Interesting photography subjects during this pandemic

This pandemic has shown us a different side of people, cities, and society in general. As we all gather ourselves in search of the new normal, photographer Vijaya Prakash Boggala believes that photography can give us a clear picture of our current situation and possibly what comes next. If you want to flex your photography skills today, here are some interesting subjects you can take on during this pandemic, provided you follow all necessary safety protocols such as wearing a face mask and follow social distancing rules.

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Cityscapes
Streets are empty, there are hardly people around, and it looks like the setting of an eerie movie. Photographers can highlight the beauty of empty spaces, cityscapes that are devoid of humans as subjects. It’s also an opportunity to take photos of nearby sights that are often filled with people before the pandemic hit.

The new normal
Through photographs, we can define what the new normal is; people walking a safe distance from one another, people working from home, designated standing spots in supermarkets. Your photos can show how society is adjusting to the impact of COVID-19.

Food photography
A lot of people have taken to the kitchen to learn how to cook or bake. You can do the same and learn how to plate well as well as photograph your works. This small challenge can really help you improve your lighting skills, as well as photo editing skills if you like manipulating your shots in a computer.

Nature photography
Given that people have been avoiding nature-rich locations like national parks, Vijaya Prakash Boggala believes that nature photography would reflect something new. Here, we can see nature reclaim, heal, or even revert back to its original form.

Vijaya Prakash Boggala writes medical abstracts and has contributed to the 2011 article “A mortal case of moonshine.” In his spare time, he watch live sports and works on painting, photography, and DIY projects. Visit this website for more reads on Vijaya’s interests.

How the NBA helps its community during a health crisis

NBA was among the first sports associations to cancel its season due to COVID-19. The league’s announcement regarding the season’s suspension was followed by questions about the welfare of stadium workers and team staff who are usually paid by the hour.

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Mark Cuban, Dallas Mavericks owner, led the movement to support stadium workers who will lose their hourly income as a result of the suspension. Following Cuban’s statement, other teams announced their plans to assist their workers as well. Vijaya Prakash Boggala mentions that Cuban’s program to provide for their stadium workers financially inspired other sports associations to follow suit.

According to sports and communications analysts, the NBA is in the position to help and speak out for others, something team owners and players have acknowledged and embodied throughout the years. On top of having programs in place for non-salaried arena workers, NBA and Major League Baseball teams pledged donations to local food banks, emergency food services, disaster relief operations, food banks, hospitals, and other medical institutions. NBA player Jeremy Lin donated $150,000 to UNICEF to aid in the fight against COVID-19, shares Vijaya Prakash Boggala.

Rudy Gobert, the first player in the NBA to test positive for COVID-19, pledged to donate $500,000 to different causes; $200,000 will go to game-day employees, $100,000 to families in Oklahoma affected by the virus, $100,000 to families in Utah for the same reason, and 100,000 euros to France, his native country. Reported or unreported, many NBA stars are helping their communities, and the nation fight COVID-19 in their own ways.

Vijaya Prakash Boggala writes medical abstracts. He also enjoys watching live sports like basketball, tennis, and cricket. Visit this blog for more updates.

Five photography projects to take on during quarantine

With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing the world to slow down, there’s really nothing left for one to do but to stay home to prevent the virus from spreading. Businesses came to a halt, and events, regardless of the number of attendees, were postponed or canceled, giving photographers free time to improve on their skills and reinvent themselves.

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For some people, self-isolation is reintroducing them to their love for music, film, literature, and other art forms. The same should go for photographers. Days spent on quarantine don’t have to be boring. It’s the perfect time to brush up on food photography skills. Grab the simplest ingredients in the cupboard and practice composition and lighting, says DIY and photography enthusiast Vijaya Prakash Boggala.

Take on the A-Z photography challenge. Shoot a subject that corresponds to every letter of the English alphabet. The most challenging subjects will be the ones that start with letters X and Z. During quarantine, dedicate a day to learn to shoot oil and water. A photographer can focus on learning macro photography skills with this project. To play around with lighting, shoot by candlelight. Remember to include the candle in the frame to let the viewers understand the composition, says Vijaya Prakash Boggala.

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Paint with light. Since this is a long exposure shoot, don’t forget to use a tripod for the whole duration. Draw around the subject, and create string lights as background. Staying at home for an extended period should fuel one’s creativity, not block it.

Vijaya Prakash Boggala writes medical abstracts and has contributed to the 2011 article “A mortal case of moonshine.” He is currently developing his skills in photography. For more updates, follow this Twitter page.