PHOTO THEMES

Unfortunately, like with any creative medium, photographers can experience a block, or lack of ideas for a subject.  It’s no different than a writer drawing a blank on words to add to his book or an artist having a difficult time putting that first stroke of paint to a blank canvas.

With photography, however, we have the advantage of instantaneous results, and we therefore have more options to quickly develop ideas for our photographic subjects.  One of the most popular ways to do this is to create a -themed project-.

• A photo theme simply means creating a set of photographs that are related in some way, whether it be through subject, color or other reoccurring pattern.  • The beauty of doing this is that you are not required to

constantly come up with a new subject or idea for each consecutive photo; once a theme’s subject has been established, you only need to find new instances of that subject.  • This forces you to think along one idea path and allows you to

forget about the subject altogether and concentrate on what’s really important…taking an interesting and thought-provoking photo.

Black and White • All photos should

be taken in black and white or converted to black and white in post-processing. Focus on the tone of the image.

Color• Pick a color, and take

photos where that color is dominant in the image.

Urban Exploration• Explore an out-of-

the-way or dilapidated building (safely, of course).

Street Portraits• A great way to

come out of your shell, so to speak; ask strangers to participate in quick, impromptu portraits.

Food• You can pick a type

of food or shoot a variety. Get up close and personal.

Letters or Numbers• These can be found on

signs, buildings and various other places. Try to assemble the entire alphabet! For an even bigger challenge, you can also take photos of objects that begin with these letters instead

Vintage Signs• Do some research in your

local area, and see how many old signs from decades past remain in your area. Then, photograph the lot! If there aren’t enough locally, try capturing unique or interesting signs of any age.

Setup Scenes• This could include

situational shots, vintage recreations, pinups…the possibilities are endless.

Social Issues• Homelessness, abuse,

alcoholism, you name it

Abstract and Conceptual• Here’s your chance to be a

little heavy in the Photoshop department: Take a photo up close, and go a little nuts with post-processing. Alternately, you can take a picture of an “idea”; try to communicate this idea through nothing but a photo.

Textures• Rough, smooth, serrated,

bumpy, brick, wood, metal…there are tons of textures to capture out there. Shoot close and fill the frame.

Sunsets and Sunrises• Regardless of where

you live, there are always opportunities for spectacular sunsets or sunrises. Collect several of the most dramatic.

Emotions• Happiness, sadness, joy,

envy…how many emotions can you capture with just a photo?

Seasonal• Pick a season such as

winter or summer, and shoot photos that encapsulate the unique qualities of that season.

Reflections• This doesn’t just mean

water; it could be shiny metal or mirrors, among other things.

Sky and Clouds• Skyscapes can be

dramatic and stormy or light and beautiful. Capture as big a variety as you can!

Self Portraits• However uncomfortable it may be for many of us, self-portraits can be

very helpful in opening up and exploring parts of photography we don’t normally find ourselves involved in. Mix it up and be creative with your surroundings and emotion.

Shapes• There are many shapes to

be found in nature, as well as in the man-made world. Try to collect as many as you can. You’ll be amazed to find how they’ve existed right in front of you all along.

Shadows• A challenging theme. Try

capturing nothing but the shadow of your subject. This can be against a wall or on the ground, for example.

Perspectives• Shoot an entire set of

photos from one perspective, such as low to the ground, as a child would see, or from up high. The majority of our shots happen at eye level, and this is a great way to learn how to deviate from that.

Night• Another challenging theme.

Ensure you have the proper settings in place (checking for proper ISO, and a large enough aperture to allow for the minimal light), and create a set of night images, using only artificial light around you. Better yet, what can you capture in bright moonlight?

Architecture• Historic buildings, famous

landmarks, bridges, city skylines and old churches are all good places to start.

Graffiti• Once only frowned upon and

instantly painted over, some graffiti artist have garnered national attention for their work and in some cities are revered for their talent. There is usually no shortage of this material as long as you live close to an urban area.

Specific Architecture• Pick one part of a building

and replicate it elsewhere: Doors, windows, fences and chimneys are all possibilities.

•Research: I want you to research what type of photo theme you want to do.

Photograph Assignment: • 3 Subjects 30 pictures of each subject= 90 ORIGINAL PICTURES

• 50 total edited pictures• Final image for each subject= 3 FINAL PICTURES

Folders:•Lastname.classperiod.phototheme• Subject 1 originals• Subject 2 originals• Subject 3 originals• 50 Edited pictures• Final Images