The word “still life” is used to describe a composition that portrays everyday objects, usually arranged in a formal composition. Still life is a term that has been in existence since the 17th century, as it refers to the art of painting or sculpture. It was once thought that still life was restricted to the visual arts and was considered as less important than other disciplines. However, today, still life photography has made great progress and it is considered to be one of the most important forms of the photographic art.
To create a good still life photograph, there are five fundamental techniques that you should follow. First is the use of lighting, the second is the use of natural objects, the third is the arrangement of the objects, the fourth is the use of focal points, and finally is the use of the background. Let us discuss these techniques in detail.
Table of Contents
Lighting
To create a good still life photograph, the main key is light. Light has a huge effect on the composition, the colors, the contrasts, and the overall look of the image. There are several ways to achieve lighting. The most basic way is to place the object in front of a light source. This will create the effect of a silhouette and will add a dimension of interest. Another option is to place the object in a shadowed area. This will create a darker appearance of the subject and will contrast it from the lighter color of the background. Finally, the object can be placed in the dark part of the room. In this situation, the effect will be similar to placing the object in a shadowed area, however, there is a higher chance of capturing a beautiful light streak of the object.
Natural Objects
When photographing a still life, you should always consider using the surrounding objects in the environment. Natural objects can add an extra dimension to the image and they can give a feeling of movement. Therefore, by using natural objects in the composition, it is possible to add more interest to the image. The type of object that you use can make a big difference in the final look of the image. For instance, a single flower in the middle of the frame will look different to a group of flowers or a bouquet of flowers. Similarly, a plant that is close to the camera will create a different look to the same plant that is further away.
Arrangement
The way in which you arrange your objects is an important factor when creating a good still life photograph. To create a good composition, the rule of thirds applies. When you follow this rule, the subject will always fall somewhere along the lines and the background will be divided into three equal parts. By following this rule, it will ensure that the composition has balance and the subject will be the focus of the image.
Focal Points
A good still life photograph requires some kind of focal point. Usually, the focus will be on the object that you want to highlight in the image. For instance, if you are photographing a group of objects, it will usually be the object that is in the middle that will be the primary focus. If you are photographing a single object, it will be the object that attracts your attention. You should also take into account the size of the object. If the object is very small, it will not add any interest and will be lost in the composition. On the other hand, if the object is very large, it will overshadow the rest of the objects. To avoid such situations, you should use the Rule of Thirds.
Background
Finally, to make a good still life photograph, you need to consider the background. If the background is not interesting, it will make the composition look unfinished. It is usually a good idea to include some type of texture in the background. For instance, if you are photographing a single object, it will make the background appear more interesting.
As you can see, these techniques are fundamental to creating a good still life photograph. It is also essential to practice the techniques before you start taking photographs. Practice makes perfect and it will help you understand the effect that different techniques have on the final composition.