Still life photography is a genre of photography that focuses on capturing inanimate objects or subject matters. It is similar to still life painting, where the photographer arranges a small group of objects to create a composition. This genre gives the photographer more freedom in the arrangement of design elements within a composition compared to other photographic genres, such as landscape or portrait photography. Lighting and framing are important aspects of still life photography composition.
Man-made objects like pots, vases, consumer products, handicrafts, etc., or natural objects like plants, fruits, vegetables, food, rocks, shells, etc., can be taken as subjects for still life photography. Typically, still life photos are not close up to the subject nor far away, but at a very head-on angle. The art in still life photography is often in the choice of objects that are being arranged and the lighting rather than the skill of the photographer.
Still life photography is a great place to start for new photographers to experiment with light, materials, textures, and subjects in a controlled setting. It is also a great way for pros to test new ideas or hone their craft. Still life photography encompasses many styles, including tabletop photography, product photography, food photography, found object photography, and more.
In summary, still life photography is a unique genre of photography that focuses on capturing inanimate objects or subject matters arranged in a composition. It is a great way for photographers to experiment with lighting, materials, textures, and subjects in a controlled setting.
