10 Tips to Get Started with Still Life PhotographyVN-USPA (
07/11/12)
10 Tips to
Get Started with Still Life Photography
There aren’t many photographic
practices that date back further than still life photography. When photography
originated, it was necessary for exposures to be quite long, so photographing
static objects was the ideal subject matter. However, as the technology
developed, the fascination for capturing still life has remained and is still
one of the most viable photographic professions today.
At the top end, it is an extremely
lucrative business, as magazines, catalogues and websites all require product
shots. There are many advantages to working with still life that are often
underestimated, so hopefully you’ll be able to see it’s scope for creativity
and get started with taking some shots yourself!
1.
Getting Started
Contrary to common perceptions, you
don’t need a studio or a fancy location to make a start with still life
photography. You can begin by simply using a space at home, such as a table
placed by a window, along with a simple backdrop and utilizing a couple of
lamps.
It varies greatly to landscape or
portrait photography, in which you are provided with the subject matter, for
example, a stunning mountain scene or a model, which come with a huge amount of
variables, but the creative content is there in front of you. With still life
photography, there are far less variables, you, as the photographer have
complete control over the situation, including the subject matter, but you need
to think extremely creatively in order to capture it in an interesting and
engaging way.
2. Choosing the subject
What you photograph is completely up to you. Have a search around the house
to see if you can find something simple but interesting to start with. Please
don’t feel like you have to take photos of fruit or flowers just because
everyone else does, think outside the box without being overly ambitious.
If, when you’re out and about, something catches your eye, take it home with
you (don’t steal it!) or make a note of it so as to remember to try
photographing it in a still life context. Try to avoid reflective surfaces such
as glass and metal to begin with, as they will be extremely difficult with
regards to lighting. Once you’ve mastered the single object shots, try mixing
it up, combine objects of contrasting shape, colour, texture and see what you
can come up with.
3. Lighting
Lighting doesn’t have to be expensive, I know certainly for me that a set of
studio lights aren’t really within my budget, so for still life shoots I need
to utilize all the light I can get my hands one. Remember that you have full
control over the shoot, so if you want, find a room in which you can block out
all natural light by using shutters or curtains, this way you will have
complete control over the light upon your subject.
Using standard lamps can work extremely well if used effectively. Be sure to
try multiple positioning set ups, not all light has to come from the front of
the object, side and back lighting will add interest, shadows and depth to the
shot. Alternatively, choose a room that is well lit via a window, and use this
to your advantage. The natural light from one side will comprehensively light
your subject and you can compliment this with a lamp or reflector.
4. Tripods and Angles
Depending on your lighting situation, you may or may not need to use a
tripod and shutter release. I would recommend using these as they will allow
you to observe and work with your subject matter. This set up will also allow
you to use slightly longer shutter speeds than usual to ensure a small aperture
allowing the image to be in focus front to back, if you so choose.
However, please don’t let a static camera stifle your creativity, it quickly
gets forgotten that your camera has been sat in the same position for the whole
shoot. Be sure to vary the angles and heights at which you are shooting.
Otherwise, before you know it, you’ll have a whole collection of shots all take
from the same point with little or know variation. Mix it up a bit. Try
shooting at the level of the subject or try a bird’s eye view, looking down
onto the subject, but be careful if you are moving around not to cast any
shadows on your subject!
5. Get the backdrop right
Having a suitable backdrop for your subject matter will play a crucial role
in the overall success of your shots. It’s best to keep it nice and simple, so
it doesn’t interfere with your subject. A plain painted wall or a large sheet
of white or plain colored paper would be ideal.
Think about how your choice of background contrasts the subject, do you want
a neutral background, or are there tones that may work in complimenting the
shades within your subject. For smaller objects, you may not need a backdrop as
such, but instead require a surface to place the items on, for which something
like black velvet is ideal, as it absorbs light and looks like a solid black
surface.
6. Composing the shot
The compositional element of your still life work is an absolutely crucial
part of ensuring that your work is engaging and unique. Consider the rule of
thirds, how can that be applied to your shoot to create a strong composition.
Ensure there are no distractions within the frame, just the subject and the
backdrop.
Be sure to vary the composition of the subject matter through the shoot and
think outside the box. Where are you leading the eye within the image? Are you
utilizing negative space or might it work to try and fill the frame? Engage
with the subject, what are its defining features? What is it used for? Are you
able to put it into context or does it work as a stand alone subject?
7. Taking all day over it
I often find that my mentality surrounding a shoot is dependent on the
reason for the shoot. So if I am simply taking photos for pleasure or for
myself (as opposed to being assigned work by somebody else), I will be less
stringent with ensuring that all the aspects of the shoot are as well executed
as they can be. This is obviously a bad habit that am aiming to shed, but when
it comes to still life photography, there is no reason not to get it right. You
have as much time as you need to do a good job!
Unlike a landscape shoot, the light isn’t rapidly changing and unlike a
portrait, you’re subject isn’t going to get bored of keeping still for long
periods of time. Take advantage of this, set up your subject, lighting,
backdrop and camera, try a few shots, then move things around a bit and have
another go. If you get to a point where you feel like things aren’t going quite
right, you can just leave everything set up, make yourself a cup of tea and
come back to it refreshed later on.
Another advantage is that there’s no excuse not to have clean and sharp
images, take time to get the lighting and focus just right. If you can get your
hands on one, a macro lens will be ideal for this sort of work, however, if
not, try selecting macro mode on your camera to give you the best chance of
capturing the close up detail in your subject.
8. Inspired by the masters
If you’re struggling with the lighting, composing or structuring of your
shots, then you need to find some inspiration, and where better to look than to
the original still life masterpieces of years gone by. Have a search online for
renaissance still life artists and observe the elements of the pieces.
Studying these paintings will help you to think about form, shades and how
the colors work together and will hopefully give you a few ideas on how you can
shape your photography work to form strong and engaging images.
9. Now it’s your turn!
Now it’s time for you to have a go yourself. Find a quiet day in your
schedule and set aside some time to practice. Try setting up your camera and
backdrop by a suitably light spot next to a window and get snapping!
Once you’ve mastered the basics, try getting creative, experiment with
camera angles, lighting angles and alternative light sources such as candles
and lamps. You could even try getting creative with apertures and use a f/1.8
prime lens to achieve an artistic shallow focus. However, if you take one thing
from this tutorial, let it be this: still life photography does not have to be
of fruit and flowers! So find some unique and inspiring subject matter that
gets you excited and start shooting!
10. Making a living?
There is plenty of demand for still life photography, particularly now that
it is so simple for photographers to provide images for stock photography libraries,
that are accessed by magazines, business publications and for online content.
Once you’ve got your shots, don’t be afraid to share them online, you could
even try using Envato’s PhotoDune stock photography service. So each time you
set up a shoot, work as if you are on assignment, you never know, your still
life work might even make you a few bucks along the way!
