The tabletop still life is one of the most established genres in the visual arts, and in June we want you to create your own variation on it. Still life emerged as a distinct genre of painting by the late 1500s, and centuries later it was eagerly embraced by early photographers, perfectly suited as it was to the long exposures that were necessary with the first cameras. In the modern world it is both an artistic genre and a staple of advertising and product illustration. More than any other genre, still life allows you to control every aspect of an image, and it is just as well suited to depicting the simple beauty of a bowl of fresh fruit as it is the complex allegory of the brevity of existence shown through careful arrangement of a candle, a watch, a skull, a flower, and a beam of sun. With a still life you have the luxury to take your time and use as much or as little equipment as you want, so start early and experiment!
Once you’ve chosen your subjects, start considering your background. The backdrop could be plain and free of detail so that it doesn’t distract from the subjects, but play around with colour and texture to affect the atmosphere of your image. A piece of paper or cloth can be pinned up or draped behind and under your subject. You can take advantage of natural lighting by shooting near a window or outdoors - but plan your timing because the colour temperature and angle of the light will change throughout the day. Light through clouds or a light curtain will be diffused, with soft shadows, whereas direct sunlight will give distinct, hard shadows. For fuller control mimic studio conditions indoors with household lamps and pieces of white paper as reflectors, or more professional kit if you have it. Whichever you choose it’s preferable not to mix natural and artificial light since their colours will likely differ considerably, leaving colour casts on parts of your image. Use a tripod if you have one, then gradually work the composition and camera angle to something you’re happy with. Try different lighting setups and notice the changes in the image as a result. Still life often requires patience and is a gradual working towards a shot you’re happy with.
Winners of the expert and the crowd vote will each get a copy of Still Life in Photography by Paul Martineau.
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