easy photography assignment

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.

More from The Spruce Crafts

15 Photography Assignments to Challenge and Inspire

By Tata Rossi 23 days ago, Amateur Photography

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

Freebies for Photography Assignments

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Using these presets for beginners, you will be able to enhance portrait, wedding, newborn, landscape, real estate and e-commerce photography. The presets are compatible with all Lightroom versions. Experiment with adjustments to achieve the ideal result!

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

Getting started is one of the biggest hurdles in photography. That’s why I created this 30-day photography 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.

What Is a Photography Challenge?

A photography challenge is a daily exercise that pushes your creativity, enhances your skills, and makes you a better photographer. 

Here, we’re challenging you to try a new photography technique everyday for 30 days. You don’t have to complete it in 30 consecutive days, but the fact there is some kind of stop watch does give you an extra push. 

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 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!

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 photography challenge asks you to take self-portraits more seriously.

Self-portraits in the mirror are still a great option. But using a timer on your camera gives you more freedom, allowing you to be more creative. 

You can be yourself, or you can create characters and alter-egos using costumes. You can check out our list of self-portrait photographers if you need inspiration. 

Day 2: Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds is one of the most basic composition concepts in photography. Using the grid system might be confusing at first, but it’ll change the way you compose your photos. You’ll have more powerful compositions in now time, and this will bread even more enthusiasm for photography.

Day 3: Black and White

Bright, vibrant colos always make photos eye-catching. But when you’re shooting in black and white , you have to find other ways to make your images visually interesting. 

Looking for texture, contrast, or abstract shapes makes you work harder as a photographer. But once you start to see these things, you’ll have a fresh new outlook. 

Day 4: Depth

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

Looking for ways to add depth to your images will strengthen your compositions in different ways. It’ll help you think about foreground and background, and it will help you put more thought into subject placement. 

Day 5: Texture

Looking for texture in your photos is a great way to study how light interacts with surfaces. You’ll notice details you might have overlooked before, and you’ll start to see beauty in simple things like rocks and wood. 

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. After a few shots, you’ll quickly learn the power of perspective in photography. 

Day 7: Low Angle

The same goes for low-angle photography . Explore the ways shooting from a low angle changes the feel and message of your image. Try both low angle and high angle shots with the same subject and see how they differ.

Day 8: Sunset

I think we can all agree that sunsets are beautiful. It’s often easy to get a great sunset picture because they’re look so fabulous. But be experimental with your sunset images. Try different compositions and camera positions to see what you can achieve. 

Day 9: Silhouette

Silhouettes can be a powerful visual element in photography. They are striking, bold, and add mystery to images. The key is to have strong back lighting, so look for situations where the subject is between you and the light source. 

Day 10: Bokeh

This is one of the easiest and most fun photo challenges you can do. It’s a simple technique every photographer needs to know. And as long as you know about aperture, you’ll be able to create the bokeh effect in your images. 

Time to open up your lens aperture and capture incredible bokeh shots!

Day 11: Landscape

Landscape photography is one of the most traditional genres. All you need to do is find a location that visually interesting. Rural scenes and mountains come to mind, but you can even shoot industrial landscapes. Use what you have available to you. 

Day 12: Balanced

There’s something calming and satisfying about a well-balance photo. That’s why learning about balance in photography can improve your composition.

Day 13: Unbalanced

An unbalanced photo can have a distressing effect on the viewer. There’s a sense of instability and disorder, and learning to harness these feelings will make you a more powerful photographer. 

Day 14: Lens Flare

Take photos facing the sun to create beautiful lens flare . Be careful not to point the camera directly at the sun, but experiment with how direct sunlight can create beautiful visual elements. 

Day 15: Portrait

Portraiture are one of the most popular forms of photography. All you need is a willing model, and you can try your hand a captivating portrait photography .

Day 16: Dynamic Tension

For interest and drama, look for the interaction of opposing elements, such as contrasting shapes, colors, or lines. This gives your images a sense of dynamic tension . 

Day 17: Slow Sync Flash

You don’t need fancy equipment for this challenge. Using a slow-sync flash is a great way to experiment with flash photography. You’ll have some really interesting results. 

Day 18: Frame Within a Frame

Improve your composition skills by trying the frame-within-a-frame technique . Look for natural frames in your environment and use them as a framing device in your images. 

Day 19: Panorama

Are you bored with regular landscape images? Now is the time for you to learn how to take epic panorama images .

Day 20: Panning

Do you need to improve your action photography? If so, you’ll find panning the camera an easy technique that brings a sense of movement and energy to your images. It’s surprising how easy it is!

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 !

You will need a bit of additional equipment for colorful water drop photography , but there’s nothing expensive or difficult to find. 

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 the Harris Shutter Effect .

Day 23: Light Painting

Light painting 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

Street photography is another popular genre of photography. All you need to do is roam the streets with you camera, capturing life as it moves around you. 

Day 26: Complementary Colors

Even just a small amount of knowledge about color theory can make a big difference to your photography. Use complementary colors in your images to add more vitality to your images. 

Day 27: Architecture

Try your hand at architecture photography by taking pictures of interesting buildings. They can be small or large. They can be brick or wood. You just have to capture them in a way that’s visually stimulating. 

Day 28: Hidden Camera Mirror Photo

This is a tricky one, but you’re near the end of the 30-day challenge so you’re basically a pro. The hidden camera mirror selfie is a great way to impress people. And it’s a fabulous technique once you can use it. 

Day 29: Night

This photography challenge is a great way to test your photography skills. Night photography requires knowing how to use your equipment correctly, but those skills will come in handy any time you’re shooting after dark.

Day 30: Light Graffiti

Take out your colorful flashlights and do some nighttime light graffiti photography ! This is a more free-form style of light painting.

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 get. After this intense photography challenge, you’ll definitely see the improvement in your camera 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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DIGITAL PHOTO MENTOR

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

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

100 Creative Photography Assignments

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

Buy it now and get out there taking photos!

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!

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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10 Simple and Practical Photography Assignment Ideas

If you are hungry for direction and inspiration in your photography, try these 10 simple and practical photography assignments:

Learn how to become your own master in photography >

STREET NOTES: Mobile Edition

STREET NOTES: Reinspire Yourself in Street photography >

1. Photograph cutouts

Often, cutouts look more human than humans:

2. Photograph decapitated body parts

3. Photograph your own shadow

Honor thy selfie .

4. Photograph the flag

What does the flag symbolize, and what situations do you see it in? How does that affect the meaning or the “sacredness” of the flag?

5. Photograph inside grocery stores

When you go to buy groceries, bring your camera along.

6. Photograph inside fast food chains

McDonald’s is a great place to enter (briefly), taking a few photos, then leaving.

7. Photograph churches, and religious iconography

8. Photograph fathers with their daughters

9. Photograph at or inside gas stations

10. Photograph couples

Take your street photography to the next level:

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Learn timeless lessons from the masters of street photography >

STREET NOTES

Take your street photography to the next level with STREET NOTES >

STREET NOTES MOBILE EDITION >

HENRI NECK STRAP

Never miss another decisive moment ever again >

HENRI WRIST STRAP: PHANTOM BLACK

Conquer the streets with HENRI PHANTOM BLACK >

FREE Ultimate Beginners Guide To Street Photography PDF Visualizations >

What is “Reality”?

Why bitcoin is not a ponzi scheme, why is it called a ponzi scheme what is the etymology of the term in history.

Creative Field

• Coming Soon

11 Inspiring Exercises to Challenge You As A Photographer

We sometimes set photography aside instead of including it into our daily lives and it might slowly become something you have to do. If you haven’t seen the 30 Day Photography Challenge or these 27 Engaging Photography Challenges , check them out.

With these assignments you’ll embark on a transformative adventure that will challenge your knowledge, ignite your creativity, and reshape the way you perceive and capture images.

In these 11 photography challenges you will explore new techniques, experiment with composition, and uncover narratives within your surroundings. Remember that the true essence of photography lies not only in capturing moments but also in weaving compelling stories through your images.

So, let’s elevate your photography, challenge your knowledge, and transform the way you perceive the world around you.

Table of Contents

1. Something invisible

In the realm of photography, there is this expectation in capturing something that is visible.

This assignment invites you to look into the elusive, and the hidden aspects of our world.

It can be anything you decide.

How would you capture an emotion? A smell ? or warmth ?

2. Create a portrait based on something you saw on the news

Find any newspaper, it can be a recent one or one that’s happened long time ago.

Find a newsarticle that has reportage images in it and choose to recreate one, preferrably a portrait. Make it so that the image and the message still remains the same, but you can bring something of your own to it.

Inspect the image to find out where was the location and whether you can find something similar in your area. Who was this person and what were they wearing; create as ideantical image as you can.

3. Book as an idea and an object

Find a book.

What is the theme in the book ?

Create an image of the book:

Capture an image that embodies the essence of the book’s theme, whether it be a children’s book or a crime book. Let your imagination soar as you craft a visual masterpiece where the book takes center stage. Create an interesting photograph where the book is both the theme and the object.

4. Tell me a story

Have a conversation with someone and let them tell you a story. Ask about details and really paint the picture of what happened.

Create an image based on the story.

Visualize their experience and ask them whether the image portrays what they were telling you.

Pick a letter from the alphabet.

Now look for that letter in shapes and compositions in your surroundings.

You can decide to start from A and moving on to Z, or then go out and create them all at once.

This assignment will challenge tyou to look at things in a different way, to see se invisible.

6. Hands tell the story

Whoever you encounter during your days, ask to phootograph their hands. Hands tell such a story, and are a reflection of their character. Photograph young hands and older hands, let them create a pose with their hands.

7. Meaningful

You have 2 hrs.

What do you find meaningful in your life?

Photograph that.

Do not limit yourself with any specific number, or think it needs to be an object – look out for spaces and people you find meaningful.

8. Daily practice

We usually like to take time to do these assignments, but instead, this assignment is something you can do daily without any preparation. You just photograph whenever you even think about photographing. Whenever you remember about this assignment, you take a photograph.

What it is that is around you at that time, capture it. Do not think about it more than you need to.

This will challenge you to not always think with logic about your subjects. Sometimes you just need to capture that which you see.

9. Discomfort

Photograph something that reflects discomfort. Maybe it is something you see someone else is experiencing, or maybe you feel discomfort in a situation.

Think about how can you visualize something that is not clearly visible.

10. Photograph someone doing something to someone else

A mother brushing her daughters hair.

A fruit vendor selling their fruit to a customer.

Every day, we witness people performing acts towards others. Go out and look for these small events trying to capture the moment between the two of them.

11. Photograph who you are

This might seem like an easy assignment to create, because we are the main subject.

Are you a reflection of your profession?

Are you a great friend or a spouse ?

Or are you someone who likes reading books / going for walks / swimming?

Look within yourself to find who you are and how you can capture it in a photograph.

Aiheeseen liittyy

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