Having a spark to get your creativity flowing is something ever photographer needs. Sometimes you get stuck in a rut and you have no inpiration or motivation to go out and shoot. I found photochallenges most helpful because while you're doing these exercises, you are more than likely to get a an idea for your next shoot. Here are some that I found through google that may help spark some ideas.

(link below for full site)

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Exercise 1: Two Dozen

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Pick a location. Stand in one spot and make 24 unique photographs while standing in the same place. You cannot move your feet.

The first time I did this, I hit a virtual brick wall after about 12 shots, and that was eye-opening in many ways. It really pushes you to be creative with your gear and surroundings.

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Exercise 2: Ten of One

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Take 10 unique and/or abstract photographs of 1 small subject.

 

The smaller the subject, the more challenging this can be. A “small subject” should not be “New York City.”

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Exercise 3: Four Corners

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Choose one subject and place it, where it exists, in each corner of the frame for 4 images.

Can you go to the other side of the subject? Do the same. Shoot all four sides in all four corners if possible. See what you come up with!

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Exercise 4: Artificial Restrictions

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Create restrictions for a day or weekend of shooting. Limits may include:

• One prime lens

• One location

• B&W only

• 4-5 P.M. only

• Manual mode only

• Overexpose/Underexpose everything

• Spot meter only

• Photograph while sitting

• Only things above you

• Only things below you

• No people in the frame

• No structures in the frame

• Fill the frame

• Negative space in more than three quarters of the frame

Force yourself forward with restrictions.

 

Exercise 5: Shoot a “Roll of Film”

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Go somewhere you have wanted to go to take photos but have been procrastinating about visiting. With your digital camera, shoot a “Roll of 24 or 36 exposures.” After 24 or 36 exposures, you are out of “film.”

Look and think before shooting, knowing you only have a finite amount of “film.” If this does not force you to make more critical decisions regarding your images, pretend you bought a roll of 12 exposures! When you are out of film, just walk around or sit and enjoy the place.

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Exercise 6: Twelve Abstracts

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Photograph a dozen abstracts of a common object.

 

Depending on the size of the object, you may need a macro lens or telephoto. Similar to Exercise 2, but only allowing the abstract, this exercise should force you to see deeper into an image.

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13 Creative Exercises for Photographers
 by Todd VorenKamp

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