, which is one of the most famous photo books on the subject.

55. The Digital Darkroom For Photoshop & Affinity Photo. The Definitive Guide to Photo Editing

James Abbott – Illex Press

Adobe Photoshop and Affinity Photo are two of the most popular editing programs in the business. This book teaches you the essentials with step-by-step tutorials. It also explains the tools and how to make the best of raw images.

56. The Film Photography Handbook

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Chris Marquardt & Monika Andrae – Rocky Nook

Whether you used to shoot film and want to pick it up again, or you’ve never done it before, this book is the perfect resource.

With a revised third edition just released as an e-book and soon to be released in print, you’ll have the most updated information to start shooting film.

57. The Flash Book: How to Fall Hopelessly in Love with Your Flash and Finally Start Taking the Types of Images you Bought it for in the First Place

photography assignments for practice

Scott Kelby – Rocky Nook

I think this book’s subtitle says it all. Most photographers own a flash, even a basic one. However, very few of them know how to make the best of it.

In general, it’s used as a last resource for low-light situations. This book can help you to fall in love with your flash.

58. The Moment It Clicks

photography assignments for practice

Joe McNally – Peachpit

This photo book is as beautiful as it is helpful. Here you can learn from Joe McNally’s experiences while enjoying quality reproductions of his images.

Each teaching has a concept or a technique you’ll learn, followed by an image that exemplifies it, and ends with a behind-the-scenes story on how he got the photo.

59. The Photographer’s Eye Remastered. Composition and Design for Better Digital Photos

photography assignments for practice

Michael Freeman – Ilex Press

The Photographer’s Eye Remastered is the revised version of the classic book by the same name released to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

In the Photographer’s Eye, original and remastered, Michael Freeman teaches you to see the graphic elements in the pictures and how to compose them for the best results.

60. The Photographer’s Guide to Drones

photography assignments for practice

Colin Smith – Rocky Nook

Aerial photography has never been as accessible as it’s now with the commercialization of drones. If you’re a beginner photographer looking to do drone photography , this is one of the best books you can get.

Whichever drone you have, you can use this book to learn about safety and regulations, how to shoot videos and photos, composition rules, and more.

61. The Photographer’s Guide to Posing. Techniques to Flatter Everyone

photography assignments for practice

Lindsay Adler – Rocky Nook

If you’re a beginner portrait photographer, I don’t need to tell you how hard it is to pose your models. In this book, Lindsay Adler put together a guide to help in any situation.

First, she discusses the many things that impact how the person looks in a photo – from focal length to camera angle. Then, she moves on to some posing essentials.

Lastly, she gives you some go-to poses for specific subjects, from single to couples to groups.

62. The Photography Storytelling Workshop. A Five-step Guide to Creating Unforgettable Photographs

photography assignments for practice

Finn Beales – White Lion Publishing

This is one of those photography books that help you find your own vision. Beyond the photographic technique, learning how to make photos that communicate and move the viewer is important. This is what the 5-step course of Finn Beales aims to teach you.

63. The Street Photographer’s Manual

photography assignments for practice

David Gibson & Matt Stuart – Thames & Hudson

If you’re into street photography , this is one of the best photography books you can get. Here you’ll find some of the best photographers in history and their work to inspire you.

You’ll also learn some practical techniques for street photography, such as “how to shoot a face in a crowd.”

64. The Visual Toolbox. 60 Lessons for Stronger Photographs

photography assignments for practice

David duChemin – Peachpit

This book is a compilation of 60 lessons which include a concept and an assignment on each one. The idea is not just that you learn to use your camera but that you improve the photographs that you take with it.

If you’ve already learned all the basics but feel that it didn’t make you a better photographer, check out this book.

65. Understanding Exposure. How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera

photography assignments for practice

Bryan Peterson – Amphoto

This book explains everything you need to know about exposure and light. It also covers filters and flash for more advanced photographers.

This is the latest revised version, so you can be sure that all the information is current. If you want to read an excerpt before buying, visit the Penguin Random House website.

Can I learn photography on my own?

Absolutely. Many famous or successful professionals are self-taught photographers. This doesn’t mean that you can’t learn from others. You can use many resources, such as books, video tutorials, and podcasts. Of course, there’s great value in attending a photo school.

Are books a good way to learn photography?

Yes, books are a great way to learn. This doesn’t mean that it’s the only way, though. You can complement your reading with online tutorials or by attending workshops. Please remember that any resources you use need to be put into practice. The best way to learn is by doing.

Is it worth buying photography books?

Yes, books are always an excellent investment. Free books are a good starting point, but they don’t usually cover advanced techniques or go deep into them. If you can afford them, get some paid books. If you don’t have the budget or the space to keep them, look for them at your library.

Which books are the best to start learning photography?

The best photography book might be different for each person. It depends on your interest, your current level, and the way you learn. I recommend you start with a book that teaches general techniques, from exposure to composition. Then, move on to a book that talks about light. Once you have these technical aspects nailed, find books that help you to find your creative style and develop your vision.

Final Words

As you can see from the wide variety of books, there’s much more to photography than just learning how to use your camera.

This is especially so if you plan to build a business with your photography . Fortunately, many established and famous photographers have shared their experience and knowledge in these books.

Check out this guide if you want to find more free resources to grow as a photographer. The Shotkit team makes sure that it’s constantly updated, so keep coming back to it to see the newest releases.

I hope this list of the best photography books for beginners is helpful. If we missed one you love, let us know in the comments.

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Ana Mireles is a Mexican researcher that specializes in photography and communications for the arts and culture sector.

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COMMENTS

  1. 13 Creative Exercises for Photographers

    Not all of them involve the camera. Several websites and books publish a mix of assignments or exercises for the intrepid photographer. I prefer the exercises that 1) involve using your camera, 2) are less assignment-based, and 3) are fun! These are my versions of various exercises that have been passed down from one creative generation to another.

  2. 40 Practical Photography Assignments to Reinspire You

    Limit yourself to only 36 photos in a day. For this assignment, you're only allowed to take 36 photos in a day (same amount of photos in a roll of film). This exercise will help you learn ...

  3. 15 Photography Assignments to Challenge and Inspire

    15 Ways to Make Photography Assignments. This list of photo assignments consists of 15 points, so I am sure that you will find the idea to your liking. 1. Self Portraits. The first task is a no-brainer: just take a self-portrait picture each day. Don't forget to use a tripod and shutter release aside from regular shooting with your arm ...

  4. 10 Photo Assignments to Inspire and Challenge

    Assignment #3: Shadows. Shadows are everywhere and they are vital to photography because this is the art of capturing light. With light comes shadows and when you begin to look at shadows as a photographer, your world will open up. Take a look around for shadows and record them with your camera.

  5. 12 Exciting Photography Assignments to Challenge and Inspire

    Here are 12 exciting photography assignments to help you find the right one. 1. Shoot With a Limited Amount of Equipment. Whether you're a full-time photographer, a hobbyist, or a beginner, you're probably itching to invest in all kinds of equipment to take your photos to the next level. But here's a challenge.

  6. 25 Photography Exercises For Beginners That'll Help You Succeed

    Light trails (created by people or cars on the road) are created using a combination of slow shutter speed and balancing ISO. To have ALL moving subjects in an environment 'disappear' from your image, your shutter speed must be minutes long. Yes, 1-4 minutes is the general time to achieve this for 1 image.

  7. 10 Unique Photography Exercises to Build Your Skills

    09. Draw lots. What to do: Write one easy-to-find subject on 30 slips of paper (for example: shadows, a cat, a tree, coffee, an eldery person). Put the slips of paper into a bowl, and draw one each day. Focus on finding and capturing the best possible photo of that particular subject for a day. StockSnap.

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    3. With Three Objects, Shoot 10 Photos. In some cases---like landscape, astronomical, and street photography---the idea is to capture scenes in the moment as they are. In other cases---like portrait, food, and product photography---the idea is to construct your own scenes. As you imagine, this isn't easy.

  9. The 30 Day Photography Challenge Project (Start it Today)

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  10. 27 Engaging Photography Exercises For Beginners ...

    17. Try to shoot black and white. For the aesthetic purposes and the feel of film, it's quite nice and is definitely worth a try. Black and white film will also let you understand the importance of color, once it's absent, you will notice how the viewer focus will move once the colors are not colliding with each other.

  11. 50 Vital Photography Exercises for Beginners

    I visit photography workshops to learn about practice photography exercises for beginners. I love practical photography practice assignments. They give me the structure to build camera fundamentals one step at a time. And so I compiled years of workshops in to the best photography exercise list, and I am sharing it with you.

  12. 13 Creative Exercises for Photographers at Home

    Exercise 2: Outside from Inside. Second prize to being outside is the feeling of gazing out a window; find your favorite scene from a window and photograph it. Then photograph it again—but differently—the next day, then do it again, and again, and again. Force yourself to study and break down the scene; use different lenses, photograph at ...

  13. 10 Creative Photography Assignments to Inspire You Into Action

    Assignment 54: Capture the character of a place (b/w) The absence of color gives you another way of capturing the character of a place. Yes, it's true that in some areas color is an essential part of the essence of the place. But in others, it's less important.

  14. Photography practice exercises at home

    Practice photography book. A source of ideas and knowledge is a good book. But it can be difficult to choose from the many popular photography books. We've created this list of great books to help beginners and enthusiasts get to grips with photography. Take a look for yourself and see which book suits you best.

  15. 10 Photographic Assignments to Hone Your Skills

    Explore a Technique - spend a weekend really honing your skills in a particular shooting technique. For example you might like to spend time working on using Fill Flash in your shots - or Slow Sync Flash - or Zoom Blur - or Panning etc. Lighting Technique - similarly set yourself the challenge to practice your skills with a particular ...

  16. The Photographer's Playbook: 307 Assignments and Ideas

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  17. How to practice photography

    Yes, all things being equal, an 18mm lens requires you to be closer to the subject than a 50mm or 85mm lens. But different focal lengths can also evoke different feelings in a photo. For example, the wide angle of an 18mm lens is accompanied by a lot of distortion, which can produce a comical or whimsical effect.

  18. 52 photography projects: a great technique to try every ...

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  19. 40 practical photography assignments to inspire you

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  20. 100 Photography Assignments Sheets

    WAS $49, TODAY ONLY $34. 100 Photography Assignment Sheets. Printable / Desktop & Mobile Versions. Three Bonus Photography Ebooks covering ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed. Free Monthly Photography Magazine + past editions (73 issues to date) Lifetime Access including future updates. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. >> YES, GRAB THIS DEAL.

  21. 10 Photography Assignments To Improve Your Photography

    Street Photography. This photography assignment works well to improve your photography. Though it is quite challenging, however, an immense practice can let you capture the strangers on the street beautifully. Take photos of the storefronts, architecture, and everything on the street to make it stand out.

  22. 40 Practical Photography Assignments

    The assignment: take 1,000 photos in a single day. Purpose: The purpose of this assignment is for you to learn how to "work the scene". If you see a good scene, try to take at least 10 photos of each scene. This will allow you to capture better perspectives, angles, and moments.

  23. 65 Best Photography Books for Beginners in 2024

    51. Shooting in Sh*tty Light. The Top Ten Worst Photography Lighting Situations and How to Conquer Them. Lindsay Adler & Erik Valind - Peachpit. This is one of the best photography books for beginners because it deals with everyone's worst fear - sh*tty lighting.