10 photo projects to try when you’re stuck inside

Whether it's a blizzard, a heat wave, or a rain storm keeping you inside, don't give up on your photography

By Sara Cravatts | Published Jan 22, 2016 12:11 AM EST

How To

Budget Photo Lighting: Fake a Beauty Dish Portrait with a Reflective Umbrella

spread of food — Indoor Photography *Popular Photography*

Before every blizzard comes the obligatory, frantic rush to the grocery store, the panicked phone call from your mom, and the impending doom of boredom. Lucky for you, when the snow strikes this weekend, we have a whole list of at-home storm-friendly photo projects to keep yourself (and those around you) occupied. Try them out and let us know how it goes!

Photograph a Wine Bottle

When you polish off your first bottle, try this simple shoot

Shoot a Studio Portrait With a White Backdrop

Tips For Photography Against a White Background

Have a white wall in your living room or a white sheet and some thumbtacks? Give this a whirl.

Make Your Meal Into a Photo Project

When boredom inevitably leads to eating all day, turn your meals into photo projects here.

Use Backlight for Photographing Glassware

The photographer shot with a Sinar P2 4×5 camera and Leaf Aptus II digital back.

Time for glass #2 of your beverage of choice… learn to backlight your brew with this how-to.

Create an In-Camera Double Exposure

For her silhouetted portrait, Bryne exposed for 1/1000 sec at f/1.8, ISO 100, and the cherry blossom fill for 1/320 sec at f/8, ISO 100.

Looking at your family sitting around the fire and a beautiful snowy landscape in your backyard? How about combining them with this tutorial?

Get Outside and Embrace the Elements

Exposure data: 1/60 sec at f/2.8, ISO 100.

Better yet, step outside into the freshly fallen powder and start shooting after reading this instructive how-to and this.

A grid spot can draw attention to a small, significant area within a larger scene and you can make one with a Pringles can and some straws.

Photograph Some Bubbles

Satoshi exposed the bubbles at 1/60 sec and f/16, ISO 50. He prefers mid-range apertures (f/11–22), which he considers the sharpest when shooting digital.

When it’s finally time to get ready for bed with a warm bath, consider using your soap for more than just hygiene with this fun photo project.

This portrait pops thanks to the use of hard light.

Make a Flash Grid From Drinking Straws

Time for that last drink. Consider using the remaining straws for a homemade flash grid with this DIY.

Congrats! You made it through a day trapped inside, and hopefully you have a lot of beautiful photos to show for it.

Photography Tips

DIY