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

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

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

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

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.

52 Clicks | Week 22 | Favorite Subject

Sometimes the easiest way to find your way out of a creative rut, or to rediscover your original joy in photography, is to focus on all your favorite things. The month of June in our Project 52 is all about our favorites. We started with our favorite subject.

As it always seems to happen with open-ended themes, we may have spent a fair amount of time overthinking things. Once we got past the idea that we didn't have to pledge our undying love and devotion to one single subject as our most favorite, then things got rolling. 

Scroll down to see what the p52 participants chose as {one of} their favorite subjects. It's an interesting mix of people, pets, wildlife and nature.

What would you choose as your favorite subject to photograph? If a month of favorites sparks your creative flame, you can still hop in our project!

xoxo,
Angie Mahlke

52 Clicks | Week 21 | Chiaroscuro

The fun thing about any photography project is learning new things and challenging ourselves. That's how we learn, right? And isn't that the goal? Last week in our Project 52 we introduced a term that is brand new to most of us: chiaroscuro. It's a word that is even hard to pronounce (a Google search gave me differing pronunciation so it still remains a mystery to me), so it seems big and scary. But the interesting part is that once people discovered what it meant, they realized they've already been doing this technique all along. They just never had a name for it.

So what does this intimidating term mean? Literally it translates to bright-dark. And to break it down in simple terms, it's just an artistic technique that emphasizes the high contrast between lights and darks with the goal of creating a three-dimensional image. Google it to learn the art history behind it if you'd like! 

In the meantime, scroll to see how the p52 participants used the technique. I bet after seeing these examples you'll realize it's something you've been doing all along, too.

If you'd like a weekly challenge like this, it's not too late to hop in the group!

xoxo,
Angie Mahlke

52 Clicks | Week 20 | Silhouette

Silhouettes rate up there as one of my favorite photography techniques. They're a fun way to get creative, but they can be challenging. The trick is to make sure your subjects don't turn into indistinguishable black blobs. Scroll down to see how the Project 52 participants tackled this theme.

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.

“Deep blue is the color of my dreams.” - Debasish Mridha

May’s colour is navy!

Navy is an deep, inky blue. It symbolises authority, confidence, stability and trust, and so is often used for corporate branding, uniforms and formal wear. Navy also evokes a sense of quiet strength, bringing to mind the depth of the ocean and the vastness of the night sky. Rarely found in nature, navy carries an added air of mystery and sophistication.

Enjoy looking through all our navy images.

52 Clicks | Week 19 | Shadow Play

Using shadows in your images is an easy way to add drama, interest and contrast. It's what was up next in our month of playing with light in our Project 52. Whether you use the shadows as a subject in your image or a compositional tool, there are so many possibilities. Leading lines, pockets of light, textures, storytelling cues and various other creative techniques are at your fingertips with shadow play. The p52 participants used them so brilliantly. Go take a look and then decide how you'd like to use them in your work.

If you're wanting to have some fun with light, you should join us! There's still time to hop in the project. Sign up now!

xoxo,
Angie Mahlke

52 Clicks | Week 18 | Reflections

We studied light earlier in our Project 52, and now we're having fun with it! For the month of May, we will explore different ways to use light creatively. We started with reflections, which is one of my favorite ways to add interest, drama, and storytelling. The p52 participants proved to yet again be creative geniuses with this theme. The various reflective surfaces they used, the compelling compositions, and the beautiful storytelling blew me away! 

If you're wanting to have some fun with light, you should join us! There's still time to hop in the project. Sign up now!

xoxo,
Angie Mahlke

52 Clicks | Week 17 | Senses: Taste

We saved the best sense for last in our Project 52: taste! The p52 participants used a variety of ways to capture this theme, and I'm betting you'll leave hungry and craving some sweet treats. You've been warned!

We're getting to that point in the year where our inspiration starts to wane, or life gets busy and our personal projects aren't the top of the priority list. If this is you, you're not alone. But I'd encourage you to not completely throw in the towel. It's perfectly fine to hit pause. Breaks are necessary sometimes. But then don't forget to hit the unpause button and jump back in. Even if that means playing catch up or giving yourself permission to skip ahead. 

It's hard to feel creative when we're stressed or battling things behind the scenes. But just remember, digging into your creative energy is actually a great way to destress and has great health benefits. So take a break if you need to, but don't step away permanently!

There's still time to hop in the p52! All are welcome! Sign up now!

xoxo,
Angie Mahlke

One of the Project 52 participants brought up a good point during the fourth week in our senses month: we rely on a collaboration of our senses rather than utilizing one at a time. I think you'll find this is true by looking through the p52 images from last week. More than just the sense of touch was captured in the images. See how many senses you pick up on as you scroll through the photos.

There's still time to hop in the p52! All are welcome! Sign up now!

xoxo,
Angie Mahlke

Can you smell a photograph? I think you'll say yes after reviewing the images for last week's Project 52 theme. The goal was to evoke the sense of smell. Go look through the photos and tell me you can't smell them. Be warned: you may want cookies, coffee and pizza and dream of summer days in the sun.

There's still time to hop in the p52! All are welcome! Sign up now!

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.

“I really just want to be warm yellow light that pours over everyone I love.” - Conor Oberst

April’s colour is yellow!

Yellow is a vibrant, happy, optimistic colour that brings to mind warmth and sunshine. Its eye-catching nature makes it a popular choice in branding and in warning signs where visibility is key. Yellow ranges from a crisp, fresh lemon to a rich, deep gold.
Enjoy looking through all our yellow images.

52 Clicks | Week 14 | Sound

Next up in our month of exploring senses in our Project 52 was sound. Like sight, you could take a literal approach and photograph ears or things that make sound, like instruments, record players, etc. Or you could go the opposite route and capture things that evoke sound, like waves crashing and laughter. See how the p52 participants interpreted this theme.

If themes like this inspire you, you can still jump in the project! Sign up now!

xoxo,
Angie Mahlke

52 Clicks | Week 13 | Sight

April is all about exploring the senses in our Project 52. We started the month with the sense of sight. There are so many possible ways to explore this theme, from the very literal interpretation of the eye to cheeky captures to more abstract renderings. The p52 participants definitely did not disappoint. It was a fun one to look through all their images.

If themes like this inspire you, you can still jump in the project! Sign up now!

xoxo,
Angie Mahlke

52 Clicks | Week 12 | Editorial

We finished our month of storytelling with a brand new theme for us: editorial. Oftentimes when we have such a broad theme, especially one that is a bit trickier, we tend to overthink. I prefaced the theme by instructing the p52 participants to first think of what sort of publication they'd like to shoot for (fashion, food, landscape, parenting, a hobby one like fishing, knitting, photography, or a newspaper). Then once they got that sorted out, then brainstorm what story they wanted to tell. As you look through the images, try to guess what kind of publication they chose.

If themes like this inspire you, you can still jump in the project! Sign up now!

xoxo,
Angie Mahlke