It's probably not surprising to you that many people like to reimagine the world with their own imaginative structure. Clearly we see this when we're watching kids play, but many people inhabit alter egos and imaginative worlds even as teenagers and adults whether it's in an adult playground or a virtual space.

During the quarantine phase of the pandemic I was struck by how many photographers were moving their practice indoors, too. Erin Sullivan got quite popular with her indoor travel photography--take a look at what she did on her bed with a little natural light and some simple props by clicking on that link. You can also find her on Instagram if you prefer.

People like Lori Nix, Mark Hogencamp, and Kim Keever do this regularly and it doesn't take a pandemic for them to explore these smaller spaces with their cameras. Take a look at their work before you start thinking about what you'd like to create.

Consider the types of objects you really enjoy working. Then consider the world you would like to inhabit and potentially create. What could you use to make those places a reality with the supplies you have and your camera? Is there something you need to experiment with in order to make it look amazing?

I can remember years ago I got excited about a project I was working on where I used vegetables to create trees and canopies in a thick, fake forest. I was very excited about the idea and had spent quite a bit of time setting it up and getting the lighting to look like it was actually outdoors and as if the light was truly coming from the sun. What I didn't realize is that the light I wanted to use (which best mimicked the sun) was so hot that having it on during set-up (instead of simply using the ambient light from a window or overhead light) ruined my veggies within the hour or two that I spent setting it up. I had spent a lot of time prepping for this, but hadn't thought of that. I mention this mistake simply to say that there are always things that can go wrong even in the most thoughtful approaches to a project like this.

Take the time you need to experiment. Don't expect that your first attempt will be your best or your last. Try to capture light that looks accurate and real so the viewer is amazed when they look close and realize that you actually built this place! You don't necessarily need to purchase anything for this project, but being intentional with what you have will make all the difference in the world.

PROJECT DETAILS

1. You may use any materials that work for your scene as long as they're appropriate. Obviously if it isn't an object you could bring into school it's not an object you should use in the photograph.

2. You only need to make one final photograph for the project. That said, you may need to take hundreds and set up the scene differently over a period of time to get the results you're looking for, so be patient with yourself as you create.