19 Superb Still Life Photographs For At-Home Photography Inspiration
Feeling a lack of inspiration for photography at home? Are creative ideas eluding you? Why don’t you give still life photography a try. Subjects for still life photography can be easily found at home – vases, pots, handicrafts, fruits, vegetables, and even food. Any inanimate objects can be used. The challenge lies in framing those elements and utilizing the right kind of lighting, to get satisfying results.
The History and Definition of Still Life
The still life genre, of course, comprises all images featuring inanimate subjects, from food to objects found around the house. Still life photographs can include any item that does not move (e.g., office supplies, kitchen utensils, etc.) or has died (e.g., cut or pressed flowers, plucked fruits). In 1860, the early English photographer Roger Fenton faced a new challenge when confined to his home due to terrible, unpredictable weather. The renowned landscape photographer suddenly found himself cut off from the gorgeous countryside, unable to produce the kinds of pictures that had made him famous. But instead of packing away the camera, he began to create lush still lives indoors, using lilies, ferns, roses, grapes, and plums to create bountiful arrangements.
Those simple still lifes remain some of the most iconic pictures in recent history, rivaling even his epic landscapes. More than a century and a half later, they still feel fresh and modern. Roger Fenton’s story serves as a powerful reminder that the simplest objects and the most modest of means can form the foundation for extraordinary images.
Mastering Composition and Style
One advantage of shooting still lives is that you have maximum control over not only the light and composition but also the mood and atmosphere of your work. The true magic of this genre lies in the fact that it can be as conventional or experimental as you wish. More traditional still lives might follow in the vein of 17th-century European paintings, where imported flowers and fruits represented the earth’s rich and decadent pleasures. On the other hand, you can take a pop-art inspired approach with bright colors and mundane, everyday objects.
When shooting still lives, feel free to take your time planning and refining your composition. To help guide your process, consider the following conventions:
- Rule of thirds: Positioning elements along grid lines for balance.
- Leading lines: Guiding the viewer's gaze through the frame.
- Rule of odds: Using an odd number of objects (e.g., three or five) to make for a more dynamic image than an even number.
Weigh the pros and cons of using a traditional tabletop composition (shot from the side) versus a flat-lay, where every object appears on the same plane. Another important point found in professional images is composition as a way of guiding the viewer's gaze and transforming simple objects into something harmonious and pleasing to the eye.
Case Study: Technique and Gear
Artist Luiz Laercio is a Brazilian photographer who seeks to understand Light and Composition as forms of expression. He chose Still Life as his main style of photography for its ease of work at home and its short production and execution time. Luiz Laercio uses both natural and artificial light as the main point in his photographs, creating the mood of the image. Even with the use of artificial means, his unceasing pursuit is to make his works as natural as possible. He seeks to transform everyday scenes into art, making this a way of expressing himself by bringing feelings into each photo.
The following table outlines the technical specifications and gear used in his specific still life work:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Camera | Hasselblad 500CM |
| Lens | Zeiss 150mm lens |
| Film Stock | Kodak Ektar 100 (saturated color to emulate oil paintings) |
| Color Process | C41 process, Kodak Flexicolor RA |
| B&W Development | Rodinal HC-110 |
| Equipment | Paterson System 4 tanks, Epson V850 wet mounts |
Developing Your Own Ideas
Still lives, whether painted or photographed, often speak in allegory. Once you have your initial concept, refine it, and add as many details as you can. The more fleshed out your idea, the easier it will be to bring to life. If you’d like to learn from specific situation examples, check out case studies for a step-by-step breakdown of the photo creation process and shooting challenges, designed to push you outside your photo comfort zone. These contain unique ideas that you can use to learn and borrow from, helping you to explore your unique creative side through photography.