Photography by Linda Smith
Use up that old paint Just after Christmas, before this all started, I painted my garden fence pink and blue to take some Instagram photographs. It was my dad's idea, so thank-you dad for saving my blogging career. But, yeah, if you have any spare cans of paint lying around and a garden, now is the perfect time to get creative. You could paint your fence a bright colour or even do a funky design. It's also a great way to keep yourself entertained whilst you stay at home.
Gift wrap it
If you have a photo studio set up in your home, with a range of backdrops, then you're good to go. If you're not that fancy, gift wrap can be a great alternative. It's something most of us have, unused, stacked in a dusty corner of the house. (Or, Is that just me?) You can: put it on the floor, tape it to a glass door, stick it to a wall (careful not to damage anything). It gives you an instant professional looking backdrop. It's ideal for close-ups or photographing smaller items.
Pro-Tip: Use glass and backlighting to create shadows and different colour tones.
We aren't allowed to have real life friends anymore so replace that hole in your life with image editing software. You won't regret it. I've been adding different patterns to my fence photos using photoshop. It's pretty simple to do, just use the fill tool and play around with different blending options. You can also try playing around with brushes to create some cool effects. Stopping indoors doesn't have to mean putting your creativity on hold.
Use your tripod and self-timer remote
I'm lucky that I live with my mom and dad and they're into photography. Even so, I'd recommend every creative to get a tripod (you can't always rely on having someone to take your pictures for you). If you don't have that luxury, and want to do a fashion photoshoot with yourself, rest your camera on a flat surface. If your camera has a continuous shooting mode, set your camera to this, as it makes it easier to get hands free pictures in focus.
If all else fails, try documenting your journey through self-isolation. You can really think outside the box with this and get creative. Try using different photographic effects and angles to capture the mood you're feeling.
If you're a blogger, photographer, or just a person looking for a new creative hobby whilst staying at home, now could be the perfect time to experiment. It's great for bloggers, as you can make full use of your closet and try everything from one shoulder dresses to oversized jumper dresses. Even if you don't end up winning any photography awards, it's a fun way to pass the time in this stint of social distancing.
