Objects and settings around the home, or in the immediate environment can serve as excellent material for the still life photographer. It's a myth that one needs elaborate equipment or an exotic setting to create great photographs. A simple room, lit by daylight, a fascinating object, an interesting surface - these can all be used to create engaging and original photographic art. The following five tips will help you create great photos with simple settings and simple subjects.
For your subject matter, try some lateral thinking. Photographers tend to focus on the same objects, which can get boring and predictable. To create better, more original work, you will need to think outside of the box.
Spend some time getting ideas and think about ways you can combine objects to create something unique. Look at color, shape and texture and think of ways they can contrast with whatever setting you will be using.
Light and shade: superb result can be achieved using some very unexciting lighting apparatus. Ordinary household lights can be used to create some amazing effects if they are used with flair and imagination. Natural light can also be used to great effect. Windows blocked or partially blocked using curtains or shutters can provide interest and drama to an otherwise ordinary setting.
Positions and angles: there is plenty one can do here, too, to alter the tone of a photograph. The same subject photographed from a new angle can result in a dramatically different piece of work. It's easy to become complacent on a shoot and forget to play around with positioning. So remember to mix things up and take advantage of what can be created by altering point of view, camera height, camera angle and positioning.
Don't get too fancy with your backdrop. Remember that your subject is the 'main attraction' and should not be in any way overshadowed by its backdrop. It's certainly OK to experiment with texture and color, these can sometimes help to create an interesting, unique shot. In general, though, a simple painted wall or plain sheet of card or paper is best.
When it comes to composing your shot, aim to keep it simple. Think about your subject, its defining characteristics, and how you want to use the space around it. It's often best to fill the frame with the subject and keep negative space to a minimum. Leave out anything in the scene that is distracting or irrelevant. Also strive for balance: make sure there's nothing in the scene that will draw the viewer's eye one way or the other (unless that's what you intend).
For a still life photographer, a big benefit is having more freedom to get one's shot just right. People and other elements can change or move around, and make life awkward for the photographer. Static objects on the other hand, allow one the scope to experiment and get things just so. One can adjust the elements of the shot, change things around or start again from scratch.
For your subject matter, try some lateral thinking. Photographers tend to focus on the same objects, which can get boring and predictable. To create better, more original work, you will need to think outside of the box.
Spend some time getting ideas and think about ways you can combine objects to create something unique. Look at color, shape and texture and think of ways they can contrast with whatever setting you will be using.
Light and shade: superb result can be achieved using some very unexciting lighting apparatus. Ordinary household lights can be used to create some amazing effects if they are used with flair and imagination. Natural light can also be used to great effect. Windows blocked or partially blocked using curtains or shutters can provide interest and drama to an otherwise ordinary setting.
Positions and angles: there is plenty one can do here, too, to alter the tone of a photograph. The same subject photographed from a new angle can result in a dramatically different piece of work. It's easy to become complacent on a shoot and forget to play around with positioning. So remember to mix things up and take advantage of what can be created by altering point of view, camera height, camera angle and positioning.
Don't get too fancy with your backdrop. Remember that your subject is the 'main attraction' and should not be in any way overshadowed by its backdrop. It's certainly OK to experiment with texture and color, these can sometimes help to create an interesting, unique shot. In general, though, a simple painted wall or plain sheet of card or paper is best.
When it comes to composing your shot, aim to keep it simple. Think about your subject, its defining characteristics, and how you want to use the space around it. It's often best to fill the frame with the subject and keep negative space to a minimum. Leave out anything in the scene that is distracting or irrelevant. Also strive for balance: make sure there's nothing in the scene that will draw the viewer's eye one way or the other (unless that's what you intend).
For a still life photographer, a big benefit is having more freedom to get one's shot just right. People and other elements can change or move around, and make life awkward for the photographer. Static objects on the other hand, allow one the scope to experiment and get things just so. One can adjust the elements of the shot, change things around or start again from scratch.
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