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Web Exclusive... Fun With Digital Photography By Adam Cuthbert, September 2005 Whether you’ve just bought your first digital camera, or you consider yourself a pretty competent clicker, you’ll get a click, er, kick, out of these fun projects from one of AARP The Magazine’s very own photo editors

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1. Replicate an old photo Flip through your albums to pick one of your own favorite shots, or choose an iconic image like Alfred Eisenstaedt's famous V-J Day kiss in Times Square. Shoot your subjects and the scenery the same way as the original. Copying a photo requires that you analyze it, so you're actually making a photo, not just taking it. Aside from the composition, be sure to pay attention to lighting. If you want to make your photo look older, check to see if your photo-editing software will allow you to make it black-and-white or sepia-toned.

2. Themes Gather a few friends or family members and come up with a series of themes to shoot—love (pictured here), history, transportation, childhood...the options are endless. Then grab your cameras and go off for a few hours or days to photograph people, places, or scenes that represent that theme to you. When you regroup and each person presents his or her images, you'll be amazed by what people associate visually with each idea. It's an interesting way to get to know people better, and you might even learn something new about those you're close to.

3. Start a collection With the idea that sometimes the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, shoot the same subject, or the same type of subject, over the course of a day or a longer period of time. Spend a day photographing dogs in your neighborhood; snap away at your garden throughout the summer; capture your grandkids—or yourself—every week for a year. Put your collection all together and set it as the screensaver or wallpaper on your computer, compile a book, or make a poster. This project keeps your creative juices flowing, can make for a great visual diary, and is a good way to practice your photography skills.

4. Historical still life Raid your attic for meaningful items from your past—such as the marching-band paraphernalia in the example at left—and arrange them on a tabletop to create a historical still life. Experiment with different lighting, angles, and shapes. When you're through, put the items back where they came from. Now you can walk down Memory Lane whenever you want—without having to wade through cobwebs.

5. Traveling doll Inspire the little ones in your life to travel when they get older. On your next trip, ask them to give you a small doll, stuffed animal, or garden gnome (à la Amélie) to bring with you, and photograph it as you would a travel companion—at famous monuments, on the beach, eating at an outdoor café. When you get home, put on a digital slideshow. Or, if you're able to email photos, send them while you're still away. The kids will love it. Even grownups will be amused (and maybe even relieved!) to not have to sit through the typical "and here's me at the Eiffel Tower..." travel photos.

6. Documentary Put on your photojournalist cap. Take your time and capture subjects that you are close with, such as a church group, a local sports team, even your coworkers. Your familiarity with your subjects will give you access that others wouldn't get, and allow you to take stronger photos than if your subjects were strangers. Get close, get deep, and think about capturing expressions and emotions.