52 Clicks | Week 32 | Food Photography

Another week stepping outside our comfort zones in our Project 52. We're sampling different genres all month, and last week we tackled the very yummy but tricky food photography. One of the most common concerns from the p52 participants was the styling struggles. When we think of food photography, we often imagine the pretty flatlays with elaborate setups. If you've ever attempted one of these yourself, you know how very hard they are! Kudos to food photographers for making it look so easy because it definitely is not. But food photography goes beyond fancy setups, and it was fun to see how everyone made this theme their own. Be warned: you won't walk away from this blog without a major hankering for some food.

Are you looking for a little push in your creativity? If so, this is the right place to find it.

xo,

Angie Mahlke

In photography, colour does far more than add visual interest. It shapes the mood of an image, draws the viewer in, and helps communicate the story. In our Chase the Rainbow project, we celebrate colour by focusing on a different shade each month. Whether that’s seeking out the colour in nature, spotting it at home, or styling a scene with thoughtfully selected props and clothing, the project encourages creativity and seeing the world through a more colourful lens.

“Let the blue of the sky and ocean take your blue away when you feel blue” -  Munia Khan

August’s colour is sky blue!

Reminding us of vast, clear skies, this gentle shade of blue symbolises freedom, optimism, and possibility. It encourages us to look ahead with a sense of hope, evoking feelings of endless potential and brighter days to come. Its softness inspires feelings of peace and tranquillity, while also representing innocence, clarity, and a fresh perspective. It’s a colour that invites us to pause, breathe, and embrace the possibilities that lie ahead.

Enjoy looking through all our sky blue images.

52 Clicks | Week 31 | Street Photography

Our Project 52 group is full of a wide range of photographers, from landscape and nature to documentary and portrait, and everything else in between. And every week, we're treated to how each and every one of us interprets the themes in our own style and genre. But this month, we're going out of our comfort zones and stepping inside different genres every week. August is all about genre sampling.

The first one was street photography, and it certainly didn't disappoint. Whether the p52 participants were in a big city or a more rural setting, they captured a slice of life in beautiful ways.

What genre are you itching to try out? If you'd like a push like this, feel free to join our project!

xo,

Angie Mahlke

Photography doesn't have to be about rushing from one subject to the next. Discover how slowing down, observing more intentionally, and reconnecting with nature can transform both your photography and your creative life.

52 Clicks | Week 30 | Depth

We finished off our month of perspectives in our Project 52 last week with our final theme: depth. Creating depth in your images is like tricking the eye into believing the pictures are really 3D. Some ways to combat the flat, 2D quality of your work is to use layers, creative perspectives, depth of field, framing and so many other creative techniques. How do you like to create depth?

If you're craving some creativity in your life, consider hopping in our P52. Next up is a month of sampling different genres!

xo,

Angie Mahlke

Together, we’ll explore techniques that I love to use during the day. From the soft, gentle light of early morning to the dramatic contrasts at midday, and the warm, golden glow of evening light, each moment offers something special. In my course "Creative Light & Shadows", I share tips on how to make the most of these times, and help you push past the limits of your usual routine to experiment with different angles, moods, and compositions. Let's embrace the light—and its shadows—like never before!

52 Clicks | Week 29 | Leading Lines

You know what's fun about leading lines? Anything can be used, anything goes! Fences, lines on the road, trees, buildings, people, footprints. Anything that helps guide your eye through the frame or to emphasize a subject/object/point. The Project 52 participants were creative in their use of lines in last week's photography prompt on perspectives.

How do you use leading lines in your work? If this is a challenge that interests you, feel free to hop in our ongoing project! All are welcome.

xoxo,
Angie Mahlke

Discover how self-portraiture can become more than a way to document your life—it can become a powerful tool for self-discovery. In this article, I share how a season of creative burnout led me back to myself through photography and explore practical ways you can use self-portraits to reflect on your identity, values, and the roles you play in life. Whether you're new to self-portraiture or looking for a deeper connection with your photography, these exercises will help you create with greater intention and authenticity.

52 Clicks | Week 28 | Juxtaposition

Juxtaposition is just a fancy term for using contrasting elements (big/small, old/young, right/wrong. animate/inanimate, etc) in your frame. You can use it to evoke emotions, tell a story, add emphasis, infuse humor, highlight irony and much more. If you think you've never used this in your work before, you're likely wrong. You're probably using it without realizing it. That photo you took of your kid on a hill with a big sky behind them? Juxtaposition. That photo of your mom cuddling your baby? Juxtaposition. That photo of an old building among a bunch of new ones? Juxtaposition. Since you're already using it unintentionally, imagine if you used it intentionally?

The Project 52 participants dug deep last week to do just that, and it shows! Look at their work and see how using juxtaposition can cause tension, emphasize a certain point, aid in storytelling and much more. And if this is something that calls to you, you might just be ready to join a project like this. If so, it's not too late.

xoxo,
Angie Mahlke

In photography, colour does far more than add visual interest. It shapes the mood of an image, draws the viewer in, and helps communicate the story. In our Chase the Rainbow project, we celebrate colour by focusing on a different shade each month. Whether that’s seeking out the colour in nature, spotting it at home, or styling a scene with thoughtfully selected props and clothing, the project encourages creativity and seeing the world through a more colourful lens.

“There is certainly a red for everyone” - Christian Dior

July’s colour is red!

A bold, vibrant colour that symbolises passion, energy and strength, red naturally draws attention, making it a popular choice for branding, warning signs, and impactful designs. Red can evoke powerful emotions, from love and determination to urgency and anger. Reminding us of fire, roses, and autumn leaves, it conveys warmth and vitality, while its intensity gives it an unforgettable presence.

Enjoy looking through all our red images.

52 Clicks | Week 27 | Negative Space

Negative space is a great way to emphasize a certain mood, focus attention on the subject, highlight scale, and be creative in your composition. It's easy to hear the term "negative space" and think a majority of your frame needs to be empty or blank, but it's really more about the breathing room around the subject. This could be an uncluttered background, textured space (think: big sky, grass, trees, water, etc) or a blurred background that allows the focal point to stand out.

Look at the various ways the Project 52 participants used negative space last week. Is this a compositional tool you use often? If not, I encourage you to experiment with it! We're focusing on different perspectives all month, so feel free to jump in our p52.

xoxo,
Angie Mahlke

Composition in photography shapes how an image is seen, felt, and understood. This post explains what composition really is, why it matters, and how learning to see the frame with intention can help you create stronger, more compelling images.

52 Clicks | Week 26 | Frame Within a Frame

For the month of July, we will be exploring different perspectives in our Project 52. The first one was to focus on adding an additional frame within the image. The frame could be super obvious (think: door frames, mirrors, windows, etc). Or it could be something more implied (think: layering with foreground/background items). Or the framing could be something creative (think: light painting, double exposure, etc). Whatever the chosen frame, the p52 participants showed off last week with their images.

If you're wanting a challenge like this, there's still time to hop in the project with us.

xoxo,
Angie Mahlke

Nature photography has a way of changing how you see the world. What starts as a search for beautiful landscapes often becomes a deeper appreciation for the small details most people overlook. In this post, I share how photographing nature has taught me to slow down, notice the beauty in ordinary places, and approach editing with the goal of enhancing a moment rather than transforming it. If you love natural-looking edits and realistic colors, you'll find plenty of inspiration here.

52 Clicks | Week 25 | Favorite Place

If you had to choose a favorite place, where would it be? That was the final theme for our favorites month in our Project 52. The p52 participants chose either a favorite place they like to take pictures or a place that is special to them.

It's been a fun month exploring our favorite things, and I'm going to be a little sad to move on. But we have lots of weeks left in the project with plenty of other fun things to dig into. If this appeals to you, join us!

xoxo,
Angie Mahlke

Want to take better photos with your phone? The key isn't having the newest smartphone—it's understanding what your camera can do. In this article, you'll learn five practical mobile photography exercises that will help you improve your exposure, focus, composition, portraits, and editing skills. Whether you're using the latest iPhone or an older model, these simple exercises will help you gain confidence and create stronger images with the camera you always have with you.

52 Clicks | Week 24 | Favorite Time of Day

Do you have a favorite time of day? Either to grab your camera and snap away or to simply enjoy life's little pleasures. That was last week's prompt in our Project 52. The p52 participants documented a time of day they gravitate toward when taking pictures or some part of their day they find extra special. 

So what time of day would you choose for this theme? You could always hop into the project and do just that!

xoxo,
Angie Mahlke

If you've ever struggled to keep a fast-moving subject in focus, back-button focus might be the game-changing technique you've been looking for. Instead of using the shutter button for both focusing and taking the photo, back-button focus separates those tasks, giving you greater control over your camera's autofocus system. Whether you're photographing wildlife, birds in flight, sports, or active children, this simple camera setting can help you track movement more effectively, react faster, and capture more keepers.

52 Weeks | Week 23 | Favorite Viewpoint

Most of this photography project is spent going out of our comfort zone and learning new things. New techniques are introduced. We're encouraged to try different compositions. The point is to discover the great big wide world of photography. So now that we're hitting the pause button with our favorites theme, it's been fun focusing on the things that bring us joy. It's been a great reminder that we don't always need to strive for the next goal. Sometimes we can just do what makes us happy.

Last week we explored our favorite viewpoint, and I think you'll agree with me that the p52 participants really understood the assignment! If this appeals to you at all, we'd love to have you in our Project 52.

xoxo,
Angie Mahlke

In photography, colour does far more than add visual interest. It shapes the mood of an image, draws the viewer in, and helps communicate the story. In our Chase the Rainbow project, we celebrate colour by focusing on a different shade each month. Whether that’s seeking out the colour in nature, spotting it at home, or styling a scene with thoughtfully selected props and clothing, the project encourages creativity and seeing the world through a more colourful lens.

“All the best things in life are free: love, smiles, friends, family, pets & companions, thoughts, sunsets & sunrises and especially rainbows.”  - Anthony T. Hincks

June’s colour is rainbow!

Not just one colour, but every colour together. A rainbow appears when light is refracted through raindrops, creating a beautiful spectacle across the sky. Often seen as a symbol of hope, renewal, and brighter days after a storm, the rainbow reminds us that beauty can emerge from challenging times. It is also widely recognised as a symbol of Pride, celebrating diversity, inclusion, and the vibrant spectrum of people who make up our communities.

Enjoy looking through all our rainbow images.