52 Week Photography Challenge 2022

Hedon Viewfinders – 52 Week Photography Challenge 2022.

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EACH WEEK this year we will introduce a new Challenge, Task or Idea to stimulate you into taking new photographs. It’s just for fun. We hope you join in each week. If you’ve had a go at one of the ideas before, then don’t miss it out; instead, try to approach the challenge in a new way.

* Please ‘catch up’ if you fall behind. You don’t have to do these in order. The aim is to take new photos and create new images each week.

Join in 0n our Facebook Group page with the chat and banter about these challenges; get tips and advice from other members. We also have a WhatsApp group. Contact us to join.

WEEK 52 HAPPY NEW YEAR Your focus for the final week in the photography challenge this year – is next year! New Year brings with it moods of optimism for the future and we want the images you take this week to reflect your hopes for better things to come. How you interpret this is up to you. It might be the joy of a sunrise on a brand-new day or the excitement in the eyes of somebody you know. Your challenge theme this week is “Happy New Year!“

WEEK 51 SHARE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS Whether in our homes, gardens, neighbourhoods, or public places, Christmas continues to be marked in light displays from the simple to the lavish. Christmas lights are still prevalent this festive season despite soaring energy costs and the cost of living crisis. One really useful role we can play as photographers is to record these light displays on our cameras and share them on social media so even more people can enjoy them! Your challenge in Week 51 is to take and share images of Christmas lights! #viewfinderschallenge #viewfinderschallengeweek51

WEEK 50 CAPTURE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT It’s that time of year when the majority of people (at least locally) report feelings of increased happiness and generosity of spirit. It’s actually something tangible that is maybe helped and promoted by the trappings and promotion of the festive season but perhaps exists on its own. Your challenge this week is to capture what, to you, symbolises or represents Christmas spirit. Whether that be something physical, spiritual or magical – you can interpret as you wish. Perhaps you have negative views of Christmas? Whatever your opinion, capture the spirit of Christmas in your images. #viewfinderschallenge #viewfinderschallengeweek50

WEEK 49 ANGELS Angels, with their wings and robes, are believed by many people of different faiths to be messengers of God.  These spiritual and supernatural beings have been depicted in human art for centuries. You can find representations of Angels as statues almost everywhere, and at Christmas time we find a preponderance of Angels in many other art forms too. Your challenge this week is to find as many different depictions of Angels as you possibly can. This is one challenge where the title or caption to your photograph can be an important element too: Use an appropriate quote – or make up your own. “flights of angels sing thee to thy rest” – William Shakespeare

WEEK 48 WHITE Whether it is snowing or frosty yet doesn’t really matter? Because whatever the weather, and the fact we are dreaming of one for Christmas, your theme this week is WHITE!

WEEK 47 NIGHTTIME AND LOW-LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY A lark in the dark is a good way to get to know your camera and take advantage of the available light (the lack of it) to get some different images. Most modern digital cameras handle low-light situations very well. Auto modes built into cameras will raise the ISO to allow them to ‘see’ almost in the dark. They will open the aperture wider to let more of the available light in. The downside to these modes is often the increase in ‘noise’; the speckles that appear in your images that usually look fine on screen, but are more distracting when printing your photos. Add a tripod to the mix, stabilise your camera, and then you can manually lower the ISO, close the aperture, and use slower shutter speeds to get lovely low-light and nighttime shots. Closing the aperture down to f13 and smaller lets your camera capture ‘starburst’ effects from lamp light and other sources. Achieving this is often an exciting milestone in discovering nighttime photography! Using slower shutter speeds lets you capture trails from moving light sources, again quite often a milestone achievement. Your practical challenge this week is to experiment with photography at night. This is a great photography club activity. Use your camera’s in-built features and auto and semi-auto settings and judge the results. Then switch to manual and tweak the settings to get the results that you want.

WEEK 46 FACES IN UNINTENTIONAL PLACES Take a picture of something you discover that unintentionally resembles a face. No actual faces are allowed. Faces are everywhere – in the environment, in buildings, in your imagination! Your challenge this week is to look for these faces and take a photo! Reminder: No people or statues, or carvings or actual faces are allowed! #viewfinderschallenge #viewfinderschallengeweek46

WEEK 45 THE TRAVELLING GNOME CHALLENGE is famous – the idea of the travelling gnome being photographed in different locations has been done again and again over the years. But in Week 45 of the 52-Week Photography Challenge, we want you to adopt your own character to be photographed in different places or situations. It might not be a gnome, but could be a teddy, a doll, or a toy figure; and it might not be Rome, Tokyo and Paris, but the garden, the kitchen and the garage! Yes, we want you to photograph your adopted friend in a different location, or in a different situation, every day for a week. You can be as creative as you like with the brief. Perhaps your figure will be in a different scenario each day rather than an actual change of location. Your challenge in Week 45 is to adopt your character, then decide what they will be doing each day.

WEEK 44 DISCOVER FILM NOIR Discover Film Noir! Part of the 52-week photography challenge. Film Noir seeks deliberately to use high-contrast lighting to create shadows, drama, and mood. It is a cinematic style of photography that draws inspiration from Holywood films of the 1940s and 1950s when filming budgets were generally tighter and the lighting and simpler backgrounds had to replace lavish sets. The style suits those scenes that suggest mystery or menace hence film noir has become the term to reference the styling of famous crime and detective thrillers. There are certain characteristics that set the style apart. Black and white treatment suits the style but is not always necessary. In order to create the necessary shadows and high contrast, the lighting sources will be stronger from the side and back. One of the most iconic and recognisable types of images from the film noir period is of the figure being lit by horizontal lines of light through the blinds. The resulting light rather reveals the character or hides them in mysterious darkness. Another characteristic technique is using strong backlighting to create silhouettes. The eyes of a film noir character are often important and can be hidden in darkness or revealed through special light. Your challenge in Week 44 is to study the Film Noir style (lots of information is available on the internet) and then perhaps recruit a friend or family member who will be your model and create your own film noir-styled shots. #viewfinderschallenge #viewfinderschallengeweek44

WEEK 43 HALLOWEEN IT’S HALLOWEEN WEEK – so your images this week should capture the fun or horror of it all! If you are marking the occasion by events then your images will most likely draw inspiration from those. But you might also like to draw inspiration from your research into Halloween. Things you might like to consider are: Jack o’lantern – what’s this all about? Who was Jack? What’s it got to do with Pumpkins? What is Samhain? How might this influence the type of photos you’ll take? Day of the Dead – Dia de los Muertos originated in Mexico but is an inspiration for artists (and photographers) around the world. Trick or Treat? Where did this tradition come from? Witches – Where did the image of the pointy black hat, broomstick and black cat come from? Captain Kirk – What does the Star Trek captain have to do with Halloween? Coulrophobia – Previously associated with comedy and fun, why has the clown now become a Halloween figure? Whether from your research or from your activities this week, your Week 43 images should be inspired by Halloween.

WEEK 42 TAKE A PHOTOWALK This might seem an obvious one for photography club members, but for those who normally shoot alone, then an organised photowalk can be a rewarding experience. It’s also a great idea for those stuck in a creative rut and seeking inspiration. Walking out with other photographers, rather than non-photographers, gives you the chance to take more time taking your photos. You can afford to be geeky trying out different ideas, approaches and new equipment. You can enjoy taking a wide range of photos from people, to architecture and the natural world depending on where your walk is. Your walk could be anywhere: You might organise your own and invite other photographers to join you on a walk just minutes away from where you live. You might join a walk in a new place to you; a village, town, or city perhaps. A trip to a woodland location or seaside venue can be very rewarding for your photography when in the company of other enthusiastic photographers. A photowalk can act as its own network with opportunities to discuss photography with others sharing the same interest. The spin-offs from a photowalk can be good too; make an agreement to keep in touch with your walking friends and share your photos on social media. Your challenge this week: Organise or take part in a photowalk! #viewfinderschallenge #viewfinderschallengeweek42

WEEK 41 FUN WITH FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY One aim of food photography is to convince the viewer that the food might be good enough to eat. That’s obviously a good starting point. Like all photography, you need to think about composition in order to make your subject a star! What will be the background to stage your shot? What supporting players will you include to bring out the best in your star subject? But this week’s challenge is also about injecting some fun into your food photography. Whether it’s creating a space theme from your Milky Ways and Mars Bars, creating a jumper out of your Polo mints – or discovering a predator in your pepper – this week is about playing with your food and having fun with your photography! #viewfinderschallenge #viewfinderschallengeweek41

WEEK 40 ABSTRACT PHOTOGRAPHY The majority of photographs taken in the world capture a moment in time. They record something which the photographer thought was important at the time. The captured images mostly represent something easily identifiable and as the viewer we recognise them. However, not all photos have to be this way! An abstract image is non-representational and reflects the personal viewpoint of the photographer. It’s not about replicating reality, rather it is about creating an alternative reality. Abstract photography features form and shape, colour and texture, light and shadow in an image. It is your own way of seeing the world from your perspective. As such the opportunities to create new and unique images are raised. Abstract photography is fun and easy to do – but harder to explain! It involves developing observational skills (look up, look down, look close, look wide, different perspectives, different viewpoints) and creative skills important in all photography, but it needs to be your own very personal way of seeing the world. Your challenge this week is to explore the world of abstract photography and transform a simple view of the world into something very different! There is no wrong way to do this – so go, have fun, and make some unique and special images! #viewfinderschallenge #viewfinderschallengeweek40

WEEK 39 ENVIRONMENTAL PHOTOGRAPHY WEEK 39 of the 52-WEEK PHOTOGRAPHY CHALLENGE is to consider ENVIRONMENTAL PHOTOGRAPHY. Photography is a powerful way to capture the beauty of the world through landscapes, seascapes, people and places, and wildlife. But photography is also a powerful medium for revealing how things are changing and the threats that local communities and the world are facing. Powerful imagery can express emotion and help motivate people into action and highlight the opportunities that exist to make a difference. The message or impact of your images is therefore of utmost importance. Your challenge this week is to take on the role of an environmental photographer. Look for the changes that are taking place in your local area or working environment, and help document these. Consider how your photos might be viewed over a period of time and used for historical comparison and as important data, charting environmental change. Consider the positives too; what has been done to improve things. Your challenge this week to step into the shoes of an Environmental Photographer might be life-changing. It could last well beyond the week of this challenge. It’s a thoughtful genre where the presentation of your images and who you present them to, are important considerations too.

WEEK 38 PUNTOPHOTO This is the week we introduce you to #Puntophoto. It is new and it’s fun! Take a well-known saying, a catchphrase, a title of a book, film, or song perhaps, and create an image that gives it a comical or literal twist. It’s designed to get those creative juices flowing. A starting point is to think of a simple phrase or saying that you or others use – and then can you imagine a different version or meaning of that saying? The example here is Spring Onion. Your challenge this week is to create your own Puntophotos! #viewfinderschallenge #viewfinderschallengeweek38 #puntophoto

WEEK 37 NEGATIVE SPACE Using ‘negative space’ in photography means emphasising a subject by paying attention to the area around it. This area will dominate the majority of the picture and is often uniform in colour or texture and includes no distracting elements – it may be just empty space. Effective use of negative space can create dramatic photos with a stark contrast between the subject and the surrounding area. As a rule of thumb, your subject should occupy less than 50% of the frame. Using negative space is something you can consider when deciding on the composition in your frame. By moving around and considering different viewpoints, can you isolate your subject so it’s surrounded by negative space? Your challenge in Week 37 is to consider and experiment with the use of negative space. #viewfinderschallenge #viewfinderschallengeweek37

WEEK 36 FLAT LAY PHOTOGRAPHY A flat lay photograph is one shot on a flat surface as a background! Simple, eh? Deceptively simple! A flat lay is normally an image shot directly from above – a bird’s eye view of an arrangement of objects. Those objects are usually related to one another. Whilst the placement of the objects can be random and unorganised, the careful consideration of their positions can help create visually interesting compositions. The use of patterns and symmetry can help. The colours used can contribute to a pleasing look. The colour or texture of the flat surface, the stage on which your subjects are placed, is also important to the final look. Flat lays are a useful technique to use in product photography with creativity and lighting being key factors. This week, enjoy creating your flat lay images! #viewfinderschallenge #viewfinderschallengeweek36

WEEK 35 FAIRY TALE PHOTOGRAPHY “Once upon a time” we used to read Fairy Tales. And after an adventure, a journey or a trial or task, good would triumph against evil and the characters would “all live happily ever after!”. Think of the elements that make up a typical fairy tale; think of key characters, scenery, costumes and props. Create your own fairy tale scenes and take your photography through the looking glass, down the rabbit hole or into the wardrobe and on to the next level! This is a creative photography challenge that might sit well as a group project or as a photography club night. #viewfinderschallenge #viewfinderschallengeweek35

WEEK 34 INTENTIONAL CAMERA MOVEMENT (ICM) There’s an obsession in photography with sharpness; clear and sharply-focused subjects are often the key to a good image and that requires a stationary camera. And yet there is a freedom and creative release that comes from deliberately moving the camera during an exposure. Intentional Camera Movement or ICM is a style of shooting that results in very different and unique images. It’s called ‘swiping’ the camera in America, and that probably better describes the technique, in that you swipe the camera whilst taking a shot and it’s the movement of the camera (whether fast or slow is up to you) quite often coupled with a slower shutter speed that creates the effects. And whilst there are no rules in how and what you do, it is still advisable to consider what your subject is. Strong colours work well, and well-defined lines can give you an idea of what direction to swipe your camera. Trees often make a good subject for ICM photos as do landscape and seascape shots. Static lights in the dark are also a good subject. Your challenge this week is to experiment with Intentional Camera Movement! #viewfinderschallenge #viewfinderschallengeweek34 1/15, F10, ISO 160.

WEEK 33 WATER AND GLASS What can you create with a glass container and water? These might be simple props, but your imagination could take you anywhere! When you are photographing glass then care and attention needs to be taken to the effects of reflection and refraction (how light bends and distorts an image); you can seek to use these to your advantage, or seek to eliminate them. This is a creative challenge. But use it to observe and study the effects of lighting too. #viewfinderschallenge #viewfinderschallengeweek33

WEEK 32 RULE OF ODDS THE RULE OF ODDS like all photography rules is not a rule at all, but a guide to better practice (possibly) and aid to creative thinking. The rule of odds suggests that, whenever possible, a composition should have an odd number of objects, rather than an even number. So an image should have three bottles rather than two, and five people rather than four. Psychologists suggest that our brains pay more attention to groups of 3, 5 and 7 than 2, 4 and 6. Now whether you agree with this is not that important – but it can help you think about your composition and placement of elements within your viewfinder/frame. So this week, we want you to have odd thinking – use the rule of odds in your images this week. #viewfinderschallenge #viewfinderschallengeweek32

WEEK 31 SURPRISE! Take a shot, perhaps a portrait that captures an expression of surprise, alarm or concern. Or maybe your shot will be a more literal interpretation of the theme? However you choose to interpret it, your theme this week is Surprise! #viewfinderschallenge #viewfinderschallengeweeek31

WEEK 30 INTERACTIVE SHADOWS Look out for shadows whether cast by sunlight or cast by a human light source. See how they fall and where they fall. Are there opportunities for those shadows to interact with the real world and create something unusual? This can be a challenge inspired by observing shadows lit by sunlight or fixed light sources, or by intentionally creating shadows. With sunlight, there are elongated shadows cast when the sun is low in the sky (as we observed in Week 3). But with your own shadow creations comes the confidence of knowing exactly where the shadows will fall so you can control and manipulate them. And then you can introduce a new element to make your shadows interactive. You can then choose to further manipulate your image in post-editing.

WEEK 29 A BUG’S LIFE A bug’s life. Get in the garden, a park or meadow and take a photograph of a butterfly, insect or bug. Whether it’s a close-up, or whether you show the creature’s environment as well, it is up to you!

WEEK 28 1970s HIT SINGLE Photos inspired by song titles from the 1970s. A purely fun challenge this week. Whether you are climbing your stairway to heaven or saying bye, bye baby – Can friends guess what your song is by the photo you share online? If you lived during the 1970s your creativity and imagination might come from memory, if you are too young to know the decade personally – then you will have to research those crazy times! Your fun challenge – create an image inspired by a 1970s hit single!

WEEK 27 SYMMETRY AND PATTERNS Look for symmetry and patterns in both the natural and human-made world. Symmetry in photography refers to two parts of an image with a similar, if not identical shape, structure or format. Symmetry in a photograph creates a visual sense of harmony, balance and order that appeals to the viewer’s eyes. The repetition of lines, shapes, tones, or colours can create interesting images. Also, look for those instances where the pattern or symmetry is broken; these asymmetrical elements can add an interesting factor to your photograph. Your challenge – use symmetry and patterns to create stronger photographs.

WEEK 26 KEEP FIT There is an important human element that is included here and can build upon the street photography skills explored last week. But you can opt to photo the people you know. You can also interpret the challenge with as much imagination as you can muster! Exercise, running, sports, etc, incorporating human effort and endeavour… your theme this week is Keep Fit!

WEEK 25 STREET PHOTOGRAPHY Show us a slice of life in your neighbourhood, village, town or city centre. The subject may be something quirky or different, but this type of photography can also help to make the hum-drum into something special; particularly by paying attention to the lighting conditions and the time of day. Street photographers often tend to make full use of black and white in their work, but this is not a requirement. People make good subjects whether adopting a candid camera approach or posed photographs. Your Challenge: Explore the genre of street photography. Remember the hashtags #ViewfindersChallenge #ViewfindersChallengeWeek25.

WEEK 24 IT’S RED WEEK Whether it is an image dominated by Red, or just a subtle but important hint of the colour, your challenge this week is to celebrate Redness! Of course, there are various shades of red, in fact, every hue and saturation imaginable between black and white; so you have lots to work with. Red is also an important mood colour representing different things in different cultures. Your challenge – explore all things red in your photos! Don’t forget to use the hashtags on social media: #ViewfindersChallenge #ViewfindersChallengeWeek24

WEEK 23 FANTASIA Mythology, magic and fairy tales. Create an image that fits the theme. You might create a still life of magical objects, or visit a real-life scene that could be a setting for a fairy tale. You could photograph something that depicts the theme. You might create an image that makes us believe in magical powers! Your challenge: Have fun and use your imagination to create fantasia.

WEEK 22 THE JUBILEE Millions will be marking the Platinum Jubilee over the next few days. Your challenge this week is not only to capture the events in images but to record those parts of the celebrations that might be overlooked by others. Millions of photos will be taken during the long bank holiday weekend, whilst many will sit on phones or camera memory cards remaining unseen, others will be pored over by future generations as unique pictures capturing the mood, atmosphere and characters involved.  You know what YOUR challenge is for this Week 22!

WEEK 21 MAKE A SPLASH – WATER DROPS ACTION! Take a close up photo of a drop splashing into the water. It’s an old photography project but lots to learn every time you do it. The important thing is to get a regular dripping action so that you can time your shots with more accuracy. You’ll have lots of misses – but when you get a hit, you’ll love it! The set-up here is something you can do at home by fixing a food bag or similar high up filled with water and putting a small pinprick hole in it. Use a tray full of water to catch your drops. Use your camera on a tripod and manually focus at the point where the splash occurs. The use of a flash can help capture the action. Put some coloured paper or a bright background behind the tray so that the colour reflects in the water. And time your shots to catch the collision! Your Challenge: Make a Splash – capture the action!

WEEK 20 FLYING! Whether it’s real flight, a camera trick or an editing illusion, make us believe that your subject can fly! It might be an actual bird or an aircraft in flight, but equally valid is a subject frozen in motion. Flying can also be represented by the effective use of blur. You could take an editing route and try to convince the viewer that levitation is real! Your challenge: Represent “Flying!” in your image.

WEEK 19 PANNING Take a picture of a moving subject whilst moving the camera so that you blur the background to show movement. Shutter speed and handling your camera are crucial here. It takes a bit of practice, but you can create a relatively sharp subject combined with a background that features motion blur for some stunning images. Your challenge: Practice, and try to master panning.

WEEK 18 TRIPTYCH Show us three photos of the same scene or theme. Pronounced trip-tick a triptych is a photo or something composed or presented in three parts or sections. Perhaps one image to set the scene? Another as the main subject? And a third to highlight something we may have missed? Your challenge – create a photographic triptych.

WEEK 17 BLACK & WHITE WEEK It is black & white week this week, and while in simple terms that might mean an image where all the colour has been removed, we want you to go further than this: Consider the contrasts between dark and light, look at how shadows fall, set out to create mood and atmosphere as you use the 256 shades of grey between true black and true white. If you can turn your camera to black & white, then do so for this week. When you share and publish your images this week, tell us about the advantages of black & white photography. Your challenge: Capture black & white images this week.

WEEK 16 A FRAME WITHIN A FRAME Using something in your image to frame your main subject can draw attention to it while often adding more depth to the overall photograph. You can specifically add a frame to your composition before you take a shot, or even add them in post-editing, but this challenge is about observation too, so your aim is to discover naturally occurring frames. But anything goes! Once you start looking for ways to frame your subject you will find more than you realise. Your challenge: Look for and use frames within your photographs!

WEEK 15 WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR DIGITAL PHOTOS? You’ve captured some images with your mobile phone or camera. They have survived the delete button and you are quite pleased with them. What to do with them next? Your challenge this week is to do something different with your images rather than sit in phone storage, memory cards or hard drives. Some ideas and there are lots more: 1) Print them out! A quaint old-fashioned idea perhaps, but many photographers argue that a photo is not a photo until it’s a print. Your online image won’t take pride of place on anyone’s wall or desk! Consider producing your own Photo Book or Pamphlet. There are lots of print shops or online services that can produce your photos as photo books and also as images e.g. on cushions, cups, teeshirts and lots of other products. Check what’s available. Found a good service? Share with your photographer friends. 2) Open an online photo sharing account. You can then invite family and friends to view your work or make it available for public viewing. Try: Instagram Flickr 500px Clickasnap 3) Open a Photo Page on Facebook just to showcase your photos i.e. Jane Doe’s Photography page. 4) Enter competitions. Your aim at first might not be to win but to learn more about what judges are looking for in winning images. This will help you improve your photography skills. Your challenge – Do something different with your images. Share your results with us. #viewfinderschallenge #viewfinderschallengeweek15

WEEK 14 RULE OF THIRDS: Good composition is the key to a good photo. Where you place the main subject and supporting elements in the photograph can be a critical choice. The Rule of Thirds is a simple guide to help you make those choices. When you take a shot, think about what you see on screen or through the viewfinder and split that up mentally into Left, Middle and bottom, and also Top, Middle and Bottom. In that grid of 9 squares, there are four key points where the lines cross and it is these areas that are the key points of interest. If you place your key subject in any of these four key points, then you are on your way to a better photo. A natural inclination for new photographers is to place the key subject in the centre of the frame – but do try and avoid that and as a simple reminder to use the Rule of Thirds, think to yourself “avoid the middle!”. In landscape photography, experienced photographers will often split their scenes up into distinctive thirds. The camera manufacturers consider the Rule of Thirds so important, that many cameras can opt to display a Rule of Thirds overlay screen to aid your composition. Although not a real ‘rule’ – there are no rules in photography – think of the Rule of Thirds as something that can help make your images stronger and more pleasing. Those of you who crop your photos afterwards – then crop using the Rule of Thirds. Your challenge for Week 14 – practice using the Rule of Thirds.

WEEK 13 BRIGHT AND BACKLIT: Backlighting can reveal detail in translucent items; think glass, plastic, liquids and thin materials. Think about how you might backlight your subjects; it might be window light, a torch, flash, or a desk lamp. You might light your subject from behind, or from underneath. Use a tripod if you have one to lock off your camera, and move your subject and light to experiment with your results. Your challenge this week: Pick your translucent subject, choose your lighting source. And create a brilliant, backlit image. Don’t forget to use the hashtags #viewfinderschallenge and #viewfinderschallengeweek13 when you share your images.

WEEK 12 SPRING, FRESH, AND NEW TO YOU! It is the vernal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere which signifies it is officially Spring! Whilst Spring is obviously associated with new vegetation, flowers and colour, with nesting birds and other delights from nature, it also symbolises change and new beginnings. So your Week 12 Spring challenge is to try something new! It might be as simple as taking a different route to work, or different streets to the shops and taking some different photos en-route; it could be going somewhere completely new and different! Try something new with your camera, a different technique perhaps or use a feature on it you have not used before. Think out of the box – as you raise the camera or phone to your eye – think how can I do this differently? If you’re normally a sunset photographer, try street photography and vice-versa. If you seek crystal sharp images, try a bit of abstract or creative blur! If you take photos of other people mostly, try selfies or static objects. Because you will be trying something new, don’t worry about how good your images are – the purpose is to enjoy the challenge! Your personal photo challenge this week is to find something new or try something new! Discover new ways to enjoy your photography! Post your photos on social media and explain why they are new to you! Send them to us to publish here! Don’t forget to use the hashtags #viewfinderschallenge and #viewfinderschallengeweek12. As ever, these challenges are to encourage new photography, so we ask you not to simply re-use your existing stock.

WEEK 11 TREES: Trees are the perfect subject for UK photographers at this time of year. There are those that still have winter skeletal shapes reaching upwards and outwards. Others have new growth and buds of leaves and flowers, while others already have a full set of colourful leaves or ferns. Look at your trees in their environment – whether a lone tree or woodland, both offer photographic opportunities. Look up at tall trees for unusual viewpoints. Seek the close-up view of the details in leaves, blossom and bark. Your challenge this week is to look at the trees around you in more detail and discover the photo opportunities. Spend some time enjoying your study of trees – the mindfulness and well-being derived from an hour amongst trees can be very beneficial. A secondary project that this might inspire, is to follow a tree through the seasons – see how your tree or trees change with the environment. Your challenge: Observe, appreciate, enjoy and photograph trees.

WEEK 10 “CLOSE-UP” PHOTOGRAPHY: Taking close up photos of objects and subjects can reveal details that perhaps go unnoticed otherwise. Whether it’s flowers, insects, textures, etc, a close-up photo can lead to a very different viewpoint and make for a dramatic print or online image. You need to work out just how close your camera or lens needs to be to focus. The objective is to try and fill the frame with your subject, but sometimes you might need to crop the subject in editing software to give the appearance of it being closer. Your challenge this week is to capture some close up images! For inspiration and guidance, you might want to have a look at the Close-Up Photographer of the Year website and blog – and you never know, perhaps your image might be an entry for this annual competition!?

WEEK 9 WATCH THE SKY: Your challenge for the seven days of reading this is to watch the sky. Read and enjoy the clouds, their form, shape and their colour. Look for objects in the sky; aircraft, kites, birds, drones, etc. Observe the drama of stormy skies or the peacefulness of tranquil skies. The sky at night provides opportunities for unique skylines, with the stars, planets and moon providing astral subjects. And of course, sunrise and sunset provide the chance for some majestic experiences. Your task is to watch, enjoy and appreciate the sky – and record your experiences of it this week in your images.

WEEK 8 TEXTURE: This week’s challenge is to photograph texture. The texture of something can be rough, smooth, shiny or dull, it can be level or multi-layered. Capturing the texture of a surface can help convince the viewer that they are looking at something in three dimensions rather than a two-dimensional flat image. It can also help create an emotional response to an image. Compositionally, texture can add interesting, shapes, lines or patterns to an image. This is a two-pronged challenge; photograph texture, but also for those that are able, then in post-editing you might choose to add that texture to an existing photograph. Note: Another interesting way to add texture to a photograph is to print it out on appropriate textured photo paper or another medium.

WEEK 7 PICK A COLOUR: This is a challenge that might run beyond just one week and be the start of your own personal project. Pick a colour, not just any colour, but one that means something to you. Your Challenge is to take a series of photographs over the week (or a month, or a year!) where that colour dominates. As your collection of images grows in size, you can then group them together in interesting compositions. The results of this challenge is not just the individual photos you create, but the diptychs, triptychs, compositions or collages of images that you might create. As ever, these challenges are to encourage new photography, not to simply re-use your existing stock. As such the Week 7 Challenge is one that you might want to keep live longer than just one week.

WEEK 6 SHOW ‘HEART’ IN AN IMAGE: With Valentine’s Day next week then this is an opportunity to add heart to one of your images! But we just don’t want the shape of a heart somewhere in the frame, rather we want you to take control of everything you see in the image. We would like to see a pleasing background and a considered composition. Whether you compose a still life or take something from nature or the built environment – aim at creating something that is different; that is yours, unique and has heart!

WEEK 5 THE EYE: This is a Creative Challenge. Use the words “The Eye” as inspiration to make an image that you can be proud of!

WEEK 4 BACKGROUND: The background in your image is as important as the main subject. When considering your composition you’ve got to look at the background and make sure that it is playing a role in the final image. Is the background clear and focussed or creatively blurred? Does the background complement or distract from the main subject? Can you move the camera, subject and/or background to get a more pleasing result? Will the time of day or the season in which you take the photograph affect the result? The story can be in the background and give the image a context. Or you can seek to eliminate the background. Your background is important! In your photograph for this week’s challenge, you need to be able to show us how you have considered the background – what decisions did you make!?

WEEK 3 LONG SHADOWS: With the sun low in the sky (in the UK) then it’s the perfect time of year to observe the elongated shadows cast. Your challenge is to photograph those unusual shadows. If taking your own shadow, then look for ways your cast shadow can interact with its environment. No sun, or stuck indoors? No problem! Your torch or another light source can cast your long shadows! This is one of those challenges that will improve your observational skills as well as inspire creativity.

WEEK 2 FIND THE LINES: Vertical lines, horizontal lines, diagonal lines, zigzag lines, and curved lines, etc, can all add interesting elements to your photographs. Your challenge this week is to find those interesting lines whether in nature or the human-made world. ‘Leading lines’ is an additional composition technique where lines in your image lead the viewer’s eyes around the photograph and into the main subjects. Your challenge this week is to find those interesting lines to photograph and discover leading lines where you can!

WEEK 1 CREATIVE WITH PAPER: What can you do with simple sheets of paper (or thin cards) as photo subjects? You can use white or coloured paper. By clipping sheets together you can create some wonderful curves. With window light and artificial light, you can create shadows and a wonderful contrast between light and dark. Do you keep your papers sharp with a narrow aperture, or creatively blur with a wider aperture? There are wonderful abstracts to create. What can you do with sheets of paper?