Article updated on : 9 February 2025

Like a large part of the world's population, we have been confined for several days because of this the scourge of COVID-19. Faced with this unprecedented situation, one question arises: what on earth can we do during this confinement?

Some take advantage of this time to Catch up on tidyingothers are into gardening or to DIYAs long as you don't have to run to the DIY shop. For parents, it's also an opportunity (or a challenge!) to juggle with home schooling. In short, our habits are turned upside downBut one thing is certain: you have to stay at home.

But then, what about photography enthusiasts? ? Stuck between four walls, it's easy to think: "It's no use taking photos!

Blimey! Just when I finally have a bit of time on my hands, I can't get out with my camera. But don't panic: confinement can be an unsuspected opportunity to explore your creativity behind the lens. Here are a few photographic ideas and challenges so you can continue to capture the world... even from the comfort of your own home!

1. Do a few tutorials and strengthen your skills !

As far as I know, all photographersEveryone, whatever their level, returns to training at some point. With the rise of digital technology, this is becoming almost unavoidable. Whether it's for deepen your technical knowledgediscover new software functions (which are constantly evolving), perfect your skills shooting techniquesor expand its artistic eyeThe world of photography is vast and offers a wide range of possibilities. infinite learning opportunities.

At the moment, if you are a subscriber to various photo newslettersyou're bound to receive an avalanche of offers: webinars, online tutorialsoffers discounted training... With a little more time on your hands, this could be the ideal time to delve deeper into certain subjects or watch those videos you've been putting on hold 😉

In fact, I'm willing to bet that many of you have PDF not readand video tutorials unfinished photo books forgotten on a shelf or registered items for "later". Well, that "later" may be now ! Take advantage of this period to explore these resources and expand your knowledge.

💻 Improve your digital workflow

It's also the perfect time to :

Strengthen your post-processing skills : Master software such as Photoshop, Lightroomor discover alternatives that could optimise your production flow.
Testing new tools Maybe there's a software package that's better suited to your working style? Take the opportunity to compare, test and, why not? reorganise your working methods.
Improve the quality of your renderings : Better image processing can significantly improve your image quality. photo prints and the overall quality of your work.

🌍 Get inspired by online galleries

And if you need a inspirational breakwhy not visit some photography sites or online galleries ? This allows you to change of scenery (virtually at least!) and fuel your imagination. What's more, we've got I invite you to have a look at my galleries - a small visual escape which I hope will inspire you for your next projects! 😊

2. Organise or reorganise your folders and hard drives

As photographers, we often have a strong sense of an unbridled passion for photography Whether on location, on the move or in the studio, the excitement of capturing new shots often gets the better of you. And the result? The photo sorting is relegated to second place, and our hard disks are becoming veritable digital mazes ! Between files scattered over several external hard drivesand unfinished series of photos for ongoing projects, and files lying around on the computer desktopchaos ensues.

💾 Containment, an opportunity to organise your files

Why not take advantage of this period to finally tidy, sort and archive your photos correctly? It may seem tedious, but once you've done it, you'll feel lighter and more efficient in your workflow :

Group your projects by theme, event or date for easy reference.
Delete duplicates and failed photos that clutter up your disks unnecessarily.
Classify your files on external hard drives or in the cloud to prevent accidental loss.

🚀 Optimise your production workflow

As well as tidying up, now might be a good time to rethink your workflow. A clear organisation will enable you to be faster and effective as soon as you return to work:

Create standard files for your future projects.
Set up a consistent naming for your files.
Test software for photo management (like Lightroom) to simplify sorting and searching for your shots.

😅 Disorganised photographer syndrome: time to act!

Let's be honest, we all have a bit of that. disorganised photographer syndrome. This forced break is the perfect opportunity to do something about it. Sorting through your photos may seem like a puzzle... but once you've taken the plunge, you'll save precious time and avoid the stress of the photo not found when you need it.

So.., courage Now's the time to tackle those thousands of files and bring some order to your digital world. You'll see, it feels almost as good as a good photo shoot! 😭📸

3. Sort your photos : the trouble needed for well-organised memories

I agree that, for many of us, it's a real challenge. LE black spot in photography : sorting photos. Sorting again and again... you can spend ages doing it. hours ! And it's true, it's time-consuming. But let's be honest: photos unsortedthese are lost photos. They become unnecessary, untraceableand end up clutter up your hard drives unnecessarily.

🗂️ Containment: the perfect opportunity to put things in order

So, if this containment is not the time to put away this bazaar (or this half-bazaar 😜), when will it be? This moment of enforced pause is the perfect excuse to :

Eliminating duplication and missed shots.
Classify your best photos in clearly identified files.
Free up space on your hard drives for your future creations.

✨ Make sorting more enjoyable: make it a pleasant moment

Let's get to work! 💪 But who said sorting your photos had to be a chore? Take a trip down memory lanerelive these captured moments and take the time toanalyse your images. You might even discover photos that you'd forgotten about and that deserve to be showcased!

Take notes on the aspects that need improving: composition, lighting, post-processing, etc. It's an excellent exercise for making progress.
Use coloured labels and star ratings to help you organise your best shots.
Get in the mood A cup of herbal tea or a cup of coffee close at hand, some pleasant music playing in the background, and you'll find that time will fly by faster than you think!

💾 Don't forget your back-ups!

Last but not least: make your back-ups ! Before, during and after sorting, make sure your precious photos are safe.

Save your shots on several hard disks.
Remember to secure your Lightroom catalogues or any other software you use.
Use cloud solutions for an additional backup.

There's nothing worse than losing hours of sorting... and precious memories because of a temperamental hard drive!

You can never be too careful!

4. Putting your keywords in orderphoto management made easy

This may not be for all photographers, but for those of us who work on multiple projects simultaneously - whether in travel photography , art or for those who publish their images online (on image banks, personal websites, etc.) - the use of keywords is indispensable.

The more your photo catalogue grows, the more it becomes assign, tidy and sort your images with relevant keywords. Without this organisation, even the most beautiful photos run the risk of being left behind. inaccessible lost in the flood of thousands of photos stored on your disks. As mentioned above, a photo well ranked is a photo used and valued !

🗂️ Why are keywords so important?

They enable find quickly one photo among thousands.
They make it easier to online publication platforms such as image banks or portfolio sites rely heavily on metadata to reference your photos.
They help you to structure your workflow Especially if you're working on a wide range of long-term projects.

🤖 Simplify the process with artificial intelligence

Classifying and tagging thousands of photos can seem like a never-ending task... But the good news is that technology is here to give you a helping hand! Tools for intelligent cataloguing based on AI can automate and speed up the process :

Peakto de Cyme This innovative software centralizes your photo libraries (Lightroom, Apple Photos, Capture One...) and uses intelligent algorithms to organise and find your images quickly. No more searching through different folders: Peakto brings everything together in one place, with suggestions for automatic keywords to simplify management.
Excire Foto Another powerful tool that uses AI to analyse the visual content of your photos and generate relevant keywords automatically. It can recognise objects and landscapes and even emotions in the portraits, facilitating rapid and efficient sorting.

🚀 Containment: the perfect time to optimise your metadata

With a little more time at home, why not take the opportunity to :

Review and refine your old keywords Make sure they are coherent and well structured.
Creating a keyword hierarchy for your future projects, using clear categories (locations, subjects, techniques, etc.).
Automate the process thanks to AI software such as Peakto or Excire Foto, which will save you precious time.

📸 Better organisation for greater creativity

Put your keywords in order today, and you'll see how much easier it will be to find and use your photos tomorrow. A well-organised catalogue will enable you to save timeof maximising impact of your images on online platforms, and of focus on the essentials : creation.

5. And print your photos bring your memories to life

With a bit of luck, you'll have a photo printer at home. Why not take advantage of this time to do a little prints ? Now that you've taken the time to sort and organise your photos, it's the perfect opportunity toprint your memories favourites. There's nothing like seeing your photos in paper form to help you rediscover the world of photography. richness of detail and theemotion they give off.

🖼️ Renew your decor with your own photos

Change the decoration of your flat or house with your new prints. After all, there are limits to DIY, and a new photo decor can give your home a fresh new look without too much effort! 😉
Do as I do swap the photos you've already framed for the latest ones you've just printed. It's a simple way to renew your surroundings and keep your memories fresh.

📚 Create or complete your photo album

And what if you went even further? This could be the ideal time to start (or finally finish!) this photo album that's been lying around for years. Now that you've got your photos in order, there's a good chance that some of them will be of interest to you. come to mind All the more interesting then.

Experiment with your first album : Whether it's a travel album, a family report, or an artistic series, creating an album is both an activity creative and meditative.
Finalise your pending projects : If you've already started an album but put it on the back burner, now's the time to do it! and complete it. You'll be surprised at how satisfying it is to hold a finished project in your hands.

🎉 Containment and photography: a successful reconciliation

Who would have thought that the confinement would be the perfect opportunity to breathe new life into your photos? Between the sorting, the organising and now the printing, you've turned this period into a creative opportunity. Seeing your photos printed, framed or put together in an album is also a way of reconnecting to those captured moments and of relive precious memories.

So, yes, containment and photography are slowly coming together, and your walls (or your albums) are the proof!

6. Try new techniques capture: getting out of your comfort zone

Confinement is perhaps the ideal opportunity to exploring new facets of photography. If you prefer outdoor photographer Now is the perfect time to try out styles you've never really explored before. Why not try a little culinary photography ? (In fact, don't hesitate to read my article on this subject for a few tips.). You could even have fun with culinary macro... yes, yes, photograph your morning coffee by close-up can reveal some surprising details! 😂

💡 A few ideas to vary the pleasures :

Culinary photography : Have fun capturing your dishes at their best. It's a chance to learn how to work the compositionthe light and even play with textures unexpected.
Macro photography Explore the little details around you. Whether it's a leaf, an everyday object or even... your plate, the macro opens up a fascinating world.
Experimenting with light : Take advantage of this time to play with different lighting effects. Experiment with natural light at different times of the day or improvise your own lighting effects. lighting setups with desk lamps, LED festoons or home-made reflectors.
Try unusual camera angles Get off the beaten track by capturing your subjects under different lighting conditions. new angles. Take low-angle shots, experiment with reflections or shadowsDiscover how a simple change of perspective can completely transform an image.
Correct your past mistakes : Why not use the photos that you have recently sorted to analyse your mistakes ? Test out solutions, improve your compositions and perfect the technical aspects you want to strengthen. In the end, there's good in organise your photos Sorting and printing, and we're getting better ! 🎯

🐦 Photograph nature from the comfort of your own home

And if you're lucky enough to have a garden a balconyor even just a window well placed, why not try photographing birds passing through? Visit wildlife photography is an excellent exercise in developing your patience and powers of observation, as well as honing your shooting techniques. You might be surprised at how nature continues to offer fascinating subjects, even from the comfort of your own home.

🌟 Dare to experiment: every new technique is a learning opportunity

Confinement is a period of forced pause But that doesn't mean your creativity has to stop. On the contrary, this is the perfect time to get out of your comfort zone try out new techniques, and maybe even discover a new way of doing things. a new passion for photography that you would never normally consider.

So, whether you're cooking, birdwatching or playing with light effects, let your imagination run wild. have fun !

7. Clean your equipment Essential maintenance for impeccable photos

Whether you are outdoor photographer or studioyour equipment requires a regular maintenanceeven minimal. Containment is the ideal opportunity to looking after your equipment and make sure everything is in perfect condition for your next photo outing.

🧽 How do you clean your photo equipment?

Review all your equipment Lenses, cameras, filters, memory cards... nothing should be forgotten.
Use the right tools a blowing bulb to remove dust without risk microfibre cloths to clean lenses, and cotton buds for small corners.
Clean the sensors with care : We all hate to see dust or stains appear in our images because of a dirty sensor. So this is the perfect time to make sure everything is clean. However, make sure you know what you're doing 🧐 ! Sensor cleaning can be tricky, and if you're not sure, it's best to call in a professional.

✨ Clean equipment for clear images

Good maintenance not only ensures flawless photos, but also a long service life. increased longevity of your equipment. A clean box and well-maintained objectives and dust-free sensors will save you a lot of trouble on your next photo shoot.

8. Containment and photography: a new-found compatibility

Here are a few ideas for making containment , curfew and photography not only compatible, but also productive and inspiring. Whether in exploring new techniques in organising your photos in printing your memories or cleaning your equipment Every action brings you closer to your passion and prepares you for your future projects.

I wish you all courage , creativity and, above all, to continue to see the world through the lens of curiosity and enthusiasm.

Thanks for visiting and reading, and see you soon,

David

Confinement and photography!