Still Life Photography : Still Life Photography How to take a good Still Life Photograph
By Maggi Carstairs
Meaning of Photograph : Meaning of Photograph The word "photography" comes from the Greek f?? (phos) "light" + ??af?? (graphis) "stylus", "paintbrush" or ??af? (graphê) "representation by means of lines" or "drawing", together meaning "drawing with light." Traditionally, the products of photography have been called negatives and photographs, commonly shortened to photos.
What is a Still Life? : What is a Still Life? Still life is a composition of several lifeless objects brought together by a certain theme.
Shooting still life photography is a great training for the practicing of composition and lighting techniques.
Still Life Expresses an Idea or Concept : Still Life Expresses an Idea or Concept Still life should clearly express a certain idea. It may be made up of objects put together according to their practical function or have some concept that is being explored
Master Taking a Photograph : Master Taking a Photograph In order to produce a still life artistic creation you should master the photography technique perfectly.
First you should learn how to render the objects’ shapes and structure.
Highest image clarity is required.
Frame : Frame Still life requires a reduced composition of the frame; its surface should be limited in order to guide the viewer’s attention towards the objects,
Background : Background The background should be peaceful,
homogeneous, rarely with a hue from light to dark.
The lit objects are sometimes better perceived on
a dark background and the other way round,
the dark ones on a lit background.
Problems solved with light : Problems solved with light Certain artistic problems specific to still life as: tonality, image luminosity and compositional balance may be solved with the help of light.
Artificial Lighting : Artificial Lighting Sources of artificial light are usually used for the still life lighting.
Daylight and natural Light : Daylight and natural Light Still life can also be photographed during daytime with natural light. In such cases, the necessary tonality, the lighting of dark areas and the placing of lit areas are obtained by means of several reflecting screens made of white paper, cloth, aluminium foil or mirror.
Reference : Reference http://www.digital-cameras-help.com/photography/articles/still-life-photography/
Task : Task Create a photograph of an item in the Room
Arrange it in different ways and take a photograph
Examine your photo for ways to make it more expressive. Explore lighting, tone, background and shapes and shadows
Elements of Design : Elements of Design Apply the elements of Design to your Photograph
The elements of design are:
Line - the visual path that enables the eye to move within the piece
Shape - areas defined by edges within the piece, whether geometric or organic
Color - hues with their various values and intensities
Texture - surface qualities which translate into tactile illusions
Direction - visual routes which take vertical, horizontal or diagonal paths
Size - the relative dimensions and proportions of images or shapes to one another
Perspective - expression of depth: foreground, middle ground, background
Space - the space taken up by (positive) or in between (negative) objects
Website : Website http://Activeenglishspeaking.com
Course: Photography