Some Photography Exercises to Sharpen Your Skills or Reset Yourself
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, it’s important to regularly practice and refine your photography skills. Even now, I still find ways to challenge myself and learn new techniques. Sometimes, it was even just to reset my creative mindset. We have to deal with many projects, clients, and expectations, so taking the time to experiment and improve our skills is crucial. It helps to keep the love for photography alive and ensures that we continue to produce high-quality work. I hope these exercises can inspire you to find new ways to engage with photography and develop your skills.
One way to do this is through a fun and challenging exercise that takes you out of your comfort zone and encourages you to experiment with new techniques and perspectives.
Here’s a photography exercise that you can try out:
- Pick a Theme
Start by choosing a theme or a concept that you would like to explore in your photos. It could be something simple like “shapes” or “textures”, or you could go for something more complex like “emotions” or “relationships”. The important thing is to have a clear idea of what you want to capture in your photos.
- Set Your Camera Settings
Before you start shooting, take some time to adjust your camera settings to best capture your chosen theme. For example, if you’re focusing on shapes, you may want to use a wider aperture to create a shallow depth of field and make your subjects stand out. Alternatively, if you’re aiming for a softer, dreamier feel, you could experiment with a slower shutter speed and intentional camera movement.
- Look for Inspiration
Next, look for inspiration in your surroundings. Take a walk around your neighborhood, head to a nearby park or beach, or even explore your home or office with fresh eyes. As you look around, keep your chosen theme in mind and seek out subjects that fit the bill. Don’t be afraid to get creative and experiment with different angles, lighting, and compositions.
- Shoot, Edit and Review
Once you’ve found your subjects, take plenty of photos from different angles and perspectives. Try out different settings and techniques to see what works best for you and your chosen theme. Afterwards, take a break and revisit your photos later with a fresh perspective. Review them carefully and choose your favourites to edit and share with others.
- Share and Learn
Finally, share your photos with other photographers and ask for feedback. Look for constructive criticism and advice on how to improve your skills and take your photography to the next level. If we do not see or know how others view our work, we may miss out on valuable insights and opportunities for growth.
By regularly practicing with exercises like this, you can improve your photography skills and develop your own unique style. So why not give it a try and see what you can create?
Happy shooting!
<3 Ann