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#PhotoFestival21- Day 5 : Little

#PhotoFestival21- Day 5 : Little
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Create a mini photo series of small everyday objects using a smartphone or camera, exploring close-up composition, lighting, and creative perspectives.

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Step-by-step guide to create a mini photo series of small everyday objects

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SPOTLIGHT: Photosynthesis | Encyclopaedia Britannica

What you need
5 small everyday objects like keys coins buttons toy figurine, lamp or torch, notebook and pencil, plain background like paper or fabric, small box or tray, smartphone or camera, tape or sticky putty

Step 1

Pick a fun theme for your mini photo series such as round things tiny tools or favorite snacks.

Step 2

Gather five small everyday objects that match your theme and put them on a tray.

Step 3

Set up a plain background on a flat surface using paper or fabric so your objects stand out.

Step 4

Place the first object on the background and tape or use sticky putty to keep it steady.

Step 5

Position your lamp or torch to light the object from the side or above to make it look dramatic.

Step 6

Open your smartphone or camera and switch to close-up or macro mode if it has one.

Step 7

Take at least two photos of the object using different angles and distances so you get lots of choices.

Step 8

Move the lamp to a new position to make interesting shadows or highlights.

Step 9

Take one more photo of the object with the new lighting to see how it changes the mood.

Step 10

Repeat Steps 4 to 9 for each of the other objects until you have several photos for each item.

Step 11

Look through all your photos and pick the five images that look best together as a set.

Step 12

Edit the five chosen photos on your phone by cropping and adjusting brightness if you want.

Step 13

Arrange the edited photos into an order that tells a tiny visual story.

Step 14

Write a short caption for each photo in your notebook to explain your idea.

Step 15

Share your finished mini photo series on DIY.org

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

Complete & Share
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Help!?

What can we use if we don't have a tray, lamp, or sticky putty?

If you don't have a tray, use a cereal bowl or hardcover book for step 2, substitute a desk lamp or window sunlight for the torch in step 5, and replace sticky putty with a small piece of blu-tack or rolled modeling clay to steady objects in step 4.

My photos are coming out blurry or the objects keep falling over—what should I try?

If shots are blurry or items move, press the tape or sticky putty firmer (step 4), rest the phone on a stack of books for steadier close-up/macro shots (step 6), and wipe the lens before shooting.

How can I adapt this activity for different ages?

For younger kids pick three very safe objects and have an adult set the lamp and take photos (steps 1–6), while older kids can explore manual focus, more lighting positions (step 7), and fuller phone edits to build the five-photo story (steps 11–13).

How can we make the mini photo series more creative or personalized?

To enhance the set, add colored cellophane over the lamp for different moods (step 7), craft tiny paper props or textured backgrounds for step 3, and print the final five edited photos into a mini zine or slideshow to share on DIY.org (steps 11–13).

Watch videos on how to create a mini photo series of small everyday objects

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GCSE Biology - Photosynthesis

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Facts about photography for kids

🌈 A simple single-color background (paper or fabric) helps small items stand out and keeps the viewer’s eye on the subject.

🔬 In photography, "macro" usually means 1:1 magnification, where the subject appears life-size on the camera sensor.

📱 Most photos today are taken on smartphones — they put a powerful camera in your pocket for quick mini series.

🎯 Placing tiny objects off-center using the rule of thirds often makes compositions feel more dynamic and interesting.

💡 Soft window light is a favorite trick: it creates gentle, even lighting that’s perfect for close-ups of small objects.

How do I create a mini photo series of small everyday objects with a smartphone?

To create a mini photo series of small everyday objects using a smartphone, pick a simple theme (e.g., keys, buttons, or kitchen utensils). Gather 6–12 items, set a clean background, and use close-ups from different angles (top-down, side, extreme close) to explore composition and texture. Use natural side light or a small lamp, stabilize your phone, and vary depth by moving the camera. Edit consistently, sequence the best shots to tell a tiny story, and share.

What materials do I need for a mini close-up photo series?

You’ll need a smartphone or camera with close-focus ability and optionally a clip-on macro lens. Use a small tripod or steady surface, plain backgrounds (paper or fabric), and natural light or a lamp with diffusing paper. Simple reflectors (white card), tweezers or small tongs, tape/clips for positioning, and a photo-editing app are helpful. Have extra battery or storage ready—most items are household, so special gear isn’t required.

What ages is this mini photo series activity suitable for?

This activity suits ages 5–14+ with different levels of support. Ages 5–7 can do supervised simple compositions and press the shutter; ages 8–11 can experiment with framing, lighting, and basic edits; teens (12+) can develop themes, use macro lenses, and sequence photos for storytelling. Always adjust complexity, supervise tiny objects and screen time, and help with camera controls for younger children.

What are the benefits, safety tips, and variations for this photography activity?

Benefits: it builds observation, composition skills, fine motor control, and visual storytelling while boosting camera fluency. Safety tips: keep very small objects away from toddlers, supervise batteries/charging and lamps, and avoid pointing phones into direct harsh sunlight. Variations: try color-themed sets, black-and-white texture studies, stop-motion flipbooks, or scale-play arrangements. Add short captions to each photo to strengthen narrative skills.
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#PhotoFestival21- Day 5 : Little. Activities for Kids.