In the last year we've noticed ourselves documenting more and more from our everyday lives with our iPhones. Here are ten creative challenges from Kinsey to help you get more creative when capturing moments with your mobile device!
1. Use a blur effect. This challenge is great for showing viewers what captured your eye to take the photo to begin with. I love to see a blur effect on a photo where the focal point is something I wouldn't have initially noticed at first. It creates a fun spin on your photo that gives attention to detail!
2. Play with sun flares! It's no secret that I'm a light fanatic. I can't hold back my excitement when I get to play with sun flares during a photo shoot. To create a pretty sun flare, take photos about an hour or so before sunset. Make sure to not directly take a photo of the sun, but more let the light leak in through the sides of the photo!
3. Use two filters to create a unique style of editing. I used Walden on instagram and Julia on Pixlromatic. This is my favorite "trick" to give my photos that extra boost of light and color. A great way to use two filters on instagram is to put your phone on airplane mode, put it through a filter once and post it, take it off airplane mode, and run it through a filter again. This way, it will only post the last photo!
4. Use a timer for a self portrait. I don't know about you, but I'm absolutely awful at taking photos of myself. I think I spend more time trying to find the shutter button than I spend actually editing the photo! What I like about using a self timer is that you can see what the frame is going to look like before you take the photo. To take a self portrait, simply prop your phone up, (we used a shirt) and snap away! Experiment with different angles, poses, and lighting. I use the Camera+ App to take self portraits.
5. Take on the challenge of taking 10 photos throughout your day! Sometimes it might feel as if you don't have ten exciting, "picture worthy" moments in your day. This is where you really have to think outside of the box! Take photos of the little things that inspire you and bring a little perk of happiness to your day. Whether it's a cup of coffee in the morning, a pretty textile, or your new favorite shade of nail polish; take a photo! It's a nice reminder that with the hustle and bustle of life that you are surrounded by beauty!
6. Try taking a silhouette photo by standing directly between the point of light and the camera. Once you've taken the photo, boost up the contrast with editing to make yourself appear darker and the light behind you brighter.
7. Create a filter with your sunglasses. Simply hold your sunglasses in front of your phone and take a photo! This creates a pretty, warm effect without having to run it through a filter. It's also great for taking photos with lots of sunlight in them without your photo becoming washed out.
8. Add fonts to your photo. Adding fonts is a fun way to share how you feel about a photo, your day, or to share something inspiring instead of just making it the caption of your photo. My favorite way to execute this challenge is by using a simple photo of something lovely I saw that day, (flowers, unique wall etc.) and adding fonts to create a focal point. Try and avoid adding fonts to photos that already hold a lot of content; you don't want your photo to look too busy! My favorite app for adding fonts to photos is Phonto!
9. Make a collage. When creating a collage of photos, try to have an overall theme or word that describes your collage! I wanted to portray love in my collage so I put together an individual of myself, an individual of Josh's wedding ring, and us being mushy together. ;) When there is a theme to your collage, it creates a specific vibe for viewers!
10. Create a message! You can really think outside of the box with this challenge. We cut out letters in a magazine and laid them out in a message. Next time you want to send someone a sweet text, try creating a fun message to send them instead!
We hope you've enjoyed these creative challenges. Which one will you try first? xoxo!
such good ideas! ever since i got my iphone last year, i've been obsessed with how easy it is to snap photos of everyday moments.
Posted by: Melisande | April 16, 2012 at 11:46 PM
I immediately had to try the instagram/airplane mode trick. AMAZING! You're a genius! :D
Posted by: Gina | April 17, 2012 at 12:09 AM
Inspirational post. Good ideas for my future projects!
Posted by: Miss K | April 17, 2012 at 12:44 AM
These posts are so good! Thank's again. :)
Posted by: Huli | April 17, 2012 at 01:11 AM
Yay!! As usual,amazing tip's! Just loaded two app's as I read! If you please, I'd love to know what collage app is the fave? And, Thank's again Beautiful Mess for your beautiful work!
:)Dawn
Posted by: Dawn | April 17, 2012 at 01:33 AM
These are all great challenges! Thanks for sharing all these tips :) I am not a photographer, but I love taking pictures with my iphone to share, especially being a new mom... I am always trying to find different ways to be creative with my phone photos, so this is perfect!
Posted by: Kat | April 17, 2012 at 01:34 AM
Some great prompts, I love playing with apps on my phone/instagram. Cant wait to try some of these out.
Zoe
http://gypsiesister.blogspot.co.uk
Posted by: Zoe | April 17, 2012 at 01:44 AM
Nice ideas guy's. I cannot believe how cool the sunglasses effect is! Would never have thought of that!
http://lilylovelock.blogspot.co.uk
x
Posted by: Domonique | April 17, 2012 at 01:51 AM
Amazing photos! Lovely! Really nice post!
xx
biskvittka.blogspot.com
Posted by: Marina | April 17, 2012 at 01:53 AM
I love your photo !
Posted by: Mathilde | April 17, 2012 at 01:56 AM
I don't have an iPhone. But I might do the challenges with a normal camera instead. The instagram effects can also be found on Picasa 3 :)
http://stainsofpaint.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Viveca Johansen | April 17, 2012 at 02:42 AM
I really love the message idea - it's so versatile (I'm thinking the next "Happy Birthday" text I send will be in this format, maybe also with a little cupcake or birthday cake in the shot too!). This post was really inspiring for me, I'm trying to get back on track with my photography after a month off to write up my PhD thesis. Thanks!
Posted by: Sarah | April 17, 2012 at 02:45 AM
Love these! I just started an instagram account & will try these!
xo
Posted by: Elle Beautiful | April 17, 2012 at 02:52 AM
So inspiring thank you! I'm really getting into this photo obsession!!
http://frilliesforfillies.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Kate | April 17, 2012 at 03:18 AM
Sunglasses as a filter: AWESOME!!!!
Posted by: Margherita | April 17, 2012 at 03:22 AM
I'm totally gonna try this today! x
Posted by: Daisy | April 17, 2012 at 03:36 AM
thanks for the inspiration. Love it!
http://haniz-eyecandy.blogspot.com
Posted by: hanizah | April 17, 2012 at 03:42 AM
LOVELY PICS
amazing post my dear.
You can check my CAPE SANDRO Outfit in:
www.laviequo.com
XOXO from MUNICH
La Vie Quotidienne
---SHOP LAVIEQUO.COM---
http://laviequo.blogspot.com/2012/04/laviequocom-shop.html
Posted by: La Vie Quotidienne | April 17, 2012 at 03:44 AM
Taking great pictures. I love the effects on photos. Your advice will help people take photos as in lomography! I love it's http://www.stacyco.blogspot.com
Posted by: Stacy | April 17, 2012 at 04:32 AM
Great idea ! I get a bit shy taking pictures so this have given me the motivation.
Jade
Posted by: Jade | April 17, 2012 at 04:40 AM