2026/52 Photo Prompts

After searching the internet for an interesting 52-week photo challenge and not finding anything to my liking, I decided to make one of my own. Then I got lazy, and I asked Gemini to create one for me. I think it did a pretty good job.

January: Fresh Perspectives

Week 1: New Beginnings – Capture the first light of day, a blank page, or fresh footprints.

Week 2: Minimalism – Use negative space effectively. Less is more.

Week 3: Cold – Interpret this physically (ice, snow, breath) or emotionally (isolation, cool tones).

Week 4: Top Down – Shoot a subject strictly from directly above (flat lay).

Week 5: Reflections – Mirrors, puddles, windows, or shiny metal.

February: Light & Shadow

Week 6: Shadow Play – Focus on the shadows rather than the object casting them.

Week 7: Red – Find this bold color in nature or the urban environment.

Week 8: Silhouette – Backlight a subject to obscure details and highlight shape.

Week 9: Artificial Light – Neon signs, streetlamps, or screen glow.

March: Awakening

Week 10: Growth – A sprouting plant, a building under construction, or a child learning.

Week 11: Texture – Rough bark, soft velvet, rusting metal. Make the viewer "feel" the photo.

Week 12: Green – Focus on the different shades of green returning to the world.

Week 13: Macro – Get extremely close to a small object to reveal hidden details.

April: Elements

Week 14: Water – Raindrops, a flowing river, or a glass of water.

Week 15: Clouds – Capture a dramatic skyscape or soft, wispy formations.

Week 16: Wind – Photograph the effect of wind (hair blowing, trees bending, flags).

Week 17: Earth – Mud, sand, rocks, or soil.

May: Life in Motion

Week 18: Motion Blur – Slow down your shutter speed to show movement.

Week 19: Flora – Beyond just a flower; look for patterns in leaves or petals.

Week 20: Hands – Capture hands working, holding, or gesturing. They tell a story.

Week 21: Street Life – Candid moments in public spaces (or emptiness in rural areas).

June: Vibrance

Week 22: Golden Hour – Shoot during the hour after sunrise or the hour before sunset.

Week 23: Yellow – Find joy and brightness in this color.

Week 24: Patterns – Repetition in architecture, nature, or fabric.

Week 25: Lens Flare – Intentionally break the rules and shoot into the light.

Week 26: Transport – Bicycles, trains, shoes, or skateboards.

July: High Contrast

Week 27: High Noon – Embrace the harsh shadows of midday sun instead of hiding from them.

Week 28: Water/Splash – Freeze a splash in motion with a fast shutter speed.

Week 29: Night Sky – Stars, the moon, or just the gradient of twilight.

Week 30: Vibrant – Oversaturate your composition with many colors.

August: Storytelling

Week 31: A Stranger – Ask to take a portrait (or capture a crowd scene if shy).

Week 32: Routine – Document a mundane part of your day in an artistic way.

Week 33: Perspective – Shoot from the ground looking up (worm’s eye view).

Week 34: Heat – How do you photograph temperature? (Haze, melting ice, sweat).

September: Transition

Week 35: Decay – A rotting log, a crumbling wall, or wilted flowers.

Week 36: Books/Paper – The texture of pages, stacking books, or origami.

Week 37: Orange – The shifting colors of the season or rust.

Week 38: Architecture – Focus on lines, geometry, and structures.

October: Atmosphere

Week 39: Fog/Mist – Capture the mystery of low visibility.

Week 40: Darkness – Use low key lighting (lots of blacks and shadows).

Week 41: Spooky – Unsettling angles, abandoned places, or eerie lighting.

Week 42: Candy/Sweet – Colorful treats or desserts.

November: Indoor Comforts

Week 43: Food – Style a meal or an ingredient beautifully.

Week 44: Window Light – Use a window as a giant softbox for a portrait or still life.

Week 45: Framing – Shoot through something (a doorframe, branches) to frame your subject.

Week 46: Family/Friends – candid moments of connection.

December: Reflection

Week 47: Bokeh – Turn lights into blurry orbs in the background.

Week 48: Cold (Redux) – Revisit the theme from Week 3 with your improved skills.

Week 49: Joy – Capture a genuine smile or a moment of happiness.

Week 50: Self Portrait – Get in front of the camera. Be creative.

Week 51: Tradition – Document a holiday ritual or habit.

Week 52: The End – The final sunset of the year, or a "finished" project.