The post Photography Ideas: 100+ Things to Photograph in 2022 appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Mat Coker.

Sooner or later, we all run out of things to photograph. Or we think we do.

In truth, there are countless subjects worth photographing – and many of them can be found in your house, in your backyard, or on a short walk.

I’ve compiled a list of more than 100 photography ideas, which I share below. It includes dozens of things to photograph along with lots of example photos. So if you’re looking for cool photos to take or you’re in need of inspiration, read on!

Note: I include a handful of idea categories, including nature, people, animals, events, and architecture. I recommend you start by tackling a category you’re not especially familiar with; that way, you can spend time exploring an area of photography that feels fresh.

Things to photograph in nature

There is a whole wide world out there, and it’s waiting to be explored by you and your camera! I’m not just talking about natural subjects that your eyes can see; I encourage you to find what is hidden underneath and behind and inside.

First, pull out your closest-focusing lens and capture the surfaces of the natural world. Try photographing:

FlowersTrees, branches, and barkVinesLeavesFruits and vegetablesDriftwoodTall grass

Don’t just go for the typical nature shot. Adjust your angle, experiment with different settings, and do what you can to shoot from close and far away.

Also, photograph these natural subjects at many different times: noon, golden hour, dusk, and everything in between. Don’t forget to photograph after it rains.

Then bring out your wide-angle or telephoto lens and spend time capturing:

FieldsOrchards (in bloom or full of fruit)Pumpkin patchesSunflower fields

Next, explore water. If you’re up for it, consider purchasing underwater housing for your camera. Here are just a few water-related items to take pictures of:

Water spraying from the sprinkler or hoseRainCreeks, ponds, lakes, and oceansWavesIceSnowSteam

If you’re interested in more unusual nature photography ideas, consider shooting the ground, such as:

RocksSandGravelSoil

And if you’re more of a people photographer, bring some friends along with you on a morning walk and include them in your photos. You might capture beautiful shots of people on:

PathwaysTrailsDirt roads

People photos to capture

Looking for some people photography ideas? Here are a handful of subjects you can photograph from home:

NewbornsToddlersChildrenTeensSiblingsTwins and tripletsA whole family3+ generations

Note that there are many ways to photograph people. You could take posed shots, of course – but you might also capture candid moments.

And don’t pressure yourself to go big. Just find somebody you can take pictures of. You don’t have to know what you’re doing; just aim your camera and something interesting will emerge.

(Worst-case scenario, just photograph yourself! There are plenty of awesome self-portrait ideas worth trying, such as multiple exposures, abstract blurs, and more.)

If you have a child, you can capture an infinite number of possible photos. For instance, you might photograph them:

Playing with bubblesAt a playgroundRiding a bikePlaying sportsSwimmingBalancing

Maybe you prefer to photograph friends? That’s okay, too! Grab a friend and photograph them:

In an interesting jobEngaging in a hobbyPlaying (or listening to) musicOn a farmPlaying sportsHaving fun with paintsCookingWorking with toolsActing very professional

Really, you could produce an entire portfolio just by photographing one person over a month or two.

Animal photography ideas

If you like the idea of capturing animals, now’s your chance to get started. Consider photographing:

PetsAt a farmAt a vetAt a shelterAt an animal rescueAt a pet storeAt a zooAt an aquariumBugsBirdsLocal wildlifeFish and other water creatures

Event photography ideas

Events combine plenty of great photographic subjects, such as people, places, food, and interesting activities. You can find plenty of events listed on city websites, but consider capturing household events, too.

Here are just a few events to photograph:

SportsFestivalsParadesLocal charity eventsAnimal sheltersFarmers marketsBoating eventsAir showsCar showsDancesConcerts

Enter photography contests

I know, I know: You can’t take a picture of a photography contest!

But most contests have themes, which means they offer plenty of photography ideas! In other words, if you photograph for a contest, you can let someone else think up the subject matter. Then you can try to capture it in the most interesting way possible.

(And who knows? You might even win!)

Search for contests on/in:

Your city websiteThe local paperPhotography magazinesGoogledPS challenges

Architectural things to photograph

Architectural photography might sound a little boring, but in my experience, it can be a whole lot of fun! You don’t need to restrict yourself to the “standard” architectural subjects (like real-estate interiors and churches). Instead, try your hand at a few of these unusual photography ideas:

Old buildingsBarnsFarmhousesCity neighborhoodsRuinsModern buildingsGlass buildingsTrain stationsMuseumsWalls

Pay careful attention to your perspective, and – if necessary – shoot wide and make distortion corrections during post-processing.

Things to take pictures of: meaningful objects

Still life photography is a great way to memorialize precious objects. You can create complex still life arrangements – or you can capture single items.

Note that you can aim to convey the essence of your subject, or you can strive to tell a story.

Here are just a few meaningful objects to photograph:

Products for a small businessCrafts for a friend’s Etsy storeFamily heirloomsMuseum artifactsThe items on your deskYour camerasThe furniture in your houseJunkyard items (such as rusty old cars)Prepared foodFood at restaurants

Capture the seasons and the time of day

Looking for a more contemplative photography idea? Then consider a photography project that spans several months (or even years).

For instance, you might produce a series of photos that aims to convey the essence of:

WinterSpringSummerFall

Or you might produce a photo series that captures the essence of:

SunriseMiddaySunsetNightMoonlightCloudy daysStormy days

You might also select a single subject (perhaps from the photo ideas shared in previous sections), then capture it across several seasons or across an entire day.

Technique variations

I’ve shared plenty of ideas about what to take pictures of…

…but in addition to all the options mentioned above, consider how you can use different techniques to capture unique shots.

For instance, regardless of your subject matter, you might capture:

Black and white shotsSilhouettesClose-up or macro shotsShadowsReflections

Also, consider the different results you can achieve by focusing on:

AnglesBackgroundsLight

100+ photography ideas: final words

Hopefully, you’ve found this list – detailing over a hundred things to take pictures of – useful!

You have plenty of potential subjects. So grab your camera and start photographing!

Now over to you:

Have any additional photography ideas to add to my list? Share them in the comments below!

The post Photography Ideas: 100+ Things to Photograph in 2022 appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Mat Coker.