Let's face it; living in lockdown is uncomfortable, but we can all help ourselves by harnessing our creativity. We've all seen a lot of that, with Facebook memes and YouTube videos over the past few weeks. Creativity always shines in a crisis.
Photography Can Thrive Right Now
Ghost Town - York, England, as it would look now
Photography is a creative art and doesn't stop being so just because we're in lockdown. Everyone has access to a camera of some sort, and everyone can be creative. There are also massive health benefits attached to photography - both mental and physical.
We have limits placed on us. We must social distance, we have limits of when, where and for what we can go out. We must stay safe. While observing all of this nobody said we can't carry a camera. Here in the UK we are allowed to go out for daily exercise - why not take a camera with you on your daily walk?
Here's a selection of types of photography which can really thrive right now. There are so many we can't mention them all, but if you think of anything we haven't listed, why not list it in the comments section below? By doing so you're helping inspire everyone who reads this article. Let's see some community spirit!
Portrait Style Photography
We're not just talking about portraits of people here. We're including photographs of any particular subject taken while isolating it from it's background. This can be done by:
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Macro Photography
A macro is a type of lens which can get extremely close to your subject. It also has an extremely low "depth of field" so that only a tiny amount in front of and behind your subject will be in focus. This can produce stunning effects on even everyday objects. It can even make a cheese grater look good...
Taken with clip on 'phone lens
Astro Photography and the Night Sky
Neither the moon nor the stars are going anywhere, and all are visible from your front door, windows or back yard. Now would be a great time to pick up some skills of photographing the night sky. Someone in our Facebook Group took such a photo our of his window with sillouetted rooftops, and it made it's way into a calendar!
Sillouettes against a stary night
You can turn the stars into streams with long exposures
The camera was pointed out of a bedroom window
This picture was taken from the back yard
Wildlife Photography
Great tit taken locally
Wildlife is thriving under lockdown. We've had wild goats on the streets of LLandudno, and many report wildlife getting bolder and less afraid of humans.
Wildlife photography in lockdown can mean anything from birds in the garden, to anything you are fortunate enough to see on your daily walk for exercise. If you have a macro or other lens that allows you to get fairly close up, photographing the insects or butterflies you may be fortunate to come across. We've noticed the bees are out in force at the moment. Our Facebook Group has produced some great insect macros!
Sparrows on a Feeder
Geese at the local pond
Local lambs
Just because we could...
Landscapes and Cityscapes
Landscapes and cityscapes aren't going anywhere in lockdown, and if you are able to access them as part of your allotted daily exercise you're a winner. Honestly, the amount of time we've spent taking city scapes - trying to make sure that people aren't walking in front of the shot and all that jazz. That's not so much of a problem right now.
Remember with your landscapes, you're generally better off with a small aperture if you want everything n the picture to be sharp.
"Candy Floss" water effect created using slow shutter speed.
Pet Photography
Our pets are thriving right now as many of them are getting far more attention and companionship than normal. OK, the cats may not be so grateful, but other pets certainly are!
Pets can make for great photography. Bailey is probably one of the most photographed dogs in the world...
Max the Springer Spaniel with a ball
Bailey the (Working) Cocker Spaniel enjoying himself in the woods
Max the Ragdoll Cat, looking thoughtful.
Explore Different Angles
Photographing objects from angles you wouldn't normally see them often makes the image far more pleasing. Shooting from low down also enables you to play with perspective. Try shooting something through blades of grass for example.
