![](/uploads/1/2/5/7/125752161/885098582.jpg)
Find still life stock images in HD and millions of other royalty-free stock photos, illustrations and vectors in the Shutterstock collection. Thousands of new, high-quality pictures added every day. Still Life Photography What we WANT - Arranged objects, classic or modern. Generally, still life photos are those taken indoors, on a tabletop or floor.
Perfecting the art of composition and lighting to create a beautiful still life image is certainly no easy task. But get it right and still life photography can be an extremely powerful art form, and can be utilised in projects from to.
Here are 30 talented artists who have perfected the difficult skill of making, as well as taking, their photos. 01.There's something gloriously unsettling about this shotBorn in Slovakia and currently studying photography and fine art in Vienna, Evelyn Bencicova tries to pursue a point where the commercial and artistic meet, focusing on the conceptual as well as the visual aspect of photography. This photo, one of a series called (An)Organic, grabbed us immediately with its striking and unsettling composition; check out the rest of the set. 02.We love the filter work in Suzanne Cummings' photographySuzanne Cummings has had a long time to perfect her photography skills; she first became seriously interested over 50 years ago, studied with John Sexton in the 1970s, and these days works mostly in digital, with Photoshop an essential part of her workflow.
We love this shot, Reach for the Light, for its restrained filter work, giving the composition a dreamy, ethereal air. 03.The anatomy of an ice lolly is laid bare in MeltedMarcel Christ takes a meticulous approach to still-life photography. 'Nothing is accidental,' he says, 'I push the boundaries of the special effects and photographic techniques I'm using to create controlled coincidence.' So he finds ways to give life to otherwise inanimate objects, such as in Melted. You'll never look at an ice lolly in the same way again. 04.Bas Meeuws channels the work of the Dutch Masters in his workInspired by the Golden Age of Dutch painting, Bas Meeuws tries to recreate the feel of classic still lifes in his photography. His work is painstakingly assembled from shots of individual flowers taken with the same lighting, with each detailed and multi-layered image taking between 40 and 60 hours to put together.
05.Who'd have thought a bunch of bananas could be so beautiful?It took us a second to realise exactly what this striking, abstract black and white shot actually was. Who'd have thought a bunch of bananas could be so beautiful?
The photo was taken by 19-year-old psychology student Elena K, who seems to have mastered the art of creating incredible still life photography – most of which is showcased in a breathtaking. 06.Gamell spots the beauty in the humble London tubeAlthough photography is merely a hobby for Californian Joan Gamell, his still life shots bring the simple beauty of the everyday to the forefront. This shot of the London Underground showcases the geometric inspiration we can often find all around us. 07.Besim Mazhiqi masters the composition on this beautiful shotUsing a Nikon D700, Mazhiqi masters the composition within this shot. Pushing the bike to the forefront of our focus, its colours pop from the image, whilst the background is blurred to a beautiful effect.
08.Creatures and flowers are Kowatari's specialityWith a keen interest in creatures and flowers, Kowatari captures the essense of nature in a light like no other. Bringing the intricate detail of nature to the focus of the viewer, it's a reminder of the beauty that surrounds us and how often we pass it. 09.The composition here really makes the colours popThe colours used on this still life photo caught our attention immediately. The juxtaposing yellows with the various shades of greens and blues really make this one pop, making it look like a complete work of art. 10.Andrew Vernon pulled together all of his photography skills for this beautiful piece The WaveFine art landscape photographer Andrew Vernon is the man behind this striking image titled The Wave. A master of composition, Vernon gives the blood red liquid in this image a life of its own as it lines and overflows the wall of the glass. 11.By carefully composing this shot and using mirroring techniques, Alma Kerpauskiene transforms these flowers into a beautiful abstract imageThis gorgeous mirror image was taken by photographer Alma Kerpauskiene.
This lady has an awe-inspiring portfolio full of still life images but this black and white image really stands out. By carefully composing the shot and using mirroring techniques, she's transformed these flowers into a beautiful abstract image.
12.This 'Rolleiflex' image showcases brilliant exposure and composition skillsMichal Klimov captured this atmospheric shot of his vintage camera recently. The beautifully simple image showcases brilliant colour and detail and skillful exposure and composition. Klimov's portfolio is full of vintage-style still life images, but this is our favourite. 13.Colourful by Mi Yong Sung is a feast for the eyesWe're a little in love with this colourful composition courtesy of hobbyist photographer Mi Yong Sung. Aptly named 'Colourful', this fantastic shots is a feast for the eyes. Not a fan of digital manipulation, the artist says: 'I don't fix the theme. I enjoys taking snap of a daily life and flowers.'
14.This thought-provoking image was captured by Spanish amateur photographer Martin ZalbaWe love how this 'After the walk' photo has us wondering just where these boots have been. Captured by Spanish amateur photographer Martin Zalba, he doesn't limit himself to one particular style: 'I am interested in all types of photography,' he says, 'especially night photography, landscapes, urban photography, wildlife, portraits, still life and infrared photography.' 15.Photographer A Sot burnt half a pack of matches in order to capture this gorgeous fire butterflyA master of still life photography, artist A Sot has an awe-inspiring portfolio, full of beautiful images of all subjects. But our favourite has to be this fire butterfly, captured after the photographer burned half a pack of matches untill he got an interesting ignition. Just beautiful.16.Who'd have thought an umbrella could look this good?Rain Machine by Eugenio Costantini goes to show that an eye for detail and talent behind the lens can turn even the most ordinary of objects into something very special.
A unique point-of-view taken on an umbrella transforms its working parts into this beautiful, abstract image. 17.Lafugue Logos combines beautiful composition, lighting and colour in Sealed With A KissWe love the simplicity of the composition and beautiful colours in this Sealed With A Loving Kiss image by Lafugue Logos. With a passion for still life, photographing flowers in particular, the talented artist's portfolio is full of serene, dream-like images such as this. 18.Perfect lighting eccentuates the colour and composition in TimelessTimeless by Niko Vass caught our eye when searching for brilliant examples of still life.
When looking through this photographers work, it's clear that he's all about simplicity, allowing his compositions, lighting and colours do the talking. And this atmospheric shot is our favourite. 19.Photographer Brian Estelle captured this atmospheric image at the former cell of Al CaponeThis room is, infact, the former cell of the famous American gangster Al Capone in the abandoned prison of Eastern State Penetentiary, Philadelphia. Titled Home Sweet Home, the atmospheric shot was captured by US-based photographer Brian Estelle, using his Canon EOS 6D. 20.Perfect lighting and composition by Vladimir Shipulin turns ordinary objects into a stunning piece of artThis gorgeous image, titled Dust, was composed and shot by photographer Vladimir Shipulin.
An extremely popular artist on online photography community 500px, Shipulin has an awe-inspiring portfolio full of still life images. But this is most definitely our favourite; the lighting and antique look transforming the most ordinary everyday objects into a beautiful piece of art. 21.Lohoff used carefully strung threads and his Nikon D80 to produce his brilliant Constructed Picture seriesGerman photographer Linus Lohoff was catapulted into the spotlight early last year after he posted a series of still life images on the Flickr blog. Part of a photography class project, Lohoff took everyday objects and portrayed them in different contexts against brightly coloured backgrounds. The popular series is titled “Das gebaute Bild” (The Constructed Picture).
22.Henry Hargreaves specialises in still life photography, which shines through in this beautiful Smoke and Lilies seriesTalented photographer Henry Hargreaves is well known for his weird and wonderful compositions. Specialising in still life photography, Hargreaves continually raises the bar with his work and this Smoke and Lilies series is no exception. The idea is simply what the title suggests; gorgeous, paint-dripping lilies surrounded by smoke on a black background. 23.Careful composition and expert lighting in this beautiful 'Lashes - Feathers' image by award-winning photographer Jonathan KnowlesBased in London, Jonathan Knowles specialises in beautifully composed still life photography. His unique photographic style has secured him multiple awards and the opportunity to work with advertising agencies worldwide. This gorgeous 'Lashes - Feathers' image is just one example of stunning still life photography from his awe-inspiring portfolio.
![Life Life](/uploads/1/2/5/7/125752161/619934652.jpg)
24.Magda Indigo's portfolio is full of beautiful still life photography, including this stunning image of some Enoki mushroomsMagda Indigo has been a professional photographer for over 25 years. In that time, she's worked with clients including Harper Collins, Microsoft, Samsung, Hallmark, and American Express. She's also a Getty Images artist. Indigo is recognised mainly for her extraordinary flower, people, and food photography, with these beautiful Enoki mushrooms being a perfect example of the latter. 25.Photographer Peter Zentjens has spent years developing his techniques in order to create beautiful vintage-style images such as this one, titled Forgotten'My most favoured way of visual expression is still life photography,' says photographer Peter Zentjens.
And this passion shines through his brilliant work, much of which has a vintage look and feel to it, as seen in this beautiful image titled Forgotten. Zentjens has spent many years developing his particular style and photography techniques in order to convey the correct mood. 26.Veniamin Skorodumov has created five series of images titled Black and White GeometryRussian artist Veniamin Skorodumov began his photography career in 2005, during which he has built up a portfolio full of landscape, macro, portreit, nude, and still life images. The talents of Skorodumov caught our eye when we came across his brilliant Black and White Geometry series, which is stunning in its simplicity. 27.This is just one amazing example of photographer Anatoly Che's stunning still life workPhotography Anatoly Che is a still life master - his online portfolio literally rammed full of stunning, creative images created from the most ordinary of objects. The talents of this skillful artist shine through his photography, which consistently features precise composition and refined lighting. 28.The simple yet effective photography style of Jenny Van Sommers has secured her work with some of the world's biggest brandsJenny Van Sommers is an award winning still life photographer.
Living and working in London, her unique style has landed her editorial clients include Another Magazine, Vogue, and Ten. She has also worked with Apple, Audi, Hermes, and Nike. Sommers awe-inspiring portfolio, is full of surreal and quirky images such as this headphone and balloon one. 29.Photographer Robert Sulkin has taken many abstract still life images, reflecting his interest in ModernismPhotographer Robert Sulkin has created countless beautiful and intriguing still life images. 'Still life most reflects my interest in Modernism and were constructed to be about perception and illusion,' Sulkin says. It was a difficult choice, but our favourite of his still life work is this interesting iron piece.
30.Skorokhod creates works of art with her still life photographyTatiana Skorokhod creates the kind of still life photography that initially looks like a beautiful painting. Carefully placed objects make this piece a work of art – from the pops of orange across the table to the darker tones in the background, it's a marvel.
What Is the Best Lens for Still Life Photography?As with any, having the right lens to suit the subject you are shooting is crucial. You don’t need a big assortment of lenses to do still life photography. A couple will do the trick.If you’re shooting on a full-frame camera, I suggest starting with a 50mm. You can do and tablescapes, and straight-on shots with this lens.When it comes to still-life photography, a 50mm lens is considered a wide-angle. If you’re only shooting one or two objects, or if your subject is small, there will be too much background in your shot. You’ll also have to get very close to your subject to get rid of what you don’t want in the shot.The scale is an important aspect of still life photography. Some objects can look a lot bigger or taller to the camera.
A lot of background in your shot can dwarf your subject.To shoot still life straight-on, I recommend a 100mm macro lens. A isn’t just for tight, close-up shots. When you’re shooting with a longer lens, you only see the subject and the surface that it’s placed on. If you move farther back from your subject, it’s perfect for portrait style shots. I often shoot still life photos at 70mm or higher on my full-frame camera.If you have the budget, then a 24-70 zoom lens is another great one to have in your kit. A zoom lens is not as sharp as a prime lens, but I have one in Canon’s L-Series, and it’s very sharp.
It’s worth the hefty price tag.If you’re serious about selling your still life photography, then you need sharp, high-resolution shots. This is where the more expensive lenses come in.Use Lighting to Bring our the Best in Your ImagesIf you’re shooting, you will need an system. For editorial style photography, natural light will do you fine.You don’t need to invest in a lot of equipment right off the bat. In fact, you may never need to invest in a lot of equipment. It all depends on what your end goal is. There are excellent photographers who work with natural lighting in every genre.The key to successful still life photography is learning how light works.
Sculpting the light to do what you want is a skill.When shooting straight-on, have your lighting coming from the left side, if possible. Having the light on the left helps lead our eye through the image. The eye is first attracted to lighter and brighter parts of the frame.Do an experiment where you take a shot of a set-up with the light on your left.
Then take another shot with the light coming from your right. Notice how the light affects your scene differently.To get the most out of the natural light, be sure to work with. You will need to redirect some of the light back into your scene. Natural lighting, in particular, falls off quickly.You can buy a 5-in-1 kit that comes with gold, silver, black, and white reflectors.
These usually come with a diffuser, which is key for softening hard or direct sunlight.If you don’t have the budget for a diffuser, try hanging a sheer white curtain in front of your window. You can also buy some pieces of white and black cardboard or poster board. These are inexpensive and can help you shape the light to how you want.Use a Tripod for ConsistencyWorking with a tripod is a must when it comes to still life photography. Still life is a slow and deliberate process of building and assessing.You need to place your subjects onto your set.
Assess your and how the light is hitting your scene, and make adjustments. Sometimes this means adding an element or taking it away and tweaking your still life composition.Working with a tripod frees up your arms to work more carefully and efficiently. It also helps you maintain the same position from shot to shot. This is important if you’re working on a series of still life photos.Be sure to move your tripod around and try shooting from. Working with a tripod doesn’t mean you need to have it in the same place all the time. The great thing about hand-holding your camera is that it can be more freeing. Bring some of that same freedom into working with your tripod.
![Still Life Photos Still Life Photos](http://fc02.deviantart.com/fs48/f/2009/189/d/3/Still_Life_03_by_designjit.jpg)
Try different heights and angles. You can move around your set if need be, but just be sure not to cast a shadow onto your scene.You can also get an extension arm for your tripod. This way, you can hang your camera over your set-ups for flatlays. Overhead shots have a more graphic quality. These are great for fitting several elements into a scene.
The angle flattens everything and diminishes depth.Having a shutter release is also useful. When photographing still life in natural light, you may have to use slower shutter speeds.
Even when you’re on a tripod, pressing the shutter can create a minute vibration. This may introduce camera shake into your images and prevent them from looking sharp. A can prevent this. If you’re shooting, you can also use the program to activate the shutter.Find Unique Props for Still Life PhotosThe right prop can enhance your still life photography ideas. You will already have many household items that can be used for props, such as old books, teapots, or glasses.Even shots of antique cutlery or fresh vegetables can make nice still life shots – perfect for kitchen prints.Look around your home and think about the items you have and how you can put a few together to make a story.
Make sure that the props you use work together visually. For example, if you’re doing a vintage look, keep everything vintage looking. Don’t use shiny flatware in rose gold alongside an antique silver tray.
It may look pretty, but visual storytelling is not all about creating something beautiful. You also need to be cohesive.Flowers can be considered a prop and add a beautiful touch to flatlays or lifestyle-based photography. They can be photographed on their own to create beautiful floral still life pictures.Think about texture and colours when choosing your props. I recommend that most of your props be neutral.
They will work together for many shots, and you can get a lot of use out of them. Sometimes if a prop is too colourful it can draw the eye away from the main subject.Shiny items can be quite problematic in still life photography. Product photographers can take a whole day to get one decent shot of a shiny kitchen appliance. This is because the shine reflects all the surroundings.These reflections take time to manage and can be difficult. You might have already noticed this if you have shot cutlery or glassware of any sort. There is a product on the market by Krylon called “Dulling Spray” that can be found at craft stores.
You can spray it on these items to reduce the glare. Keep in mind that doing so makes these items no longer food safe.
Personally, I keep my props separate from my everyday kitchen items.Use the Right BackgroundWhether you’re shooting from overhead or straight on, you will need a proper background for your still life photography. There are companies that sell professional backgrounds for food and still life photography. You can also make your own with a bit of elbow grease and ingenuity for a fraction of the price.This is another area where you can unleash your creativity. The possibilities are endless. One of my favourite backgrounds for still life photography are pieces of painted canvas. You can buy a large canvas painter’s drop cloth and some paint samples from the hardware store.
These create backdrops with a beautiful and subtle texture. They are inexpensive and can be rolled up and stored away easily.You can also buy sheets of pine wood or laminate and paint them. Search online for “paint effects” to give you ideas about textures and colour combinations you can use.I’m partial to a concrete look, or three or four colours layered on top of one another. Thin pieces of wood can be painted and placed together. It mimics the look of a picnic table, as in the image above.It’s best to use backgrounds in neutral or subtle colours that will not overpower your subjects. It will also mean that your backgrounds can be used in many ways.Black, white and greys are good choices, as well as brown and shades of blue that are not too bright.Plan Your ShootPhotography can get technical.
We sometimes lose sight of the artistic side.Take your time to think about the visual story you want to tell and the best way to execute it. I like to do sketches and keep all of my photo ideas written down in a book.Having a rough idea in your head of what you want your final image to look like. A certain vision may mean sourcing or purchasing props or fabric, or botanical elements. Another fun approach is to grab a few random items.
See if any of them work together to create a visual story! But again – keep it cohesive. Implement Compositional Theory to Still Life PhotosThe rules of composition are not really rules; they’re more like guidelines to help you take better pictures. Art is highly subjective.
A picture can still be amazing even if it doesn’t fall into a prescribed aesthetic.That said, the best photographs usually do follow compositional theory in some way, whether it’s intentional or by accident. Take the time to study composition for still life photography ideas. Artbooks are particularly good for this. Still life photography is a genre which closely follows painting.When it comes to composition, a particularly useful concept to get intimately familiar with is the. This is a mathematical concept that expresses a phenomenon of symmetry found in nature. When implemented in art and design, it helps create compositions that are pleasing to the eye.Several post-processing programs have compositional grids that express the Golden Ratio. You can overlay these on your still life photo to help your cropping.
Or even use them in creating your compositions if you’re shooting tethered.Remember that colour is also an important aspect of still life composition. Refer to the colour wheel to help you plan your colour schemes. Colours that are opposite on the colour wheel, like blue and orange, are complementary colours.Colour can also be an important part of your still life photography style. If you look at the most popular accounts on Instagram, you’ll see that most have a consistent colour palette.Develop Your EyeEvocative still life photography depends on a strong. The more you do something, the better you get at it. This is true with photography. Practice is important.Observe the textures in the world around you.
Study the paintings of the Old Masters. Notice the lighting in the works of Vermeer and Caravaggio, or the compositions of Cezanne.Studying the form, colours, and various shades used in still life painting will help you enormously in your still life photography. Becoming visually fluent involves constant and careful observation.Get Creative With Editingcan give you all you need to make unique and beautiful still life photos.I don’t recommend them for food shots, but Lightroom or Photoshop actions can be useful to create a workflow. This will cut down on the time that you spend in front of the computer.If you’re working in Lightroom with some presets you like, study the settings to understand how they affect elements of the image. Presets can also be a great starting point that you can tweak to your individual taste and aesthetic.
We have a great article on using for you can check too.Post-processing your still life shots can be quite involved, depending on what genre of still life you’re shooting. Requires subtlety to keep it looking appetising and real.
But florals or images suitable for art prints allow you to get really creative with your colours and tones.To learn more about Lightroom, try our course. ConclusionThe most important thing to remember is to take your time! Still life photography is not something to undertake while the clock is ticking.I find that when I’m in a rush or just shooting to get it done, my flow is off and my pictures don’t turn out the way I want them to. Set aside enough time to work your and play around with your still life photography ideas.When in doubt, keep it simple. Sometimes the most beautiful compositions are the most minimal.Looking for some creative still life ideas? Check out our tutorial for fun food photos!
![](/uploads/1/2/5/7/125752161/885098582.jpg)