Fireworks
Today is the 4th of July, which is Independence Day in the USA. To celebrate, today's photo idea is fireworks. A fireworks show is a spectacular subject for a photograph or series of photographs. It can be challenging to get the perfect fireworks photo, so take a look at the tips and tutorials below to help you out. And be sure to pick up a tripod
Tips and Tutorials:
- wikiHow - How to Photograph Fireworks
- Digital Photography School - How to Photograph Fireworks Displays
- Wired How-To Wiki - Photograph Fireworks
Example:
Photo Credit: iulian nistea via Flickr
The Color Orange
In the Netherlands, today is Queen's Day (or Koninginnedag in Dutch). The Dutch love the color orange, and this is never more obvious than today when orange is a ubiquitous sight in Amsterdam and around the country. Therefore, today's photo idea is the color orange. (Fun fact - the Netherlands obsession with orange comes from the name of the Dutch royal family - The House of Orange.)
If you aren't celebrating with the thousands of people wearing orange, don't worry, there are plenty of other orange objects to point your camera at. Besides the obvious one (..the fruit), there are also orange flowers, orange butterflies, orange cats, orange shoes, orange shirts, orange sunsets, and Orange Crush
Example:
Photo Credit: Mondayne via Flickr
Imitate the iPod Ads
Today's photo idea is create your own iPod commercial style picture. You know the ones I'm talking about - the silhouettes with the white ear buds dancing in front of the brightly colored backgrounds. To refresh your memory, here is a video of one of the original iPod ads on YouTube.
For a lot more great examples and ideas, see the Flickr iPod People Group.
Photoshop
Example:
Photo Credit: Johan AP via Flickr
Pizza
Today's idea is a 2-for-1 special. It is both a photo idea and a meal idea: PIZZA! Whether its a thin crust New York style slice, a deep dish Chicago style pie, or an authentic Italian neapolitan pizza, it is always delicious. Just one look at a good pizza photo is enough to make your mouth water. So what are you waiting for? Order your pizza now!
Example:
Photo Credit: Aaron Landry via Flickr
Bird in Flight
Today's photo idea is a bird in flight. Point your camera to the sky and capture the grace and beauty of a bird floating through the air. Seagulls, pelicans, hawks, eagles, owls, hummingbirds, ducks, geese, or even pigeons - any bird will do. You could even try for a whole flock of birds in flight.
Of course photographing birds in flight can be tricky to time correctly. Quick tip - you can increase your odds of seeing a bird in flight by put a bird feeder in your backyard. Also, you will probably want to use a zoom lens
Tips for bird photography:
- Digital Photography School - Backyard Bird Photography Tips
- Ken Rockwell - How to Photograph Birds
- Nature Photographers - The ABC's of Bird Photography
Example:
Photo Credit: Tim Church via Flickr
Use a Fisheye Lens
Today's photo idea is to use a fisheye lens. In case you are unfamiliar, a fisheye lens is a wide-angle lens that distorts an image into a spherical shape, kind of like a fish looking out of a fishbowl. This lens can make almost any shot more interesting. Try it out!
If you don't yet own a fisheye lens, you can either buy one (Fisheye Lenses on Amazon
DIY fisheye lens tutorials:
- Photojojo - The DIY Fisheye Lens Using Nothin’ But a Pair of Old Glasses and Some Tape
- eHow - How to Make a Fisheye Lens
Example:
Photo Credit: Ikayama via Flickr
Waterfalls
Today's photo idea is to take a picture of a waterfall. Waterfalls can make for some truly spectacular photographs. They can also test a photographer's skill as it can be difficult to find the correct camera settings to get the perfect exposure. One thing is for sure though, you'll definitely want to bring along a tripod
Tips for photographing waterfalls:
Example:
Photo Credit: @t. via Flickr
Street Signs
Today's photo idea is street signs. This includes everything from the signs with the name of the street to traffic signs such as stop signs and yield signs. You could take a picture of the sign of the street where you live. Or maybe there is a famous intersection in your city, like Haight-Ashbury in San Francisco. Or perhaps you could do a collage of different street signs. Or a collage of stop signs in various countries/languages. The possibilities are endless.
Example:
Photo Credit: jpeepz via Flickr
Footprints in the Sand
Today's photo idea is footprints in the sand. You could use human footprints or dog paw prints. This shot can work well on sand dunes or on the beach. If you don't happen to be near any sand, you could take footprints in the mud or, better yet, in the snow.
Footprints are a good way to capture an image of a journey or long distances. It can also provide a good sense of scale if, for example, you juxtaposition an adult's footprint next to a small child's print. If you have any more footprint related photo ideas, leave them in the comments!
Example:
Photo Credit: Vu Boi via Flickr
Cats in Sinks
Today's photo idea is a cat (or kitten) sitting in a sink. What could be cuter than that? Nothing.
In fact, there is an entire website devoted exclusively to photos of cats in sinks - http://catsinsinks.com. Check it out for some adorable inspiration. And after you take your picture, you can submit it to catsinsinks.com too!
Example:
Photo Credit: grebo guru via Flickr