How To Light a Still Life

  • April 18, 2008
  • 3,137 Views
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Objects don’t move, are easy to set up, and with a little creativity you can really get some interestingly beautiful shots.

You Will Need

  • A camera
  • An arrangement of objects or still life
  • Work or studio space
  • 1 to 2 lights
  • Soft box
  • And a backdrop or natural environment
How To Light a Still Life: Arrange set & still life

Step 1: Arrange set & still life

Begin to arrange the set and still life.

How To Light a Still Life: Mount camera on tripod

Step 2: Mount camera on tripod

Mount your camera on the tripod.

How To Light a Still Life: Arrange backdrop

Step 3: Arrange backdrop

If you’re using a backdrop, arrange the backdrop behind the arrangement at a minimum of 6 feet away from the subject.

Your still lifes can take on life of their own and really “pop” off the page just by keeping your backgrounds simple and clean.

How To Light a Still Life: Position lights

Step 4: Position lights

Position one light — with a soft box mounted onto it — at the same height as the subject, and at 90º angles from the camera and subject. This will create a dramatic soft light.

How To Light a Still Life: Select your film, aperture, and shutter speed

Step 5: Select your film, aperture, and shutter speed

Select film, aperture and shutter speed that are appropriate for your lighting conditions.

Make sure not to select a shutter speed that is too fast for your camera’s optimal sync speed.

How To Light a Still Life: Focus

Step 6: Focus

Focus on your subject.

How To Light a Still Life: Compose your shot

Step 7: Compose your shot

Compose your shot.

How To Light a Still Life: Shoot away

Step 8: Shoot away

Take as many shots as you can, each time varying your composition slightly.

Georgia O’Keefe, who is known for her still life paintings of flowers, was married to the famed photographer Alfred Stieglitz.

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Comments (1)

deltenney

Very interesting and very helpful! Appreciated the tips on shooting still life photographs.

over 2 years ago by deltenney

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