DIY Modern Photo Project

Like most modernists, I'm not a big fan of the family photo portraits in the living room. Nothing to me says schmaltz more than family likenesses posed in their Sunday best - I have to admit it makes me throw up in my mouth. Not that portraits are a bad thing...I just think they should be reserved for family rooms or guest room or any room that isn't easy to see. Hey, this is my blog, so I can spew off my opinion any way I want - especially since no one reads this! Ha!

I do love photography though. And the right images, cropped and framed in the right way, on the right wall, can make a pretty solid modern statement. And there's nothing more satisfying than seeing your own creative work, working its magic in your own home. One of my personal favorites in terms of subject matter, is architecture.

Here's an easy and inexpensive way for you to create your own photographic modern masterpiece in just a few easy steps, that works for hallways, entry ways and more.

Pick a related subject matter - I personally think that architecture makes a strong visual statement.

Take digital shots...think abstraction..think taking pieces of your subject matter and making them a graphic play on reality. Try turning the camera on an angle, flash on, flash off, experiment and have fun - that's what makes digital photography so amazing.

Get a simple photo editor on your PC if it doesn't already have one. I have Photoshop but you don't have to spend that kind of money to get the effects we're looking for here.

Play with Brightness, contrast and saturation...in the latter case think about desaturating all color for a stark black and white look.

Edit photos to the same size, cropping out parts of the image that work the least.

Print out on photo paper...matte finish is best.

Buy matching frames and matting, if necessary to create consistency and further create the aura of a holistic piece.

Mount the framed pieces evenly...I prefer a single straight line, but sometimes vertical lines work well as do diagonal lines climbing a staircase.

Be amazed at your creative genius...and when guests comment on the photography, you can hold back on your enthusiasm when you say, "oh ya, I took those.."

Shown here are some images I shot while in Boston. One neat idea for your photo essay is to shoot images from your neighborhood, bringing the familiar and outdoors, in.