Creative Sunday Practice #10

I was just moving around with my iPhone camera, watching how the light behaved, when the shadow suddenly turned into something else entirely. Heavy. Graphic. Unexpected.

Those kinds of happy coincidences are exactly why I love practicing creative smartphone photography at home. They don’t come from chasing ideas or forcing concepts — they appear when you slow down, observe, and give ordinary objects a bit of attention.

That’s why, every Sunday, I invite you to practice with me.

For this week’s Creative Sunday Practice, the subject is razors.

Not because razors are beautiful by default — but because they aren’t. Sharp, functional, overlooked. Which makes them perfect training material for your creative eye.

Set aside around 10 minutes. Keep your smartphone in your hand, but don’t rush into taking photos. Spend the first minute simply looking. Move around the object. Watch how light, shadow, and background interact. Very often, the image shows up before you consciously decide what you’re making.

Here are a few creative directions to help you get started:

🪒 Explore geometry: get very close and focus on the structure and repetition of the blades

🪒 Create rhythm or symmetry: arrange several razors to form a pattern or visual flow

🪒 Play with reflections: tiles, mirrors, sinks, or metal surfaces can add depth and tension

🪒 Soften the contrast: introduce shaving foam to counterbalance the sharp geometry

🪒 Build a still life: treat the razor as the “hero” and construct a simple scene around it

During my own home practice, the most interesting moment wasn’t planned at all. While moving around and following the shadow, the folds of a blanket transformed the razor’s shadow into something entirely different. That unexpected shift became the photograph.

This is the muscle we’re training: noticing before composing.

You don’t need special props, studio lights, or extra apps. All of the images in this practice were created at home with a smartphone and available light. I’ve included a few final images along with a behind-the-scenes moment to show just how minimal the setup really was.

If razors don’t spark curiosity today — or you simply don’t have one nearby — browse previous prompts via the Creative Sunday Practice series. The goal isn’t the object. It’s the habit.

And I’ll be back next Sunday with a new creative prompt.

About Creative Sunday Practice

Creative Sunday Practice is a weekly ritual designed to help you train your creative eye, improve your smartphone photography skills, and build confidence by working with everyday household items. If you want to get better at photography, practice is the only shortcut — and small, regular exercises compound faster than you think.

Now pick up your smartphone and get creative.