Monochrome images can be captured by looking around in our day to day scenes, architectural structures, landscapes at certain times of the day, or even by making use of coloured lights to bring in a monochromatic colour to the scene. If you have not shot monochrome images other than black and white, these images here will inspire you to observe your surroundings and capture more monochrome images.
As a photographer, I have discovered that starting a project can help me channel my creativity and bring new dimensions to my work. A project can be a way to explore new techniques, themes, and perspectives, leading to personal and artistic growth. Currently, I am working on a new photography series that will challenge me to think more deeply about my craft and explore new horizons. While I cannot reveal my project, I encourage you to consider the benefits of taking on your own photography project.
A project can provide purpose and direction to your photography work. It can help you explore a specific subject or theme, experiment with different techniques, and improve your photography skills.
To inspire you, I have compiled a list of project ideas that can help you enhance your photography skills in various ways. These ideas cover different aspects of photography, such as exploring different genres and experimenting with lighting, composition, and post-processing techniques.
Selecting the right photography project can give new life and meaning to your work. It can allow you to explore new themes, experiment with new techniques, and help you take your photography to new heights. To help you get started, I have curated eight project ideas that can benefit photographers, whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting.
Project Ideas
1. One Landscape, One Day
Capture a single landscape over 24 hours. This exercise in patience and timing, observing how light transforms the scene, is fundamental for mastering exposure and understanding the nuances of natural light.
2. Seasonal Series
Document the same location across different seasons. This long-term project highlights nature’s transformative power and tests your commitment. It’s perfect for studying changes in color, light, and weather. Below is my try at capturing this location in different seasons.
Here is an ongoing series of this beautiful tree I’ve captured with different seasons, from Autumn to the start of Winter to Mid-Winter. The only season missing is Summer. However, I’ve shot it multiple times and never really gotten anything special in summer.
One way to improve your sports photos is to get the right background. Choosing the right background can make or break a sports photo. Whether you’re capturing individual headshots, team portraits, or promotional images, the backdrop plays a crucial role in setting the tone, reinforcing branding, and making the subject stand out.
In some cases, a transparent background gives you max flexibility, while other scenarios call for a bold team-branded backdrop, a dynamic stadium setting, or a clean, neutral tone. Check out some of the best background options for sports photography—including field and court settings, team logos, dramatic lighting effects, and templates—to help you create impactful images every time.
Sports photo background ideas
The “field”
Using a real sports environment helps establish context and energy in your shots. Some great location choices include:
Stadiums: A stadium backdrop can emphasize the grandeur of the sport, making it ideal for professional headshots or team portraits. Be mindful of the composition—an empty stadium creates a different feel than one filled with fans.
Tracks: A running track or cross-country trail provides a sense of movement and purpose. Position the athlete at a starting line for an action-driven portrait.
Beach: Perfect for sports like beach volleyball, surfing, or running, the ocean and sand can create a lively, high-energy image. Plan your shoot during golden hour for the best lighting.
Indoor arenas: Basketball courts, hockey rinks, or even boxing gyms provide an enclosed environment with controlled lighting. Use a wide aperture to blur out distracting elements while keeping the athlete as the focal point.
Sports fields: Soccer fields, cricket pitches, or rugby grounds offer a natural, open space that works well for solo and group shots. If the field is in use, position your subject in an area with minimal distractions.
Gyms and locker rooms
For an intense, gritty look, gyms and locker rooms can provide a compelling backdrop. Weight rooms, benches, and training spaces add authenticity, making the athlete’s preparation a key part of the story.
Use directional lighting to highlight muscle definition and create dramatic shadows. If shooting in a locker room, frame the shot to include elements like jerseys, team logos, or open lockers for added storytelling. Pay attention to the composition. You can avoid cluttered backgrounds by positioning your subject in front of an open locker with a neatly arranged jersey and equipment, for example.
How One Sports Photographer Uses Path to Edit Photos for 16 Teams Every Season
Urban settings
Cityscapes, iconic landmarks, or industrial settings can be excellent backdrops for sports photography, especially for athletes who train outdoors. This option works particularly well for individual portraits of runners, cyclists, or street athletes.
Again, be mindful of busy backgrounds—use a shallow depth of field to keep the focus on the athlete. Early morning or evening shoots often provide softer light and less foot traffic.
Smoke or lighting effects
If you want to add drama, using colored lights, LED strips, or smoke effects can create a bold, high-impact background. This is a great option for marketing shots, posters, and social media content.
Smoke and lighting effects can create a variety of looks, so the possibilities are truly endless. In the examples above, you can see how smoke and fog add dama to photos of a dirt biker, soccer players, and a football player.
Showcasing team identity is always a smart choice. You can use the team logo or colors, or a sponsor’s logo and colors. Solid or gradient backgrounds in team colors can create a consistent, polished look.
A blurred background helps isolate the subject and remove distractions. This technique is useful when shooting in a busy location, like a crowded gym or an active playing field.
There are a few ways to get a blurred background:
Shoot with a shallow depth of field: Use a wide aperture (e.g., f/2.8 or lower) to blur the background while keeping the athlete sharp.
Use motion blur: Works well for dynamic shots where slight movement is captured.
Edit the background in post-production: If you can’t get it in-camera, you can add the blur effect during the editing process. Find out how to blur the background in this tutorial.
Neutral
A clean, neutral backdrop—like gray, white, or black—keeps the focus on the athlete. This is a solid choice for profile shots, media use, and professional headshots.
Use a softbox or ring lights to help maintain even lighting without harsh shadows. Seamless paper or collapsible fabric backdrops work best for the backdrop materials.
Transparent
For maximum flexibility, a transparent background allows you to place the subject onto any background later. This is especially useful for promotional materials, digital content, and merchandise design. You can find out how to make a transparent background with this tutorial and in the video below:
A stadium, team-branded backdrop, or a solid color with team colors works well for team portraits.
Should I use a green screen for sports photos?
A green screen can work if you plan to replace the background, but good lighting is crucial for a clean result.
What’s the advantage of a transparent background?
The advantage of a transparent background is that it gives you flexibility to place the subject onto different backgrounds later, making it ideal for marketing materials and graphics.
