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This image I retouched with my most comfortable editting pattern. I adjusted the colours using 'Colour Balance' , where I mess on with the hues of the shadows/highlights and middle tones of my image. Then I also added grain on the end, making sure there's not too much and the contrast of the image is high, just to contour my face a bit more.

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This image has no filter on it, it has not been edited or re-touched in any way.

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This image was said to be taken in either October or November of 1839. It is a self portrait of a young man who was a chemist & photography enthusiast from Philadelphia, USA. His name was Robert Cornelius. It is said he set his camera up at the back of his family's store in Philadelphia. He then took the image by removing the lens cap and then running into the frame where he sat for a minute before covering up the lens again. On the back of the photograph he wrote 'The first light Picture ever taken. 1839'.

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"THE FIRST LIGHT PICTURE EVER TAKEN. 1839"

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"THE FIRST LIGHT PICTURE EVER TAKEN. 1839"

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Last Updated on May 27, 2021

Students taking high school photography qualifications such as A Level Photography or NCEA Level 3 Photography often search the internet looking for tips, ideas and inspiration. This article contains over 100 creative techniques and mixed media approaches that Fine Art / Photography students may wish to use within their work. It showcases student and artist examples along with brief descriptions of the techniques that have been used. Approaches relate specifically to mixed media photography techniques, technical / trick photography ideas and interesting, fun or unique compositional strategies.

Note: The creative photography ideas listed in this article should not be explored haphazardly within a photography course, but rather selected purposefully, if appropriate for your topic or theme. These approaches may or may not be relevant for your own photography project and should be chosen only in conjunction with advice from your teacher. The techniques listed here are created using a range of different cameras and devices, such as a digital SLR/DSLR camera, traditional camera, pinhole camera and/or camera phone.

Wrap torn plastic or other materials around the edge of your camera to create hazy edges, as in the photographs of Jesse David McGrady (via PetaPixel):

Use a hand-held glass lens or prism, to create blurred, abstract forms, like this photograph by Sam Hurd:

Deliberately unfocus lights to create 'bokeh', as in this beautiful landscape by Takashi Kitajima:

Photograph scenes through visible hand-held lenses, as in this A Level Photography work by Freya Dumasia:

Abstract an image completely through three mirrors, creating a vortograph, like Alvin Langdon Coburn:

Fold a photograph and make a installation, still life or sculpture, as in this example by Joseph Parra:

Collage mixed media materials onto images, as in Vasilisa Forbes' photography:

Splash, smear or throw mixed media upon photographs, as in this A Level Photography sketchbook example by Jemma Kelly:

Simulate the effect of the wet collodion process used by Sally Mann via Edwynn Houk Gallery:

Paint developer sporadically onto photo paper to expose only parts of the work, as in these portraits by Timothy Pakron:

Paint directly onto photographs, as in these works by Gerhard Richter:

Combine paint and photographs digitally, like Fabienne Rivory 's LaBokoff project:

Redraw part of a scene with paint, as in these works by Aliza Razell:

Paint onto objects and then photograph them, as in this IGCSE Photography piece by Rachel Ecclestone:

Mark or scratch negatives or photos, as in this 100 year old vintage print by Frank Eugene:

Use a CNC or Laser Engraving Machine to etch a photographic image onto glass, wood, aluminium or another similar material:
As technology progresses, it is possible for digital images to be engraved upon various surfaces (such as stone, timber, fabric or leather); on or within glass, as in a 3D crystal engraving; or around cylindrical items, such as a rotating bottle. A laser is used like a pencil, with a controlled beam moving in different directions, intensities and speeds, delivering energy to the surface, heating up and vaporises areas or causing small pieces to fracture and flake away. Although the majority of laser photo engraving examples online seem to be uninspiring commercial shots, laser engraving offers new possibilities for high school Photography students - not just in terms of printing images onto exciting materials, but as a way of creating a textured plate which can then be printed from. It should be noted that although most high school Art Departments are not in a position to purchase a 3D laser engraving machine to experiment with (although this may change in the future) some Design and Technology Departments are beginning to. Many companies also offer a custom laser engraving service that students may make use of. Remember that those who must post work away for assessment are not able to submit heavy, bulky or fragile pieces (such as laser wood engraving or laser engraving on glass).
Use an ink transfer method to print photograph images onto other materials, as in this video by Crystal Hethcote:
This video shows a simple image transfer technique using gel medium, which could be useful for applying a digital image to any number of creative surfaces.
Add sculptural elements that protrude from the photograph, as in this example by Carmen Freudenthal & Elle Verhagen:

Take photos using a scanner, like Evilsabeth Schmitz-Garcia:

Place objects on top of a photograph and scan it, like this example by Rosanna Jones:

Put objects on top of photographs and rephotograph them, like these images by Arnaud Jarsaillon and Remy Poncet of Brest Brest:

Project images onto textured surfaces and rephotograph them, as in these experimental images by Pete Ashton:

Project images onto people or scenes, as in these examples by freelance photographer Lee Kirby:

Create a photogram, as in this example by Joanne Keen:

Create pinhole photography, making your own pinhole camera from scratch like Matt Bigwood (via The Phoblographer):

Note: some teachers purchase a make-at-home pinhole camera set for their students, such as this one from Amazon US or Amazon UK (affiliate links). Matt Bigwood 's DIY pinhole cameras are made from ordinary aluminium drink cans:

Deliberately overexpose a shot, creating 'high-key' photography, like this portrait by Gabi Lukacs:

Experiment with underwater photography like Elena Kalis:

Use a homemade light box to create uncluttered backdrops for photography, as in this YouTube video by Auctiva:
Art teachers and students frequently take photographs upon cluttered classroom tabletops, often with less than optimal lighting conditions. Light box photography can be especially useful in this situation, helping those who wish to create professional product shots (Graphic Design students creating promotional material, for instance) or those who want to photograph sculptural or design pieces, create composite works from several elements or just to have a simple backdrop for their images. Tabletop photography becomes infinitely easier when you can light a subject well, and capture true colour and details, in a reliable, uniform way. If you are looking for other less time-intensive tabletop photography ideas or backdrop ideas, it is possible to purchase inexpensive light box kits and light tents from Amazon.com and Amazon UK (affiliate links).
Experiment with camera filters, like the neutral density filter that was used to photograph this beautiful seascape by Salim Al-Harthy:

Use specialised photography lighting to achieve dramatic contrasts, as in this portrait of two brothers by dankos-unlmtd:

Use a transportable photography reflector (i.e. this one from Amazon.com or Amazom UK - affiliate links) to create better lighting within your shots, such as in this outdoor portrait by Toni Lynn:

Take unfocused shots and create semi-abstract photographs, like those by Bill Armstrong:

Create 360 degree 3D panoramic photography, as in this image by Nemo Nikt:

Use kites to create aerial photography, as in this image by Pierre Lesage:

Produce High Dynamic Range Imaging (HDR Photography), as in this example by Karim Nafatni:

Use tilt-shift photography to make real things look miniature, as in this example by Nicolas:

Use a tilt-shift effect to make paintings or drawings appear real, as in these photographs of Vincent van Gogh artworks by Serena Malyon:

Photograph things with extreme macro lenses, like these photos of water drops by Andrew Osokin:

Photograph things without contextual information, so objects become almost unrecognisable, as in this example by Peter Lik:

Take photos from uncommon or unexpected viewpoints, like these birds eye view photographs commissioned by the human rights organization Society for Community Organization:

Use frames within frames to create intriguing compositions, such as these photographs by Chen Po-I:

Emphasise reflections, rather than the objects themselves, as in the urban landscape photography of Yafiq Yusman:

Play with shadows, like Russ and Reyn Photography:

Create illusions using forced perspective, like these photographs by Laurent Laveder:

Arrange compositions as if they were a beautiful still life painting, such as these food photographs styled by Maggie Ruggiero and photographed by Martyn Thompson (left) and Marcus Nilsson (right):

Create candid documentary photography, like these emotion-filled black and white football fan shots by Christopher Klettermayer:

Capture the same scene at different times, as in this photography series by Clarisse d'Arcimoles:

Use mirrors to create illusions, as in this self-portrait by 18 year old photographer Laura Williams:

Create a complex 'unrealistic' setting and photograph it, as in this composition by Cerise Doucède:

Collect many similar items and produce typology photography, like Sam Oster 's apparatus series:

Organise subject matter into patterns, like Jim Golden:

Digitally create patterns, as in this artwork by Misha Gordin:

Overlay multiple photos from slightly different angles, like these experimental photographs by Stephanie Jung:

Digitally erase parts of objects, as in this A Level Photography work by Leigh Drinkwater:

Colour select areas, as in this example by Locopelli:

Apply a digital filter to create an illustrative effect, as shown in this Adobe Photoshop tutorial:

Digitally overlay textures onto photos, as illustrated in this tutorial by PhotoshopStar:

Digitally draw over photographs, as in these portraits by May Xiong:

Digitally superimpose photographs onto other products, as in these watches by John Rankin Waddell:

Digitally merge images to play with scale and create fantasy scenes like Lorna Freytag:

Combine objects in unexpected ways, to create something new, as in Carl Warner's foodscapes:

Overlay tracing paper, obscuring parts of an image, like this photograph by Gemma Schiebe:

Cut through photographs to expose other layers of photographs below, as in these images by Lucas Simões:
Note: If you are interested in laser cut work, you may wish to see the excellent A Level Art project by Lucy Feng, which has been featured on the Student Art Guide.
Create layered handmade collages, like these works by Damien Blottière:

Cut out shapes and insert coloured paper, as in these photographs by Micah Danges:

Collage photographs and found materials together, creating mixed media art like Jelle Martens:

Make a photomontage, as in these examples by David Hockney:

Make a photographic assemblage combining foreground, middleground and background, as in this example by Matthew Chase-Daniel:

Photograph a single scene over time and join the pieces in sequence, like these composite photographs by Fong Qi Wei:

Cut and Overlap a sequence of photos to create a sense of movement, as in this A Level Photography project by Harriet James-Weed:

Combine multiple exposures to create the illusion of repeated objects, like these creative compositions by Lera:

Superimpose two different but related scenes over the top of each other, like in this photograph by Adam Goldberg:

Photograph an artwork within a scene to create illusions, as in these images by Gregory Scott via Catherine Edelman Gallery:

Add photography cuttings to real life situations, like the surrealist scenes created by Yorch Miranda:

Inset scenes within other scenes, as in these photographs by Richard Koenig:

Poke or cut holes in photos and shine light through, like Amy Friend:

Photograph scenes through small gaps or holes, as in these photographs by Reina Takahashi:

Experiment with night photography and create a light painting or drawing, as in A Level Photography example by Georgia Shattky:
Note: If you are interested in light painting you may also wish to view this high school NCEA Photography project by Jessica Louise. Jessica uses a range of night photography techniques, including using a laser to paint with light.
Use a fast shutter speed to freeze motion, like the action photography of Justin Grant:

Move the camera horizontally, so a moving subject is in focus but the background is blurred, as in the panning photography of Mr Bones (via My Modern Met):

Use slow shutter speeds to create blurred movement, as in this beautiful water photo by Antti Viitala:

Zoom in while shooting with a slow shutter speed, like A Level Photography student Freya Dumasia:

Experiment with slow shutter speeds at night, blurring lights, as in the abstract 'Sightseeing Tunnel' series by Jakob Wagner:

Photograph slow moving objects over a long period of time, as in this photograph by Paul Schneggenburger:

Swing the camera while taking photos to achieve a swirling effect, as in this photo by Lucasbenc:

Shake or jiggle the camera to create an impressionist effect, like these examples by Gerald Sanders (via Apogee Photo Magazine):

This collection is a work in progress. It is continually updated with creative photography ideas and examples. If you are looking instead for photography theme ideas or project ideas for your entire high school or college photography course, please read our article about how to select a great subject or theme for your Art project.

You may also wish to view our collection of Featured Photography Projects by high school students from around the world.

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Last Updated on May 27, 2021 Students taking high school photography qualifications such as A Level Photography or NCEA Level 3 Photography often search the internet looking for tips, ideas and inspiration. This article contains over 100 creative techniques and mixed media approaches that Fine Art / Photography students may wish to use within their work.

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A photogram is a kind of contact print, made without using a camera or negative print. Floris Neusüss is a famous artist who is known for her photograms of actual people taken from above/below angles. Other artists such as, Ethan Jantzer and Maria Perez. A man named William Henry Fox Talbot invented photograms, originally calling them 'photogenic drawings', he made them by placing leaves and pieces of material onto sensitized paper, then left them outside on a sunny day to expose.

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I used this image for my monoprint experiment as I found the pattern of the leaves with half of the models face interesting. There is an artistic twist to this image I thought I could really emphasise, plus the silhouette of the models features would go together quite well with the silhouette of the leaves.