Lighting for still life photography is one of the most essential points for such kind of photo session. As a rule people associate still life with the food photography. But the fact of the matter is that we do not know what it is and how beautiful and original the still live can be. At these photos everything depends on the photograph and image editor. The specialist must combine the whole elements at the picture in such a way that a spectator has a possibility to see the whole details and to understand the picture correctly.
You will be very surprised, but still life is especially popular kind of the contemporary art. In so far as more and more modern photographers deal with the still life pictures, every image retouching company has special photo editing service, which not only improves simple still life photography. The retouchers help to create unusual images. Different kinds of photo manipulation and editing of still life photography lighting make such pictures especial marvelous.
We know that usually people do not pay attention to the simple still life photography. So, we want to tell more about this type of images and to prove that they can be really fantastic. Every photo editor understands that lighting plays one of the most important roles during the image retouching process. In the case with the still life photos, at which there is no person and only proper lighting fixing can create a magnificent picture.
Shades allow underlining the main objects at the photo. But not always we can get great shot, if the still life photo session is in the street a lot depends on the weather. If you make pictures in the studio, you problem consists in the lack of the natural light. And only with the help of light fixtures you have the possibility to regulate the lighting correctly. Of course you can find a lot of video tutorials, which teach you to improve the lighting for still life photography. We propose you to look through a blog of a still life photograph, who talks about Using Natural Lighting for Still Life Photography.
We desire to share our experience with the amateur photo makers and to discuss the best photographers, pictures and the most outstanding ideas for still life images. Besides, we are going to introduce the list of the most useful and unusual tips and tricks for the still life photography lighting and session at all.
What is a still life picture – who are the best photographers of this genre
It is a fact that the majority of people do not realized that still life photos are. We used to connect this type of pictures with the foodstuffs are grouped at the one shot. The truth is that this kind of photography is connected with much more elements. The modern images in this style are quite different from the simple still life photography. It is really difficult to believe how innovative and original the up-to-date still life photographers are.
First of all, we must discover the specification of this kind of shooting. So, still life photography is a kind of photography at which the unalive objects represented. As a rule the objects are grouped in some way and very often the images can be decorated with the additional scenery.
The advantage of this kind of shooting is the possibility of the photograph to create the particular composition at the picture him/herself and to regulate the position of each element at the photo. Speaking about the most essential points for this genre they are still life photography lighting and the organization of the photographed subjects.
As you understand the pictures are called still life are nowadays very extraordinary. And to show the variety of the modern still life pictures we propose you to see the examples of the wide popular photographers work in this style. Speaking about unusual and amazing works in this genre we must admit the American photograph Irving Penn. The particular features of his images are black-and-white color and the philosophical thematic of the pictures. He tries not only to make a great shot; his aim is to underline the imperfection of the contemporary world and to lead the society to think for a minute about the important problems.
Edward Weston is one more American image taker, who became a legend in the photography industry. Though he is the last century photograph he is still one of the most famous and talented image masters. His method of shooting is represented in very interested way. He makes pictures at close range and with the dark background. As a result the images looked powerful and even mysterious.
As contrasted to the previous photographers the shots of Jan Groover are devoted to flatware. His still life photos are a good example of the proper decoration of such images. To add color to the photo he used the foodstuffs and multicolored kitchen paper. At his photos he demonstrated his professional skills in image composition and lighting regulation.
In fact of the matter is that there is a big number of talented and original photographers of the still life photography genre. The list of the great still life image takers is much bigger. And if you are also interested in it and want to find out more about still life specialists you can compare the works of following photographers: Paul Outerbridge, Sharon Core and Robert Mapplethorpe.
Still life photography tips
At the first side there is nothing special in the organization and shooting of such type of pictures. And sometimes the amateur photographers do not pay any attention to the essential details and options are used during the photo session. We want you to avoid the most popular mistakes are connected with the still life images. Moreover we are going to give you some effective and useful still life photography tips, which make your photos unbelievable.
Black background
The idea of shooting object at the dark ground is quite interesting but also difficult. The problem of such kind of session is that due to the lack of the lighting it is complicated to distinguish the elements at the pictures. And if you make your mind to realize this idea, it will be better to use the silver screen. In such a way you will mirror the light and you will get the effect of soft lighting at the picture.
Moreover, if your aim is to separate the photographed object from the black background you can make the subject shine. This trick helps you to make the image elegant and beautiful.
Shape and form
This piece of still life photography tips is very important for such kind of images. Though the object at the picture is photographed at close range each its detail must be perfect to see. To underline the shape of the thing and to show the brink edges try out the dark ground and manipulate with the light. One more nice trick is to use the adding piece of dark paper, which has the same size as the object and to lay it under the thing.
Do not forget about the gobo
This is an obligatory thing for each photo session. With the help of the lens hood we can either add the lighting to the photo or create the shades. So if you desire to get really distinct photo with clearly defined objects at it don not ignore the use of the gobo.
Change the light direction
There is one more way to perfect the lighting for still life photography. If you not satisfied with the quality of the lighting in the room try to experiment with the position of the spotlight or just to use many sources of light. In such a way you achieve marvelous effect. When you use the light from different corners you make clear all details of the photo. Besides, if you admire to get the perfect illuminated shot, organize the session near the window. This allows you to give the picture maximum light.
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How to choose the best background
During the still life photographing the first and the most important rule is to choose the right ground for your image. After you thought the composition of the photographed objects, reason out the color and the texture of the background. As a rule the backdrop is sole-colored. Here it is important to combine the color of the objects at the foreground and the background. Use color contrast and their similarity properly.
Follow these simple rules and if you learn how to use lighting for still life photography, your pictures will look fresh, natural and colorful.
Still life photography tips for beginning photographers
When a person decides to begin the carrier of photographer, her/her have to cope with a great number of tasks, which are connected not only with the basic knowledge of Photoshop, but also with the special options and techniques are typical for a certain art of photography. There are general rules, which you can use to become good at the classical photo taking and retouching. Here we propose still life photography tips are useful for every photo beginner.
Choose the object for your session
Before to start find something you want to shot and think about the idea of the photo session. Frankly speaking the whole things around you can play the role of the model for your image shooting. Look round and stop your sight at any object you like. After that your task is to create the theme of the session. The article Photoshot tips necessary for beginner to choose a photo theme helps you to do it easier.
Set the lighting
This aspect is extremely important for the still life photos. Use both natural lighting and special light equipment to achieve the best effect. Remember about the experiments with the lighting direction and use it as a great advantage.
Use special equipment and options
To get brilliant shots make use of the rack and shutter release. These instruments make your work more convenient and help you to shift the corner of the shooting. So, for example you have the chance to make the photo from up to down and even to get the picture moving around the object. Such kind of shooting is very popular with the photographers.
Select the background
In spite of the fact that the model object plays the main role at the image, the correct choosing of the backdrop is also important. Try to match the scale of colors, use neutral black or white, and choose warm color background for the objects of cold color at the foreground. If you make picture in the natural area, make sure there are no elements at the background, which can spoil the general impression of the picture.
Create the composition
Now, when you are ready with the idea and the preparing for the photo session, it is time to combine the whole elements together. Make sure that the position of each element is suitable and together with the background they create the image you want to get. If everything is right take the camera and just make the photo. Do it from different edges to find the best position for the shooting.
Improve your still life pictures
Do not forget about the retouching of the photos, use the program you like (Photoshop/LightRoom) and fix the aspects you cannot avoid during the session. Improve a color palette, a backdrop and the lighting. Think how to adore the picture or what elements are unnecessary and must be removed. Remember that during the editing procedure you have chance to improve the whole details of the picture.
Here you must pay attention what kind of object you have at the image. For example if you make pictures of food you should know the main features of this kind of retouching. You can find them also on our blog. The item How to edit food photos in Photoshop – secrets revealed deals with this question.
Look for new ideas
Sometimes despite the all your efforts you are not available to get the picture, what you like. It seems you tried all tricks and tips but still you cannot achieve the result you want. Do not worry about that, this is easily to be fixed. As far as you know the first still life pictures were painted. So you can get new ideas from the famous still life painters. Just surf the internet and enjoy the fantastic pictures. Be sure they will inspire you so much that you will find the idea of a new photo session without any problems.
These tips will make your still life photos creative and interesting. Moreover, this knowledge will help you to become an advanced still life photograph and editor. Besides, we hope you find some new ideas and useful tricks for yourself in this article. The whole tips we described here are always used by our specialists. And that is why we are sure they are really effective and helpful.
Our company provides different kinds of services and the specialists of our firm can also help you with the editing of still life images. If your still life photos need the professional improving, we will be glad to give you our helping hand. The examples of images before and after fixing and the photo editing prices you can find on our website. Each order is important for us. Our retouchers enjoy editing process because in such a way they fill the world with a beauty.
