Still lifeFakehorizons,objects
arrangedinthrees,andbits
offlattenedbark– welcome
to the world of the still lifeTechnique TIPS AND TRICKS6 1Observethelight
If you’reusinga windowasa lightsource(my
favourite)trytoleaveyourset-upin placesothatyoucan
seewhathappensasthelightchangesthroughouttheday.
Analternativeis a smallLEDGOlightputthrough a diffuser
toachievethesameresult.TimClinch,
http://www.timclinchphotography.com63
Shoparound
If you’relookingfortextured
backdropsforstill-lifearrangementshead
toyourlocalcarbootsale.I recentlypicked
upthreesheetsofflattenedbarkforjust
£1froma floristhavinga clear-out.You
canalsopickupoldpiecesofmetal,
woodandfabric.Tr ac yC al der,
http://www.cupoty.com
6 4
Makesmall
movements
Makelotsofsmalladjustments.Moving
anelementjusta centimetrecanmake
allofthedifferencetothefinishedpicture.
Thecloseryouare,themorecritical
thisbecomes.TimClinch,
http://www.timclinchphotography.com
6 5
Haveago
Youmaythinkyouneeda fancy
studioandaccesstoexpensivelightsto
havea goatstill-lifephotographybutthat’s
simplynotthecase.A pieceofcardanda
lampcandojustasgooda jobif you’re
smartabouthowyougoaboutit.A mobile
phoneis alsoa greatlightingtool,and
tabletsandlargephonesmakegreat
backgroundsforsmallproductshots.AP
6 6
Collectprops
Buildupa collectionofversatile
props:enameljugs,vases,scrapsoffabric,
antiquecutleryetc.I’vebeencollectingold
upholsteryscissorsandjellymouldsfor
a whilenow,andit’samazinghowoften
theycomein useful.Tr ac y C al der,
http://www.cupoty.com
6 7
Slowdown
Planyourpicture.Sketchout
ideas,drawa storyboard,andlookatother
artworks– especiallypaintingsbytheold
masters– forideas.Moveobjectsaround
untilthebalancebetweenthemfeels right.
Above all, take your time.AP
5 9Looktothehorizon
Usea horizonline.Thisline
anchorsanimageontosomethingby
takingyoureyestraighttotheobject
of thepicture,thusintroducingan
elementof stabilitytothescene
in frontof you.TimClinch,
http://www.timclinchphotography.com6 2Useoddnumbers
Whenarrangingyourstill-lifescenesuseodd
numbersratherthaneven.Threeobjectsinvariablywork
betterthantwoorfour.I genuinelyhavenoideawhy,
butit’strue.Tryit yourselfandfindout.Tim Clinch,
http://www.timclinchphotography.com60Thinkabout
thestyling
Withfoodphotography,attention
todetailis key.Asidefromthe
arrangementof thefood,thinkabout
theplateandthesurfaceunderneath- doyouwanta rusticfeelorsomething
morecleanandcontemporary?For
a simplelightingset-up,shootside-on
toa windowwitha reflectoropposite
yoursubject.JamesPaterson,
http://www.patersonphotos.com
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