PHOTOS THAT INSPIRE PHOTO WORKSHOP

Chapter 9. Still Life Photography

Photographing still lifes enables you to practice your compositional skills, and to create your own original image. In many cases, photographers set up their own arrangements, but life is full of still-life scenes if you look for them. Just look for arrangements of objects that are visually pleasing. Whether you're setting up your own scene or happen to come across a great arrangement of objects, experiment with your camera angle until the elements appear to be in balance. You can also add or subtract objects to find the best composition. The arrangement of a still life should begin with one dominant object, and others can be added one at a time until you feel that you've created a composition that works well. Don't be afraid to experiment—there's no single answer. As with all photography, remember that simplicity always works best. An uncluttered scene is often the most dramatic one.

With just a few common household objects and a simple setting, you can create some interesting still life photos. Doing so will help you develop your compositional skills. You're in total control when you're shooting a still-life scene, as opposed to situations where you're at the mercy of bad lighting or uncooperative subjects. The subject(s), lighting, and backdrop are all entirely up to you. This photographer has a talent for turning the most ordinary objects into an artistic statement. In this image, he's positioned carrots so that the emphasis is on the complimentary ...