48 DIGITAL CAMERA^ FEBRUARY 2022 http://www.digitalcameraworld.comShooting still-life images will help develop your
composition and camera skills, says Dan Mold,
so get creative with these top techniques today!
f you’re looking for a challenge that will
test your camera skills and help you
learn some new ones along the way,
then look no further than still-life
photography. It’s a rewarding genre to
try, because you can get amazing results with some
basic props and everyday household items. But even
if there are some props and items that you don’t
have, then just improvise and use whatever you do
have to hand to get your creative juices flowing.
In this feature you’ll discover how to get pro-quality
images on a budget, from experimenting with
shadows to revealing the intricate detail of a humble
box grater, and how to shoot perfect peonies to
turning your food photos into a sumptuous still life.
We’ll show you how to create five distinctive images
using basic camera gear such as a kit lens, a tripod, a
torch, a flashgun and a reflector – so it doesn’t haveto cost the Earth. You don’t need high-end studio
lighting to achieve outstanding results, although
a macro lens can be beneficial if you do have one.
We’ll also look at how you can start a new photo
project to make use of your new skills and take your
photography in fresh directions through the year.CONTENTS
Start a photo project page 50
Play with shadows 52Fantastic florals 54
Classical compositions 56
Make a splash 58
Play with perspective! 60I
6 FRESH
PHOTO IDEAS
(^1)
TRIPOD
A tripod is a
photographer’s best
friend. It’s particularly
helpful for still-life and
food photography, as you
have the luxury of time
to fine-tune and perfect
your compositions. With
your framing locked off,
you’ll then be able to
move the food around
the frame to get in the
perfect position.
2
MACRO LENS
Want your still-
life shots to feel more
intimate? A macro lens
lets you focus much
closer to your subject.
Look for a ‘true’ macro
lens with a reproduction
ratio of 1:1: this is also
called life-size, as your
subject will be captured
at the same size as if
it was laid across the
camera’s sensor.
(^3)
FLASH
To take more
control over the strength
and spread of light, you
may want to use a flash,
or even multiple flash
heads, to get more of a
studio lighting look.
Employing a couple of
flashguns off-camera
with the use of some
inexpensive flash
triggers is usually the
most affordable route.
4
SOFTBOX
As its name
suggests, a softbox is
a modifier that fits over
your flash and softens
the light coming from
your flashgun or
dedicated flash head.
The larger the softbox is,
the greater the spread
of light will be, and the
softer it will be, too.
A large softbox mimics
gentle window lighting.
5
REFLECTOR
Whether you’re
shooting with flash or
window light, reflectors
are a great way of
bouncing your light
source back at your
subject to help fill in
shadows and reveal
hidden detail. The best
part is that they’re very
cheap; you can even
make your own out of
foam board and tin foil.
FIVE KIT ESSENTIALS FOR YOUR NEW PHOTO SKILLS
Credit