Sunday, April 28, 2013

Tips for Lighting Still Life photos

In creating a dynamic still life image, the photographer uses light to add depth, mood and interest. While lighting is the most important element, it is not complicated. Here are some tips and ideas to help you get the perfect still life shot every time.

If you use lighting in a directional manner, you will bring out texture. Lighting from the sides is the best way to bring out the contrast between highlights and shadows. Use this to give images greater depth and dimension.

In order to be sure that you obtain proper contrast, your lights need to be varied from one to the next. Therefore, your main needs to be the brightest, no matter what source you are using. Your secondary should simply provide the proper fill effect.

Keep the background simple! Fluffs and folds might be appropriate in some situations but are usually more of distraction than not. Just try keep the idea of 'simple and smooth' in your head when you're setting up this type of shot.

Don't be afraid to experiment with angles. When setting up the scene in your studio, you can think about the relationship of the subject to the camera and also the lights to the subject. You can give something ordinary an interesting new perspective when you change up the angles.

Think about the shape of your subject in three dimensions. That's the way we see, so images that are able to draw the viewer in or bring the subject out, are the most pleasing to the eye. Highlighting along the sides will help accomplish this.

Whether or not you shoot professionally or not, spending some time in the studio with a still life, will help you understand the way this element impacts your images.

Thanks for checking in & happy shooting,
Tom

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