Photography can be one of the most therapeutic things you can do for yourself during this quarantine. You don’t need to have the best equipment, have gone through professional training, or be the best at taking photos — all you need is your unique vision and a camera.
If you’ve been cooped up at home like many of us and find yourself bored, or if you just want to document your home life, here are some tips and tricks for shooting photos that will allow you to remember this remarkable time.
Don’t stage moments.
One key thing that makes photos compelling is authenticity. There is something about an authentic smile or laugh and even an emotional moment caught on camera, that engages a viewer’s heart and attention. There is also something about an overly planned moment that makes it obvious when captured by a camera. So if you’re taking photos of your family and loved ones during this quarantine, allow them to be themselves. Capture them doing everyday things like sweeping the floor or cooking.
Don’t force remarkable moments — just let them unfold before your eyes and click at the opportune moment. One day you will look back and be grateful that you chose authenticity over pretension.
Go for natural light.
This is perhaps one of the first and most basic tips for excellent photography and good reason. Artificial light like overhead lights and lamps can mess with the white balance or coloring of your images, as well as the highlights and the shadows. Do a little experiment: During the daytime, turn off your lights and take a photo. Then turn your lights on, and take another one. Which photo looks better? If you can help it, and if your home allows for a lot of natural light, don’t go for artificial lighting.
Don’t be afraid of the mundane.
Take pictures of your dog sleeping, of your kids playing under the sun, of your partner while they’re reading. These moments may be mundane, but they are what you need to document since we are living in a remarkable time; one that we did not see coming. It’s a great opportunity to monitor how much your kids and pets are growing, and how your partner is changing throughout the quarantine. If you live alone, don’t hesitate to take self-portraits by using the self-timer feature.
Good photography does not have to feature big moments like fireworks going off for it to be beautiful. It can be something as simple as you and your partner growing old together, and it’s already a series of photographs that the generations after you can look at with wonder.
Wait for golden and blue hours.
The golden hour is the time of the day when the daylight is softer or more gentle. So basically, “golden hour” is cinematography-speak for sunset. “Blue hour” or magic hour, on the other hand, is the time right after sunset and shortly before sunrise. It’s when the sky is a little periwinkle and the brightness of the sky matches the brightness of the car headlights, streetlights, signs, and lit windows. Try to take your photos during these hours of the day and see for yourself how much this lighting can do wonders for your pictures.
Invest in some houseplants.
Studies show that taking care of houseplants provides so many health benefits, and one of them is instantly boosting one’s mood because greenery is good for our mental health. Here’s another benefit: They look good on camera. So invest in some succulents and houseplants, but don’t inundate your home with them lest your space starts looking like a forest. Set some cute houseplants by the window and allow them to set the mood of your living space.
Go clean and neutral with your interiors.
Greenery looks better against a clean and neutral background. If it’s possible, try painting your walls white or a soft pastel color so that light bounces off of them better, and choose a neutral palette for your design elements. If you have a hardwood conservatory or sunroom, choose colors that are not too loud, and pleasing to the eyes. Natural light, greenery, and clean and neutral color palettes are a deadly combination and can make any photo look good.
Many people are looking for healthy ways to cope during this difficult year. Photography can be a great tool for healing and recovery, as it encourages us to see beauty even in our ordinary days. So pick up your camera and allow yourself to decompress by documenting your everyday life through photography.