Not being able to get out there together is frustrating us all at the moment. The spring is blooming, yet we are having to admire the wonderful countryside we love to explore from a safe distance.
When I’m not working at Open Country, I am my alter ego, ‘The Flat Capped Photographer,’ teaching photography on my ‘Yorkshire Photo Walks.’ You might think that not having access to the countryside means our cameras are destined to gather dust, but think again! You don’t have to have state of the art camera equipment to get snap happy at home during lockdown. If you have a simple point and shoot camera or just a smartphone, follow my top ten creative tips below, and you will soon have a gallery full of amazing photos.
1. Get Closer
By getting closer to your subject you will start to notice details you never knew existed. Even something as ordinary as a cheese grater can look amazing close up!
2. Alter your Angle
When we take a photograph our instinct is to photograph it from eye level but, getting down low or looking down on your subject from above, can alter the perspective and shed new light on an everyday object.
3. Look for Leading Lines
Lines are a great way to direct people’s eyes through a photograph. By including a line that leads to your subject from the edge of the frame, you will improve the composition of the shot. The line could be anything from the edge of a table to the fence in your back garden.
4. Keep the Background Simple
The background to a photograph is as important as the subject itself. Make sure there isn’t anything distracting behind your focal point and isolate the beauty of what you’re capturing.
5. Strive for Sensational Symmetry
Our eyes are always drawn to symmetrical and concentric patterns. You could try using a mirror or find naturally symmetrical subjects to make eye-catching photographs.
6. Try being Abstract
“That’s good, what is it?” If you hear this phrase, you know you have taken a good abstract photograph. Take an everyday object, photograph it out of context or snap it from an unusual angle, for a mind bending shot.
7. Experiment with Light
When the sun is out try photographing shadows and silhouettes. I’m sure you can find something close to hand that has an unusual shape and casts a really interesting shadow. If the sun isn’t out, try using a torch.
8. Bring the Count
ryside to You
Most of us have access to some greenery, even if it is just a window box. If you get down to the level of the greenery you are photographing, you can make even the fresh herbs on your kitchen windowsill, look like the verdant valleys of Yorkshire.
9. Play with your Food
Food is a brilliant subject for photography. Try out different angles, a variety of ingredients and try being creative with lighting. You’ll soon make your beans on toast look like they are fit for the front cover of the latest, best selling cook book.
10. Join The Rainbo
w Project
During lockdown the rainbow has become a symbol of hope. For the rainbow project your challenge is to allocate a colour of the rainbow to each day of the week and photograph as many subjects of that colour you can find, on that day. By the end of the week you will have a colourful array of shots, from which you can create a wonderful rainbow collage.
Although we can’t get #OutThereTogether at the moment, we can keep our spirits up through being creative with our cameras. You don’t have to be at the top of Ingleborough, scaling the cliffs at Bempton or wandering through the Wolds to get an amazing photograph. If you have a camera and a bit of inspiration, it’s amazing what you can achieve from the comfort of your own home.
Why not share your photographs with us on Social Media?
For more inspirational photography tips, ideas and video tutorials please visit my website yorkshirephotowalks.com
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