If you’re new to still-life photography, the following are some basic techniques that you can apply to your images. You can also check out my article about the rules of thirds, how to use a tripod, and how to use strobes and speedlights. However, before using this technique, find the right still photography studio for your project. Hopefully, these techniques will help you capture the essence of the subject you’re photographing.

Rules of thirds:

If you’re taking a picture of still life, you’ve probably come across the popular composition guideline known as the Rule of Thirds. This concept divides the frame into nine equal sections based on two horizontal and vertical lines. The important elements of your scene should fall along the lines or at the points where they intersect. The Rule of Thirds can also be used with the Phi Grid, a grid similar to the rule of thirds. The center lines of this grid express the Golden Ratio of 1:618.

Using a tripod:

If you are shooting still life in an indoor environment with natural light, you may want to use a tripod to ensure that your shots are well-exposed. Using a tripod will also allow you to use long shutter speeds to get a sharp image, as well as help you with composition and a steady camera. Some photographers even use their phones or laptop to connect to their cameras. Regardless of your style, a tripod will be your best friend when shooting still life.

Using speedlights:

If you are looking for more lighting options for your still life photographs, you can use speedlights. These lights can be adjusted with a tripod, and you can use a separate Speedlight for each object in your composition. This is one of the most common methods for capturing great light in still-life photographs. They are also very effective for photographing small objects, like candles and lanterns.

Using strobes:

Using strobes in still-life photographs is an effective way to create dramatic light that will give your subject an impression of movement. Whether you shoot in an indoor or outdoor location, lighting is essential to create a beautiful image. Whether your lighting is natural or artificial, you need to be conscious of color temperature and contrast when choosing a light source. The light should be soft enough to illuminate the object, but strong enough to create an interesting contrast between the subject and its background.