As we are all on lockdown we are searching for activities more simulating then watching the TV! Or at least trying not to watch all the TV at once which is what we did on day one! So we thought we would create a photography challenge for you to play along with.
We are going to be playing on instagram using #thelcphotolockdown. Everyone is welcome to join in though my materials are geared up to keep the kids occupied!
My son loves his dinosaurs and his Lego and naturally he sees me working A LOT! So he’s used to photographic equipment and me editing pictures and often wants to join in.
I’ve given him one of my old SLR cameras with a fixed lens which he spends hours with. You don’t need anything fancy, any camera will do! An iphone, ipad, old point and shoot or even a polariod! Though probably an expensive item to hand to a trigger-happy child! But it’s not about the camera. It’s about setting the scene and getting creative!
Lets do this!
Here are some techniques and subject ideas that the kids are going to have fun with!
As its for kids I’m not focusing on the technical, lighting etc. I am encouraging them to be lead by their hears and their creativity.
Use Perspective
Probably easier to illustrate perspective with an image then an explanation for the kiddies; use it to create some fun images. By playing with the distance an object is from the camera you can create some fun surreal pictures. Why not make your Lego look giant or make it look like your sister is being eaten by a t-rex!
Story Telling
Create your own story through pictures. You could even create a storybook with words too. Begin by thinking about what kind of story you’re looking to tell, by using the storyboarding sheet you can plan your scenes and what is going to be in them. Once you’ve thought about the story, think about how you’re going to tell it!
Are you going to use your dolls, Lego, soft toys, yourselves, your parents, your pets, your garden, your house… you get the idea. Once you’ve got your idea and you know what you’re using you can make your picture story.
Silhouettes
Creating a silhouette is a fun way to create a dramatic look. The basic technique for silhouettes is to force the camera to read the light from the light source at the behind your subject, or what you’re making into a silhouette. On an iphone or ipad his can be achieved by tapping on the brightest part of the background on the screen or if you are on a manual camera underexposing the image until you get the desired effect.
Tips for silhouettes…
1. Choose a strong recognisable shape.
2. Frame your picture so that shape is uncluttered
3. Turn off your flash!
Symmetry And Pattern
We have symmetry all around us, natural and man made, using a symmetrical background to frame your object can make for a very eye catching image. For those little abstract artists why not have a take a look at making some pictures of the patterns that appear all around us, have a look around in the garden and the house and see where patterns occur and see what kind of picture you can make of it.
Make A Portrait
By make a portrait I don’t mean take a selfie with bunny ears!
Things to think about when making a portrait…
1. Who is your portrait of?
2. Location? Studio or in a situation?
3. What’s the story? What are you saying about that person in your picture, what’s it about?
4. What props do you need?
5. What is the person going to wear?
6. What expression is going to be on their face?
For example, you would like to make a portrait of your sister.
She loves ballet.
You want to make it look like a photo studio. Clean and simple. You can find either an empty wall space and take your picture against that, or why not hand a bed sheet to make a fabric backdrop. As its sunny outside you could even hang it up outside!
You’ve set the scene/ made your little photo studio.
Now you can begin to take pictures of your sister in her ballet outfit. Think about poses, movement and expression.
Think about the framing of your picture. Maybe make a series of pictures of the ballet moves from one place, maybe go in close for a head and shoulders.
Make pictures, talk, laugh, and then see what kind of portrait you’ve made.
Or just keep it really simple.
You want to make a portrait of your sister.
Find a white wall.
Frame your image so you’ve got their head and shoulders.
…. And have fun!
Then create a series of pictures of all the different expressions!
Make A Background
Making backgrounds to use in your pictures can be fun and there are lots of crafty ways you can do it!
Here are a few…
1. Very simple, coloured paper or card. Use it as a solid colour, create geometric shapes, or even some graphic effects like raindrops, or get 3D and cover some household shapes like a box or a cylinder, lord knows there are the centre of enough loo rolls in peoples homes!
2. Painting! Painting a background can be fun and effective. You can use colour and go abstract or paint a scene for your characters like a forest or a city.
3. Use fabric, it can be something simple like a bed sheet held up against the wall on two broom sticks, like mine with the melon or more jazzy like large scarf, if you have curtains they can act as a pre hung backdrop.
4. Use nature, have a look around the garden and find some rocks, bits of broken pots, dried flowers, leaves and create a miniature naturalist scene.
Remember, it doesn’t have to be perfect! Enjoy what you’re doing and learn from your mistakes. Next time you’ll find that you are that bit better at it!
Please share your pictures with us and how you’re making them and we will share them on our IG feed.
If you would like anymore ideas or tips let me know! Lets have some fun!