The technique of photographing a still life on the street. How to shoot a still life at home

Around us there are many, at first glance, simple, but very beautiful things. Pictures of various things and subject compositions can be not only an excellent pictorial form, but also a way of reflecting the surrounding world. Although the genre of still life is gradually being forgotten today, the photographs taken in this genre can look really interesting.

In addition, still life photography teaches the photographer how to achieve a compositionally completed solution to the frame and most expressively convey certain details in the picture. The subjects of the still life are very diverse - you can literally shoot everything from vegetables and fruits to pebbles on the sea coast. Let's try to figure out what is the charm and the main features of still life shooting.

Still life is an independent genre of photography, in which the photographer deals with the shooting of objects, things and elements of the world. Still life is not just a transfer on the photo image of the beauty of objects, the perfection of their shape or surface texture. In this genre, the photographer sets the goal of creating a certain artistic image in order to attract the attention of the viewer and create the most expressive composition. To solve this complex problem, a wide variety of compositional techniques and visual means of photography are used. The objects themselves in the pictures should look exactly the same as we used to see them in real life.

It should be noted that a still life can be an integral part of a portrait or a genre picture. Moreover, sometimes still-life scenes can be even more laconic tales about a person and his character than the portrait itself. In modern photography, one can also highlight the so-called reportage still life, in which, by shooting individual objects, the world of an individual person or an entire historical era is revealed.

You might think that shooting a still life is very simple and easy. In fact, this modest genre can be called fundamental in the formation of a photographer or artist. Since it is here that it is very important to correctly combine objects and add composition in the frame to achieve the most expressive and interesting shots. The photographer has to seriously work on the light and color design of the image, to work out the compositional solution of each photo, to think about how to correctly convey the shape of objects and their texture.

Since no one limits the time when shooting a still life, and the photographer himself is the complete owner of the subject with which he can do anything, this allows you to feel more free and think about your decisions. Practical skills accumulated during the work on still life can subsequently be useful when shooting a portrait or in landscape photography. In this regard, photographing still lifes can be recommended to novice photographers as an excellent practice to enhance their photographic skills.

Features of still life shooting

Still life is usually photographed indoors, where you can completely control the whole situation and organize the right lighting. As we have already noted, when shooting a still life, the photographer works with the image of a number of things. How to select objects for still life scenes? There is no clear rule. The photographer may be interested in the outward resemblance of seemingly completely dissimilar objects. Or an unusual combination of contrast and texture of objects. A still life can consist of objects united by any one function or having similar qualities (for example, dishes or flowers), and from things that are far from each other. But in the latter case, nevertheless, it is required to connect the objects being removed with a certain idea, artistically, or a clearly expressed thought.

After selecting objects, the process of inventing the artistic and technical side of the picture begins. For many photographers who are shooting still-life scenes, this process is the most interesting and painful at the same time. It is required to think over the whole picture - from building objects in the frame and choosing a suitable compositional solution to determining how to technically take a photo in order to correctly convey certain details.

Someone takes some preliminary shots of objects, creating preliminary thumbnails of the image, and some old-fashionedly try to think and draw with a pencil the composition of the future shot on a piece of paper. However, you can simply pour objects from the box onto the table and, without thinking too much about the composition of the photograph, start shooting. Sometimes such an accidental rash and spontaneous composition can lead to interesting results. But still, the best still-life pictures are obtained when the photographer carefully thinks through every detail.

To take a still life, it is better to use a SLR camera, which allows you to shoot objects on a large scale at close range. In addition, the “SLR” allows you to observe the image on the viewfinder and clearly control the depth of the sharply displayed space, as well as the nature of the distribution of shadows. It is recommended to choose high-resolution lenses that make it possible to more clearly display the texture and details of things. When shooting still-life scenes, it’s convenient to use a tripod on which you can place the camera, and then proceed to compose the frame in order to find the most suitable arrangement of objects.

When shooting a still life, a correctly selected background is of great importance. Usually a calm, even tone is chosen, while in the photo it is transmitted slightly blurry. Light objects sometimes look more favorably on a dark background and, conversely, dark objects - on a light background. Here you need to keep in mind that the white background works as a reflector and allows you to further highlight the subject, and the black background, in turn, will give clear shadows of the subject on it. As a background, you can use a regular sheet of cardboard or thick drawing paper, or just a smooth wall.

Whatever background is used, a horizontal line dividing the background and the surface on which the objects to be removed should be avoided. It interferes with the holistic perception of the photograph, since it divides the image into two parts. In order to get rid of the horizontal line, you can choose a high shooting point, or use a large sheet of paper as a background, which would smoothly transition from a horizontal plane to a vertical one.

Remember that an incorrectly selected background can simply cross out the entire perfectly calibrated composition of the picture. The background when shooting a still life does not have to be solid. Here a variety of options are possible, do not be afraid of experiments.

Lighting

One of the most important and difficult aspects of still life photography is the choice of a light scheme. It is with the help of one or another lighting solution that the photographer can display the texture of objects and their spatial location. By choosing the right lighting, artistic tasks are solved that are associated with the black-and-white picture of the image and ensuring the harmony of the composition. The features of the transmission of the surface texture of the removed objects depend on the direction of the light stream and its intensity. If the lighting is too strong, some details of the objects are “clogged” with light, and when the lighting is weak, the texture of things is poorly worked out.

It is necessary to avoid the appearance of chaotic piling up of shadows in the photograph due to the use of a large number of light sources. When shooting a still life, you can generally confine yourself to one light source, which will be placed in front, on top and slightly to the side of the objects being shot. This is a narrowly directed, upper-sided drawing light, with the help of which form, texture and volume are distinguished. Additionally, scattered, backlight, modeling and background light are used.

Modeling light from one or more sources in illuminators with scattering screens is used to mitigate sharp, thick shadows in the image. Backlight, the source of which is located behind the shot objects, allows you to create a kind of light contour and thus highlight things against the background. Scattered light determines the overall illumination of the subject and, accordingly, the exposure value. As for the sources of background light, then with their help it is possible to achieve the necessary accuracy of the background in accordance with the author’s idea.

When shooting objects with a reflective surface, a large source of scattered light is used, in particular, a soft box. If still life photography is carried out on the street, then light accents are placed using a variety of reflectors made of white paper or aluminum foil. To eliminate unpleasant glare and reflections, you can use polarizing filters.

When choosing the right lighting, you should first experiment with shadows and reflections, try to position the light sources at different angles to the photographed objects to see how different forms of reflection are created. Thanks to the appropriate installation of lighting devices, it is possible to achieve the correct transmission of the texture of the surface of objects and their volume, as well as increasing the overall expressiveness of the photograph.

Still life photography is a kind of educational process on the ability to build a composition, the finest elaboration of details and mastering the lighting technique. Thanks to the skills and experience gained while photographing still lifes, you can improve your skills so that you can later successfully work in other genres - portrait, landscape, reportage or advertising photography.

17927   Enhancing skill 2

At the very beginning of our lesson, let's figure out what a still life is. The expression "still life" comes from the French word nature morte, which translates as dead nature. In the visual arts, this expression denotes the image of completely different inanimate objects. It can be everyday objects, jewelry, fruits, vegetables and much more.

Still life is an independent genre of art photography, it has its own tasks, themes and plots. When shooting, many of the well-known techniques of photography are used. Different lighting solutions and compositions can be combined with each other.

In my opinion, still life is a rather complicated genre of photography, since the role of models is assigned to silent objects. On the other hand, this makes it the most mysterious and interesting, both for the viewer and for the photographer. Of course, when shooting a still life there is no emotional connection with the model, but this is only at first glance. Most often, the idea of \u200b\u200bcreating a still life is promoted by some object that caused emotions and a certain mood in the photographer before starting work. The task of a still life is to convey that very mood through composition, light drawing and processing in graphic editors. This makes the still life attractive for photographers and for me in particular.

First, about the photographic equipment needed for shooting. Still life is not picky about choosing a camera, lens and other photo equipment, it all depends on the technical equipment and the intent of the photographer. It is better to use a tripod, as through the viewfinder it is very convenient to observe the overall composition, changing and rearranging objects in the frame. The relative aperture of the lens aperture when shooting can be in the range of 5.6-11. This achieves the transfer of the necessary depth of space.

Of course, each artist has his own algorithm of actions at work, so we will consider the general plan of action, which subsequently transforms into your own style.

First step. Idea

It all starts with an idea. Remember - you can’t start filming a still life without a clearly formulated idea. The principle “I will lay out the subjects and see what comes out of them” only kills the photographer’s time and further desire to shoot. The idea ripens on the basis of the impressions, desires and fantasies of the photographer; during the ripening period, the idea lies in the framework, firstly, of compositional standards, and secondly, by the presence of means of implementing the idea, that is, of objects. Finding items to translate an idea into a material composition is quite difficult and sometimes expensive. Items can be bought or borrowed from friends. Sometimes, having one key subject, dozens of ideas arise immediately with different compositions in which he can appear. Having considered the plot of a still life, you need to keep in your head the means (objects) that you have (or buy something), at the same time you need to mentally add a composition of these objects that would best satisfy your idea.

Stage Two: Preparing the Location

A convenient coffee table with wheels, which can take the desired position to the window or flash, is suitable. A table is just the basis, it will not be visible on the photo. What will be visible in the photo behind them is a backdrop. The backdrop can be a dense sheet of approximately 200x200 cm, painted on the one hand in dark color (cherry, blue or other), and on the other - light (yellow, olive, for example). In 90% of cases, this backdrop is enough for you. There is a litter under the objects, and it should also be different at hand - light wood boards, burlap, different colors of fabric, etc. It is very important that the back and the litter are not active and do not fall out of the general tonality of the still life.

Stage Three: Arrangement of Objects

In your head, the picture always appears differently than it will look in reality. The reasons for this are trifles. You can never accurately predict what size an apple will be and in what proportion it will be with a teapot, how the light will fall, etc. Therefore, the arrangement of objects is the embodiment of fantasy, and life, unfortunately, is not ideal.

So, what are the rules in the compositional construction of a still life you need to know?

Firstly, the location near black and white, an abundance of sharp, broken lines lead to a sense of struggle and drama.

Secondly, the darkness in the picture, eye-catching, is always mysterious and disturbing. Conversely, an abundance of light, smooth rounded lines soothe and delight the eye.

Thirdly, the emotional construction of the composition should be in accordance with the plot of the picture.

It sometimes takes hours to “fit” the items to each other. Each millimeter has its own meaning. Often it happens that by putting everything on the table, the idea crashes. Yes, a complete collapse, because in reality this still life looks boring or wrong. Then it’s worth braining your brain and squeezing at least something out of an idea. If the composition at least somehow develops - you should not destroy it, but it is better to finalize and remove it.

It is very important to arrange objects not randomly, but in a certain order. This does not mean that they should be put all in one row (as in a physical education lesson - in the line and in growth). No, on the contrary, in a still life “artistic mess” is important, that is, you should try to place objects in the frame so that they look interesting and are perceived by the eye as a whole.

Another important point when setting a still life is the choice of image format. The format in a photograph is the ratio of the length and height of the frame or print. The format can be square, horizontal or vertical. The square format gives the impression of stability, static, the horizontal format gives the impression of breadth, panorama, while the vertical one looks upwards, emphasizes the solemnity and monumentality of the image. When the height of the objects from which you make up a still life is greater than its width, it is preferable to choose a vertical format. Conversely, the horizontal format is more suitable for such a picture.

How to check if the still life is set correctly? Try to remove this or that item. If his disappearance does not in any way violate the general impression, then he is superfluous. If there is a void, return it to its place.

Stage Four: Lighting

This is a long topic. I just want to say that depending on the plot and season, you can shoot in daylight, or with a flash. In daylight, it’s good to take fruits and flowers out of a window, while “man’s” still lifes, with a book, a pipe, cognac — it’s better to take them off during a flash — it gives a feeling of evening or night, loneliness and tranquility. But you can replay everything by putting 2 flashes, changing the white balance, etc. You can use reflectors. Without this, there will be no light pattern. What the light pattern will be depends on my idea and mood.

As you know, the volume of objects is best transmitted using side lighting. The texture of the depicted objects is more gently able to draw diffused light. Often, in order to convey the volume of objects, only side lighting is not enough. In this regard, it is necessary to illuminate the still life with fill light, thereby reducing the contrast of the image. It is no secret that the increased contrast of the image can adversely affect the quality of the photograph.

If you need, for example, to photograph a still life of fruit, or of balls of thread, it is best to illuminate it with a single light source. In this case, it should be noted that the direction of the light must be necessarily lateral. To soften the contrast, use side reflectors.

For these purposes, you can use ordinary white sheets or white sheets of Whatman paper. In order to best identify the smallest details of a still life, the light of the main source must certainly be sliding. Remember that direct light will not contribute to the proper transmission of the volume of the subject of still life.

It is quite difficult to photograph a still life, which is made up of glass objects. Based on the tasks that the photographer sets himself, these objects can be illuminated with direct and backlight.

Those glass objects that do not have faces are photographed, illuminating the background. So you can perfectly convey the transparency of the glass. There are also some other options for lighting a still life (for example, modeling light, backlight). In each case, the choice of lighting is decided by the master himself.

Photographing machine parts and individual mechanisms can be considered as still life photography. In this case, the so-called shadowless lighting will be of particular interest. It should be used in cases where it is necessary to remove some small parts, for example, by the clock. Photography is carried out according to the following principle: place all the details on the glass, behind which place the screen of the desired color. In this case, the background should contrast with the tonality of the still life itself, that is, be either lighter or darker from it. So you can better identify individual details.

Still life photography of flowers, vegetables and fruits is perhaps the most popular among both amateur and professional photographers. When photographing such compositions, the nature of the lighting should help convey volume. When placing objects on the plane of the photograph, take into account the mandatory requirements for the balance of the frame, as well as the integrity and indivisibility of the composition.

Stage Five: Shooting

After installing the light and fixing the camera on a tripod, the shooting phase begins. Shooting also imposes some restrictions. In the picture, the composition may look a little different and you need to rearrange the objects again a bit, change the direction of the light, etc. The fifth stage is closely intertwined with the third stage, so it also takes a lot of time, plus camera settings ...

Having achieved the picture that you want to see on the screen of the camera, we recommend that you look at the picture on the computer - there is plenty of time when taking a still life. Most often, minor flaws are found here, for example, a focus miss, etc.

When shooting a still life, it is very important to choose a shooting point and the angle of the camera. A typical mistake of novice amateur enthusiasts is to shoot everything from chest level. Most often, this shooting point is the most uninteresting. Try to crouch or, conversely, stand taller and tilt the camera at a sharper angle.

Stage Six:treatment

There are no photos on the Internet without processing. Somewhere it is less used, somewhere more. The graphic editor opens another facet for creativity. 90% processing scheme consists of the following steps:
- Opening a RAW file and editing it;
- giving a "live" contrast;
- lightening and darkening of specific areas of the image;
- texture mapping;
- final touches such as sharpening, small retouching of defects in objects;

Preservation.

So, in general terms, still lifes are filmed. I hope it was interesting. All you photographic!

There is not a single type of photograph that is as old as still life photography. When the first cameras began to appear, the shots required a very long exposure, so static things were ideal subjects. However, despite the development of technology, the admiration for still lifes remains, and they are still considered the most striking form of photographic art.

Among other things, still life photography can be a lucrative business, as magazines, catalogs, art galleries and websites always need product photos. There are many advantages to working with this area that are often underestimated. I hope that after reading this lesson you will see its possibilities for creativity and try to take some pictures yourself!

Do not rush from the very beginning

Contrary to frequent prejudices, you do not need a studio or a beautiful area to start working with still lifes. You can start by simply using the free space at home, for example, put a table by the window, find a backdrop and install a pair of lamps.

This area is significantly different from landscape or portrait shooting, where you have a subject, say, a stunning mountain landscape or model. They have many variables, but the creative content depends on the photographer.

When shooting still lifes, the variables are much smaller. You have full control over the situation, including the subject, but you need to think very creatively to capture it interestingly and attractively.

1. Select the subjects that interest you

What photographing is completely up to you. Look at home, maybe you will find something simple, but interesting for a start. It is not necessary to take photographs of fruits or flowers just because everyone does it. Do not limit yourself and be ambitious.

If, while walking, you notice something interesting, take it home (just don’t steal!) Or write it in a notebook so you don’t forget to try it out as a subject. At first, try to avoid reflective surfaces such as glass and metal, as it is very difficult to work with them in terms of lighting. After you master the skills of shooting a single subject, try something new, combine objects of different shapes, colors or textures and see what happens.

2. Set the right lighting

Lighting does not have to be expensive. I know for sure that a set of studio floodlights is out of my budget, so for working with still lifes I have to use any available lighting, often even including daylight.

Remember that you can completely control the picture, so if you want, find a room in which you can block all natural light with the help of blinds or curtains to fully illuminate the subject.

Conventional table lamps, when used properly, can produce excellent results. Try different lamp layouts - it’s not necessary to fully illuminate the subject in front, the side and back lighting will also add interest, shadow and depth to the picture. Alternatively, you can choose a room that is well lit through the window and use it to your advantage. Natural light emanating from one direction will fully illuminate your subject. If necessary, supplement it with a lamp or reflector.

A pair of studio spotlights. Photo: Tyler Hendy

3. Buy a tripod and shoot at different angles

Depending on the lighting situation, you may need a tripod and a remote control to release the shutter. I recommend using these devices, as they help to observe and work with the subject. This setting will also allow you to use the slower shutter speed needed for a shallow aperture, with which you can focus correctly.

However, do not let the static drown out your creativity. It is very easy to forget that the camera was in the same position during the entire shooting. Remember to vary the angles and height of the camera. Otherwise, you will get a whole bunch of pictures taken from one position without any variety. Vary your work. Try shooting at subject level or aerial view by pointing the camera from top to bottom. Be careful when moving so as not to block the light!

4. Choose the right background

A suitable backdrop for the subject plays a key role in the success of the picture. Best of all, when it is simple, neat and does not interfere with the subject. A plain painted wall or a large sheet of white / colored paper is ideal.

Think about how your background selection fits in with the subject. Do you want a neutral background, or are there tones that can complement the subject's shades. For smaller items, you may not need a backdrop, but instead you need a surface on which to put them. Black velveteen is an excellent choice, as it absorbs light and looks like a uniform black surface.

5. Compose the picture

The compositional element of a still life is an absolutely important part of the uniqueness and attractiveness of the work. Think about the rule of thirds, how you can use it in your picture to get the right composition. Make sure that there are no distracting objects in the frame, only the subject and background.

Vary the composition of the subject during shooting and do not limit yourself to frames. Where to look? Are you using negative space or is it worth trying to fill the frame? What is it used for? Is it possible to put it in a context or does an item look better on its own?

6. If necessary, spend the whole day working

I often notice that the meaning that I put in the picture depends on the reason for working with it. If I just take pictures for pleasure (and not fulfill someone's order), I do not so strictly check the exact observance of all aspects. This is a bad habit that I want to get rid of, but when it comes to shooting still lifes, there is no reason not to do everything absolutely right. You have plenty of time to do a good job!

Unlike landscape photography, the light does not change so rapidly and, unlike portraits, your subject will not be tired of keeping one position for a long time. Use this, position the subject, adjust the lighting, background and camera, take a few shots, then rearrange the elements a bit and try again. If you notice that nothing happens, leave it as it is, make a cup of tea and return with a fresh look.

Another advantage - you have no excuses not to take clean and sharp photos, do not spare time for proper lighting and focus. If possible, take a macro lens - it is ideal for this type of work. However, if it is not there, put the camera in macro mode, getting the maximum chance to capture the small details of the subject.

7. Inspire the work of masters

If you have problems with lighting, layout or structuring of images, you need to look for inspiration and the original masterpieces of this genre that are more than one year old are best suited. Search the Internet for Renaissance still life artists and carefully review their work.

Studying such drawings will teach you to think about shapes, shadows and color combinations, and it will also give you some new ideas to form a composition and get a strong, attractive picture.

8. Accustom yourself to spotting still life scenes

Now you have to start shooting yourself. Find a free day in your schedule and set aside time to practice. Try positioning your camera and backdrop in a fairly lit place near the window and start shooting!

After mastering the basics, start experimenting with camera angles and lighting, as well as alternative lighting sources such as candles or lamps. You can even play around with the aperture and use f / 1.8 fixed focus, achieving the artistic effect of soft focus. However, if you take only one thought from this lesson, it will sound like this: still lifes are not necessarily fruits and flowers! Find a unique and inspiring subject that you like and take a picture of him!

A shot of lenses and equipment for shooting. Snapshot: Unsplash.

9. Hone post-processing skills

Working with images after shooting should not be a punishment. She must be fun!

Photoshop actions are often touted for helping to save a ton of time, but for me their main advantage is a repeatable workflow. Instead of taking all the steps first, the action does the necessary work, and you just have to adjust everything to get the perfect result.

Here is an example of an action from a set of Actions for post-processing food photos with GraphicRiver:

10. Still life photography can make a living

Still life photography covers a large number of subjects, and many photographers specialize in narrow areas: food, products, architecture, and cataloging. These species are the most popular.

Do not stop there!

As the oldest of photography, still life photography has a rich and very diverse history. There is no limit to the inspiration and knowledge that can be gained simply by looking at the world through the camera's viewfinder.

When shooting a still life, you create an image, and not capture the moment. You compose a photograph: from background to subject and light. Working with inanimate objects allows you to devote time to improving the lighting scheme and experimenting with the composition. This is a very nice way to take pictures, and you don’t need any supernatural equipment. It is also a great way to learn about lighting and composition, key elements of any style of photography.

Still life subject

The subject does not really matter. In general, the words "still life photography" are associated with traditional paintings of vases with flowers and several carefully arranged elements. But essentially, if the subject is motionless, then this is still life.

If the subject is motionless, then technically this is a still life. This is a piece of dried seaweed on chintz.

You can collect a few gizmos simply because you like them or look nice, or take related objects and tell a story. The image at the beginning of this article tells the story of my breakfast.

Or you can find existing still lifes, their stories and moods are already created for you.

Family heirlooms on a friend’s bedside table is a ready-made still life.

You can use things that are simply pleasant-looking, or are something personal. If you are stuck in search of a subject for a still life, then I suggest looking for things that are important and personal for you to give the photo meaning. In addition, then you will have a photo of important things for you. Bonus!

Backgrounds for still life shooting

A good background can actually make a still life. Cloth, cardboard or paper, or an existing wall - these are all easily accessible backgrounds. I used an old potato bag to portray my breakfast. Just make sure your background is not distracting from the main subject. Let it be simple. If you are using fabric, be sure to iron it first. It's hard to find something more distracting than a crumpled background.

I like to call this photo a still life with a slightly wrinkled background.

Vivid color or intrusive background may attract too much attention, unlike the main subject. A simple background of neutral color will be a good starting point for experimentation. You may be wondering which background will ultimately make your image really cool.

After trying colorful, simple backgrounds for this image, I experimented with reflective cardboard, which worked much better.

You can also experiment with focus and depth of field by making the whole image sharp or just certain elements, such as the background in soft focus. A blurred background can help out if there is no iron on hand to get rid of wrinkles on the fabric.

Lighting

You don’t need anything special to cover a still life. Natural light from the window will do just fine. A lamp, drawing with a flashlight or an impromptu softbox will be an excellent basis for experimentation.

Still life photography is good at long exposures, allowing you to use a really very weak light source, such as a single candle. You will need a tripod or just mount the camera on a solid box or a stack of books. You can literally paint your still life using the light painting technique, and all you need is a small flashlight.

Different types of lighting. From left to right: natural light from a nearby window, drawing with light using a flashlight, lighting with one softbox.

Your item is still life and will not run away from you, so take your time and play with the light.

Try different light intensities, using a curtain to light from a window, or moving your light source closer and further. You can also combine different light sources, such as illuminating dark areas with a flashlight when shooting in natural light, or perhaps use a lamp and a candle. (But remember that the light produced can be of different colors).

The angle of inclination is also important. Experiment with different positions of your light source. If you use natural light, then it is obvious that you will have to move your subject to change the angle of inclination; it's much easier than rebuilding a window! For a portable source, start with side lighting, and then try different angles. Pay attention to where the shadows fall, as well as what happens to reflective surfaces. You do not want to turn your still life into your own portrait in a reflection of you and the camera.

Composition

Skills for a good composition in a still life require a long way to go and are as important as good lighting. Knowing such concepts, usually thirds, can be very useful if you don’t even use them later.

In still life photography, changing the arrangement of the elements of your composition, you will surely find the perfect one. Just don't get hung up on the first option. Make sure that there are no excessively empty areas or too cluttered. Positioning objects at an angle will work like a guide line, so pay attention to where it leads - from the frame or quietly leads to another element? A small adjustment to the angle at which your subject is located can play an important role.

Also try taking pictures from different angles. Even if you need to take a picture of the subject directly in front, try raising or lowering the camera in several shots, then approach or move away and see what happens. Maybe it will work, or maybe not, you won’t know it until you try.

Editing

There are many great features at the editing stage. Different processes can completely change your still life. The process of converting to HDR is very popular in this genre, and it can be very effective. Or you can play with layer masks with different exposures, and draw on different parts of the image. I like to add texture to make the image look like a painted canvas.

Adding texture during the editing phase can create a canvas effect.

Experiment and get pleasure

Unlike most forms of photography, creating a still life, you really can not rush and enjoy the process. Do not limit yourself to a traditional still life, experiment with objects, lighting and the way of editing. Enjoy the photo game!

The composition of the monkey figurine near the post card was made for an interesting still life.

If we talk about professional shooting of still lifes, then this is also a very profitable business, since such photographs are used in various magazines, catalogs and websites. There are many advantages to working with still lifes that are often underestimated. Today we will tell you some basic rules about shooting still lifes and, perhaps, this genre will interest you.

Getting to work

Contrary to popular belief, you do not need a studio or any place in order to start photographing still lifes. You can start with a simple use of the space at home, light from the window and a simple background can come to your aid.

When photographing a still life, to create a frame you will need to consider much less detail than when working with landscapes or when shooting models. When preparing for shooting, and thinking about future photography, you have much more opportunities to adjust the position of objects.

Object selection

What you photograph is completely up to you. If you look around, you can find many interesting and fascinating things that are worthy of the frame. Do not follow stereotypes and do not shoot exclusively flowers and fruits, there are much more possible subjects for shooting. Thinking outside the box, welcomed even in the most standard genre.

Pay attention to things around you, try to find images and plots for a still life in ordinary household things. Look at one or another potential subject from different angles and from different sides. When photographing, try to avoid reflective surfaces such as glass and metal; such surfaces can distort light and damage the frame.

Lighting

Lighting for still life photography does not have to be expensive. If you cannot afford the acquisition of studio lighting equipment, then you can get by with improvised devices. Remember, you have full control over the shooting, so if you want to find a room in which you can completely get rid of natural light with the help of blinds or curtains, you can create original shots with self-installed artificial light. If you don’t have such an opportunity, create attractive photos using natural light.

Using standard lamps can be very productive if you know how to work with them. Be sure to try to highlight the object from different sides, the option with direct lighting is not always successful, and sometimes, just boring. If you have a bright and beautiful light source from the window, try taking pictures with them. Sometimes you have to use a reflector, especially when shooting with natural light. If you do not have a reflector, you can also create it yourself, for example, from foil and cardboard.

Tripod and shooting angles

Depending on the lighting, you may need to use a tripod. Using a tripod fruitfully affects the shooting of still lifes, with their help you can watch the plot. It will also help you use slow shutter speeds while creating beautiful shots.

Try to make sure that the tripod does not limit you. Change angles and point of view, do not be lazy to rearrange again, or reconfigure the camera and mount it on a tripod in a new way. Otherwise, you get a whole series of the same type, even boring, frames with minor changes to the plot.

Decide on the choice of background

The presence of a beautiful and successful background is already half the success of a still life. It’s best when the background when shooting is simple, beautiful, so that it does not distract from still life objects. Plain-painted walls or a large sheet of white or colored paper with a simple pattern, or without it at all, will work well as a background.

Think about how the background contrasts with the subject. If you don’t want to shoot against a simple background, then think about which shade looks good and harmoniously with your shot and could complement the image of a still life. For small objects, you don’t need a background as such, but instead you need a surface to place objects. Here, as a background, black velvet, or just a solid black surface that absorbs light well, will look good.

Still life composition

The compositional element of your photo is the most important component of a successful shot. When creating a composition of a photo, consider the rule of thirds, think about how you can apply them in your frame to create a strong composition.

To create an interesting and memorable photo, it is very important to think outside the box. Where does the look fall when viewing the frame? How do you use white space in a frame? How to present the subject to the viewer so that he would look as attractive and advantageous as possible? By answering these questions, you can create a good composition and successfully photograph a still life.

Atmosphere and mood

No matter how funny it sounds now, but believe me, the atmosphere and your mood affect the quality of the photos you create. Moreover, this rule works not only when shooting still lifes. When you are relaxed, focused and enjoy the process of shooting, you can be almost sure of the success of your attempts. When photographing a still life, it is important not to rush anywhere.

Unlike street and reportage shooting, where the composition of the frame changes all the time and you need to make the shot in time, the still life is static. It may take as long as you wish to create one still life photograph. That is why, attention should be paid to trifles and preparing for the frame as much as required. Set the lighting, objects and take a look at what happens, if necessary, make adjustments and start taking pictures.

When shooting still lifes, you will not have any excuses for fuzzy and blurry shots. You have an unlimited amount of time to focus. For subject photography, a macro lens is perfect for you, if you don’t have this type of optics, you can just try shooting in macro mode. In this case, this may be the best option.

Classic inspiration

Creating your own still lifes, thinking about lighting, compositions and ideas, do not forget to turn to the classics of the genre for help and inspiration. Picturesque still lifes have been created for hundreds of years. You may find answers to many of your questions in paintings by Renaissance artists or contemporary photographers.

Studying your paintings will help you think about shape, shades, and colors. The study of various solutions will lead to the creation of your own unique images in photographs.

It's time to take pictures!

Find a suitable day when you know for sure that you will not be distracted and in a hurry. Combine all the advice you received earlier and get to work.