13 Creative Exercises for Photographers [video]

In this great video by B&H Photo & Video, photographer David Flores, along with the help of B&H’s Todd Vorenkamp, discuss 13 ways you can get your creative photography juices flowing.

In the video, David outlines the following 13 creative exercises for photographers.

13 creative exercises for photographers

1. 2 Dozen

Find a spot and stand in it. Take 24 photos while in that spot.

2. Ten of One

Take 10 photos of one small object. You may need to use close-up or macro.

3. Four Corners

Choose one subject and place it in each for corners of your frame.

4. Set artificial restrictions

Set yourself restrictions of using one of only the following: Color, black and white, photographing while lying down, shadows, only one location, one lens, over-exposing, under-exposing, filling the frame, or negative space. You may think of others you can use too.

5. Use Film

Buy a roll of film so you have to limit your max shooting number to 24 or 36.

6. 12 abstracts

Pick one single common object, take 12 photos.

7. A portable subject

Find something to carry with you and work it into your subject.

8. The Unselfie-selfie

Put yourself into the frame. Use a tripod and set up some nicely framed compositions.

9. The Mixing Bowl

Lot’s of exercises in one. Write a bunch of different exercises down onto a piece of paper and cut them into strips. Place them into a bowl/hat and pick one out. That is the exercise you focus on.

10. The Change-Up

Try a different genre of photography.

11. 9 elements

Include the 9 elements of art. Light, Shadow, line, shape, form, texture, color, size, depth. Add focus, tonality, quality of light, negative space. Take only one image per element.

12. Steps

Go somewhere you have always wanted to photograph. Pick a number of steps to take before stopping to take a photograph. Use this number over a few blocks and see what you end up photographing.

13. Two Trips

Go to a space without your camera and then go back with your camera afterward and photograph the things you had noticed.

You may also find the following articles helpful in finding photographic inspiration.

• 25 Photography Projects Perfect for the New Year
• How to Make Creative Photos with Prism Photography
• 7 Ways To Take Your Photography To The Next Level
• How To Stimulate Your Photography by Learning From the Best
• 7 Steps to Find Inspiration so You Can Create Phenomenal Photographs
• 200 Photography Assignments that Inspire, Motivate and Teach
• 7 Tips for Finding Inspiration When You’re Stuck
• 7 Ideas to Inspire Your Creativity