A lot of photography techniques can be complex and require a steep learning curve.
But in today’s article, you’ll learn 11 easy creative photography techniques you can start using today! The techniques described below all require minimal extra equipment and don’t require additional post-processing.
Read on to get the most creativity from your camera with these easy-to-use techniques.
1. Reflection
This is an easy creative photography technique to learn and is popular among many photographers. The main requirement is finding a reflective surface, though this is not all there is to it. Consider the following, and you’ll be capturing amazing reflection photos in no time:
- Reflective surface: Look for surfaces that reflect (and there are many). Flat water works well, as does glass, marble, or even a regular mirror.
- Choose a main subject: A successful photo will match up a reflective surface with an interesting main subject. Consider going out after it’s rained, as a puddle in front of a famous monument may only be there after heavy rain.
- Find the angle: To get a better reflection, choose the correct angle. This often means getting right up against the reflective surface so the angle of reflection is shallow.
- Create your own: No reflective surface? No problem. Just create one! Use the surface of a smartphone, a small mirror, or perhaps a bucket that you use to spread water and create a puddle.
- A filter: The best way to control your reflection is by using a circular polarizing filter.
2. Silhouettes
The next option on this list of easy creative photography techniques is silhouettes.
Silhouettes occur when you photograph against the light. The key is to find an interesting shape, and then make sure the background is brighter than the object itself.
You’ll often need to get down to a low angle and then photograph up toward the sky; that way, you can ensure the silhouetted object stands out against the bright background.
Also, when photographing silhouettes, make sure you expose for the bright background. This will turn the subject into a dark silhouette.
3. Repetition
A great design element to add to your frame is repetition.
This is something you’ll usually need to look for, but it’s sometimes possible to create your own repetition. There are possibilities for this both in nature and in the man-made world. Repetition may take the form of a line of trees, or of many bricks in a wall. The question, then, is how you’ll use this repetition.
Here are a few ways you can work with repetition to improve your photos:
- Create a texture photo: In this case, the high level of repetition forms a texture.
- Break the pattern: Here everything else is the same, with one variation. This works well to highlight that variation, which will then be the photo’s main subject.
- Use background repetition: Backgrounds with repetition work very well for portrait photos or still life images.
- Two or three: You don’t need to have repetition to infinity; two or three repeating objects, such as wine glasses, can work well.
4. Refraction
This is a form of photography that can be practiced with a camera as simple as a smartphone. You’re probably thinking of lensballs, but refraction photography can take many forms, including:
- A lensball: This is a large glass ball that creates a refracted image of the background inside it.
- A prism: A prism splits the light and can be used to produce a rainbow. You could either photograph the projected rainbow or photograph through the prism.
- Water drops: Get out after it’s rained, and you can produce refraction in things such as water drops on a spider’s web.
- A wine glass: Fill a wine glass with water, and you will see the refraction effect!
5. Contrast
Contrast is a great concept to use in your photography.
The most obvious way to use contrast is by emphasizing dark and light areas of your photo through things such as silhouettes and shadows. But this is not the only way contrast can be used in your photography; anything that has an opposite can be used. You might choose to contrast something old with something new, for example.
6. Framing
The world is full of frames, from pictures on the wall to window frames. These frames can be used in photography, which is another easy creative photography technique.
You can achieve a great framed photo with any kind of camera. Good options for this include doorways and windows. You can even become more creative and make your own frame using objects that contextualize the scene behind it.
7. Panning
Panning is a form of intentional camera movement. The technique involves following the motion of a moving object and using a slower shutter speed to blur the background behind it.
As long as your camera allows you to use a slow shutter speed, this is a technique you can try. Those using a smartphone should download an app that allows you to use a slower shutter speed to take a photo.
8. Point of view
Changing your angle can give you dramatically different results, and it doesn’t matter which type of camera you use for this technique.
It’s easy to photograph from a standing position, but try some of these alternative angles:
- Low angle: With this angle, you’ll get low to the ground. Things look different from down there!
- Worm’s-eye view: This angle involves looking straight up. It can be even more dramatic when you get right down to the ground.
- Bird’s-eye view: The easiest way these days to take a bird’s-eye view image is with a drone. However, find a high vantage point from a tall building and you can achieve a similar result.
9. Lines
Using powerful lines in your photos will almost always give you a strong composition. The trick, of course, is to utilize those lines correctly using the focal length available to you.
Here are some of the lines that can be used in your photography:
- Leading lines: A leading line leads the eye to the main subject of your photo. This line might take the form of a road or a river meandering through your frame.
- Horizon lines: Many photographs have horizon lines in them, which is a strong line running through the middle of your frame. Look to position it at the top or bottom third of your photo (using the rule of thirds).
- Converging lines: In some photos, many lines converge at one point: the infinity point. This can be compositionally very strong. Look for lines of trees or a tunnel for this type of photo.
10. Shadows
Photographing shadows requires a strong light source. This can be the sun, but an external flash is another option.
The best time of the day to photograph shadows is therefore when the sun is at a low angle: an hour after sunrise or an hour before sunset.
Shadows can be formed and used in different ways. You might photograph a person’s shadow, shadows formed from trees, or the way shadows emphasize the shapes of hills.
11. Minimalism
Keeping your composition nice and clean is the key to a good photo. This means that one of the best easy creative photography techniques is minimalism.
You can create minimalism even in the most cluttered environment as long as you frame your photo correctly. This style of photography requires that you give your subject some room to breathe. Focus on the main subject and position it in front of an uncluttered background.
Try out these easy creative photography techniques, yourself!
There are so many ways to be creative with photography. Which techniques do you like to use? Are there any simple-to-apply techniques you’ve tried that didn’t make this list? Share your thoughts in the comments!
And if you have any photos that illustrate these techniques, share them in the comments, too!
Then get photographing with these easy creative photography techniques!
