Still Life Photography WHO ARE THE PHOTOGRAPHERS? Elizabeth Coffman 4-H Photography Project Leader Bell County Emma Coffman Age 16 Christian Coffman Age 13 Our work located on: www.redbubble.com/people/emmaleigh.
Download ReportTranscript Still Life Photography WHO ARE THE PHOTOGRAPHERS? Elizabeth Coffman 4-H Photography Project Leader Bell County Emma Coffman Age 16 Christian Coffman Age 13 Our work located on: www.redbubble.com/people/emmaleigh.
Still Life Photography WHO ARE THE PHOTOGRAPHERS? Elizabeth Coffman 4-H Photography Project Leader Bell County Emma Coffman Age 16 Christian Coffman Age 13 Our work located on: www.redbubble.com/people/emmaleigh Still Life Photography • This class is designed for 4-Hers who: – Love taking photos – Are beginner or advanced beginner photographers – Don’t fully understand photography composition – Want to learn effective still life lighting • Requirement: Willing to listen, learn and TRY techniques presented Agenda • • • • • • • • • • • • Defining Still Life Photography 4 TIPS Concept of Simplicity Challenging Yourself Equipment/Background Subject Positioning-1/3 Rule Composition Shapes Composition Angles Lighting Summary Sources Question & Answer • Practical Exercise What is Still Life Photography? • Photography which focuses on inanimate objects • Objects are usually placed by the photographer • Not naturally occuring NOT architecture NOT animals What is Still Life Photography? NOT landscape Can be flowers, but should be more creative! But CAN have landscape In the photo! NATIONAL 4-H CALENDAR WINNER 4 Tips • Collect items you admire – Assemble items to create a unique statement – Odd numbers work best • Keep it simple – What is your SUBJECT??? • “Pop” your photos – Use of RED – Use of WATER • Use backdrop and lighting to emphasize photo – not destract National 4-H Calendar Winner Simplicity • Begin with SINGLE dominant subject • Establish Common THEME • Add other items one at a time • TRIPOD camera • Look at arrangement through camera • Alter to improve Challenge Yourself • Make a Personal Statement – Use items that mean something to you • Have a Theme • Experiment in Light, Shape, Color & Composition Equipment/Background • 1-2 yards cloth – Not shiny material – NO wrinkles (unless that is supposed to be part of the photo) Using fabric for background Equipment/Background • Backdrop paper (called “Seamless”) – Available at photo/art stores – More expensive – Easiest to work with Using “Seamless” for background Equipment/Background • Posterboard – Taped to table – Photo Light Tent Posterboard taped to table Posterboard inside homemade photo light tent Subject Positioning 1/3 Rule • Separate your photo into 3 equal segments – Left to right – Top to bottom • Place your subject where the lines intersect Subject Positioning 1/3 Rule Subject Positioning 1/3 Rule Subject Positioning 1/3 Rule Subject Positioning 1/3 Rule Subject Positioning 1/3 Rule EVERY rule can be broken! 1/3 Rule is NOT applied in this award winning photo Subject Positioning 1/3 Rule YOUR Turn! A B Subject Positioning 1/3 Rule YOUR Turn! A B Subject Positioning 1/3 Rule YOUR Turn! A B Composition Shapes • • • • • • Use ODD # of items Triangle Circle/Oval Diagonal “S” Curve Repetitive Composition Shapes Triangle composition Composition Shapes Where is the focus of the photo? Much BETTER!! Oval composition: Eye Flower Nose Composition Shapes Circle composition Composition Shapes Triangle AND Circle composition Composition Shapes Diagonal Line Composition Composition Shapes “S” composition Composition Shapes Repetitive Composition Photography Composition Shapes YOUR Turn! A B C Composition Angles • Position of light to subject – Above – Below – Side Lighting from the SIDE Lighting from ABOVE Composition Angles • Position of subject to camera – Camera located BELOW subject – Camera located EVEN w/subject – Camera located ABOVE subject Camera BELOW subject Camera EVEN w/subject Camera ABOVE subject Photography Lighting • Flash/Fill Flash – Hot shoe – Tissue paper trick – Bouncing light Flash device mounted on a hot shoe Photography Lighting Types • Reflectors • Filtered Light – Window – Light Tent Photographers using homemade photo light tents Photography Lighting • Natural Lighting – Golden Hour • Outdoor Lighting Types – Side – Front – Overhead – Backlight “Golden Hour” (Best lighting) 1 hour after sunrise 1 hour before sunset Trick to adjusting exposure: Try moving the Exposure Compensation button either -/+ to darken or lighten photo Outdoor Lighting Side Lighting Outdoor Lighting Front Lighting This is the hardest light to work with – notice the squinting? Outdoor Lighting Overhead Lighting Outdoor Lighting NATIONAL 4-H CALENDAR WINNER “FILTERED LIGHT” Overhead Lighting through Trees Outdoor Lighting Back Lighting Can make a very pleasing photo! LET’S PUT IT ALL TOGETHER! GOOD LIGHTING subject Simplicity 1/3 Rule Use of RED Odd number of items Still Life Photography YOUR turn! This is a good example of ________. A.1/3 RULE B.CIRCULAR COMPOSITION C.SIMPLICITY Still Life Photography YOUR turn! NATIONAL 4-H CALENDAR WINNER This is a good example of ________. A.USE OF RED TO POP PHOTO B.1/3 RULE C.DIAGONAL COMPOSITION Still Life Photography YOUR turn! This is a good example of ________. A.SIDE LIGHTING B.ODD NUMBER OF ITEMS C.OVERHEAD CAMERA ANGLE Still Life Photography YOUR turn! This is a good example of ________. A.SIMPLICITY B.ODD NUMBER OF ITEMS C.RULES CAN BE BROKEN Summary • Good still lifephotos require a bit of thought – – – – Have a main subject Keep it SIMPLE “POP” your photos Use backdrop and lighting to your advantage • Follow the rules of composition, but don’t be afraid to BREAK THEM on occasion! • HAVE FUN! Wanna Learn More? • www.picturecorrect.com • www.shutterbug.com • www.digital-photographyschool.com • www.ephotozine.com • www.photoinf.com • www.photographyicon.com • 4-H Guide: Digital Photography Book • 4-H Photography Curriculum (available on www.4-hmall.org) • Photography magazines (I like Popular Photography and Outdoor Photography) As you can SEE, we are done. Do you have any QUESTIONS? STILL LIFE Practical Exercise • Select background fabric • Select items that go together (Remember odd number rule) • Have a SUBJECT in your photo! • Pop your photo with color or water • Use a tripod • Return items to table when done • PLEASE do not cut, break or alter borrowed items. They are NOT YOURS!