zen and the art of photography
A still life is about visual observation itself. Typically they are arrangements, but they can run the gamut from simple abstractions to extravagant fabrications. They can be mixed media, montages, and scans. In a real sense any subject whether it is a portrait or fashion, architecture or a landscape could be approached as a still life.
When photographing a still life be conscious of your perspective. Do you want flat perspective using high contrast abstract textures to attract and engage the viewer’s eye, or depth by actually leading the viewers eye in and through the image? Choose to make your composition dynamic or static. If working in color use color as a compositional element.
Intentionally choose to separate or isolate the background from the subject or to use the background as a compositional element in the photo. Silhouettes as subject or mixed within the composition can be very effective in still life photos. Use subtractive lighting, such as black cards blocking the light, to further enhance three dimensional form and shadows as linear compositional elements. Use and feature the two ingredients light and time.
Notice how the direction and the size of your light source affect your scene. Use a larger light source for softer light. Use a smaller light source for harder light. Bracket exposures and use the LCD screen to refine your choices. If using flash try combining with ambient (existing) light. Changing the shutter speed will not affect the flash exposure, so you can use this to control the ambient light exposure separately. Flash is it’s own shutter speed. Use your aperture setting to control the flash exposure separately. If using on camera flash you can control your flash’s power settings in your camera’s menu. If using off camera flash and a further reduction In power is needed move the flash back. Doubling the distance will result in a two stop reduction. Light exposure falls off rapidly with distance so only small adjustments may be needed.
Again, use a tripod! you get to take your time with a still life.