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What Is Still Life Photography
What is still life photography, and why does it remain one of the most enduring forms of artistic expression with a camera? Still life photography dates back many decades, and very few other photographic practices have been around as long as this particular art form.
Even with its long history, still life photography remains one of the most undervalued subgenres of fine art photography. When photography first began, image creation required long exposures, which made stationary objects an ideal subject. As technology advanced, the desire to capture still life persisted. Today, it continues to be one of the most active photographic arts practiced by people worldwide.
Still life photography is also one of the most profitable photography businesses. Websites, art galleries, magazines, and catalogs regularly feature still images of different subjects, making them the biggest consumers of still photographs. Beyond the artistic value, still life photography has real business potential, so it pays to take only the best photos.
The History of Still Life Photography
The existence of still life art dates back to the 17th century. However, it was not until the 19th century that artists turned to still life photography as a new medium, allowing them to communicate their ideas in a fresh way.
The term “still life” stems from the Dutch word stilleven, coined in the 17th century during a period when still life art was popular among the European elite.
The art depicts a painting or photograph of a stationary object meant to convey a symbolic message. Still life photography images or objects can take different forms. They can be naturally existing or fabricated. The object can be a memento mori, meant to celebrate life’s simple things or express the temporary nature of material pleasures or human life. Whatever the purpose, still life photographs take on a unique meaning with every piece.
5 Still Life Photography Techniques
Unlike many other photography procedures, still life photography does not require many variables. You do not need a fancy location or a spacious studio space to take your still photographs. You can photograph anything you want from the comfort of your home, using a table set next to the wall, a simple backdrop, and a few other items to make your subject more appealing.
On a similar note, our ghost photography article has more practical tips.
Best of all, you can use your imagination to create photos that are engaging and visually interesting for the viewer.
Still life photography includes the following subcategories:
- Product photography
- Tabletop photography
- Found object photography
- Food photography
The following techniques will help you create the most creative still life photographs.
1. Plan Your Shoot Wisely
When creating a still life photograph, the objects you choose, the composition, and the framing of your piece should be your top priorities. It always helps to have a game plan, especially when starting something new.
Rather than throwing a bunch of items together to see what works, try approaching each shoot with a specific intent. Make deliberate and focused choices about where each item should go.
2. Choose Good Lighting
Lighting is important in every type of photography. Still life photography does not have exciting subjects by nature, so good lighting enhances the mood and makes the subjects more appealing.
We walk through macro photography step by step in a separate post.
You can use light reflectors to manipulate the natural lighting around your subject, a softbox to remove background shadows, and a flashgun to add controlled light where you need it.
3. Be Mindful of the Backdrop
There are many backdrop options for still life photography, especially if you want to be more creative. However, if you do not want to draw attention away from your subject, the best backdrop option is a white tablecloth or cardboard.
Besides white, you can choose other subtle backdrop colors that do not overpower your subject.
4. Use a Tripod
A tripod is necessary when taking still life photographs because it helps keep your camera stable. If you are using a heavy camera for your still images, a tripod becomes even more important. It is also handy when you need to arrange and rearrange your set without worrying about camera position.
5. Think Outside the Box
Pick your subjects wisely. You do not have to stick with standard still life subjects like flowers or food. Get creative and try something unexpected. You can also choose subjects that complement each other in shape, color, and size for added appeal and visual interest.
Final Thoughts
A modern camera gives you the ability to do many things. Capturing still life objects is one of the most straightforward things you can use a camera for.
Still life photography is an old art form that keeps getting better with every innovation. Even though capturing still objects might not feel as exciting as shooting moving subjects, landscapes, or portraits, you can still make the most of what you have available to create striking still life images.
