How to take high-quality still life photos?

Even at the beginning of photography, still life photography is one of the most popular photography because of the static characteristics of the subject. If professional still life photography is concerned, using still life usually has many advantages, which are usually ignored. Today, we will tell you some basic rules about still life photography.

First, let's get started.

Contrary to popular belief, you don't need a photo studio or a place to start shooting still life. Simply using the space at home, window lights and simple background can help you.

When shooting still life, the details needed to create the picture are much less than when using landscapes or shooting models. When you are ready to shoot and think about future photography, you can better control the position of the subject.

Second, the object selection

The photos you take are entirely up to you. If you look around, you will find many interesting and fascinating things worth trying. Don't stick to the rules, and don't just shoot flowers and fruits. There are more possible themes. Even in the most standard types, innovative thinking is welcome.

Pay attention to the things around you and try to find the images and themes of still life in daily trivial matters. Look at this or that potential theme from different angles. When shooting, please try to avoid using reflective surfaces such as glass and metal, which will distort the light and damage the picture.

Third, lighting.

If you can't afford the lighting equipment in the studio, you can use simple equipment. Remember, you can completely control the shooting, so if you want to find a space that can completely eliminate the natural light of blinds or curtains, you can use your own artificial light to create the original material. If there is no choice, please use natural light to create eye-catching photos.

If you know how to use a standard lamp, it will be very efficient. Be sure to try to illuminate the object from different angles. The option of using direct lighting is not always successful, and sometimes it is just boring. If your windows have bright and beautiful light sources, please try to take pictures with them. Sometimes it is necessary to use a mirror, especially when shooting in natural light. If you don't have a reflector, you can also make a reflector yourself, such as tin foil and cardboard.

Four, tripod and shooting angle

Depending on the lighting, you may need to use a tripod. Using a tripod is good for still life photography. You can use it to observe the scene. In addition, it will help to use long exposure and still take beautiful photos.

Try to make a tripod to limit your position. Change the angle and angle of view, don't rearrange the camera lazily, or reconfigure the camera and install it on a tripod in a new way. Otherwise, you will get an entire series of the same type, even boring frames with small changes on the map.

Five, determine the choice of background

A beautiful and successful background is half the success of a still life. It is best to shoot in a simple and beautiful background so as not to disturb the still life subject. Monochrome walls with simple patterns or large pieces of white or colored paper, or no patterns at all, are very suitable as backgrounds.

Consider the contrast between background and theme. If you don't want to shoot in a simple background, please consider what kind of shadows look in harmony with your picture and can complement each other with still life images. For small objects, they don't need a background, just a surface to put them on. Here, the background of black velvet looks good, or just a black surface, which can absorb light well.

Six, still life composition

The composition elements of photos are an important part of successful shooting. When composing a composition, please keep in mind the dichotomy and consider how to apply it to your photos to form a strong composition.

It is very important to think outside the box in order to take interesting and unforgettable photos. Where does the line of sight fall when looking at the frame? How to use white space in a frame? How to present items to the audience and make them look as attractive and beneficial as possible? By answering these questions, you can create a good composition and successfully shoot a still life.

Seven. Atmosphere and mood

No matter how interesting it sounds now, please believe me that the quality of the photos created will be affected by the atmosphere and mood. In addition, this rule is not only applicable to shooting still life. When you concentrate and enjoy the filming process, you will almost certainly succeed. When shooting still life, it is important not to rush to go anywhere.

Different from street photography and reportage photography, the composition of the picture has been changing, and it takes time to take pictures in time. Still life is still. It may take a long time to create a still life photo. So we should pay attention to some small things and make full preparations for shooting. Set the lights, shoot the subject, and carefully check what happened. If necessary, please adjust and start shooting.

When shooting still life, there is no excuse to take blurred photos, and there is unlimited time to concentrate. For subject photography, macro lens is very suitable for you. If there is no such optical element, you can try macro mode shooting. In this case, this may be the best choice.

Eight, the inspiration in the classics

When creating your own still life, please consider lighting, composition and conception, and don't forget to seek help and inspiration from such classics. Picturesque still life has been created for hundreds of years. You may find answers to many questions in the paintings of Renaissance artists or contemporary photographers.

Learning to paint will help you think about shapes, shadows and colors. Studying different solutions will help to create your own unique images in photos.

Nine, how to shoot?

Find a suitable day when you are sure you won't be distracted and hurried. Prepare the components needed for still life, charge the camera and set it up, pay attention to the lighting and create. If there is a snapshot that can help blur the artistic background, you can try shooting with the maximum aperture f/ 1.8.

Remember, still life is not just composed of vegetables, fruits and flowers, anything can be used. Find a theme that can inspire you and take photos.

Ten, shooting still life as a way of life.

There is a great demand for product photography and still life photography, especially now, when there are various magazines, commercial publications and internet websites. When shooting, please don't hesitate to upload your photos online, which has become the most effective way to find potential customers and viewers.