Tabletop photography

Generally speaking for photographers, still life photography or, among them, tabletop photography is a good medium for further practice and to improve the technical and artistic skills . The following blog post explains tips from photographers on how to set up and design a tabletop photography. Since the still life photography basically benefits from inanimate objects such as decoration, plants, food, etc., it is a very thoughtful and calm type of photography that is not based on spontaneity or random snapshots.

Table photography is a type of still life photography that can be described by the composition of the elements on a table surface. Here, the disciplines of food photography and product photography come together. Since mostly the objects of these types are also on a surface or a table surface.

As already mentioned, many photographers do not always use the medium of tabletop photography purely for commercial purposes, as it gives you the opportunity to try out a lot. Here you can look closely at the various light situations and what influences the texture and color of a substrate have. For example, you would see how well a light from the side comes from a weaker light source that brings out textures and materials. In addition, you have a great responsibility as a designer, because ultimately every aspect of the image can be influenced by the photographer.

Away from the sales or presentation idea, table photography does not always have to advertise a product or food. It can also create a pure mood picture or try to tell a story. Because the objects themselves also have a strong narrative character.

What do you need for table photography? As a specialist, you naturally benefit from professional and correspondingly expensive equipment. Nevertheless, no designer should be stopped by this, as you can create amazing photographs alone in a living room with basic equipment. Here you can orientate yourself on many creative DIY solutions.

Guide to the necessary equipment

– Any kind of camera. Of course, the quality and the possibilities of post-processing increase if you use a digital camera and not your own mobile phone. However, you shouldn’t be limited to trying table photography even if you don’t have a professional camera model.

– Different materials in different colors and shades to line the sub and background for the scene.

– Reflectors are essential to guide the light back into the scene and thus to highlight it. Here, too, there are simple alternative solutions if you don’t have a reflector.

– A stable surface, which also fits in the format, is the base level for table photography, which with this medium always plays a role as a presentation surface.

– Props are crucial in order to steer the mood of the table photography into a certain style. Here it is of course interesting if you rummage through the attic or look for treasures at flea markets

– Light set ups decide in which direction the photo will develop. A low key setup creates a completely different mood compared to a high key set up and must also be made depending on the choice of object.

Quellen:

https://expertphotography.com/complete-guide-still-life-table-top-photography/

https://www.enjoyyourcamera.com/Blickschule/Foto-Tutorials/Foto-Tutorial-Tabletop-Fotografie::14865.html

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabletop-Fotografie