Photo ideas for today
Camera in hand, but no idea what to shoot? Here are 24 photo ideas, and your phone is all you need. Each fits into fifteen minutes, and you can try most of them right away.
Photo ideas at home
Your window light is the best studio you have. And subjects are lying around everywhere.
Your breakfast from above
Shot flat from above, every breakfast looks like it's from a magazine. Clear away anything that doesn't belong in the frame.
Light through the blinds
The stripes on a wall, a face or a blanket are a ready-made subject. Best in the afternoon.
One object, five angles
A mug from above, from below, very close, through a glass, in a mirror. Which shot do you like best?
Raindrops on the window
Tap the drops so they're in focus and let the world behind them blur.
A reflection in a spoon
A spoon, a lamp and a tiny, distorted picture of your room.
A still life in one color
Find three things in the same color and place them in front of a calm wall.
Photo ideas outdoors
Go for a walk with a task in mind, and suddenly you see subjects you walk past every day.
The world in a puddle
Hold your phone just above a puddle and shoot the reflection. Then turn the photo upside down.
Only shadows
Photograph people's shadows, not the people. They're longest in the morning and evening.
One tree, four weeks
Photograph the same tree from the same spot once a week. In the end you have a little time series.
Lines in the city
Stairs, crosswalks, railings. Look for lines that lead the eye into the picture.
Shoot through something
Through a fence, a window or leaves, the photo gets a frame and more depth.
A color walk
Choose a color and only photograph things in that color on your walk. Then put them together as a collage.
Creative phone photography ideas
Small tricks that work with any phone and make your photos look completely different.
Worm's-eye view
Put your phone almost on the ground. Everyday things suddenly look huge.
Twice in the same panorama
Have someone take a panorama of you and walk behind them to the other side. Then you're in the picture twice.
Light trails at night
Many phones have a night or long exposure mode. Try it at a street with passing cars.
Close up with a magnifier
Hold a magnifying glass in front of the lens and get close to moss, fabric or a flower.
Portrait by the window
Place a person sideways next to a window, no flash. You won't find softer light anywhere.
A day in black and white
Take only black and white photos for a whole day. Without color you see shapes and contrast much more clearly.
Photo ideas with light and shadow
Good light does more than any camera. These ideas help you see it and use it.
Golden hour
The hour before sunset makes everything soft and warm. Set an alarm for it.
Backlight
Shoot towards the sun and let hair or leaves glow. A little lens flare is fine.
Silhouettes
A person or a tree against a bright sky. Tap the sky and everything in front turns black.
Fairy lights as bokeh
Focus on something in the foreground and the lights behind turn into soft, round dots.
Candlelight only
A face or a hand lit by a single candle. Dark, calm and full of mood.
Hard midday shadows
Midday light has a bad reputation. Use it anyway: strong shadows make graphic pictures.
How your photos get better
One theme a day
Once you know what you're looking for, you suddenly see subjects everywhere.
Shoot many, keep one
Take ten versions and keep the best. That's the fastest way to learn what works.
Look at the light first
Where does it come from, how soft is it? Windows, evening sun and shadows are your best tools.
One photo a day
One photo a day is enough to make you see things completely differently in a few weeks.
Frequently asked questions
What can I photograph at home?
Food from above, light through the blinds, reflections and small still lifes made of things lying around. The light at your window is your best studio.
Do I need a good camera?
No. All the ideas here work with a phone. Light, framing and a little patience matter more than the camera.
How do I take better photos with my phone?
Clean the lens, tap your subject so it's in focus and let the light come from the side. And get closer instead of zooming.
What is golden hour?
The time shortly after sunrise and shortly before sunset. The light is soft and warm then and comes in low from the side.
Is there an app with daily photography tasks?
Yes, FlowStart gives you a new photography task every day that fits into 5 to 20 minutes. Try it free for 7 days.
A new photo idea every day
FlowStart gives you a new photography task every day. Join the waitlist and we'll let you know as soon as the app is out.