At-Home Projects for Hot Days
When the weather continues to get excruciatingly hot outside, it can be difficult to keep the creative juices flowing. Don’t worry, I’ve got the cure! Below are some unique at-home photography projects you can do within range of your air conditioning.
I’ve done this before a few years back, with 7 easy photography projects to do at home. These new ones, however, require a bit more specialized equipment.
Color Theory
Equipment Required - 3 of the same pinpoint flashlights, tape, and 3 filters (red, green, and blue)
This project is super fun and also super simple in concept. You are going to tape a colored filter onto each of your flashlights, and then experiment with their colors overlapping. You can of course mess with different colored filters, but for this, I went with the classic trio of red, green, and blue.
When you tape red, green, and blue filters onto separate flashlights and shine them simultaneously, the overlapping light creates various color combinations based on additive color mixing principles. When all three primary colors of light (red, green, and blue) converge, they produce white light due to their wavelengths blending together. This phenomenon occurs because light is an additive color system, meaning that combining different colors of light will produce new colors.
What is even more fascinating is if the combined light passes through a paper with a small slit, it will disperse back into its original red, green, and blue components. This separation demonstrates the principle that light can be split into its constituent colors, showcasing the fundamental concepts of color theory in practice. Check it out below!
Color Theory 01
This top-down view shows the paper with the slit in it that seperates the beams back into their respective colors after merging to white.
Color Theory 02
A more detailed view makes it look very trippy, but this is still what you see with your eyes! White light breaking back down to blue, red, and green.
Color Theory 03
Color Theory 04
After the basics, you can start experimenting with other ways of messing with the light.
Color Theory 05
This was actually the tip of a knife on the far left.
Color Theory 06
Had to get a bit nerdy with some clear dice.
Color Theory 07
Last, a wine glass and a macro of the paper and the way the light went over the glass.
Vortographs
Equipment Required - 6” x 1” rectangular plano glass mirrors qty 3 to 6 and tape
This is a concept I had bookmarked for ages and finally got the necessary equipment. You are sort of making a Kaleidoscope with mirrors but instead of a design for the end to view, you are placing that cone of mirrors over your camera lens and photographing the world through it.
For those interested in the history of the Vortograph: The vortograph has its roots in the early 20th century and is often associated with photographer Charles Heald. Heald's experimentation with mirrors led to the creation of this unique photographic technique, which involves using multiple mirrors arranged in a cone shape to create kaleidoscopic images. The technique gained prominence as part of the broader movement of experimental photography, which sought to explore and expand the boundaries of traditional photographic methods. Vortographs capture complex, often surreal reflections and patterns by positioning the cone of mirrors over the camera lens, allowing photographers to create strikingly abstract images that challenge conventional perspectives. This method exemplifies the creative exploration of form and light, reflecting the era's innovative spirit and fascination with the interplay between technology and art.
The concept I found suggests 3 for this, however I think mirrors only 1” wide won’t work for that as the 3 together make too small a cone to photograph through. I ended up using the full set of 6 to make a hexagon. I used blue masking tape to hold them together and was pleasantly surprised when the blue on the edges was visible. However, you might want a different colored shape (clear, white, or black) depending on the look you are going for.
Some of these images are exactly what I captured. Others are me taking a vortograph on a white background and using that as a texture to overlay on my previous images.
But by far, my favorite was placing my hexagon of mirrors over a wide angle lens and photographing the lens itself being mirrored. What do you think?
Vortograph 01
My favorite by far, the wide angle lens being the subject and that blue masking tape actually adding a cool effect.
Vortograph 02
A detail shot of the same scene. It took just the right angle to get light into the cone of mirrors to create the specs of reflections.
Vortograph 03
A more classical use of the vortograph on a subject.
Vortograph 04
And back to pure chaos, using my fingeres in the end of the cone to cause some sort of phobia to be triggered, no doubt.
Vortograph 05
My latest self portrait?
Vortograph 06
My bengal cat, Ella, always insists on trying to be my assistant.
Vortograph 07
This is a great 'on white' version that can be used to edit other images - like the next 3!
Vortograph 08
Overlay of the vortograph on an old photo.a
Vortograph 09
Another overlay of the vortograph on an old photo.a
Vortograph 10
Last, overlaying the very first image on an older abstract image to create something even more abstract.
Macro Photography
Equipment Required - Macro lens and tripod
We’ll end on an easier one that gets you moving around your space. No matter how many times I’ve done this, I always find NEW things to photograph. It is a great way to challenge yourself as you explore your environment through the lens of ‘macro’. Here are some of my favorite shots all taken from inside my home.
Macro 01
Sugar crystals in detail.
Macro 02
Black pepper!
Macro 03
Dar board detail.
Macro 04
A canvas print.
Macro 05
A metal paper cutting maching with ithe different measuring lines.
Macro 06
Threads.
Macro 07
Tops of chopsticks.
Macro 08
Cardboard roof of castle for cats.
Macro 09
Afternoon snack of chia seed pudding, blueberries, and cinnamon.
Macro 10
Inside my computer and taking what I learned from color theory by adding in some red and blue lights.
Any more ideas?
That’s all I have for now. Do you have any fun at-home experiments to keep you busy in the hot summer days (or cold winter months)? Share below in the comments!
