Getting Started with Still Life Photography...

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Your Homemade Studio

You don't need a studio or amazingly fancy lighting in order to achieve some of the most popular still life photography shots that you see on deviantART. I take most of my still life photography shots on the window sill in my bedroom because the colour is neutral and the lighting best.

You can start pretty much anywhere in the home - using a backdrop of mottled glass will give a different effect to plain glass and so on - the possibilities are pretty much endless! Using paper, books, scarfs or other bits of material can provide excellent backdrops. Raindrops on windows can create a fantastic bokeh...

Your Subject

 
Fruit and Flowers are overdone. It's true. But that doesn't mean that you shouldn't try them out and if you have a creative concept in mind go for it. However there is so much more out there that can be the subject of your Still Life Photo shoot. Different types of food, cutlery, cups, books, ornaments, dolls, sweets, jewellery..and so on. Have a wander around the house and through the still life galleries on deviantART and you are bound to find some inspiration.
 

Lights

If I want to light something I use a little up lighter thing that cost around £3. It's sort of like a torch. Be careful about what light you go for, soft orange is best as it can be cooled afterwards in Photoshop whereas warming up cold lighting can look quite garish. As I mentioned before, use the window too! Natural light is the best kind for still life photography.

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And Finally

Be creative - let go of constraints and concerns you have in your art and just give it a go!