Creative Still Life

If you adopt a beginner’s mind and approach everyday objects as though you are seeing them for the first time, pretty much anything can become extraordinary (and photogenic). This container of toothpicks is a great example. Selecting an aperture of F/5.1 has resulted in just the right depth of field, with the yellow background (a chopping board with lemons printed on it?) thrown nicely out of focus. It would have been good to see the background run right to the bottom of the frame.

The ripeness of the berries and the highlights created by the water drops really make this picture feel fresh and inviting. In a shot like this it’s important to use the best (unblemished) berries and to light them in such a way that there is separation between each one. Including the top of the strawberry bottom right adds a splash of contrasting colour.

It’s tricky to get a shot like this right, but the photographer has down a brilliant job of balancing the lines, patterns and refracting light. Selecting an aperture of f/9 has allowed all the glasses to be sharp enough, while blurring the fabric backdrop slightly, which prevents it from becoming too overpowering.

Considering the photographer only had a desk lamp and torch to hand, I think he/she has done a great job of lighting the bottle and backdrop. Filling the bottle with wine was a nice touch as it adds a pleasing bubble at the neck (cleaning up must have been challenging!) It’s nicely composed, but the knife feels a little wrong – perhaps something a little more vintage would help.

This image has a lot going for it: the beautiful soft light, artfully arranged (and well sourced) props, excellent depth of field, low noise levels and, crucially, every element seems to relate to the one next to it – nothing is there by chance. But the two fish suspended from the jug seem to catch your eye a little too much. Maybe one would have been better?

When shadows play a part in a photograph, they are usually dark and lacking detail. Here, however, the light passing through the glass has created shapes that are full of colour and interest. The arrangement is well balanced and the mix of colours and shapes is attractive.

When it comes to still life images, selecting a backdrop that complements the subject is crucial, and this grey, scratched surface is perfect here. The oil cans have spouts that all point in different directions and the photographer has done a great job of using them to direct the eye around the frame. The light is also perfect.

Adding humour in a still life is challenging, but here it has been introduced (and executed) wonderfully. An aperture of f/20 has kept everything nice and sharp, and the highlights have been well managed (which is pretty challenging with shiny objects!)

Every element in this image has been positioned with great care and awareness of texture and tension. The spacing between each ingredient makes us squash the burger together in our minds, and yet we are still aware of the shape and texture of each item. The vine of tomatoes and rings of onion at the base help to anchor our eye.

What looks like a simple image is actually incredibly well thought out. The distance between each spoon, and the extent to which they rise and fall in the frame like musical notes is fully considered. Food photographers often have drawers full of vintage cutlery and often select items that are slightly tarnished so the shine doesn’t cause excessive highlights. Allowing the spices to spill over into the gaps really makes the picture.

Managing the light, balancing the positive and negative space and positioning the shapes and lines accurately clearly required a high level of precision and a natural eye for design. The photographer was aiming for a Bauhaus style here and has achieved it perfectly.

Choosing to celebrate one subject and just go for it is a great way to hone your food photography skills. Here the humble tomato has been given the star treatment with fabulous lighting that highlights every curve, colour and contour. There is an obvious painterly feel to the image, which works well with the props.