Taking photographs of inanimate objects is an art in itself. While it may look simple, the reality is that there are a lot of things to consider in order to create a good still life photo. The best ones have skills that go beyond photography and into art design or even philosophy. Each frame must convey a message and it should do so effectively. Perhaps the most well-known application of this is food photography as we frequently see ads from restaurants and manufacturers that are trying to entice us to try their offerings. Product photography has also taken off since the boom in e-commerce. Of course, the more artistic side of the genre continues to thrive.
Selection
Still life photography Los Angeles begins with the selection of objects to be included in the frame. This makes it quite different from other genres such as landscape and street photography in which subjects are already there in the real world. The photographers cannot impose on what the subjects must look like. He or she can only take a snap of what’s already there. When photographing still life, every element can be finely tuned. For example, the types of flowers in a vase can be selected to evoke a certain color combination or a certain season. The kinds of food set in a table can also be limited to the main course or include some of the ingredients or desserts.
Arrangement
Once the objects have been assembled, the photographer will have to arrange them in the most logical manner. It may seem trivial by the way that the objects are set on a table can tell a great deal about the message behind the image. Of course, it could simply be a matter of aesthetics with people aiming for symmetrical arrangements and so forth. However, there is usually more behind it with certain colors being presented at the foreground and others at the background. Putting specific objects within close proximity can also change the context.
Lighting
Just like any other type of photography, it is important to control the light. The only way to capture a good picture is to make sure that the quantity and the quality of light, as well as the angle at which it strikes the subjects evoke the right atmosphere. Natural light is often preferred in this genre. If it is too harsh, then diffusion can be used to soften the contrast.
Framing
If there are a lot of objects on a table, then the framing will be quite important. Which parts of the arrangement will the photographer focus on? Will he zoom it on the main subject or include the surrounding objects? From what angle will he take the shot? Will he attack it from the front, the top, the side, or an angle? A still life photography Los Angeles expert can answer all these questions with ease and produce excellent results.
