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Creative Eye SIG


Composition and learning how to look at a subject of interest from different points of view is a necessity for producing interesting and different photographs. 

"The Creative Eye" goal is to learn how to "see the world around us" in a photographically creative way. Some of us have a natural ability to take what we see with our eyes and mental filters and get the camera to ‘see’ in that similar way. Others must work at it. This is not a lecture series; rather the sharing of images with a common theme that we will take, bring back, and share with each other. We have different 'projects' each month to help train our eyes.
From simple topics like 'Starts with T' to more challenging ones such as 'Surprise' or 'Explore,' the variety of subjects is a constant brain teaser. Not only does the routine test imagination and creativity, it also provides an opportunity to try out a variety of camera settings and photography techniques.

It is refreshing that this is NOT a competition; there are no rules, no winners or losers. It's a challenge that is entirely personal.

The Creative Eye, Meets 1st Thursday @ 3-5 P.M.,

Facilitator: Mel Whaley
Meets September - May.

 
 
Month                       Topic/Challenge 
Subtopic - Select a subtopic, create three to five captivating images, and share what you’ve learned to showcase your growth and creativity.

September      
Light & Shadow

  1. Golden hour glow
  2. Blue hour cityscape or skyline
  3. Silhouette against the sky
  4. Backlit translucent object (leaves, fabric, glass)
  5. Hard light shadows at noon
  6. Window‑light portrait (use a stand-in if no model)
  7. Shadows that create patterns
  8. Rim lighting on an object
  9. Candlelight or single practical light source
  10. Reflections of light on a wall or ceiling (e.g., through a prism)

October                    
Color Play


  1. Monochrome scene (one dominant color)
  2. Complementary colors (e.g., orange/teal, blue/yellow)
  3. Splash of color in a muted environment
  4. Color blocking (adjacent bold color fields)
  5. Pastel palette
  6. Neon lights at night
  7. Natural color gradients (sunset, fruit, fabrics)
  8. Red in motion (car, clothing, sign)
  9. Cool vs. warm light in one frame
  10. Color reflected in water or glass

November               
Composition & Perspective


  1. Leading lines to your subject
  2. Rule of thirds (classic but intentional)
  3. Centered symmetry
  4. Negative space (let it breathe)
  5. Frame within a frame (doorways, windows, foliage)
  6. From the ground up (low angle)
  7. Bird’s‑eye view (from above)
  8. Fill the frame (no empty edges)
  9. Odd number rule (3 or 5 elements)
  10. Visual balance with asymmetry

December      
Everyday Objects, Reimagined


          


  1. Cutlery or kitchen tools as sculpture
  2. Coffee or tea story (steam, ritual, textures)
  3. Keys and locks (patterns, close‑ups)
  4. Book pages (curves, text, dog‑ears)
  5. Shoes with character (worn details)
  6. Glassware and interesting highlights
  7. Fabric folds and drape
  8. Desk essentials arranged as flat lay
  9. A well‑used tool (patina, macro details)
  10. Musical instrument or headphones

January                    
Texture & Macro

  1. Leaf veins (macro)
  2. Tree bark or weathered wood
  3. Rust and decay (abstract close‑ups)
  4. Stone or concrete surfaces (patterns)
  5. Water droplets (on glass or plants)
  6. Soap bubbles or foam
  7. Fabric weave or knit
  8. Feathers, fur, or hair texture (ethical sources)
  9. Cracked paint or peeling posters
  10. Food macro (citrus cross‑section, spices, crumbs)

February                  
Nature & Outdoors

  1. A single tree as a character
  2. Wildflower or garden detail
  3. Cloud drama or minimal sky
  4. Bird on a wire or in flight
  5. Reflections in a puddle or lake
  6. Path or trail that invites a journey
  7. Rock formations or pebble patterns
  8. Rainy day scene (from indoors, if needed)
  9. Sunrise start or quiet dawn light
  10. Wind in motion (grasses, flags, leaves)

March                      
Urban & Street (respect local laws/privacy)

  1. Geometric architecture (lines & shapes)
  2. Doorways with personality
  3. Repetition of windows or balconies
  4. Street typography (signs, murals)
  5. Staircases (spiral or angular)
  6. Public transport moment (abstract or detail)
  7. Alley textures and light shafts
  8. Street vendor or market still life
  9. Bicycle as a graphic element
  10. Reflections in shop windows

April                         
People & Story (consent where required)

  1. Hands at work (craft, cooking, fixing)
  2. Candid walk‑by (from behind or anonymized)
  3. Portrait with an environmental clue (place tells story)
  4. Self‑portrait with shadow or reflection
  5. Portrait framed by door/window light
  6. Story in three objects (no faces needed)
  7. A pair: two people or two items connected
  8. Gesture or posture that suggests a mood
  9. Silhouette of a passerby
  10. The “what’s left behind” scene (after an event)

May                
Motion, Time & Abstraction

  1. Long‑exposure light trails (cars, LEDs)
  2. Intentional camera movement (ICM) for painterly blur
  3. Panning shot to isolate a moving subject
  4. Time series: same scene, three different times of day
  5. Freeze action (splash, jump, drop)
  6. Shadows moving across a surface (time‑lapse or sequence)
  7. Minimal abstract (shapes, color, form)
  8. Bokeh study (points of light out of focus)
  9. Patterns found vs. patterns created
  10. Double exposure or reflection collage (in‑camera or post)

All photos are copyrighted by the maker.

Grand Photos is located in The Grand, an active adult community in Surprise, AZ