Want to capture incredible shots within the comforts of your home? Or just trying to find inspiration but don’t know where to start?
We know how overwhelming the world of photography is, especially when you are just starting. But trust us, once you know how to handle the camera and begin to click some photos, your creative ideas will follow, and you will be on your way to becoming a kick-ass photographer.
One of the most exciting aspects of photography is that it allows you to tell your unique story through your images. You can capture the world around you using various techniques and perspectives in new and unexpected ways, creating visually stunning and significant photos.
However, until that happens, we have covered you with these photography ideas. The best part, you don’t need to be an expert in handling your camera since these tips are for beginners.
Let’s get started!
Photography Ideas for Beginners at Home
1. Getting Started with Silhouette Photography
We are starting with a tough one, although a very impactful type of photography style. Like all kinds of photography, the main subject is the focus here, but with a twist. Here the main object appears in the dark, creating the perfect outline of the issue because silhouettes are taken against the light source.
In your home, windows and doors with a light source from behind can be an excellent location for silhouette photography.
In the above image, the sun’s rays clearly outline the girl sitting on her desk. Silhouette photography adds mystery and curiosity to the viewer’s mind. However, at the back of your mind, you must also wonder what this girl is doing sitting at her desk.
2. Shooting from above
We always take pictures from a set angle, i.e., in front of the main subject. However, the home gives you the right opportunity to explore a different than usual angle, that is, shooting from above.
This angle is frequently used in food photography, where one needs to capture the different contrast colors and the ingredients to the viewers to entice them. Also, this angle is often used to capture the city’s landscape through a bird’s eye view.
In a particular frame, much more details are captured when the photo is snapped from the above rather than from the side. Using the above image’s example, we can easily comprehend that the father is teaching his daughter how to paint. Not only this, but we can also see what the father drew in the first place.
If you noticed, the main subject in the photo is a little tricky to differentiate when you’re shooting from above. However, this makes it the ideal angle for snapping images if you want the viewers to focus on all the subjects.
3. Using Rubik’s Cube
Don’t worry! We are not asking you to solve it. But the different colors of the cube helped many photographers learn the skill of color balancing and contrast adjustments. And so can you!
Rubik’s cubes are widely available. They can be easily used to make any frame aesthetic by placing it in different areas of the home.
If you think about it, the above image is super simple and doesn’t require a high-end camera. However, it needs a creative mindset and the ability to see things others can miss.
This photo is also an example of color balancing and contrast adjustments, making the above picture aesthetically pleasing. As a beginner, you can also place Rubik’s cubes on different furniture in your home to get the right colors.
4. Self Portraits
Sounds easy, but taking a photo of yourself with the intention of a portrait where you’re the main subject is very challenging. It’s an essential skill to master since self-portraits also help you take better photos of others. Since you can feel how one experiences, what the doubts in the subject’s mind, and also tweaking the camera settings as per the perfect shot demands!
The main element in portrait photography is the ability to capture the emotion and mood of the subject.
Buying a tripod stand is advisable so your camera remains sturdy for better shots. You can also invest in a remote shutter button, a portable device from which you can click photos even when you’re away from the camera by just pushing a button.
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In the above photo, the emotions seem to be successfully captured. A happy couple with warm tones of light gives the image a sense of warmth and makes the viewers feel in awe. The color is also appropriately balanced with light shades of the sky, darker shades of bushes, the outfit, and the cap.
At home, you can try this in a garden with natural light and open skies. So that the color intonation remains perfect and the pictures look well put together.
5. Cobwebs
Often not visible with the naked eye, but a camera can capture the cobwebs perfectly if you choose the right timing. The right timing is when there is a high concentration of moisture in the air, i.e., early morning and late night. This happens because moisture sticks to the cobwebs, making them even more visible.
In the above image, the strings of the web are covered with tiny droplets of water called mist. It is helping the cobweb become more visible. You can even take macro photography shots like the one above with the manual mode. Macro photography truly captures the beauty of cobwebs in much finer detail.
6. Catching Glimpses of Astronomical Events
Astronomical events like shooting stars, eclipses, extreme thunder, and lightning can be a great experience to capture. But what makes them truly unique is their limited nature. And if you’re the one to catch it at the right moment. You will be the sole owner of that art. Having them in your portfolio is the luck not many artists possess.
Coming to photography, just a mere attempt to capture them teaches you to always be ready on your feet for the shot. Moreover, it teaches us to be safe and sound in adversity and emerge as winners!
The above photo captures the crescent moon in all its glory. The brightness of the moon and the dark skies ultimately depicts the color balance in the frame. The editing is also done, keeping the alignment in mind.
As a beginner in photography, capturing the moon like this will be challenging since it requires high-end cameras for better resolution. However, it’s worth giving a shot since the skills necessary are the same.
7. House Plants and Flowers
Plants and flowers teach you a lot about balancing the color in the frames because of their diverse colors. And also, the angle plays a pivotal role while taking a snap of pants and flowers.
In addition, they are widely used in macro photography, where you attempt to capture the finer details of the main subject.
In the above photo, the photographer tried to capture the before and after shots of the bud in a creative way. If you divide the frame horizontally from the middle, you will notice in the lower half that the green stem seems perfectly blended with the green tones in the background.
In the upper part, the color balance, i.e., pairing up shades of red with a dark background, enhanced the main subject’s aesthetic.
Even as a beginner, these shots are easiest to take since the subject is closer to you, and the requirement of owning a high-end camera doesn’t seem to exist here. Moreover, many phones these days come with stellar macro photography modes.
8. Use Doors and Windows
In addition to using doors and windows in a Silhouette type of photography, you can use them as a frame to capture your main subject aesthetically. They make up for a default frame and are widely used for photographing families. You can also experiment with aligning your structure concerning the door and windows. It’s a good practice that separates professionals from amateurs.
The above photo is a real example of frame in frame. Doors and windows are a frame for family photographs, full-body portraits, outfit shoots, etc. Due to the minimal nature of most doors and windows, the main subject gets the enhanced attention of the viewer, which is beneficial in family portraits since many issues compete for the viewer’s attention.
9. Window Light Portrait
This type of portrait doesn’t require a natural landscape with excellent light exposure to be perfect. And that’s the beauty of window light portraits. They can be mastered within the comforts of your home.
However, a good tip is to choose a window with abundant sunlight and watch how the light changes throughout the day. If you want to go a step further, put an object there and see how light affects the composition of the main thing.
By repetition and observation, you will get a window of opportunity (quite literally)! to click your best photo.
In the above photo, the light appropriately highlighted her skin texture and captured the expression in the best possible way. Change the lighting, and the result won’t be the same.
What’s also enhancing the visual appeal are the black and white colors used and the increased softness of the image. But, of course, as a beginner, you can also incorporate these things in editing.
10. Capture the Food
This is the most excellent thing to find in a household. So next time you order a fancy dish, try playing around with the food photography instead of eating it immediately.
It’s a much-needed skill, anyway. To be an expert in knowing what to highlight in different cuisines and dishes is a lucrative profession. Professional food photographers even collaborate with chefs in deciding what garnishing to use for better and drool-worthy pictures.
In the above photo, the angle from above perfectly showcases the entire frame. What also matters in food photography is placing food items, i.e., arranging that the structure looks filled, balanced, and aligned.
However, as a beginner, you should focus on getting the angle right, understanding what to focus on if it’s a solid dish, capturing the essence of different shakes, and other fundamental things like getting the exposure, ISO, and shutter speed right.
You can also play around with the lighting and correct the color balance in the editing part if needed.
11. Everyday Random Moments
At its core, photography is all about fun and capturing the moments as is so they are etched forever in our memories. Home, where people are usually happy and relaxed, is the perfect place to capture random shots of your loved ones.
For instance, it can be as simple as your child playing with the pet, your wife cooking you dinner, a get-together at home, etc. It will teach you how to be quick when the subjects move and still attain perfection.
Your main subject will not always be still and wait for you to adjust the settings. You must be quick and analytical; capturing such dynamic shots teaches you that.
In this photo, there is so much chaos and noise because of the cluttered background and the misalignment of the frame. Yet, despite that, the image looks well put together because of the happy faces and emotions captured by the photographer. In addition, the different color outfits somehow balance the background, which has muted shades. All these factors combined make the above photo a perfect example of capturing the essence of family relationships through a lens.
Explore the Unexplored Parts of Home through a Lens
With the rise of social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest, more and more people are becoming interested in photography and want to learn the skills required to create beautiful images that capture the essence of their subjects. Whether you are an aspiring professional photographer or simply someone who wants to take better pictures for personal enjoyment, there are countless opportunities to explore and experiment with photography in your home.
These 11 curated photography ideas for beginners at home offer a wealth of inspiration and guidance for those just starting in photography. From playing with lighting to capturing everyday objects in creative and unexpected ways, these ideas will help you to develop your skills and gain a deeper understanding of the art of photography.
Above all, it is essential to remember that photography is a journey, and it takes time and practice to develop your skills and find your unique style. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, try new things, and push yourself out of your comfort zone. With patience and dedication, you will find that the world of photography is full of endless possibilities and opportunities for growth and creativity. So pick up your camera, and let your imagination run wild as if the world is waiting to be captured through your lens!
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