4 tips to improve your photo skills without boarding a plane

Have you had your camera out lately? Taken any photos? I’m hearing from a lot of people that they just don’t feel like taking any. That they need inspiration. If you’re reading this in the future, let me give you a little context. It’s 2021 and we’re right in the middle of a big fat pandemic that has brought travel to a screeching halt.

And therefore, we’re all at home, with nothing to photograph. Or is there??

Of course there’s something to photograph!! There is ALWAYS something to photograph! But I know, I get it. Sometimes we don’t SEE those things. We can only take so many photos of our backyards. Right?! (looking at the 97 photos of MY back yard that I have). We look at the same crap every day, and we’re just tired of seeing it. So why the heck would we want to take photos of it?? Here’s why...

There are lots of things that you can do to improve your photos skills at home. Why? Because you STILL have creative energy in there dying to come out. And it’s healthy for you to be creative - don’t deny it...it’s science. And if you get super comfortable with your camera settings, lighting, editing...all the stuff...then when you DO travel you’ll be ready to create some freaking amazing photos. To tell the story of your adventure like a seasoned National Geographic photographer.

Okay, let’s do this. 4 ways to improve your travel photo skills at home. Right now.

See how beautiful food can be?? And that light!

#1 PHOTOGRAPH FOOD

Whether that means fresh produce from your grocery store or farmer’s market...ingredients for that dish you’re preparing...or even the final beautiful roasted chicken in all its glory. Food makes for some wonderful subjects.

The colors, textures, feelings associated with food...so much culture and storytelling is wrapped up in the food that we prepare and eat. 

Making food your subject gives you the opportunity to practice shallow depth of field by making one item your hero. Like the tomato in a salad, or the vibrant saffron rice on the table of many dishes. Or you can practice creating a photo that captures the entire feast across the whole table with deep depth of field.

I’m such a fan of food photography, that I’ve actually written an entire blog post about it. And that blog post had to be divided into two, because I went on and on...and on. Check out Part 1 here and Part Deux (my French is coming right along, isn't’ it?) here.

Not only is taking photos of food a good way to learn about shallow depth of field and camera settings, but also lighting. Looking at just how the light hits the different parts of the tomato, or cheese, or bread...OK I’ll move on. Check out the other blog posts on food for all the glorious details. 

Notice how the light create highlights in some places, and shadows in others…all while shopping at the local Farmer’s market.

#2 BECOME FAMILIAR WITH LIGHT

This is one of those slightly confusing subjects that takes a while to completely understand. It’s something we see every day, but usually take for granted. It’s light, it’s bright, it’s cloudy, now it’s dark. But in photography you take it to a new level of awareness.

With camera in hand, now you’re looking at light from a whole different perspective. What’s the color, direction...is it harsh or soft? And sometimes when you hear those terms associated with light, it doesn’t make complete sense. I mean what the hell is soft light? What does “good light” even mean?

Here’s my challenge to you. Plan a day to work with the light. If you live somewhere that’s short on light right now (talking to you Pacific Northwest) then use a lamp or any kind of light source.

If you’re going to work with natural light, then take photos early in the morning, and then at mid-morning, say 10am, then at noon, then mid-afternoon say 2pm, and then in the evening just before sunrise. It would be nice if you could photograph the same thing during each of those times. Just something simple like a tree in your yard, or a vase on a table near a window. 

If you’re working with a light source like a lamp, then find a subject  like that vase I mentioned, or even an apple. Place it on a table and put the lamp at the 12:00 position in relation to the subject, we’ll say apple. Take some photos from different angles - get up high, down low, from each side… Now move the lamp clockwise about 90 degrees. This doesn’t have to be precise - it’s not a science experiment. Take some more photos. Keep rotating the light around the apple until you’ve photographed all different angles of light.

What's the goal here? To start SEEING the light and how it hits your subject. How it affects the shape and color...and shadows. Where do the shadows fall? What part of your subject is shadowed versus lit? 

Once you’ve played around with light at home, where it’s comfortable, and there’s no itinerary...the next time you travel you’ll notice so much more, and be able to process how the light will impact your photos. AND you’ll be able to do that faster, without having to think so much about it.

There’s SO much you could do with light - this is just one example. But ultimately what I want is for you to start noticing it everywhere. When you look out the window, go for a walk, look at the books on your shelf. How is the light streaming across them... what kinds of shadows are created...how would you photograph it?

Notice the backlighting of this daffodil during this time of the morning. The petals almost glow as the light streams through them.

#3 CHOOSE A THEME

This one is to give you some structure to get out your camera on a regular basis with a specific purpose in mind.

Choose a theme that you want to photograph, and choose a timeframe for its completion. For example self portraits for 7 days. Or breakfast for a month. How about backyard birds for 3 days. Oh here’s one...your dog’s different nap positions for 24 hours. I think you get the point. It can be absolutely ANYTHING. 

Now it’s better and more motivating if it’s a subject that is meaningful or at least interesting to you. So how do you come up with something?

Get creative. Journaling often helps ideas form for me, so let’s try that. Go old-school and get out a pen and paper. Make a list of 10 things that make you fussy. Now 10 things that make you happy. Now 10 things that you wish you could change in the world. Now 10 things that you wish you had in your life that aren’t. How about 10 things that you’re grateful for. As you look over your lists...does anything stand out? Does anything scream “take photos of me??” 

Once you choose your theme, think or write about how you want to photograph it. How often, for how long, what do you want to show in your photos? It can be as simple or complex as you feel inspired to take on.

I’m not saying I didn’t photograph Maggie napping for a whole day…but come on look how precious she is!!

#4 SCHEDULE WEEKLY CAMERA PLAYDATES

I’ve mentioned Julia Cameron before. She’s the godmother of creativity, author of The Artist’s Way. And she’s the one who came up with the idea of the Artist Date, which is really just scheduling time to do something artistic every single week - to explore something that’s interesting to you.

I like to expand on that to make it a playdate with your camera. Because I think we get too serious about it all...too caught up in the camera settings and technical junk and forget about how fun it can all be. How enjoyable it is to create something.

So for your weekly camera playdates, here’s what I want you to do. Let go of the inner critic - she has to stay at home. Let your inner creative come out to play and do something fun with your camera. For an hour, a day, heck even 30 minutes. Just schedule some time every week to get your camera out and create something...anything really. 

If you need ideas, go back to #1, #2, or #3. Or here are some more ideas for getting creative with your camera...my Camera Creativity Guide. If you haven’t grabbed that yet (yes it’s free) then what are you waiting for? Your camera and fun are calling!

I LOVE street art, and it makes a fantastic subject for your camera playdates! This photo was made in Jersey City.

Are you feeling inspired? Motivated to get your camera out? I hope so!! And once you give these a whirl, come on over to our Facebook group, PhotoFluent Travelers. Because if you know me at all, you know I’m going to want to see what you’re up to!