Photo 101: Still Life

[0:28]Let's take a look at images from Mopa's collection to see the many ways that we can approach taking a still life photograph. Objects for a still life can be natural, manufactured, or a mixture of both. You can choose an object to appreciate its shape and texture, such as Abdo Morell's close-up of a dictionary. They can also be chosen for the meaning the objects convey, such as Paul Capiro's Galaxy Apple, which takes on the appearance of a starry sky, alluding to a world within a world. Composition plays an important part in creating your still life photograph. Objects are often framed with just enough background, but not too much to distract from the primary subject. In Carl Blosfeld's series of botanical specimens, a simple background makes a subject stand out. In Harold Feinstein's work, a bright blue sky creates the perfect contrast with the vivid warm hues of the flower. Light is one of the most important aspects of a still life, as it helps set the mood in an image and it gives the scene a sense of depth. For example, in this work by Joe Waley, the composition is carefully lit to cast a bit of shadow and give the arrangement dimension. Now, let's take a look at how these ideas play out in our own photographs. Through careful composition and great light, some of the simplest objects can take on a new life through the lens and transform the ordinary to the extraordinary. Try finding everyday objects in your surroundings and think about how you can pair them with a contrasting texture in the background. In the world of still life photographs, cropping is key, so make sure to get up close. You can even create a still life on the street, in a park, or at the beach, by choosing an interesting background and getting close enough to exclude any distracting details. While the available light in a scene might not be very interesting, you can always change your location. Try moving an object into an area with partial shade, like the inside ledge of a sunny window. A simple table top lamp can also be used to light your composition and it gives you greater control as you adjust the light as you go. Want to discover more, check out