Creating your own photography alphabet by finding letters in the world around you sounds simple, right? However, it’s the perfect way to get creative and hone your skills, whatever your experience level. Best of all, your images make great artwork, either displayed on your walls or in a picture book for your kids.
A photography alphabet challenge can be as straightforward as grabbing a disposable camera or hiring a DSLR. What you need is a keen eye and an active imagination for the best results. Here’s how to get started with your own A-Z challenge. Once you start, you’ll see letters everywhere!
What is the Photography Alphabet Challenge?
Just like it sounds, a photography alphabet challenge is about taking 26 images representing each letter of the alphabet. How you interpret them is up to you, but the challenge comes with some simple rules attached. Why? Because, strange as it sounds, imposing rules actually unlocks your creativity as you’re forced to start thinking outside the box.
- You can’t take pictures of actual letters — no ‘H’ for hospital signs, for example. Instead, look for naturally occurring letters in patterns and objects, such as curved branches of a tree forming a lower case ‘n’.
- No drawing letters in the sand, modelling them in sticks or marking them out in pebbles. You need to find every letter in the environment around you.
- No flipping, manipulating or photoshopping.
Why the Photography Alphabet Challenge is perfect for beginners
Photo challenge ideas are all about developing your skills as a photographer. There are several key reasons why photography challenges like shooting the alphabet are great if you’re new to photography:
- Develops your eye and creative vision: By forcing you to look beyond the obvious, you’ll start noticing patterns and textures innovatively. Great photography is a way of seeing what others don’t, and this challenge helps you start seeing the world through a photographer’s lens.
- Composition basics: To capture your ‘letter’, you’ll need to think about framing, angles, lighting and perspective to capture the image you want.
- Exploration and repetition: Exploring your environment to capture the images you need for your alphabet gets you into the habit of taking repeated images. This regular practice will get you used to handling your camera and shooting until you capture the perfect shot.
How to get started
To get started, you need a camera and your imagination. You can use your phone, a disposable camera or a mirrorless camera.
One great tip is to write the alphabet in a notebook and carry it with you. Sounds too lo-fi? You’ll thank us when you cross off each letter instead of thinking, ‘Do I already have a Y?’
What are the best cameras for the Photography Alphabet Challenge?
If you’re serious about capturing beautiful images for wall art, or you want to experiment with different settings, why not hire a camera? We offer try-before-you-buy loans to help you get a real feel for how the camera works and what you can achieve with it. Check out our camera loan FAQs for more details.
We recommend the Fujifilm X-T50. This lightweight, compact camera produces high-end shots in a go-anywhere body — ideal for your photography challenges.
Creative ideas and inspiration
The only limit to how you meet the photography alphabet challenge is your imagination. But we have a few tips and tricks to help you start seeing your environment in a different way.
Creative techniques
This challenge is ideal when you want to explore creative techniques with your camera. For example, you could use a long exposure to ‘draw’ letters using light trails, or get creative with high-contrast shadow play or monochrome.
Shifting your perspective will help you uncover letters – get close up, crouch low or look up to discover unexpected details. Ensure you have plenty of light and avoid backgrounds that distract from the letter you’re trying to capture.
Found objects and nature
Letters can be found in all kinds of unexpected places, from tree branches and flowers to clouds and even water features. Look closely at bridges, buildings, gates and street furniture, and you’re sure to uncover letters you weren’t previously aware of.
Once you start noticing patterns, take repeated shots so you refine the pattern to a T (or a Y, Z, A, etc.)
Challenge variations
Once you’ve completed your first alphabet, try these photo challenge ideas:
- Dedicate your images to a specific theme — A is for animal, B is for bottle and so on through the alphabet.
- Use only texture or pattern to create letter shapes.
- Use common nouns only for each letter of the alphabet.
- Try an A-Z of photography styles, such as S is for Sepia, C is for close-up. It’s a great way to learn more about the art of using your camera.
To get the best out of your challenge, take the time to slow down and observe the world around you. Training your eye to see patterns and compositions is one of the essential skills you’ll get from this challenge.
Fun ways to document your Alphabet Challenge photos
Of course, half the fun is displaying your images at the end of the challenge. With PHOTO by Fujifilm products, you can create eye-catching displays that make the most of your photos.
- Create an alphabet book: It’s easy to create your own personalised alphabet photo book using our online templates or custom in-store layouts—a beautiful way to turn your photography alphabet challenge into a lasting keepsake.
- Stage a gallery wall: With our standard prints and canvas prints, transform a wall into a stunning gallery for your alphabet photography. Or opt for an enlarged poster that captures all 26 photos in a single image. It’s easy with our online and in-store services.
- Personalise a gift: Photo gifts are one of a kind, and we can personalise almost anything. Print all 26 letters on a blanket or cushion, or decorate a laptop case or coffee mug. Use a single initial on a keyring or magnet, then wrap it up with our photo wrapping paper.
We’ve partnered with independent photo retailers across the UK, so it couldn’t be easier to find your nearest store. Alternatively, create your project and order online for the same outstanding results.
Get creative with PHOTO by Fujifilm
At PHOTO by Fujifilm, we’re all about unlocking the creativity of photography. That’s why we’re helping the next generation of photographers develop their talent with camera loans, personalised photo prints and much more.
