10 Photo Assignments to Inspire and Challenge Your Skills

Liz Masoner is a professional photographer and she shares her tips and techniques on photo editing and how to photograph nature, portraits, and events with film and digital cameras. Liz has over 30 years of experience and she is the author of three books on photography.

The best way to learn photography is to practice, though sometimes you can get stuck in a rut and not know what to shoot. That is why photographers love assignments; they give us a purpose and an idea of what to photograph. 

Why Are Assignments Important?

Self-assignments are key to any photographer's growth. Even professionals with decades of experience will work on personal assignments that they may never get paid for. The goal of any self-assignment is to spur creativity, solve problems, learn new techniques, and challenge yourself.

As you start out in photography, you're probably filled with excitement and ready to shoot anything you can. That being said, sometimes a little direction and guidance are necessary.

Below, you will find ten photography assignments. Each covers a new topic, skill, or concept and they were chosen to help you learn how to see as a photographer. They are meant to be a personal challenge that you can complete at your own pace and with no outside judgment, simply as a means to practice and improve your photography. Hopefully, you will learn something new with each assignment and be able to use that in every photograph you take in the future.

Remember when composing your images to keep in mind the basics: the rule of thirds,  shutter speed , aperture,  depth of field , and  exposure .

Assignment #1: Up Close

This assignment encourages you to get close and personal with your subject. It is an exercise in viewing a common object in a new way and examining its finer details.

  • Choose an object that you see or interact with every day.
  • Focus on a small part of it, get as close as your camera will allow you to focus, and shoot away.
  • Try to capture different angles and unusual lighting to add to the mystery of this tiny world.

From the whiskers of your cat to a fragile Christmas ornament, and even common soap bubbles, there is an entire world that we often overlook because we don't get close enough.

Assignment #2: Motion

Photography is a static medium which means that it doesn't move. Conveying a sense of motion is often crucial to capturing a scene or emotion and it is an essential skill for photographers to practice.

The goal of this exercise is to understand how shutter speeds can be used to convey motion.

  • Choose a subject or series of subjects that will allow you to convey motion in your images.
  • It can be slow motions, like that of a turtle, or fast motion, like a speeding train.
  • Blur it, stop it, or simply suggest that there is motion in the photograph.

Challenge yourself to capture the same motion in different ways. For instance, you might go to a race track and stop the movement of the cars completely in one image, then leave the shutter open and allow them to blur out of the frame in the next. 

Assignment #3: Shadows

Shadows are everywhere and they are vital to photography because this is the art of capturing light. With light comes shadows and when you begin to look at shadows as a photographer, your world will open up.

  • Take a look around for shadows and record them with your camera.
  • You could show the shadow as the total focus of the image. Perhaps the shadow is incidental to the subject.
  • Is the shadow natural or created by flash?

Shadows are integral to creating depth in a two-dimensional medium such as photography. Take some time to seriously explore the "dark side" of the light.

Assignment #4: Water

Water is everywhere in photography and it presents many challenges. There are reflections and movements to work with and in this exercise, you will take a deeper look at water.

  • Find water anywhere: lakes, streams, puddles, even the glass on your kitchen table.
  • Pay attention to reflections and use them to your advantage in the photographs. Use this opportunity to get familiar with a polarizing filter (a very useful tool in your camera kit) so you can accentuate or eliminate reflections.
  • Play with the motion of a stream or the crashing waves. Notice the difference between stopping the flow of water and allowing it to blur to create a real sense of movement.

Be sure to make water the subject and not an accent to the image. Water alone is beautiful and mysterious and your challenge is to explore all of its potential as a subject.

Assignment #5: Leading Lines

A classic assignment in photography schools, 'leading lines ' is a popular and fun subject. The goal of this assignment is to learn how to direct the viewer to your subject using lines.

  • Choose a subject then look around for lines in the scene that you can use to 'lead' the viewer to the subject. 
  • Find an interesting line then determine what the subject of your photograph is.
  • Remember that lines can be man-made or natural. For instance, the yellow line down the middle of the road or a tree branch. Even a person's arm can be a leading line of their face.

Use this assignment as an excuse to take an afternoon photo excursion. Walk downtown or in the woods and look around you for interesting lines that lead the eye to a subject. There is an amazing assortment of lines out there in the world and once you begin to see them, you won't be able to stop. 

Assignment #6: Perspective

How do you normally stand when you shoot? If your answer is straight up like a 5-foot-something human being then this assignment is for you. The perspective assignment challenges you to view the world from an entirely new perspective, which in turn gives the viewer a new look at the ordinary.

  • Take another afternoon or evening for a photo excursion wherever you like.
  • This time, every time you find something to photograph, stop!
  • Ask yourself: How would a squirrel see that tree? How would a robin view that birdbath? How would a snake view that log?
  • Take your photographs from very high or very low angles. Get on your belly or stand on a chair, whatever you have to (safely) do to get the 'right' angle on your subject.

If you pay attention to professional photographs, many of the images that have the WOW factor are photographed from extreme angles. People enjoy these photos because they've never seen an object from that viewpoint. It is new and unique, and you can train yourself to shoot with this in mind.

Assignment #7: Texture

You may have captured a few textural details in the 'Up Close' assignment, but this assignment takes that to the next level. The goal in this one is to study textures and forget about the object itself: the texture becomes the subject. You will also begin to realize how light affects the appearance of texture.

  • Find a few objects that have very detailed textures like trees or rocks, even knit sweaters or woven rugs.
  • Photograph them as close as your lens will allow.
  • Use different angles and capture the same texture as the light changes. Notice how the different lighting directions and camera angles can change how much texture appears.

Textures are all around us and many of the best photographs in the world play up the textural element. This assignment should teach you how to recognize and accentuate those elements in your photos.

Assignment #8: Color Harmony

Color is important to photography because the world is full of color. This exercise requires a bit of study in color theory, which you will then put into practice in your photographs.

Do you remember art class in elementary school? You may have learned that yellow and blue make green, but color theory goes beyond that. There are cool and warm colors, complementary and contrasting colors, neutral colors, and bold colors.

It can get quite complicated, and photographers should have a basic understanding of color so you can use that when composing photographs. You don't have to study color like a painter would but can use tricks used by interior designers to influence your color decisions.

  • Once you have an idea of color theory, take another photo excursion and put what you've learned into practice.
  • Capture photographs with the primary or tertiary colors.
  • Look for complementary colors then contrasting colors to photograph.
  • Try finding a scene to photograph that is filled with neutral colors, then one that uses a bold color to 'pop' from the scene.

This is an advanced lesson, but one that any photographer working with color images will find useful. As you practice working with colors, it will become second nature and you will know how to work with color to change the feel of your images.

Assignment #9: Emotions

Take a photo of a person smiling or scowling, right? Not so. The intent of this assignment is to convey emotion in photographs  without  a face.

  • Take photographs that express each of the basic emotions: happy, sad, and mad.
  • How would you express the feeling of anger with no person? What about happiness? Sadness?

This is a purely conceptual assignment, but it is important to be able to relay emotion in your photographs and you might not always have a person available to do that with. Challenge yourself to think deeper about this one.

Assignment #10: Don't Look!

Are you ready to put your photography skills to the test? In today's world of digital cameras and the ability to see image captures right there on the LCD screen, photographers are losing some of the skills needed to visualize a photograph.

In this assignment, your challenge is to shoot as if you were using a film camera. That means that you will not look at the photographs you've taken until they are downloaded on your computer. Instead of relying on the camera's screen to see if you 'got the shot' you will rely on your instinct and knowledge, just like photographers did before digital photography. Can you do it?

  • Plan a photo excursion to a particular location and permit yourself to photograph only 36 images (a roll of 35mm film).
  • Turn off your camera's LCD screen so it does not show you the image after you have taken it.
  • If you cannot turn off the camera's screen, cut a piece of thick paper and tape it over the screen. Use masking or painter's tape so you don't leave a residue on the back of your camera.
  • Go out and shoot your 36 frames, thinking carefully about each image because you don't have an endless number of shots. Bonus points if you turn your camera to completely manual settings for focus and exposure.
  • Don't peek at your photos until you get home and download them.

How did you do? Were you able to get good exposures on your own? How did it feel to be 'blind' and not know how your image turned out right away? 

This is similar to what it is like to shoot with film and it does require you to think harder about every image you take. Next time you shoot, slow down and pay attention, pretend that the screen is not there and rely on your own skills to create a great image. You will be a better photographer in the end.

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How to Make an Absolutely Awesome High School Photography Curriculum

Do you teach photo classes? Do you need a curriculum map for this year? You’ve come to the right place! Teaching photography is a lot of fun! But if you don’t have a plan to help you keep track of where you’re going, it is very possible that you’ll get a little lost in the middle of the semester.

In the last post, I spoke at length about  graphic design curriculum examples , in this post, we’re tackling high school photography! Just like in the last post, I’ve got a free curriculum map overview for one full semester of intro to photography and it lays out which standards go with each unit according to the National Arts Standards. There are few more units in this curriculum because they tend to be a bit shorter than the graphic design ones. Enjoy! 

NOTE: This curriculum uses DSLR cameras, but many of the units may be completed without them.

NOTE: I have given you links to each of the units I’ve created below. The units themselves are available for sale, but if there are videos associated with the units, they will be free for you to view.

Famous Photographer Presentation : This is an ongoing unit. Students choose from a list of famous photographers and research their life work. Students will present their research toward the end of the semester. I use this unit as a “work on this if you have everything else done” project.

Photo Assignments : This is also an ongoing unit. Introduce a new photo assignment weekly and give them a full week to complete it (don’t forget to give them reminders! They’ll need them!)

Legal Issues in Photography : This unit gives students a basic knowledge about the rights of photographers. They will explore some real life photography court cases.

Camera History : What is a camera? Where did it come from? These and other origin questions about photography will be explored in this unit.

Exposure : After a week or two of background information, it is finally time to explore the camera. In this unit, students will explore the manual camera parts.

Digital Camera Basics : This unit explores the different types of cameras. Everything from the phone camera, to the point and shoot, to the high quality DSLRs.

Photo Composition : This unit shows students how to take quality photos (no matter what kind of camera they have).

Introduction to Photoshop : So they know how to take pictures, now they need to know how to edit them! This unit explores the basics of Photoshop.

Colorize a Black and White Photo : Students will learn how to use selection and color tools in Photoshop.

Restore Damaged Photo : Applying previous knowledge, students will bring in a damaged photo from home and learn how to restore them (I also provide images if they don’t have any).

Cut Out Background : Students will learn how to cut the background out of one image and place the subject into another picture. This unit explores the use of selection tools and masks.

Still Life Photography : This unit shows students how to control light through still life photography.

Time Lapse : This unit gives students the chance to practice their masking skills as they combine several photos together into one.

Magazine Cover : This unit will allow students to apply their knowledge of Photoshop and photography.

Historical You (paired with Famous Photographer project) : This is a short, fun assignment where students use images from their famous photographers and mask their faces onto the bodies of those in the images.

Final Exam : Students will apply previous knowledge to show you what they’ve learned through a couple of short application projects.

And that completes one semester of digital photography! If you ALSO would like to see an example of a photo syllabus,  click here !

As promised, below is a sample curriculum map for you, click the button and enter your email!

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These Cross-Curricular Photography Lessons Inspire High School Students to Do Social Good

Because creativity is at the heart of activism.

Teen wearing a shirt that says #schoolsnotprisons - high school photography lessons

Explore the Getty Unshuttered Teacher Portal , a cross-curricular resource for high school teachers filled with lessons that inspire students to raise their voices for social good through photography.  

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“Who am I? What do I care about? How can I make a difference?”

Teens continually attempt to figure out their place in the world. As teachers, we can make a profound impact as our students learn and develop. We can guide those in our classrooms to use their passion, creativity, and energy to make a difference in the world. And now there’s a new resource, created by the Getty Museum, to help teachers do just that. The Getty Unshuttered Teacher Portal is a cross-curricular resource that provides high school teachers with free lessons that inspire students to raise their voices for social good through photography .

Featured Image Photo Credit: Melissa Barales-Lopez, Mia Bella Chavez, Grecia Carey Ortega, and Norma Vidal, [untitled], 2018

Cross-curricular lessons.

Originally developed as a free, photo-sharing app , Getty Unshuttered encourages teens to inspire others with their creativity. The app also teaches photography skills and posts photo challenges. The Getty Unshuttered Teacher Portal is a new resource that provides high school teachers with lessons that incorporate photography and enhance curriculums across a variety of subject areas, such as ELA, history, politics, art, photography , and more. 

Social Justice Themes

The carefully developed lessons tackle social justice themes that resonate with high school students. For example, Exploring Your Background is a lesson that shows students how to use self-portraiture to express their identity. In the accompanying activity, students use their smartphones to capture selfies that reveal their cultural background, family history, and place in society. The lesson also incorporates photography skills videos from the Getty Unshuttered app , and resources such as portraits from the Getty Collection and an “identity map” graphic organizer. 

Other cross-curricular, high school photography lessons from the Getty Teacher Portal delve into impactful, social justice topics, such as:

  • Exploring Communities
  • The Role of Photography in Social Justice Advocacy
  • Identifying Types of Service 

Useful Tools and Resources

Currently, there are eight social justice lessons available on the Getty Unshuttered Teacher Portal. Over the next school year, there are plans to add lessons on photography skills and visual narrative. All  lesson plans include a variety of tools and resources. Examples include relevant activities, photos, videos, discussion guides, graphic organizers, and assessments.

Explore the Getty Unshuttered Teacher Portal

Tap into your high school students’ creative expression through photography that helps them develop a deeper understanding of art, history, literature, politics, and more. Inspire them to raise their voices for social good through Getty Unshuttered’s cross-curricular, high school lessons.

Note: The aim of the portal is to be a tool for educators, and the Getty wants to hear feedback from you directly ([email protected]) in order to be responsive and ensure resources work for you. Going forward, you will see updates to lesson plans as feedback is incorporated.

These Cross-Curricular Photography Lessons Inspire High School Students to Do Social Good

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Lesson Plan

Five Photography Assignments That Invite You to Look Closely at the World

Students, try one of these exercises inspired by the visual series The Take. What can you learn about the world by looking at it through a particular lens?

A close-up of a pair of hands with chipped yellow nail polish holding a twig with a caterpillar crawling across it.

By Natalie Proulx

How often do you look — really look — at the world around you? Below, we offer five photography assignments that challenge students to do just that, all inspired by The New York Times visual series The Take .

In this series, The Times asks photographers to explore different cultural themes through images — for example, to document what they see when they look up, to capture the sounds they hear in New York City or to find dance in everyday movements.

What can you learn about the world by looking at it through a particular lens? Choose one (or more) of the five assignments below to try out. For each, we’ll guide you through a warm-up activity, a reading of the Take article that inspired the exercise and your own photo shoot. When you’re done, you can create your own visual article by putting together a gallery of your images and writing a short commentary on what they mean to you.

These exercises are meant to be accessible to anyone with a camera or smartphone, whether you’re an experienced photographer or you’re just looking for a fun visual challenge. If you’d like to experiment with some composition and editing techniques, see our related photography lesson plan .

And if none of these projects inspires you, look through The Take’s archives for more ideas.

Assignment No. 1

Most of us spend our days looking down: at our phones, computers, homework, meals. What would you see if you looked up instead? For this assignment, we invite you to photograph what you see when you turn your gaze to the sky.

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Beyond Selfies: Unshuttering High School Photography Fundamentals

Inside: An examination of the teen-oriented social platform Getty Unshuttered and how its challenges can be used for high school photography lessons.  This post is brought to you by WeAreTeachers and Getty Unshuttered.

Selfies High School Photography

Our lives were inundated with images long before the internet or smartphones came along. We’re a visual species and we’ve been creating images for as long as we’ve been human, but never before have our lives been so dominated by photographs.

A World of Images

One estimate says we’ve gone from seeing about 500 ads a day back in the 1970’s to as many as 5,000 a day now. And that’s just ads! Spend a few minutes scrolling through Twitter or Facebook and you’ll be above 500 images in no time. Our students spend a significant amount of time looking at screens and every day there are more photo-based apps clamoring for their attention.

What Makes a Photograph Good: High School Photography Lessons

The popularity of apps like Instagram and Snapchat have passively educated our students to how photos communicate messages about the world and about themselves. They know that a single photo can make or break a reputation. They’ve seen it happen. The ability to take 20 selfies in 2.5 seconds has awakened them to the storytelling power of photographs. They know how their expression and setting can change the mood and emotion of a photo. They know that others will judge them based on what they show. Our students speak the language of photography, but a lot still gets lost in translation.

Advertisements and memes regularly rely on editing to change the meaning of a photograph. The internet is littered with arguments about the veracity of images because it is getting harder to determine the authenticity of the media we see. In this confusing and often dishonest landscape, I think we art teachers have a responsibility to help our students navigate the world of photography.

What Makes a Photograph Good: High School Photography Lessons

Getty Unshuttered

That’s where Getty Unshuttered comes in. Getty Unshuttered is a new social platform built specifically for teens. Each week, they introduce a new photography challenge that includes a video of a teenager sharing their own photographs and personal story. The concept introduced in the challenge video is explored further with written tips and explanations.

Teens are encouraged to post their own work in the free Getty Unshuttered app . I love that the photographs in the app can be favorited but not commented upon. We all know how cruel comment sections can be. Eliminating that aspect allows students to share their work free from unnecessary negativity.

What Makes a Photograph Good: High School Photography Lessons

High School Photography Lessons

Getty Unshuttered is the perfect tool for high school photography lessons because it pairs a medium that our students are hyper-familiar with and educates them on how it can be shaped and manipulated. By teaching the fundamentals of composition, light, and color, students will better understand why a photograph is good and what makes a photo memorable. Looking at and critiquing artworks inspired by the challenge and created by peers will make it easier for them to dissect the choices the artist made and how those choices impact the final photograph.

Getty Unshuttered can easily be used as the basis for a complete high school photography unit. The lessons will be a hit because they’re hands-on, fun, and incredibly relevant. Each week, you can choose a challenge to share with your classes. After watching the video and going over the written concepts, you can show students photographs that other teens have shared for inspiration and to critique in a controlled setting. Then, you can give students a homework assignment to complete the challenge using their own cameras or smartphones.

What Makes a Photograph Good: High School Photography Lessons

Once they’ve paired their knowledge and stories with the fundamental skills lessons available on Getty Unshuttered , students will be more discerning and observant of the images around them and become better artists themselves.

Light Challenge

There are several challenges already available on the Getty Unshuttered website, including features on skills like perspective, color, and composition. One of my favorites so far is the Light Challenge.

Getty Unshuttered makes it easy to empower students with the knowledge they need to take great photographs, tell their stories, appreciate the work of their peers, test their skills, and understand the increasingly visual world around them.

This post is brought to you by WeAreTeachers and Getty Unshuttered. While I was compensated for this post, all reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view.

I’d love to hear about how you’ll use Getty Unshuttered in your classroom in the comments below!

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12 Exciting Photography Assignments to Challenge and Inspire

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Everyone likes a good photo challenge. But photography assignments can also be very discouraging if they’re approached the wrong way. A good photography challenge will strengthen your photo skills and inspire you in multiple ways. A bad one will leave you wondering why you even tried photography in the first place.

12 Exciting Photography Assignments

Here are 12 exciting photography assignments to help you find the right one.

1. Shoot With a Limited Amount of Equipment

A Nikon Camera balanced on a persons outstretched hand - photography assignments

2. Take a Photo Every Day for a Year

A still life with a book, cup of tea and flower on a table

3. Limit Yourself to X Photos a Day

A carpet of purple flowers in a forest, sunlight peeping through the trees - best photography assignments

4. Take Photos With Your Smartphone Camera Only

A person taking a photo of a street at night using a smartphone - photography challenges

5. Experiment With a Completely Different Genre

There’s a wide variety of photography genres out there. There’s underwater, glamour , smartphone , landscape , and portrait , to name a few. Trying something new can help you fall in love with photography all over again. So take a temporary break from your main photo genre. If you’re a portrait photographer , take panoramic photos of your neighborhood. If you spend lots of time photographing animals, improve your self-portrait photography skills. When you expose yourself to different genres, you’ll learn many valuable lessons. And they will be useful long after the photography assignments end.

6. Photograph the Same Person or Object Every Day

Rustic still life photo of a jar of honey, mandarin segments and flowers against a dark background - photography assignments

7. Quit Social Media Temporarily

A portrait of a blonde haired woman using her smartphone outdoors in low light

8. Create a Stop-Motion Video Using Photos

A flat lay photo of materials for puppet making

9. Take Creative Self-Portraits With a Friend

A portrait of a female model holding a cat by a window - photography projects

10. Crop or Rotate All Your Photos in a Specific Way

The silhouette of a man against a fiery sky at night - photography assignments

11. Include the Same Object in Every Photo

A portrait of a female model sitting in a white walled room, surrounded by white balloons

12. Invest in a Photo Book and Complete Every Assignment in It

A still life featuring photography books and a rolliflex camera on a table

Conclusion: Exciting Photography Assignments

You don’t need to travel the world or break the bank to improve as a photographer. A single assignment that lasts at least a week can teach you many lessons. And it’ll help you become a better photographer. All you have to do is find photography assignments that work for you. Then, dedicate some time to it, and watch your photo skills strengthen!

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40 Practical Photography Assignments to Reinspire You

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Here are a list of photographic assignments that I hope help you. You can skip around and choose the assignments that appeal to you:

#1. 5 yes, 5 no

If you’re interested in street photography, often the fear of rejection is worse than the rejection itself.

If you want a simple assignment to build your confidence, try the “5 yes, 5 no” challenge.

The concept is simple: approach a bunch of strangers and ask for permission to make their portrait. You have to keep asking until you get 5 people to say “yes” and 5 people to say “no.”

You will discover it is harder to get a “no” than a “yes”.

If you’ve got all 5 “yes’s” but not 5 “no’s”, you need to purposefully go out and look for the scariest people you think will say “no.”

The purpose of this assignment is to help you face rejection. In life, photography, and everything else, we are slaves of fear. This will help you face your fear head-on.

#2. “10 no”

If you’re really, really afraid of getting rejected, try out this assignment (a variation of the 5 yes/5 no assignment).

Go out and try to get 10 people to reject having their photos as quickly as possible.

If you go out and try to find people to say “yes” to getting their portrait shot, you might become paralyzed. Instead, only approach people who you think look unfriendly and will say “no.”

Funny story: you will find that often the scariest/meanest looking people are the nicest (and vice-versa).

#3. Exposure compensation

I am a big proponent of shooting in “P” (program mode). Essentially the camera chooses the aperture/shutter speed for you, as well as the exposure.

If you want to get better exposures in your photos (in P mode), try experimenting with exposure-compensation.

Ask a person to stand in the bright sun, and take a series of different photos (with different exposure compensations):

0, +1, +2, +3, -1, -2, -3

Then look at your LCD screen, and look at the exposure of each photo. Then look at the real world — how does your exposure-compensations change how your photos end up looking?

Don’t get too nerdy with this. Figure out what exposure-compensations work well for your camera, in different settings. Each camera thinks differently and has different exposure compensation modes. So treat this assignment as a way for you to better understand the light, and how your camera thinks.

If it is really bright outside, I generally photograph at -1 exposure-compensation, to make the skin tones of my subject look more natural, and also to darken the shadows. I love the dramatic look this gives my images.

Furthermore, if you’re shooting in the shade, you will often need to shoot +1 exposure-compensation to light your scene better.

But once again, experiment with different exposure-compensations, and figure out what works best for you.

#4. 1,000 photos in a day

If you’re a photographer who only takes 1-2 photos of a scene and tends to run away, try this assignment.

The assignment: take 1,000 photos in a single day.

The purpose of this assignment is for you to learn how to “work the scene”. If you see a good scene, try to take at least 10 photos of each scene. This will allow you to capture better perspectives, angles, and moments.

I don’t want you to always take 1,000 photos everyday. But this might help you break through “photographer’s block.”

#5. Eye contact/no eye contact

When I’m shooting street photography, I’m not sure whether a photograph with eye contact or without eye contact will be better.

Solution? Try to get both.

If I’m shooting candidly, I will get close to my subject, and take multiple photos, until they notice my presence. Then I wait for them to notice me, and then I take a photograph when they make contact.

Then when I go home, I have the decision of choosing between two version of a photo: one with eye contact, and one without. Sometimes eye contact works better, sometimes it doesn’t.

There is a saying that “eyes are the windows to the soul.” I generally find photos with eye-contact to be more compelling, soulful, and intense for the viewer.

However at the same time, sometimes having photos with the subject looking away from the camera gives you a more moody feel.

I often like to study famous (painted) portraits of people in the past for inspiration. Look at the paintings with eye contact, and without.

#6. Ask your subject to look up, down, left, right

If you approach a stranger, and ask permission to make their portrait (or if you’re photographing a model), it is hard to direct your subject.

One tip I learned: ask them to look in different directions.

For example, ask your model to look into the camera, and don’t smile. Then ask them to look up, down, left, and right.

Often people have a “better side.” Not only that, but by having your subject look up and down, you change the mood of the photo.

When your subject is looking up, they look more confident, encouraged, and powerful.

When your subject is looking down, they look more downtrodden, depressed, and negative.

Another tip: ask your subject to look at your hand while you’re photographing them. Then move your hand, and see how their eyes track your hand.

Changing the eye and head position of your subject will change the emotion of the photo. Experiment with different head positions with your subject, and you will have more photos to choose from.

#7. Only photograph things on the ground

When it comes to photography, we often just photograph what is in front of us, at eye-level.

Yet we never look down, and we never loop up.

As a simple assignment, do a photo project of just photographing stuff on the ground. You will find lots of interesting subject-matter if you look closely enough.

The world is a rich and beautiful place to take photos. Sometimes we complain that there is “nothing to photograph.” Yet in reality, we’re just not looking hard enough.

Change your perspective and view. Don’t just look ahead. Look down. Look up. Look into cracks in-between walls. Be curious, and change your perspective.

#8. Take at least 10 photos of each scene

I mentioned this tip a bit earlier, but the mistake we make as photographers is that we’re easily satisfied with 1-2 photos, and we move on.

The problem with only taking 1-2 photos (and then checking our LCD screen) is that we don’t push ourselves. When in doubt, try to photograph 25% more than you think you need to photograph.

This will force you to be more creative. You will try to photograph your scene from different distances (close, far) and from different angles (left, middle, right). You can also switch up your positioning (crouching, standing, or tippy-toe).

It is rare to see a good photo-moment. Don’t settle with just 1-2 photos. “Work the scene” and try to take at least 10 photos of each scene. Then you will push your creative boundaries, and be more likely to make a good photo.

#9. Limit yourself to only 36 photos in a day

For this assignment, you’re only allowed to take 36 photos in a day (same amount of photos in a roll of film).

This exercise will help you learn restraint. It will balance out some of the other assignments which encourage you to take more.

If you only had 36 photos you could take in a day, how much more selective would you be with your shooting? What superfluous photos would you not shoot?

I also find that by taking fewer photos, I appreciate each scene more.

You can do this assignment on a digital camera, or on a film camera.

#10. Shoot 1 street corner for an hour

In street photography, we’re impatient. Rather than sticking in one good area and waiting for our subjects to come to us, we run around (often wasting our energy) to just find a few good photos.

The solution: find an interesting street corner, don’t move, and photograph it for an hour.

The purpose of this assignment is to realize that it can be more effective to find a good scene, background, or area, and wait for your subjects to come to you.

Not only that, but if you stay put in one area, you will get to know the area better. You will observe the flow of subjects, and get a feel of a place better. Not only that, but you will be more “invisible” in the scene — people will ignore you.

#11. Delete all the photos from your social media account

An occasional purge is good for our physical, mental, and spiritual health.

Try to do this every once in a while: delete all the photos from your social media, and start from scratch.

Don’t delete the original photos. Keep them on your hard drive, print them out, or archive them.

However if you have a lot of photos cluttering your social media account, make a practice of doing a 100% purge. Delete all the photos (or mark them private), and then re-start from scratch.

Often we let our past work prevent ourselves from innovating and creating new future work.

Purge your past. And start refreshed.

#12. Go a month without using social media

Often as photographers we fall victim to the “social media” treadmill of always uploading a photo everyday, just to feel relevant. We want it for the likes, the comments, the new followers. Yet we get addicted to social media like heroin. Without our daily “hit” of external affirmation, we feel our photography is pointless.

Yet photography should be a personal pursuit. Why care about what others think about your photos? How do you feel about your own photos?

Uninstall all the social media apps from your phone (don’t worry you can re-install them after a month). Don’t upload any photos, look at anyone else’s photos, and try your best not to cheat.

By “fasting” from social media from a month, you will get a better sense of why you make photos. And I can guarantee you, you will feel less stressed and anxious to keep up with the “social media rat race.”

#13. Only shoot black and white for a year

We don’t see the world in monochrome. Black and white is an abstraction in the world. That is why it looks more “artistic” to the average person. It is novel, unique, and different.

However it takes a while for you to train your eye to see the world in monochrome.

Many photographers shoot black and white their entire life, and still never master it. I’ve also found that if I switch between black and white and color too often, I can never learn how to really see the world in one.

The assignment is to shoot only black and white for an entire year. You can shoot RAW+JPEG with a black and white preview. And perhaps you can just use the black and white JPEG’s. If not, apply a simple black and white preset to all of your RAW photos (upon importing them).

How would you visualize the world in monochrome? I’ve found myself looking more for emotions, mood, smoke, shadows, lines, graphical elements, and minimalism.

This will be different for you, but learn how to see in monochrome.

#14. Only shoot color for a year

The opposite assignment to the prior one; shoot only color for a year.

To see the world in color is different than seeing the world in black and white.

Personally, I’ve found shooting color to be more difficult than shooting black and white. Why? Because color leads to more complexity. You need to compose and frame a scene well, but also think about the color-combinations of a scene.

Not only that, but different colors evoke different moods and emotions.

Monochrome is easy to use because it reduces and removes distractions. Color introduces more complexity and distractions.

I would personally recommend most photographers to first try to master monochrome before taking on color photography .

Color photography also requires your exposures to be better, and for you to shoot in better lighting conditions. For color photography, try to shoot sunrise and sunset ( golden hour ), or use a flash.

Train your eyes to become sensitive to different colors and play and have fun with it. See how you can mix different colors in a scene, whether they be complementary colors or contrasting colors.

#15. Only shoot JPEG for a month

RAW and post-processing is a blessing and a curse. The problem is that many of us modern photographers over-rely on fancy post-processing techniques to improve our (mediocre) photos.

I’m guilty of it — I’ve added HDR to my photos, added selective color, intense vignettes, and “overly-processed” many of my photos (thinking that they would make the photos better).

But no matter how much you polish a turd, it will still be a turd.

Shoot only JPEG for a month.

If you’re really anxious, shoot JPEG+RAW (but only use the JPEG’s) for a month.

This way you can’t rely on fancy post-processing techniques to “salvage” your photos. A great photo shouldn’t require any excessive post-processing.

#16. Only shoot with your smartphone for a month

We often make the excuse that we don’t always have our cameras with us. I know personally when I owned a DSLR, it would be a pain in the ass to carry with me everywhere I went.

But today we’re blessed by modern technology, especially with the smartphone. The smartphone is the ultimate camera: it is always with us, fits in our front pocket, and can also be used to edit/post-process/publish our photos.

If you have a big bulky camera and never take photos, take this challenge upon yourself: only shoot with your smartphone for a month. Lock up your “real” camera in a drawer, and see how you can be the most creative with just your smartphone.

The purpose of this assignment is to realize that photography is less about the gear and more about your personal vision, and how you see the world. The tool isn’t as important as your eye.

This assignment might also teach you the importance of just always having your camera with you, ready, and prepared to click.

#17. Stick to one camera, one lens for a year

We’re rich. We live in a culture of abundance. Most photographers I know aren’t starving. Most photographers have an over-abundance of cameras, lenses, and gear.

If you’re a photographer who has too much “choice anxiety” from owning too much gear, only stick to one camera, one lens for a year. Lock up your other gear in a drawer, better yet, sell it or give it away to friends.

If you really want to hone in your photographic vision; you don’t want to be distracted by gear. Also it takes a long time to get to know one camera and one lens/focal length quite well.

By sticking with consistent gear, you will have fewer gear distractions, which will give you more creative focus.

#18. Only shoot horizontal, vertical, or square for a month

I believe in “creative constraints”: by having fewer options, you are forced to be more creative.

For example, take framing. Try to only shoot horizontal (landscape), vertical (portrait), or square-format for a month.

Framing and composition is all about knowing what to leave out of the frame.

Restrict yourself to one orientation for a month and you will find more visual consistency with your work. And you will be forced to compose more creatively.

#19. Only shoot one square block for a month

With unlimited options, we become paralyzed. We don’t know what direction to take our creative work.

Restrict yourself geographically. For a month, only shoot one square block (both sides). This way, you will really have to dig deep, and find something very interesting in that one square block.

The benefit of this project is that you know exactly where to shoot. Just one specific area. And I think it is better to get to know one area very well, rather than knowing a lot of different areas superficially.

Being a great photographer isn’t about traveling the world, to exotic places, and making interesting photos overseas.

Being a great photographer is making the best out of what you have. For not complaining where you live; and being the best photographer in your own home town.

#20. Shoot everyday for a month

The only way to become a better photographer is to shoot more. The more you shoot, the more feedback you will get, and the more connected you will feel with the world.

For a month, take at least 1 photo everyday. It can be with your smartphone, DSLR, or whatever camera you have.

Just make sure it is something personally meaningful to you. Don’t just take the photo for the sake of it. Take a photo everyday of something that stirs your heart. That makes your soul sing.

The Zen masters recommended having a “daily practice.” By repetition, we reach a deeper understanding of “truth.”

In photography, we can read a hundred photo theory books, and still not learn anything. We only learn through taking photos, repetition, feedback, critique, and constantly seeking to improve ourselves.

Don’t put pressure on yourself that everyday the photo has to be great. But just build the habit.

#21. Don’t shoot for a month

To balance out the prior experiment; try to go a month without taking any photos.

You’re not allowed to take photos for a month.

Ironically enough, this assignment might be the best way to re-invigorate your passion for photography. Why? We take photography for granted. But when something is taken away from us we appreciate it more.

#22. Shoot “selfies” for a week

Many of us complain that we don’t have interesting subjects to photograph.

Not true; your best subject is yourself. Because you’re always available, and you won’t say “no” to yourself.

There are different ways you can shoot ‘artistic selfies’ of yourself. Photograph your shadow, reflection, or put your camera on a tripod and setup a scene and shoot yourself.

To photograph yourself is an incredibly intimate experience. It is an experience that allows you to be comfortable on the other side of the camera. Not only that, but it makes you realize that no matter what, you can always photograph something — who better than yourself?

#23. Have your portrait (professionally) shot

I learned this lesson from Sara Lando: if you don’t like being photographed, have another photographer (professionally) shoot your headshot. You will learn what is comfortable (and what isn’t comfortable) being a subject.

If you are a photographer, yet you don’t like having your own photo taken, you debilitate yourself. You assume everyone else doesn’t like having their photo taken (not true).

The secret is how can you make a photo of others (and of yourself) that makes the subject comfortable, at ease, and happy to be photographed?

#24. Shoot with a focal length (you’re uncomfortable with) for a week

We all have our preferences for a certain lens or focal length. If you want to push your creative boundaries, shoot with a focal length that you are very unfamiliar or uncomfortable with for a week.

If you’re a 28mm guy, try shooting only with a 200mm lens for a week. If you’re usually a 200mm telephoto type of person, try a 35mm lens. If you usually shoot with a 50mm lens, try a 28mm lens.

By shifting our focal length, we shift our perspective, how we see the world, and how we approach our subjects.

By pushing ourselves outside of our comfort zone for a week, you will gain a new perspective and also perhaps find more gratitude for the focal length you’re already comfortable with.

Or better yet, you might find a new focal length you prefer that can help you be more creative and innovative with your work.

#25. “.7 meter challenge” (1-arm length challenge)

I learned this assignment from my buddy Satoki Nagata. If you’re uncomfortable getting close to your subjects, pre-focus your lens to .7 meters (about 1-arm length distance), and only shoot that distance for a month.

This assignment will force you to get physically and emotionally closer to your subjects.

You don’t need to shoot all your photos candidly. Ask for permission.

The more comfortable you’re shooting at a close distance, the easier it will be for you to take a step back.

#26. Decapitate heads for a week

I often find photos of hands, feet, or body gestures more interesting than faces. So the assignment is to take photos of your subjects without including their faces/heads in the photo.

Try it out: for a week “decapitate” your subjects (don’t photograph their faces). This will force you to see the other characteristics and attributes of your subject on a deeper level.

#27. Buy a mannequin (and use it as a test subject)

I learned this assignment from my friend Charlie Kirk: if you want to learn how to make better portraits, how to better use studio/flash, or how to frame, buy a mannequin as a test subject.

The great thing about having a mannequin is that you will always have a willing subject.

Try using different focal lengths, different settings, different apertures, shutter-speeds, different lighting setups, and anything else you want to experiment with.

This will allow you to better understand how to use your camera technically, how light (especially artificial light) works. Not only that, but you will have a forever patient subject at your disposal (whenever).

#28. Only shoot with a flash for a week

There is a bias in photography against shooting with a flash. People say it looks “harsh” and unnatural” when compared to using natural light.

Yet the flash helps us overcome difficult lighting situations. It gives us more freedom to shoot at different points in the day, when the light might not be so nice.

For a week, experiment taking photos only with a flash. You will discover how the flash works during the day, in the shade, indoors, and other effects it might have on your images.

Having a flash is a good tool in photography. It can help you open up creative doors and opportunities. It will give you more freedom to shoot at all points during a day.

You don’t always need to shoot with a flash, but try to learn it to the best of your ability, and you can use it in special situations (or in all situations).

#29. Put together a photo album

Today’s world is (mostly) digital. In photography, we spend 99% of our efforts sharing our photos online. Very rarely do we print our work, arrange and edit our work, and create physical objects with our photography.

Buy a cheap photo album at the store or online. Print a bunch of your photos as small 4×6’s. Then put together a photo album.

Do it with your partner, children, or friends. Make a theme, concept, or a story. Have fun. Spread the 4×6 prints on the floor, and figure out what kind of pairing, sequencing, and flow you want to add to your album.

Handling physical prints is a different experience than just looking at them on your computer or phone. The physicality of photography adds another dimension for us to be more creative, to find more by-chance connections, and for us to be more engaged with others.

Making a photo album is a nice communal activity, something that families did a lot in the past. Making photo albums can help us re-connect ourselves with the past, but also create physical documents that will be well-preserved into the future.

#30. Print your portfolio

Most of us have our portfolios online. Few of us have printed portfolios.

Look at your entire library of images, and ask yourself: Which of these 10 photos represent who I am as a photographer?

Then print out those photos at any size you like. Figure out how you would like the photos to be sequenced. Then carry them around with you, and share them with your friends. Ask them to sequence your photos according to their emotion and feeling.

Learn to show your photos as prints, rather than just a phone or computer. See how people react differently to your photos, and see how it feels different for you as a photographer.

Photos don’t exist until they’re printed. When photos exist in atoms, we have a deeper connection with them as humans. When we can hold a photo, or a memory in our hands, it feels more real. We appreciate it more, and we feel more connected with them.

I find a nagging sense of incompletion if I don’t print my photos. I appreciate my photos on my computer, but I love them when they’re printed.

This assignment will also give you a good opportunity to re-evaluate your entire body of work and ask yourself: What photos really show who I am?

#31. Give away a photo everyday (for a week)

I feel the best gift you can give others as a photographer is prints. Why? Because prints are meaningful, easy to transport, and relatively inexpensive to print.

As an assignment, print out a bunch of your photos, and for a week, give out at least 1 print a day (to a stranger, friend, your barista, family member, etc). See how it affects their mood, and your own mood.

Photos are about sharing moments, art, and history. Share a little bit of your own soul by giving away your photos. You might discover that giving away your photos for free is more meaningful than selling them.

#32. Start your own photography blog, and blog consistently for 30 days straight

I’m not a big fan of traditional “social media” – because you have no control. You’re a slave to the platform, and you don’t have as much ownership and creative opportunities.

When you create your own blog, you have more flexibility. You can publish your photos, text, and ideas in different format. If you own the blogging platform (I recommend wordpress.org) you then really own your content.

Blogs are great because they are historical documents of our past. Blogging is more difficult than sharing photos on social media, but it is also more personally meaningful.

Furthermore, if you have a blog, it is easier indexed by Google. And anyone with a web browser can access your work rather than only people on a certain social media platform.

The assignment is to start your own blog, and blog consistently for 30 days straight. It can be about anything. You can just upload a photo everyday, upload photos that inspire you, or share some personal stories behind your favorite images. Don’t take it too seriously, but try it for a consistent month.

By making a blog, you gain more ownership of your own photography, creativity, and work on the internet. If you’re a slave to a social media platform, your influence is very limited and you don’t have as many different ways to express yourself creatively.

I see blogs as the future of photography — don’t be left behind.

#33. Write down a list of photographic subjects you don’t like to photograph

How do you know what your “style” is in photography? For me, it is knowing what you don’t like to photograph.

For this assignment, figure out what genres of photography you dislike. Write them down, and simply avoid taking those photos.

Then, by process-of-elimination, figure out what kind of photographer you are (based on what you don’t like to photograph).

Most people I know who are interested in street photography don’t like to take photos of sunsets and landscapes. People I know who like to shoot flowers don’t like to take photos of people. Photographers who like to shoot monochrome generally dislike shooting color (and vice-versa).

Find out who you are via subtraction and process-of elimination. Treat your photographic style the same.

What do you not like photographing? Then just don’t photograph it — photograph the opposite.

#34. Intentionally try to take bad photos for a week

One of the biggest barriers in our photography is that we always try to take really good photos. But it is rare that we make good photos.

So flip the concept upside down: try to intentionally shoot “sh**ty photos” for a week. Get rid of your concepts of good composition, framing, and light. Just take bad photos of whatever you find interesting.

Follow your gut, soul, and instincts. Just click. Don’t think too much.

Then after a week, see if you feel more loose in your photography, less “blocked” creatively. Do you take yourself less seriously? Are you having more fun?

Perfectionism ruins us. Seek to make “good” photos. And in order to do so give yourself permission to make bad photos.

#35. Create your own photography portfolio website

If you want to be more serious with your photography (and taken more seriously), make a photography portfolio website. It can just be your firstnamelastnamephoto.com (or better yet, firstnamelastname.com).

Make your own photography website, and put on your 3 best projects (restrict each project to your 10 best photos). This way, you will be able to think more about long-term projects, rather than getting swept away in the social media madness of just uploading a single (random) photo a day.

When you pass away, what kind of body of work do you want to leave behind? Do you really think that your social media profile will exist after you pass away? Will anyone even look at it?

Having a website (instead of just having social media) is better, but not the best.

Aim on creating a body of work, and several bodies of work, then publish them as books.

#36. Buy one photo book a month (for a year)

I’m a big proponent of photography books and education. For a simple motto, remember the phrase: “Buy books, not gear.”

Gear quickly gets outdated. A great photo book will increase in value over time, both monetarily and its value to you as a photographer.

I recommend trying to invest in at least one photo book a month (for a year). You don’t need to buy an expensive photo book — invest in a book that you plan on re-reading over and over again.

I also recommend buying photo books whenever you have the urge to buy a new piece of gear. Why? Photo books will actually help improve your photography, and the novelty of a new photo book will inspire you.

Every photographer needs inspiration from somewhere. Most of us get our inspiration online, on social media.

There are great photographers online, but if you really want to learn the work of the masters, invest in photo books. Photographers spend many years, thousands of dollars, to create their own book. Therefore you’re more likely to get better images in a photo book, than just when looking online.

A good photo book will last for your entire life and will always be a great source of inspiration for you.

#37. Look at all the portfolios of all the Magnum photographers

You are what you eat. If you look at the work of great photographers, you will aspire to make great photographs.

I also go this assignment from my buddy Charlie Kirk: go to the Magnum Photos website and study all the portfolios of the Magnum photographers.

Write a list of which photographers you admire. Analyze their work, and ask yourself, “Why” you like their work.

Furthermore, when you find a photographer whose work really speaks to you, buy all their photo books, watch all their YouTube interviews, and learn as much about them as you can from them.

The more great images we look at, the more inspired we will be to make great photos. By analyzing great compositions and images, we will subconsciously take better photos when we’re shooting.

Also you will find there are a lot of Magnum photographers whose work you don’t “get” or “like.” That is fine — just think to yourself, “What about their work do I not like? And why would other people like their work?”

#38. Attend a photography workshop

I think photography workshops are great because you get a “shortcut” in your learning and education.

For a workshop, you get a distilled source of information from your teacher, often in a few days or a week.

I personally think that photography workshops are a much better “bang for the buck” than photography schools. And they’re much shorter, focused, practical, and hands-on.

Find a photography workshop on a topic that interests you. And know that you’re investing your money into your education, which is always one of the best investments for your money.

If you want practical instruction in photography, to learn, have any questions addressed, attend a workshop or two.

#39. Learn how to process black and white film

I don’t think digital is better than film, nor is film better than digital. They’re different. But more similar than dissimilar.

I feel the process of shooting film, and learning how to develop it, makes you appreciate the art and process of photography much more.

When I started off in digital photography, I took for granted that you could take a photo and instantly see it on the back of your LCD screen.

Shooting film has taught me patience, appreciation for the process, and the tactile hands-on approach.

If you’ve never processed your own black and white film, give it a try. There are tons of YouTube tutorials on how to do it. By processing your own black and white photos , you will feel a lot more connected with your images. You might fall in love with the process and the magic.

After shooting film for several years, I came back to digital photography with new enthusiasm. I appreciated digital photography so much more in terms of the convenience, the flexibility, and the modern technology.

If you’ve never processed your film before, give it a go. And not only that, but try to print your photos in a darkroom at least once — the experience might totally change how you view photography.

#40. Photograph only hand gestures for a day

I think that great photos tend to have two things: 1) Great composition and 2) Great emotion.

We all know how to make better compositions. Few of us know how to capture emotions.

A practical way to capture better emotions: capture hand-gestures and body language of your subjects.

So for a whole day, do nothing but photograph people doing interesting hand-gestures. Not only that, but afterwards, look at your photos (with hand-gestures in them), and mimic the hand-gesture. This will help you connect emotionally, and empathize with your subjects.

Photos of people just walking (and doing nothing with their hands) tends to be boring. Hand-gestures are much more dynamic, interesting, and emotional.

Much of communication is body-language and hand-gesture based. Photos are silent and don’t say words. But hand-gestures do.

I hope this list of 40 photography assignments will help inspire and uplift you. It is hard to stay motivated in your photography, but know that photography isn’t a race. Photography is a personal journey for yourself. You want to take your time, enjoy the process, and gain personal meaning through your photography.

Never compete with any other photographer. Don’t compare yourself to other photographers by how many followers/likes you have on social media.

Only gauge your progress in photography by your own standards of yourself, and by your own gut.

Know that dips in motivation in photography are natural and part of the game. What matters the most is how are you going to overcome these mental blocks and barriers in your photography. Are you going to let them encourage you to try harder? Or are you going to give up photography all-together.

Tenacity and staying in the game of photography is the goal. Never give up friend. Let’s stick in photography together for the long-haul.

About the author : Eric Kim is an international street photographer. You can find more of his photography and writing on his website and blog . This article was also published here .

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15 Photography Assignments to Challenge and Inspire

By Tata Rossi 23 days ago, Amateur Photography

15 Photography Assignments to Challenge and Inspire

Photography assignments allow you to experiment with something you have never tried before and play around with different photographic approaches. With such an assignment, you will challenge yourself and develop your skills.

15 Ways to Make Photography Assignments

This list of photo assignments consists of 15 points, so I am sure that you will find the idea to your liking.

1. Self Portraits

best photography assignments

The first task is a no-brainer: just take a self-portrait picture each day. Don’t forget to use a tripod and shutter release aside from regular shooting with your arm extended and holding a camera.

Since you will be the model, feel free to unleash your creativity with all sorts of make-up, outfits, poses until you figure out a proper look. Remember to use props as well. Then share your shots with the world via social networks or the dedicated Flickr and Twitter groups.

2. Color Challenge

photography assignments

Here is one of the greatest color photography assignments for the urban environment photos . Bring the camera with you and take pictures for several hours. Pick a color (or ask a friend to choose it for you to complicate the task) and photograph subjects of the chosen color only.

Once you are done, you will find yourself seeing this color everywhere! Then pick the best shots and merge them into a collage or mosaic in Photoshop .

3. After Dark

powerful photography assignments

Practice with night photography and try taking pictures after dark. In case you are outside the city, you may shoot moonlight or star trails. While being in the city, capture light trails of vehicles or buildings with the light-up windows. Regardless of the location, experiment with light-painting by means of long exposure photography and moving a flashlight across areas of the scene.

4. Crop or Rotate All your Photos a Specific Way

One of the best photography practice assignments is to neglect your comfort zone and try something new for a change. For instance, if you have a tendency to snap the same kinds of photos, you should modify their perspective.

Try an approach to cropping or rotating your next 50-100 shots that differs from your regular one. Play around with square photos, 180° rotation or whatever else you can come up with. Once you get out of the familiar artistic routine, you will be able to perceive the world from another angle and get creative.

5. Quit Social Media Temporarily

amazing photography assignments

Social networks can serve as an excellent source of photography inspiration or lead to a complete lack of it. If you use social networks without critical thinking, you may start comparing yourself to other photographers, which will be a total waste of time and effort.

While it may be one of the hardest photography assignments these days, taking a hiatus from social networks is highly important. Log off your Instagram account for some time or uninstall apps that leave you in a bad mood.

In case your job requires staying online on a daily basis, devote some of your time to non-Internet tasks, like taking pictures or gaining knowledge on photography. I suggest taking some online photography courses .

6. Shoot Every Day for a Month

If you wish to become a better photographer , you shouldn’t stop shooting. By taking pictures constantly, you will receive more feedback and will be interacting more actively with the world.

One of the most widespread photography class assignments is to take one picture each day for a month. Do it with the help of the smartphone, DSLR camera or any device that can photograph. But don’t take meaningless pictures just because you have to. The shots you take should resonate with you in one way or another and be valuable to you.

The Zen masters suggest that you have a “daily practice.” When we repeat something, we become closer to recognizing the “truth”. You may read a great number of photo theory books , but you won’t be able to shoot properly. Only through practice, repetition, feedback and constructive criticism, you can grow as a photographer. Remember that this assignment is about forming a habit, not about taking a perfect picture each day.

7. Experiment with a Completely Different Genre

cool photography assignments

The array of photography genres is truly vast. Underwater photography , glamour, smartphone, landscape photography , portrait photography – that’s only a beginning. If you feel like you are losing interest in photography, switch to another genre.

Try staying away from your primary photography genre for a while. In case you shoot portraits, go outside and capture the area where you live in. If you are involved in photographing pets , play around with self-portraiture. By getting familiar with various photography genres, you are widening your photography horizons and gaining new knowledge that may come in useful one day.

8. Put Together a Photo Album

photography assignments you must practice

We live in a digital world, and even nowadays’ photography comes mostly in a digital form. We constantly find ourselves sharing our photos online. It is a rare thing to print photographs, even touch them, let alone create something physical out of them.

That’s why one of the greatest photography tasks is to compile a photo album. You can buy one at a store or online. Print the desired shots in the small 4×6 size. I suggest collaborating on this task with your friend, child or partner. Think of the main idea, theme or story of the album. Put all the printed shots on a surface and consider how you will lay them out in an album, how you will pair them and in what sequence.

No wonder that our parents and elderly relatives used to create a photo book together. It is a nice way to preserve precious memories in a physical form and bring back the moments that we sometimes tend to forget over time.

9. Take Creative Self-Portraits with a Friend

interesting photography assignments

While you may enjoy your own company while taking self-portraits, you may feel bored or lonely after some time. In this case, you can implement one of the most entertaining photography assignment ideas and take self-portraits with a friend (pets are welcome as well!).

Don’t forget to think through the poses, set up the tripod and find the perfect photography light. As you will be engaged in all these activities, you will be able to get a hang of a photographer’s workflow. Then, when it comes to a real photo shoot with the clients, you will be more skilled at dealing with the camera and lights.

10. Attend a Photography Workshop

Photography workshops is an excellent investment in your education as a photographer and one of the most helpful beginner photography assignments.

Pick a workshop that is dedicated to the topic relevant for you. Thanks to workshops, you will get not only theoretical but also practical information. Also, you will have your questions answered by real professionals.

11. Photograph the Same Person or Object Every Day

In case you aren’t as excited about photography as before, try capturing one and the same person or object each day for a week or month. Similar to the smartphone photography challenge, as a result, you will realize the importance of having the freedom to photograph anything you wish.

While snapping pictures of the same object, you will boost your lighting skills. To make the shots differ from each other, don’t hesitate to play around with various types of lighting and photo editing apps .

12. Go a Month Without Using Social Media

Being the photographer of the 21st century, you may find yourself in the never-ending trap of feeling the need to post photos on social networks each day. It all turns into some sort of addiction – all you crave is likes, comments and new followers. If you don’t receive the online praise you need, your photography stops making sense.

In fact, photography is something you should pursue on your own. What truly matters here is your personal thoughts on your shots, not the opinion of users online. Simply uninstall all the social network applications from the smartphone (you can bring them back once the assignment is over). Posting photos and looking through photos of others is prohibited.

If you manage to stay away from social networks for a month, you will acquire a clearer purpose of your photography work. Besides, you won’t be so obsessed with the imaginary social network competition that everyone seems to be involved in.

13. Shoot with a Limited Amount of Equipment

perfect photography assignments

Regardless of whether you are an experienced, amateur or a beginner photographer , you are likely to be after all sorts of photography gear to enhance your results.

How about photography assignments where you have to use a restricted amount of shooting equipment? You can photograph strictly with one camera body or camera lens . There is no need to do it for an entire month.

For this assignment, I suggest coming up with a plan, and do it, for instance, only once a week. Working with the same gear every day will give you more flexibility in both the creative and physical aspects of the process.

So, in case you deal only with a zoom lens, you will have to experiment whenever you shoot indoors . With a wide-angle lens only, you will need to work on cropping and correcting distortions.

14. Limit Yourself to X Photos a Day

Similar to the previous assignment, limiting yourself to 10, 20, 30 or more shots per day, week or month will help you realize what your true creative needs are. Besides, with a photo limit, you will understand what subjects or scenes you are more inclined to photograph.

Another benefit of a photo limit is that it will bring more patience and creativity into the process. You won’t be able to take numerous pictures of one place, so you will be forced to risk and play around with various perspectives.

15. Take Photos with Your Smartphone Camera Only

unique photography assignments

Take pictures only with a smartphone camera for a week. For better results, download a top-notch camera app and try to figure out all of its settings. A modern smartphone will help beginning photographers get acquainted with the technical side of the shooting process.

To complicate the task, I suggest recreating some of your portfolio photos with the smartphone camera. With this assignment, you will learn all the intricacies of shooting with a smartphone and may even start taking shots not only with a standard camera but with a smartphone one as well on a regular basis!

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Wander Homeschooling

Best High School Photography Curriculums

This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may receive a small commission (at zero cost to you). Please see my full Disclosure policy

Are you looking for high school photography curriculums for your homeschoolers? 

Photography skills can turn into a wonderful career but are also useful for everyday life. 

Whether you are looking for a photography course as high school credit, fine arts credit, or just to learn a new skill, we will go over some popular courses to see which one is a good fit.

I’m reviewing paid and free online photography courses for your high schoolers so all you need is a digital camera and creativity.

High School Photography Curriculum

Photography for teens.

Photography for Teens  takes a different approach by using a smartphone to begin instead of a DSLR camera. 

This course gets teenagers to take beautiful photographs quickly as they begin to understand lighting, framing, focus, and editing. The focus is on good photography in general instead of diving deep into the DSLR settings. 

A course that’s worth .5 credits is broken down into 12 modules including lesson plans using their own camera. If you are looking for a lighter course that gives an overview of photography, this course might be a good fit. 

It’s also a good choice if you don’t have access to a DSLR camera. 

Outschool Photography Classes

Outschool is a wonderful resource for electives and fun classes as well as photography. 

Most of the classes on Outschool are live meetings where your student will interact with a group of other kids including the instructor. Lessons are normally weekly live videos with homework given for your child to work on throughout the week but each class varies.

Manual DSLR Photography 101  is a Flex Class on Outschool with great reviews. The course is for beginner high schoolers ready to use their DSLR camera.

The class is offered with live instruction or pre-recorded instruction with homework assignments. 

Outschool offers personalized instruction so your student’s work (in this case photographs) gets attention and feedback from the instructor. 

The Photography classes on Outschool vary in price but the Flex classes run a bit cheaper since you don’t have live instruction. This particular Manual DSLR class runs around $200. 

Related: Best High School Science Curriculums

iPhone Photography School

iPhone Photography School  is a brilliant way to get your high schooler to take beautiful photos quickly with their cell phone camera. 

Included is 10 hours of video course with lessons ranging from 10-15 minutes each. You can use any cell phone camera, not just an iPhone. 

The price of the course ranges around $50, so a good price point for high school electives. 

I like the simplicity of the course and how quickly your students will start taking beautiful photos with minimal equipment.

Learn Photography for Beginners Free Full Course

This award-winning photography course by Chris Parker is completely FREE to use on Youtube. 

Learn Photography for Beginners  is a 4-hour video broken up into sections. Basically, the entire course is uploaded to YouTube in one long video and you need to watch and learn each section roughly once a week. 

Although the format isn’t ideal since it’s one long video, the content is amazing. 

It really is an entire photography course for free with recommendations for lenses, cameras, Lightroom filters, checklists, and shutter speed, and it’s broken up into time chapters in the description.

I know it’s not the typical curriculum style format that we know and love but I would not overlook this free course.

Digital Photography for Beginners on Udemy

This bestselling course is perfect for beginners and includes topics like how to hold a camera, lens types, mastering camera settings, light, and composition. 

The bulk of the course is short 2-minute videos and there are 2 hours of video altogether in the course. Although the videos are short and to the point, most technical aspects of photography are covered by the course and it’s perfect for high school students. 

Digital Photography for Beginners with DSLR Cameras  is a good starting place for high schoolers and the curriculum is affordable at roughly $25. 

There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for this course but with all the good reviews I don’t think you will need it. 

Alison Photography Free Courses

The Alison Photography area has a lot of courses to choose from both free and paid. 

Each course varies in material covered and length but  Introduction to Digital Photography  is free for anyone to use. 

The course covers the basics of DSLR cameras, the rule of thirds, managing files, full vs. crop frame, and more. Overall, this is a great course to learn about DSLR cameras but I may be lacking in areas like lighting, poses, and hands-on picture taking. 

Alison has a variety of free photography courses with some earning certificates so I wouldn’t overlook these courses. 

Intro to DSLR Photography Curriculum 

Look Between the Lines has created an in-depth beginner  Intro to DSLR Photography class  covering one semester. 

The course is a PDF/PowerPoint presentation only and doesn’t contain video content. although it covers a lot of material, it is better suited for a classroom than homeschooling. It’s geared toward a teacher going through the lessons with a classroom of students. 

It can be used in a homeschool setting by printing out the PDFs and working through the course, there is a lot of classroom/teacher lingo. 

​I love the artistic assignments and projects included and overall this looks like a nice bookwork photography curriculum that ranges around $100. 

Local Photography Classes

​ Don’t forget to check with your local library, local homeschool co-ops, and community colleges about possible dual credit opportunities for photography classes. 

You may find a photography company your high schooler could volunteer for a semester.

High School photography curriculums are a fun way to earn electives and learn about a possible career as a photographer. It allows your student to be creative and hands-on which is a nice break from bookwork.

Let us know in the comments what high school photography curriculum your kids are loving so we can check them out. 

high school photography curriculum

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high school photography assignments

Photography & Journalism 

Sunset high school, assignment 5: aperture, depth of field & bokeh.

Target: Learn to manipulate the depth of field in your images by choosing the appropriate lens and adjusting the aperture settings on a digital camera.  Creatively choose your focus point, not necessarily the center or closest object.

Directions:  Take images which demonstrate your understanding of aperture settings and depth of field. 

Turn in 4 examples of shallow depth of field with thoughtfully considered bokeh. 

set your shooting mode to Av or M

use a prime lens or zoom lens in full zoom

use the wheel on the camera to  decrease your aperture settings (f-stop)

consider your composition, making thoughtful decisions   about the arrangement of subject matter, balance, lack  distractions, and general feeling of the image

place yourself and your subject with light in the background some distance away from the subject.

     (city lights, sunset through trees, reflected light, Christmas lights, etc.)

Tips: 

portraits and macros make great subject matter for a shallow depth of field

focus on creativity (try unusual combinations, tell a story, solve problems, create something unique)

the more actual depth you have in your view the more you will be able to manipulate it

lights, backlight, reflected light - makes for lovely bokeh

high school photography assignments

Aperture   is the opening between the lens and the shutter that controls the amount of light falling on the CCD sensor.  It is also referred to as f-stops. 

Depth of Field   is the zone between the nearest and furthest points at which the camera can obtain a sharp focus.

Shallow Depth of Field=   large aperture, small f-stop (daylight will require a fast shutter speed so that it won't be washed out)                

Maximum Depth of Field=   small aperture, large f-stop (will require a slower shutter speed so it won't be too dark)

Macro Photography   is extreme close-up photography, usually of small subjects, in which the size of the subject in the photograph is greater than live size. 

                      Use the Macro function to achieve a shallow depth of field by choosing aperture priority and macro on your camera.  Make sure that you are in good 

                      lighting and get very close to your subject.

Bokeh   is defined as “the effect of a soft out-of-focus background that you get when shooting a subject, using a fast lens, at the widest aperture, such as f/2.8 or wider.” Simply put, bokeh is the pleasing or aesthetic quality of out-of-focus blur in a photograph.

high school photography assignments

lightroom skills

For every image remember to use LR to:

Adjust the color tones, brightness, contrast, shadows, highlights, saturation & luminance

Crop and straighten images

Set the resolution to 300 dpi & limit file size to 15000 k for export

Define your personal editing voice with:

Use the brush tool to make adjustments to select areas of the image​

Use the HSL (Hue, Saturation, Luminance) panel to make individualized color adjustments​

Use the split toning panel to adjust shadows and highlights independently​

Use the brush tool to do selective edits

Student Examples

TakeiBokeh.jpg

Moscow High School

Last Updated: 04-08-2024 at 9:58 AM

402 E 5th St (Physical) Moscow, ID 83843

Patrick Laney

208-882-2591 (Phone)

208-882-2591 (Fax)

Member High School

District II

5A Classification

Mascot: Bears

Colors: Red, Black & White

Spring Break: Mar 13 - 17

Winter No-Contact: Dec 23 - 25

Shawn Tiegs

208-882-1120

208-883-4440 (Fax)

Erik Perryman

208-882-2591

208-892-1136 (Fax)

208-892-1109

Heidi Hawley

208-892-1153

Tyler Volkmann

714-642-9013

Moscow School District #281

650 N Cleveland Moscow, ID 83843

Griffin Rod

Basketball (Boys)

Basketball (Girls)

Josh Colvin

Bryttni Robinson

Cross Country (Girls)

Zachary Lichte

Cross Country (Boys)

Golf (Boys)

Trent Brown

Golf (Girls)

Music - Instrumental

Music - Vocal

Soccer (Boys)

Pedram Rezamand

Soccer (Girls)

Jessica Brown

Eric Kiblen

Melissa Kirkland

Swimming (Girls)

Jody Broyles

Swimming (Boys)

Tennis (Boys)

Tennis (Girls)

Track (Boys)

Phil Helbling

Track (Girls)

Wrestling (Boys)

Zac Carscallen

high school photography assignments

© Copyright 2009-2024 Idaho High School Activities Association (IHSAA).  All rights reserved.

high school photography assignments

high school photography assignments

by
 

Glancing Back... to our youth...

Click on the links below (  or  ) to see more pictures and information.

The commencement program.

             
       
       
       
             
         
             
  Reunion Pic   Reunion Pic   Reunion Pic  
  Reunion Pic   Reuniion   Reuniion  
  Reuniion   Rafting   Rafting  
       
           
           
Farther Back....

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    ** ADDED - JULY 2010 **    
   
   
   
                                 
             

- April 18, 2019 - Remembering

Wayne was my best friend from second grade (our class photo below) through high school. He was very intelligent, but without guile or complications, and always a good friend.

:

Remember Mr Stephenson, the sience teacher in Junior high?  Poor guy, we gave him lynigitis and he guit teaching.


Two score years and forty-nine days ago we were involved in the culminating act of our years together in the Moscow School system. Graduation!!! I had to look in my old Bear Tracks to find that Dean Phillip C. Petersen delivered the commencement address, but boy, I'm hard pressed to remember what he said. I do remember singing "No Man Is an Island" with the Choralaires , under the direction of H. James Schoepflin. And I have a vague memory of walking across the stage, shaking someone's hand and receiving a diploma. I've heard it said that if you remember the '60s you weren't there, maybe I was only half there.

I do remember in the sixth grade in the Whitworth School (1912 building) that it was more interesting watching and hearing the woodpeckers drumming on the steeple of the old Swedish Lutheran Church than it was to pay attention to what Mrs. LaFollette was trying to drill into my thick skull.

It was quite entertaining in physics class to watch Emery Barrus pretending to blow his nose on his shirttail. That drove poor Mrs. Day wild.

I could only take so much of that, physics that is, so transferred into Chorolaires at the semester break. It seems like a funny thing to do for a kid who wanted to go on to be a high school science teacher!

Speaking about one's aim in life, I recall an incident that took place in the first grade. In the Russell School, the boy's bathrooms had the old style urinals extended upwards from the floor to about as high as a first grader is tall (at that time I never understood the need for walk-in urinals). After a vigorous recess we always headed for the lavatory before returning to class. Side by side doing our thing I heard someone yelp, "that kid peed on my foot". Glancing down I was shocked as I discovered I was the guilty one. Perhaps this is why Ken Caldwell and I weren't the closest of friends throughout our twelve years of school. I really think I did apologize, Ken!
:

No, I don't remember the name of my school bus (#10?) BUT I do remember our bus driver, Fred Horning. He was truly a laid-back, cool man. I was on the fringe end of the bus route. If my sisters or I weren't out by the road, Fred would still stop and wait. If he saw this was going to take awhile, he had a stool which he got out. Along with a rag and some Windex, he'd wash the windows of the bus while my sisters and I got our bodies out there. I have 8mm movies to prove that! Amazing! Also, in the Fall when there were apples on the trees along the road, Fred would stop, let all of us out to pick an apple. Then, we could eat them on the bus. Have times ever changed! Remember the school bus skating parties in Lewiston? Those were fun.

Also, does anyone remember Mr. Gould?
" ":

Watching in fascination as Bruce Davey flipped his front teeth in and out of place over and over and over again in US history as he sat in the front row and stared at Mrs. Schuette. Must have been a bit distracting for her!
:

I have a million memories....
John Weber's '50 Studebaker without doors and his instant acceptance and friendship for the kid from down south, playing city league basketball in the old gym, Michelle....., the "contest" and trying to keep up with Tash, fishing on the Little Joe, sneaking out for a beer before we could face typing class, diving into snowbanks, painting the water tower, that fantastic '64 football team and coach Scott, M-club initiation (nobody could get away with that today!!), Morris breaking Bruce's nose between class, walking down to the bakery shop over lunch break, sloe gin, Shakey's pizza, the drive-in and trying to clean up Dave's mom's car the next day (what was she thinking letting us take her car?), Spring skiing at Sun Valley, hookey-bobbing around town, cruising main street....

I tell stories about some of the crazy things we did and nobody believes them!! Thank you all so much for enriching my life....and helping me live through it!!
:
" ":

One time I stopped by to see a friend. There were some other girls there, and we sat around the table talking. There was one girl, though, who hovered behind me and said, "How would you like to have your hair cut?" Snip. Well, I really hadn't planned on having my hair cut that day. I mean, I didn't know it was on my agenda for that day. She didn't wait for me to say, "Yes", "No", "Let me think about it", or "Over my dead body". I think it is possible, though, that I may have said something like "uh" or "um", or something along that line. I was so stunned that I think I may have been comatose for a moment or two. However, I couldn't very well go around with my hair long on one side and with a short bob on the other side, so I ended up with a short haircut that I hadn't planned on. But, it was kind of funny. Kind of. Sort of. In a way. I guess. Maybe. I do know she meant well. She had good intentions. She simply felt she must intervene on my behalf. My hair must go! And it did.
:
and the library, i.e., the limburger cheese in the heat vents, the alarm clock, the penny nailed to the floor and the condom (I think we called them something else) tacked to the bulletin board. Although Miss Gehrke probably received more than her fair share of attention, seems that fell victim to at least one other memorable incident, the "centerfold" in the pull-down map. As a group, there was certainly no shortage of creativity.

Is it possible that we had some kind of strange affection for Maybelle Gehrke? I mean, personally, I wouldn't give someone I did not like the time of day. Most of us play practical jokes on those we consider friends, not people we dislike. I believe that if a student needed help, Miss Gehrke would be the first in line. In fact, I think there is at least one graduate in the class of '64 that would not have received a diploma had it not been for Maybelle Gehrke.
has no doubt forgotten. Dick had stopped by the house one day. As we were talking I just happen to have a pellet gun in hand and without thinking, 'POP' right on the butt. He took verbal exception and referred to me as the close relative to some female dog among other things, but never mentioned it again. Time passed and it was history, at least for me. Apparently, not for Dick. He was again at the house and oblivious to me, grabbed that pellet gun and 'ZAP' right in the same place. Revenge was his. The pain subsided shortly and I really didn't give it much more thought. Turn about is fair play. Right? A few days later I catch a glimpse of my rear in the bathroom mirror. A perfectly round unbelievably purple bruise 4 - 5 inches in diameter. The next time I see Nelson, I advise him of my rather bizarre bruise. He says, "Ya, I know."
.
and . By the way, for those of you that also made that bus ride every day, do you remember the name of your bus?
:

Who can possibly forget Maybelle Gehrke??? So many memories and most of them so politically incorrect.... Being chained in the library; having live chickens with you while chained in the library; getting the "evil eye stare" for whistling softly under your breath (over and over and over); seeing how many spitwads in takes to fill one of the "upside down" bowls on the ceiling lights; over the course of an hour, seeing how many books you can creatively "re-file" in new and interesting locations; being summoned into the back-room for a serious heart to heart talk; being banished next door to the study hall where nothing interesting happens..... Those were the days!!
:

Does anybody remember Mr. Shane? MJHS 7th grade ALL girl Math class! That poor man, I've always wondered if that was a planned thing, wonder if that's why he left the school district?? We should have given him a "survivor" award! Sure was fun though and he was a super guy!

high school photography assignments

 
50 Reunion - I hope to be adding more info soon...
 
45 Reunion - What Happened??

The MHS Class of '64 - Reunion was held - 7 , 2009.

If you don't have a installed, to get one.

If you don't have a installed, to get one.

Updated July 19th, 2009

Please enjoy the shows!

 
What happened at the 40 Reunion

 
 
to view the Anyone having Friday night pictures they'd like to include.. please send them along.
 
( )
 
- University of Idaho Golf Course..
 
to view the
 
 
to view the Kay provided a couple of pictures of the visit to the Jr High too.
 
 
to view the
 
 
 
to view the
 

Where are they now???

hard to find!

I've been able to gather contact info for but it may be dated and not very useful.   been able to find or that the addresses/phone numbers don't appear to be correct.

If anyone knows the whereabout of these elusive classmates, I would appreciate a hand in locating them.  Please let them know about the Reunion dates and/or Email their address or phone number to ") //--> . . -->

Best to all!

Bill
  classmates recorded..
= FOUND    = UNCONFIRMED - POSSIBLE

162* Found + + 18 Unknown = Total of 182
*
  F
  O
  U
  N
  D
  F  
  O  
  U  
  N  
  D  
  F
  O
  U
  N
  D
Paula Beachell -   Tom Brase -   Larry Carstens -  
Steven Colliver -   Myrna Curtis -   Margret DeVoe -  
Terry Finch -   Kristen Hansen -   Julie Johnson -
Gary Kepler -   Judy Lucas -   Dave Lynch -  
Janice McFeron -   Dean Nelson -   Edward Nelson -  
Buddy Richardson -   Gail Simmons - David Sevedge -  
Scott Walker -   Janice Watson -      

Ott Historical Photograph Collection

Photographs from local Clifford M. Ott depicting northern Idaho as it was, 1890 - 1980

University of Idaho Library Digital Collections

  • Moscow High School [04]

Moscow High School [04] Item Info

First brick school built in 1892 on the south side of Third Street between Jefferson and Van Buren streets, across from the Methodist Church. High school was conducted on the top floor and grade school on the bottom floor. Later it was called the Whitworth School. It was razed in 1934 and at present is the site of the new high school annex. 1968.

Contact us about this record

The most Midwestern things Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has ever done

  • Vice President Kamala Harris chose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her 2024 running mate.
  • Walz comes from a rural background and has the vibe of a quintessential Midwestern dad.
  • His Midwestern activities have included hunting, making hotdishes, and shopping at Menards.

Insider Today

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz 's Midwestern lore runs deep.

Now a household name as Vice President Kamala Harris' 2024 running mate , anecdotes from his years as a veteran, teacher, football coach, congressman, and governor continue to emerge and solidify his image as a quintessential Midwestern dad.

Walz's rural background and folksy charm don't just make for amusing stories — they've added momentum to Harris' campaign. A camouflage "Harris Walz" hat inspired by Walz's wardrobe staple sold out in minutes and raised nearly $1 million for Harris' campaign, Teen Vogue reported on Wednesday. His tactic of calling Donald Trump and JD Vance "weird" has also shifted the tone of the Democratic party's messaging around their opponents.

From winning hotdish competitions to shopping at Menards, here are some of Walz's most Midwestern moments.

As a social studies teacher at Mankato West High School, Walz also coached the football team.

high school photography assignments

Walz helped lead Mankato West to their first state championship victory in 1999 as the team's defensive coordinator.

"When I took the job, they said, 'Well, we're kind of struggling. We were 0-27,'" Walz said in an interview on "Pod Save America." "But I had some other coaches I worked with who were great guys and we said, 'This is nonsense. Let's just turn this thing around.' Three years later, state champion. Now, they're the state powerhouse."

While he held the role of football coach, Walz also served as the faculty advisor for the school's Gay Straight Alliance.

He once talked his way into getting a free turkey from a grocery store.

high school photography assignments

Kim Hermer, who taught with Walz at Mankato West, told The Washington Post that some teachers once played a prank on Walz by giving him a fake gift certificate for a free turkey from a local grocery store.

"He went down there and left with a free turkey," Hermer told the Post.

Walz's hotdish recipe won a congressional hotdish competition.

high school photography assignments

Walz, who served in the House of Representatives for 12 years, took the top prize in the Minnesota Congressional Delegation's annual hotdish competition with his dish, "Tim's Turkey Taco Tot Hotdish." The recipe features ground turkey, green beans, cheddar cheese, baby bella mushrooms, and tater tots, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported.

He also won congressional sharpshooting contests.

high school photography assignments

As a member of the House of Representatives, Walz chaired the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus and competed in its annual Congressional Shoot-Out. He scored the highest of any Democrat in 2015 and 2016, according to the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation.

Vice President Kamala Harris highlighted his gun ownership and shooting skills in her speech introducing Walz as her running mate on Tuesday, saying he was "known as one of Capitol Hill's best marksmen."

Walz also emphasized his hunting experience while criticizing JD Vance 's views on gun control, telling CNN's Anderson Cooper in July, "I guarantee you he can't shoot pheasants like I can."

He posted a video on social media explaining how to replace a car part.

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In a recently unearthed video from Walz's 2018 gubernatorial campaign shared by the progressive news site Daily Kos , Walz filmed himself sharing a car maintenance tip for fixing a burned-out headlight on a 2014 Ford Edge.

Instead of replacing the entire light, Walz said, the repair could be made with a $7.99 headlight harness from an auto shop.

"Just clip off the back, use some shrink-wrap connectors on there, tape it back together, and put it back in," he said. "It's about a five-minute fix and you're back on the road safe and sound."

Walz ended the instructional video by urging constituents to vote ahead of election day.

He's an avid fan of the Minnesota State Fair and has participated in various activities on the fairgrounds.

high school photography assignments

In 2019, Walz put his skills to the test in the Minnesota State Fair 's annual butter-carving contest. He sculpted a school bus in honor of the impending start of the academic year.

He also volunteered at the all-you-can-drink milk booth in 2022, MPR News reported.

In 2023, he posted a video of himself and his daughter, Hope, flying through the air on a fair ride known as the Slingshot.

My daughter, Hope, tricked me into doing the most extreme ride at the Minnesota State Fair. pic.twitter.com/YeMEocwJRv — Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) September 4, 2023

As governor, Walz hosted Minnesota's first "governor's turkey hunting opener" to kick off the wild turkey hunting season in 2019.

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Walz told the St. Paul Pioneer Press that he'd been perfecting his turkey calls to lure the animals out of hiding ahead of the event.

"I've been practicing and it did not make me popular in my home with me turkey calling throughout the house," Walz said. "I think it's working great. My cat runs and my kids leave."

He name-dropped Menards.

high school photography assignments

Menards , a home-improvement chain owned by Wisconsin's richest billionaire, is a premiere Midwestern shopping destination known for its catchy theme song.

On a 2019 episode of "The Wrap" on Twin Cities PBS, Walz was asked, "What is the last thing that you did truly out in the public, truly by yourself?"

He answered: "I went to Menards and bought an air filter for my furnace."

He made a video talking about the pitfalls of potholes in Minnesota roads.

high school photography assignments

In 2019, the Office of the Governor of Minnesota posted a YouTube video asking constituents to submit their pothole experiences with the hashtag #MNpotholes to address problems with the state's roads.

"This pothole has already taken 3 tons of fill in the last week as you can see on the side," Walz said while standing at Mile 21 on Highway 47 in Anoka. "When you've got a 50-year-old road, the fill doesn't hold and it continues to deteriorate."

He also encouraged viewers to "talk about the need to invest in transportation to make our streets safer, to make them last longer, to make sure people get home quicker than they would waiting in traffic, stuck behind trains, and running into potholes."

He expressed his love of Runza, a beloved regional fast-food chain located mostly in Nebraska.

high school photography assignments

In 2022, Walz posted a photo to X showing two of Runza's famous sandwiches, captioned, "Tell me you know a little about Nebraska without telling me you know a little about Nebraska."

Tell me you know a little about Nebraska without telling me you know a little about Nebraska. pic.twitter.com/jMC4AhgZsv — Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) April 23, 2022

Runza also has stores in Iowa, Colorado, Kansas, and South Dakota, but most are located in Nebraska, where Walz was born and raised.

Walz moved to Minnesota after marrying his wife, Gwen Walz , who grew up there. The two met while they were both working as teachers at a public school in Alliance, Nebraska.

Walz was the first to call Donald Trump and JD Vance "weird," a pithy insult that caught on in the Democratic party.

high school photography assignments

In an interview with MSNBC's "Morning Joe" in July, Walz coined a new way of speaking about Trump and Vance by calling them " weird ." The down-to-earth insult caught on as the Harris campaign and other Democratic leaders repeated the talking point in other media appearances and campaign events.

Walz told CNN's Jake Tapper that the Democratic party's messaging of Trump as an existential threat to democracy is valid and real, but that it also "gives him way too much power."

"Listen to the guy," Walz said. "He's talking about Hannibal Lecter and shocking sharks and just whatever crazy thing pops into his mind, and I thought we just give him way too much credit."

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    15 Ways to Make Photography Assignments. This list of photo assignments consists of 15 points, so I am sure that you will find the idea to your liking. 1. Self Portraits. The first task is a no-brainer: just take a self-portrait picture each day. Don't forget to use a tripod and shutter release aside from regular shooting with your arm ...

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  17. Lesson 5: Shutter Speed

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    Title: Moscow High School [04] Date Created (ISO Standard): 1905-03-01. Description: First brick school built in 1892 on the south side of Third Street between Jefferson and Van Buren streets, across from the Methodist Church. High school was conducted on the top floor and grade school on the bottom floor. Later it was called the Whitworth School.

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