Still life is a unique genre of photography. The depiction of dead and motionless objects is described as still life. Painting classified it in its own artistic genre since the early 17th century, although it had been known since ancient times. After that, different types of representation developed over the next few centuries. From initially realistic and iconographic paintings to later reduced, abstract and expressive portraits, one finally arrived at photography.
A still life is a work of art that focuses on inanimate subjects. Still life photography is quite interesting because often ordinary objects are highlighted from everyday life and thus they are given increasing attention. With these “lifeless” objects in particular, it is all the more important to arrange the design of the photograph in an interesting way. With arrangements, compositions, lighting conditions and the choice of picture elements one tries to breathe life into the lifeless objects. At best you can tell a story or work symbolically with this type of representation. The designer therefore has the freedom to arrange the objects according to his own wishes. Thus, great importance is attached to the arrangement of the objects, the lighting and the framing.
Types of still life photography
Tabletop photography: It is the most common type of still life. This category is all about capturing objects that are small enough to fit on a table. The objects can be anything that is lifeless. Food, clothing or plants etc.
Product photography: Product photography can be treated as a type of still life. However, what differs in product photography is that the main objective is to present a product. Much more than a conceptual arrangement. Here you try not to include too many props or distractions in order to generate attention entirely with the product itself. In contrast, still life shots are more artistically motivated and offer more opportunities to be creative.
Food photography: It is a very important sub-category of still life that is closely related to product photography. The main goal here is to present food in an attractive way. However, in comparison to product photography, in food photography the staging pays even more attention to the backgrounds and accessories. Playing with attributes and symbols is even more present in food photography than in commercial product photography. In still life photography itself this is used even more.
Found object photography: Photos of found objects also count as still life photography. It involves placing found object art in an unusual, modified context. Here, old, classic subjects from painting are often used and associated with contemporary food.
Quellen:
https://hobbeasy.de/stillleben/
https://www.format.com/magazine/resources/photography/still-life-photography-ideas-and-tips
