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The 30-Day Photography Challenge Project (Start It Today)

Last updated: January 22, 2024 - 6 min read
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Getting started is one of the biggest hurdles in photography. That’s why I created this 30-day photo challenge. It will kickstart your photography and help you realize your potential. Each day, an exciting photography challenge boosts your creativity and skills.

By the end of the challenge, you will have generated many more ideas. You can also involve friends and family and compare results! Tag each other and ExpertPhotography on Instagram to share your photos and inspire others.

Person holding up an 35mm film camera to take a picture for a 30-day photo challenge
Kodak M35. Shot with a Sony a6400. 50mm, f/5.6, 1/80 s, ISO 100. Kyryl Levenets (Unsplash)
 

What Is a Photography Challenge?

A photography challenge is a daily exercise that helps you become more creative with your photography.

Each challenge encourages you to experiment with new ideas and techniques you wouldn’t otherwise consider. By pushing you out of your comfort zone, they help you learn to take better photos in almost any situation.

And what is a 365 photo challenge? Most photo challenges, like this one, last thirty days. But those dedicated to learning photography can try the 365 photo challenge that lasts a year. It’s quite a commitment, but it’s worth trying!

Silhouette of a photographer and tripod on a ridge at sunrise for a photography challenge
Shot with a Canon EOS R5. 70mm, f/7.1, 1/30 s, ISO 100. Steve Gribble (Unsplash)
 

Our 30-Day Photo Challenge

Each link takes you through the challenge for the day. So, let’s get started!

Day 1: Self Portrait

We all know how to take selfies. But this photo challenge teaches you how to do one more formally and with plenty of creativity!

Day 2: Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds can be hard to grasp for absolute beginners. But we designed this little photography challenge to show you how simple it is to use this composition guide.

Day 3: Black and White

It’s easy to take photos in color. But do you ever wonder how your images would look in black and white? This photography challenge will certainly answer that question.

Day 4: Depth

If you continuously suffer from images that look flat, this challenge is perfect for you. It’s the best way to learn how to create dynamic pictures that appear to pop out of the frame.

Day 5: Texture

Taking photos of textures is a great way to study how light interacts with surfaces. Now, I challenge you to create dramatic pictures of highly textured objects.

A wall of desert rock with cracks and textures
Shot with a Canon EOS 70D. 50mm, f/7.1, 1/125 s, ISO 100. Matthieu Bibs (Unsplash)
 

Day 6: High Angle

Are you tired of shooting at the same angle all the time? Take a high-angle photo of a subject that would otherwise look boring at eye level and surprise yourself.

Day 7: Low Angle

Now, let’s discover what awesome images you can create while taking photos crouching low or on your belly!

Day 8: Sunset

Everyone takes photos of sunsets. Now, let’s see how you can step it up a notch as a creative photographer.

Day 9: Silhouette

We often take silhouette shots by accident. For today’s photo challenge, intentionally take silhouette images.

Day 10: Bokeh

This is one of the easiest and most fun photo challenges you can do. Time to open up your lens aperture and capture incredible bokeh shots!

Colorful bokeh in a mirror as a photo challenge
Shot with a Canon EOS R5. 70mm, f/2, 1/250 s, ISO 1600. Alexander Jawfox (Unsplash)
 

Day 11: Landscape

Let’s explore places and take breathtaking landscape photos for this photo challenge.

Day 12: Balanced

Photography is all about symmetry. Go out there and train yourself to look for balance in various scenarios.

Day 13: Unbalanced

For this photo challenge, you must look for asymmetrical elements to incorporate into your photography.

Day 14: Lens Flare

Take photos facing the sun and surprise yourself with beautiful lens flares.

Day 15: Portrait

Get out of your comfort zone and take portraits of people in different situations.

Close-up portrait of a woman with flowers for a photography challenge
Shot with a Canon EOS RP. 187mm, f/2.8, 1/500 s, ISO 640. Woody Yan (Unsplash)
 

Day 16: Dynamic Tension

For interest and drama, look for the interaction of opposing elements, such as contrasting shapes, colors, or lines.

Day 17: Slow Sync Flash

You don’t need fancy equipment for this challenge. Today, you learn a few creative techniques using only your camera and flash.

Day 18: Frame Within a Frame

Improve your composition skills by trying the frame-within-a-frame technique.

Day 19: Panorama

Are you bored with regular landscape images? Now is the time for you to learn how to take panoramas!

Day 20: Panning

Do you need to improve your action photography? If so, you’ll find this easy technique helpful. It’s surprising how easy it is!

Pan shot of a bicycle courier moving with blurred lines
Shot with a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV. 105mm, f/14, 1/13 s, ISO 100. JavyGo (Unsplash)
 

Day 21: Colorful Water Drops

So far, our photography challenges have been quite simple. Now it’s time to break out of the traditional and experiment with conceptual photography!

Day 22: Harris Shutter Effect

This trippy photo challenge uses red, blue, and green filters to create psychedelic effects. Need we say more? You have to try it!

Day 23: Light Painting

This is one of the most useful photo challenges you can do at night. It involves lighting up the dark parts in your frame to create interesting exposures.

Day 24: Water Splash

Have you ever wondered how to freeze water splashes in your photo? You’re in for a treat because this photo challenge will teach you how to do it.

Day 25: Street Photography

Walk around and train your eye to capture decisive moments.

Black-and-white photo of a man in a suit walking on a sidewalk with a building facade backdrop
Shot with a Fujifilm X-T3. 23mm, f/5.6 , 1/1000 s, ISO 200. Furkan Elveren (Unsplash)
 

Day 26: Shallow Depth of Field

Knowing how to use your aperture is a crucial skill in photography. And this photo challenge is exactly what you need to practice what you learn.

Day 27: Architecture

For this photography challenge, you’ll learn to take pictures of buildings like a seasoned pro!

Day 28: Hidden Camera Mirror Photo

Celebrate your last photography challenge with a selfie—without your camera showing in the photo!

Day 29: Night

This photography challenge is a great way to test your photography skills. Taking photos at night requires knowing how to use your equipment correctly.

Day 30: Light Graffiti

Take out your colorful flashlights and do some pretty artwork at night! This is a more free-form style of light painting.

Colorful circular light graffiti against a black background as a creative photography challenge
Shot with a Panasonic Lumix FZ300. 5.2mm, f/6.3, 8 seconds, ISO 100. Tyler Lastovich (Unsplash)
 

Conclusion: 30 Day Photography Challenge

Our 30-day photography challenge is an excellent way to learn new techniques and improve the ones you already know. Of course, you shouldn’t stop after 30 days! Remember that photography is just like regular exercise. The more you do it, the better you can flex your skills.

I hope you enjoy these different photo challenge ideas. They will undoubtedly help you improve your photography!

Check out our Wow Factor Photography course for creative photo exercises and learning opportunities.