In this post we share our Winner and Featured Artists for the May FLOWERS Photo Challenge at The Framed Focus!

52 Clicks | Week 21 | Self Portrait

Last up in our month of genre sampling was self portrait. You cringed a bit just reading that, right? Well, you're not alone, because the majority of the participants in our Project 52 felt the exact same way. We, as photographers, feel much more at ease behind the lens. The minute you force us to step in front of it, panic ensues. Because we understand the level of vulnerability and bravery it takes to put ourselves out there in this way, we are doing this feature blog just a little bit differently. We are including every single image that was submitted for a feature.

Scroll through all the lovely faces (or in some cases, faceless) of the talented people who make up this group project. We all braved the dreaded self portrait week and survived. Not only survived, but created beautiful art that included ourselves, the "face" behind the names we've been seeing since the beginning of the year.

Do you shy away from self portraits or do you embrace them?

xo,

Angie Mahlke

Click here to join!

In this blog, Amy Selleck shares her personal approach to focus stacking in macro photography, a technique that allows photographers to create incredibly sharp images with maximum depth of field. She breaks down when and why she chooses to focus stack, the equipment she uses, how she captures multiple focal points in-camera, and her step-by-step process for combining the images in post-processing. Whether you're new to focus stacking or want to refine your technique, Amy’s practical insights and real-world examples make this an accessible and inspiring read for any macro photographer.

52 Clicks | Week 20 | Surrealism

The participants of the Project 52 really tested ourselves last week with the next theme in our genre sampling month: surrealism. We thought forced perspective was hard, but this one challenged us even more. Surrealism encompasses a large net, leaving the theme wide open for creativity and out-of-the-box thinking. We were given permission to really go for it, and you can tell by looking through the images that everyone took the assignment seriously. 

We shared our creative processes with each other, and let me tell you how interesting it is to be able to take a peek inside and glimpse the magic behind each finished product. We saw the beginning (SOOC), the in-between (the progress) and all the components used in the process (images, overlays, props, editing steps, etc) that led to the magical completed image. 

Will we go on from this surrealism week and continue to create in this genre? The majority of us would probably say no, but the lessons learned are invaluable. And who knows, maybe we'll see glimpses of surrealism-inspired components in our future work because I think this week left a mark.

xo,

Angie Mahlke

Click here to join!

Have you ever looked at a photo and felt an instant connection without really knowing why? It’s not just the subject that draws you in — it’s the way the image is composed.

Our brains are wired to process visual information instinctively. We prioritize contrast, follow paths, group shapes and colors, and look for balance without even thinking about it. Good composition works with these natural instincts — guiding the eye, evoking emotion, and strengthening the story you want to tell.

Without it, even beautiful subjects can fall flat. With it, even the simplest scene can feel rich, dynamic, and unforgettable.

52 Clicks | Week 19 | Intimate Landscape

The next theme the Project 52 participants tackled in our genre sampling month was intimate landscape. If this is a new concept to you, as it was to most of us, think of a wide landscape shot, now narrow it down to where you are isolating a smaller area of that landscape to focus on. That's your intimate landscape. It lies somewhere in the middle of a full scale landscape and a closeup shot of a single detail. 

Because of its broad definition, though, a lot of us were struggling to determine whether we were getting it right or completely off the mark. That's the beauty of our P52, though, we aren't overly picky about the technicalities. It's more about the act of picking up our camera with the intentions of learning and growing.

And, as always, the resulting work blew me away! It appears there is not a challenge we don't take head on and run away with it. See for yourself; and then go out and attempt an intimate landscape of your own. You just may discover a new love.

xo,

Angie Mahlke

Click here to join!

Struggling to get consistent, natural-looking skin tones in Lightroom? Learn how to use RGB values for accurate color correction across different lighting conditions and skin tones, plus practical editing tips you can apply right away.

"Green is the color of nature’s hope, ever blooming, ever eternal." — Ralph Waldo Emerson

This month our colour was green. Green is a fresh, calm and harmonious colour, the colour of life and growth. There are more shades of green than any other colour. Enjoy looking through all the different images we have created with green! 

52 Clicks | Week 18 | Night Photography

It's a new month, which means a whole new theme in our Project 52. This month we are doing a round of genre sampling, which means we will all be quite outside of our comfort zones for the next four weeks. The challenge will be a great way for us to try new things and maybe, possibly find something we didn't even know we liked. Or...we might just check it off our list and move on because it's not for us, and that's ok, too.

First up in our genre sampling was night photography, and this one proved to be a challenge right off the bat for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere since it gets dark much later this time of year. The group stayed up late (despite their incessant grumblings) and lugged their cameras outside for some jaw-dropping, awe-inspiring images. I have yet to get my own personal night photography image, and I'm both intimidated and motivated by the amount of talent in this group.

xo,

Angie Mahlke

Click here to join!

We sat down with Élodie to explore the evolution of her artistic path, the philosophies behind her teaching, and the transformative power of connecting with your own unique vision. Whether you're just picking up a camera or years into your craft, this conversation might just help you listen more closely to the creative voice that’s been waiting to speak.

In this post we share our Winner and Featured Artists for the April WEATHER Photo Challenge at The Framed Focus!

52 Clicks | Week 17 | Forced Perspective

We just completed our hardest theme to date in our Project 52 - forced perspective. Forced perspective is a technique that uses optical illusion to make objects appear larger, smaller, closer, or farther away than they actually are. If you've never attempted this technique before, you may not realize just how challenging it really is. Typically, the p52 group is mixed, trading turns each week on which themes are hard for us.  I think it's safe to say we all collectively cursed this theme, struggling to come up with ideas, battling the logistics required to pull it off, and growing frustrated with the multiple attempts that nearly ended us.

You know what, though? We did it! We persevered, and I am so very proud of us. We may never, ever try this technique again, but we can walk away with all our newfound knowledge that can be applied in the future. It's so much more fulfilling when we challenge ourselves, even if the process isn't always enjoyable.

Have you ever tried forced perspective? Are you now inspired to challenge yourself?

xo,
Angie Mahlke

Click here to join!

You Took That with Your Phone?!

Have you ever been captivated by a photo, only to discover it was taken with a mobile phone? What is it that distinguishes a good mobile phone photo from a bad one? How can we seamlessly integrate our mobile photos with our DSLR photos to create a unified portfolio? What tools can we use to produce the best images with a limited camera? How can you elicit the reaction, "You took that with your phone?!" Let's explore five ways to enhance your mobile photography and create images that you're eager to share, inspiring you to push the boundaries of what your phone can do. 

52 Clicks | Week 16 | Juxtaposition

The next theme we tackled in our Project 52 was juxtaposition. This is the technique of placing two contrasting elements side by side within a frame to highlight their differences or create an interesting relationship. I think it's safe to say this was one of the harder themes so far in the p52 since it's not always easy to spot in the wild and may take more time and thought to come up with an idea. But the participants rose to the occasion and produced the high quality of images we've come to expect from the group. 

Would you say you're a fan of juxtaposition or does this technique stump you, too?

xo,
Angie Mahlke

Click here to join!

There’s something pretty magical about getting up close with nature and seeing all the little details most people miss. Whether it’s the texture of a leaf, the glisten of dew, or a tiny bug going about its day, I love capturing those small moments with my camera. But shooting nature up close isn’t always easy—it takes a different approach than what you might be used to. In this post, I’m sharing a few of my favorite tips and techniques that have helped me along the way, from getting the right depth of field to editing the final image.

52 Clicks | Week 15 | Leading Lines

Last week in our perspectives month in our Project 52 was all about leading lines. Leading lines direct the eye where you want it to go, almost like an arrow guiding you down the path. It was fun to see how the p52 participants used leading lines in their images.

xo,
Angie Mahlke

Click here to join!

My name is Ashley Maple, and I am a hobbyist photographer living in East Tennessee. When our fourth child Archer was born in 2010, my family began a devastating rare disease journey that continues to this day. After an excruciating year of testing following some concerning vision symptoms, Archer was diagnosed at 18 months old with a peroxisome biogenesis disorder. Peroxisomal disorders are rare, genetic conditions that cause deafness, blindness, global developmental delays, adrenal insufficiency, neurological issues, and feeding issues, and are almost always terminal in childhood. Understandably, our lives completely changed upon receiving this heartbreaking news.

“Red has always been my color, because red stands out.” - Ravyn Lenae

This month our colour was red. Red is strong and powerful, warm and passionate, confident and rebellious. It's a colour of extremes, symbolic of both good and bad. Enjoy looking through all the different images we have created with red! 

52 Clicks | Week 14 | Framing

As our Project 52 continued with the perspectives theme last week, we centered our attention on framing. Framing not only adds depth and context but also enhances the overall composition, making the subject stand out and giving the photo a more immersive, focused feel. The p52 participants were creative in the way they approached this photo prompt, some using more obvious frames and others more abstract ones. What's your favorite way to use framing in your work?

xo,
Angie Mahlke

Click here to join!

As photographers and creatives, we can sometimes find ourselves in a bit of a rut. Other areas of our lives can become complicated or difficult and our mental health can take a hit. This can all have a negative impact on our creativity. We can find we have stopped picking up our camera completely and when we decide we want to start creating again, we can feel a bit lost and unsure how to get back into it. Especially if the break has been over several weeks or months. Our confidence, motivation and inspiration might be lacking. I have personally found myself in this situation before so I wanted to share with you some ideas that have helped me and can hopefully help you to rediscover your photography joy.