Travel’s on hold. Parks are shut down. And self-isolation has many photographers stuck at home and desperate for creative stimulation. Of course, it’s tough to find inspiration to do anything creative these days, especially when your typical go-to photography subjects are on lockdown. But quarantines and shelter-in-place orders don’t have to pause all of your photography. In fact, this is as good a time as any to test your skills with a new style or subject……
If you’re feeling creatively stuck and miss that energy jolt that comes from holding a camera, you’re in luck. We’ve compiled six things you can safely photograph during the pandemic to get those juices flowing……
1. Astrophotography
Few things are as awe-inducing as a star-speckled night sky, and in a pandemic, we could all use a bit more awe-factor. That’s why now is the perfect time to break into astrophotography. This is particularly great for those who live in more rural, country areas; you have limited light pollution which means those stars pop like crazy. For those in the city, this may not be as readily possible, given the increased light pollution. The International Dark Sky Association has a map of the darkest places in the country to help you see if your area is optimal for astrophotography. For best results, wait for the days surrounding a new moon, and shoot for those clear, cloud-free nights. Here’s our guide to getting started with astrophotography.
2. Macrophotography
Once you start practicing macrophotography, you’ll see the world a bit differently. This style of photography is incredibly easy to practice while sheltering in place; virtually everything around your house is fair game. Think cacti, plants, flowers, water droplets, textures, foods, and even ice cubes can make for interesting macro subjects. If you can head to your backyard garden, even better! Bugs are great macro subjects, too. While you can practice macrophotography with something as simple as an iPhone, or really any gear you have handy, here are some of our favorite macro lenses when you’re ready to up your game.
3. Food photography
If you find yourself drooling over food Instagrammers’ photos but can’t seem to perfect your own, use this self-isolation time to experiment. Make a photogenic dish such as a colorful salad or fresh avocado toast, place it by a window for natural light, set the table with a few accessories (think small plants, silverware, coasters) and start shooting. Try aerial shots, head-on angles, and action photos, with different parts of the meal in focus. This will help you understand which dishes look best, and gives you the time and freedom to practice without eyebrow-raised glances from fellow diners. For more inspiration, read about how food Instagrammer Jessica Hirsch (@cheatdayeats) makes her dish images drool-worthy.
4. Pet photography
If the pandemic’s “see a dog, share a dog” Instagram-story trend tells you anything, it’s that people want to see pet photos now more than ever. So think about pet photography as more than just a creative project — it’s giving you the chance to help others in need (via adorable animal), while social distancing! Now, whether you’re doing it for lighthearted reasons, or you just need another excuse to photograph your pet, here are some tips. Get on your pet’s level; photographing head-on helps their emotion and personality come across better than a shot from up above. Also, talk to them while you’re shooting. Nothing’s cuter than a little head-cock or perky ears. And don’t forget action shots! Crank that shutter and capture your pup jumping for a ball, or photograph your cat pouncing on its favorite toy. These action shots are not only adorable, they’ll help you train for wildlife excursions like safaris for life post-pandemic.
5. Architecture photography
If you’re still able to walk around outside (with precautions and while obviously social distancing), you can try your hand at architecture or building photography. Use the interesting buildings in your neighborhood to play around with angles, lighting, or perspectives. This could including shooting straight up to capture those sky-high towers, or capturing a peek of sunlight hitting the colorful door of an old building just perfectly. Architecture photography doesn’t have to be in a big city; look for any unique structures, buildings, bridges, or sculptures in and around your hometown. Here are some of our favorite architecture photography tips.
6. Self-portraiture
Yes, you can photograph you! Set up a tripod, a simple background, and get to work photographing your most available subject. Get creative with props, poses, and angles, and maybe capture your own next best headshot. You might find photographing yourself to be the most challenging of all, but follow tips from fine art and self-portraiture artist Brooke Shaden for inspiration, and maybe even have a little fun with the editing.
