Still Life Photography

An interpretation of inanimate object

WHAT IS STILL LIFE PHOTOGRAPHY

Still life photographs can be just anything that doesn’t move.
An Old Home,Indonesia. (24mm lens, 1/60sec. f/2.8, ISO1250)

We live in a world where there is more and more information, and less and
less meaning. - Jean Baudrillard (1929-2007)

The term still life is derived from the Dutch 'Stilleven', defining still life as a picture
consisting predominantly of inanimate objects. These objects include natural
objects: food, flowers, plants, feathers, rocks, and stone etc. They also include
man-made objects; books, vases, glassware, jars, jewelry, coins, currency, tools,
candy, toys etc. The French give the still life tradition a term "nature morte", it
means dead nature.

As early as 17th century, photographers found inspiration in the still life paintings
and try to get photography accepted as a serious art form. As photography
developed into the twentieth century, many photographers began to engage
with still life images, they are Andre Kertesz, Paul Strand, Edward Weston, Walker
Evans, Jean Baudrillard, just to name a few. For example, Edward Weston
incorporated still life photography in experimentation with organic forms and
connections in nature.
We live in a world where there is more
and more information, and less and
less meaning. - Jean Baudrillard
(1929-2007)
Photo: Tabletop Still Life Photography
could be easily done in a corner of a
house. (35mm lens, 1/250sec, f/1.6, ISO100)
I personally find that outdoor offers a
great opportunity for good still life
photography. We can find plenty
good still life photography outdoor, be
in around our living environment, or
when we are traveling to a new
location. Examples such as leaves
floating in the river, a nice composition
of street objects, an aged window, or
an interesting rock on the beach etc.
With proper observation, we could find
unique subjects and backgrounds. We
may choose still life objects for a
variety of reasons: sometimes we want
the symbolism value of the object to
express a point; sometimes we discover
the objects that hold some forms of
personal interest; sometimes we just
Traditionally still life photography is
usually made in a studio setting where
photographers use precise composition
and controlled lighting to render
shape, establish mood, and draw
viewer’s attention to the subjects.
Comparing to other types of
photography such as landscape or
portraiture photography, it gives
photographers more leeway in the
arrangement of the design elements
within a composition.
we just want to show the truth we have
encountered; sometimes we chose
objects simply they are aesthetically
pleasing.
One of the characteristics of still life
photography is that the photographer
can relax and take the time to shoot.
Unlike the general photography such as
street photography or reportage
photography which is based on the
motion. We often emphasize “decisive
moment” but for still life Photography,
we are shooting the objects that are
not moving, and timing might not be
that critical. On top of that, you don’t
have to seek permission from the
objects you are photographing.
 LIGHT AND SHADOW
There are no limits on
what you can do To photograph is to write with light. It is light and shadows
with still life together that produce a great photograph. When natural
photography, you light falling across a subject provide a sense of shape and
probably can be the depth, makes it three-dimensional.
first person to
photograph a series
of drop leave in the
drain passage, or
develop a personal
portfolio on a still life
photography.

such as the old

windows, followers or
other objects. When
we are shooting still
life outdoor, there are
several things we Photo: Still Life Photography, Blangladesh.
have to keep in (70mm lens, 1/500sec, f/7.1, ISO200)
mind. First, we need a
digital camera with a
standard lens or
zoom lens says
around the range 24-
70mm focal length;
we might consider
using a tripod with
release cable for
long exposure
setting. A flash or LED
light might
be useful for a
situation when fill-in Photo: Still Life Photography, Taiwan.
light is needed. (28mm lens, 1/400sec, f/2.8, ISO500)
 CREATING POWERFUL IMAGE WITH COLOUR

By finding scenes with strong color composition, be it one color against a neutral
background, or one color dominating as the primary color, can generate a
powerful effect.

Photo: Still Life Photography, Taiwan.(28mm lens, 1/400sec, f/2.8, ISO500)

Photo: Still Life, Nepal. (19mm lens, 1/60sec, f/7.6, ISO200)

 LOOKING FOR METAPHORIC VALUE

Looking to capture images that seem to have two meanings: one that shows on
the visual level, and another that the photographer alludes to suggest. This often
makes a photograph interesting and give viewers a chance to interpret the
photograph differently.

Photo: Still Life, Singapore. (28mm lens, 1/800sec, f/2.8, ISO100)

LOOKING FOR METAPHORIC VALUE

By placing the
subject on the focus
points near the
interaction points in
the rule of thirds, we
can give balance
to a composition
while simultaneously
making it more
engaging to the
eyes. Photo: Still Life, Singapore. (35mm, 1/13sec, f/2.8, ISO1250)
 STILL LIFE IN STREET PHOTOGRAPHY

The essence of street photography is about documenting everyday life and

society on the streets, it is also a great opportunity to spot still life when the
photographer is wandering from street to street.

Photo: Still Life, Singapore. (28mm lens, 1/800sec, f/2.8, ISO200)

Photo: Still Life, Guizhou China. (50mm lens, 1/60sec, f/7.1, ISO320)
 SHOOTING STILL LIFE WHEN WE ARE TRAVELING

Shooting still life when we are traveling

When traveling we can break the cross-cultural boundaries and capture still
objects in a different cultural environment.

Photo: Still Life, China. (28mm lens, 1/100sec, f/2.0, ISO80)

Photo: Still Life, Bangkok Thailand. (24mm lens, 1/60sec, f/4.0, ISO250)
About the Contributing Author
Born in Singapore, he has been involved in photographic activity since his school days in
the 1970s. He was awarded Fellowship of the Royal Photographic Society of United
Kingdom in 1988, Galaxy Exhibitor Distinction of the Photography Society of America in
2013 and The Photographer of the Year 2013 by Singapore Ngee Ann Cultural Centre.

Yeo-Kwang’s works includes social documentary, travel and fine-art photography. He

has won more than a hundred international photographic awards including the most
recently the Best Single Image of The Travel Photographer Of The Year Award 2011 and
first place in the Sony World Photographic Awards 2013.

He is a certified photographic instructor and has been involved in a wide array of

photographic activities such as photographic education, assigned documentary
photographic projects and digital editing. He has also contributed as member of jury of
several international photographic competitions.

www.ykyeo.net