Creative Photography Challenge--January

January is typically a time for reflection on how we will improve in the new year.  We think of the past year, and start afresh with new goals and actions in mind.  We spend time reflecting on these things, so I thought it would also make a great subject for January's creative photogrpahy challenge!  Yes, reflection, but in a literal sense!

I love using reflections in my photography, and I want to really focus on it this month using different methods than I normally do.  Mirrors, windows and bodies of water are the obvious answers, and there's nothing wrong with that!  I love making my main subject appear in the reflection, to really bring attention to it.

Now, there are more things than just the obvious things that you can use for reflection.  Think outside the box--a toaster, a spoon, the dial of a watch, glass on a fireplace, bubbles, a car, a skyscraper, sunglasses, certain walls, shiny ceilings, elevators, marbles and handrails.  I mean, the list is quite long when you think of all the things that can reflect!  So find those uncommon and common items that reflect--watch for them this month and then create a picture showing those reflections in fun and cool ways!

Some tips that may help you this month:

• ​Look for reflections first, and once you've found a reflection, look around to see what you can add to (or take away from) the reflection to make it interesting (a person, a tree, a toy, etc.).  I find that a good reflection needs a subject to give it a bit more pizzaz! 
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• Use reflection to make a regular shot symmetrical.  This works really well with a body of still water or something similar.  Lines look amazing this way too!

 

• Try flipping your picture upside down to give it a whole new look! (So the reflection is on top, and the actual subject is on the bottom.)

 

• Make a small body of water appear large by putting your lens as close to the water as possible.  This works especially well with a phone that has the camera on one side, because you can get it super close and make the water look a lot bigger than it is!  This also works with mirrors and other reflective surfaces!

 

• If you take a picture of a person reflected, make sure the reflection is in focus, if that's where you want your viewer's eye to go.  If you're using a dSLR, close down to f/11 or more so you get more in focus. 

 

• Flashes can ruin reflection shots, so my advice is to turn your flash off if you can.  Of course, this is a creative challenge, so maybe using a flash can enhance your picture! Play around with it and see what you can create!

 

• Get your family involoved!  Kids and teenagers (and even significant other's) may actually really enjoy looking for reflections and can help you find things you hadn't thought of.  Not only will this help them to see details, but it will help build a nice little bonding time! (And can possibly get them interested in photography, wink, wink!)

Now, as we are just beginning this, let me make clear the expectations of this challenge! Okay, so not really expectations, but more like loose guidelines! ;)
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• First of all, there is no right or wrong way to do this! This is a creative challenge and how you interpret it, is entirely up to you! You don't have to do it like everyone else, so don't be afraid to try something different. Build up your own creative muscles!

• Use all of your devices and cameras! If you own more than one camera (phone, point and shoot, dSLR, etc.) try these reflection techniques with all of them. Compare how each one does in different situations. Use different lenses if you own more than one. It's also a great way to practice taking better pictures with whatever device you have. Of course, this is all dependent on what is going on in your life at the time--I totally get the crazy busy, and sometimes it's doing good to get your hair combed! Hey, does your comb look cool reflected in the mirror?

• You do not have to work on this challenge everyday, unless you really want to. If your goal is to spend one day a week on it, that's great! If you are an over-acheiver and really want to take every picture according to the challenge...more power to you! If you just want to use this when you have a chance, that's great too! My personal goal is to make one good challenge picture everyday this year, but please don't feel you have to do that too.

• I'd love to get inspiration from you, and I'm sure all the other participants would as well! Please, don't be shy about sharing your discoveries and creative works of art! If you're posting on Instagram, use the tag: #2017creativephotography_jan. I'll be sharing some of my favorites on the blog and newsletter when the month is over.

• If you'd like to get the info for next month's challenge before it's published on the blog, then fill out the form below! This newseltter is a work in progress, as I'm new to this whole newsletter thing, so please be patient with me as I figure it out!
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• I'm editing to add that I've created a Facebook group for this challenge. It will be a great way to interact with fellow creative photographers! If you'd like to join in the FB group, go here, request to join and I'll add you!

Thanks for joining me in this creative challenge!  I can't wait to see how we can all get a bit more creative in our photography this year! 

If you know of someone who would rock this challenge, please feel free to share it with them!  The more, the merrier, I say!