STILL LIFE WITH ONE FLOWER. SHOW THE FEELING OF ISOLATION OR LONLINESS

DUE MARCH 31

We are going to create a simple still life.

The client is asking for a minimalist approach. His shop is quite modern and he sells… whatever it is you are going to shoot.

He wants a single flower in the shot.

A single flower.

Whether we shoot editorial or advertising, the world of still life will always be something we need to be familiar with. Fashion shooters are often called on to shoot inanimate still life. So are corporate, travel and environmental shooters. Even portrait photographers have been called upon to shoot a still life for additional ‘color” images for a magazine story.

Parameters are:

• It should not require more than 20″ x 20″ of set space.
• The objects should be simple and NOT shiny. (Please no chrome or glossy black.)
• The objects should be something you can find around the house, or office, or neighborhood.
• There should be at least 4 items (props) in the shot.
• But only one flower.

Special Note:

Yes, this still life must include a single flower. Fake or real. The flower does not have to be the main focus of the shot, and I do NOT WANT a bunch of flowers to be the shot – and that would not be a ‘single flower’. In other words, the client wants a flower for a reason (we don’t really know), we add it into the mix of other items. It must not be the focus of your shot, but it has to ‘complete’ the shot and not look like something we threw into the mix without reason.

Lighting for this shot should be diffused. Not direct sun, nor direct flash.

If you are using sunlight, use a scrim for dealing with the sun, or work in the shade.

You may, however, use a hard light for a slight kicker, but in addition to the softer light, not instead of it.

If you are using a strobe, please use a diffusion scrim, softbox or soft lighter. For information on making a scrim, see the Natural Light Workshop at UDEMY. All 2014 members should be working on that program as well.

This still-life will be a vertical shot (portrait) and in color. Manipulated color is fine if that is your style, but not black and white or monochrome for this shot.

Make sure the still life has texture and shape to it.

Shooting Suggestions:

• A comfortable work space.
• Tripod for ease of shooting.
• Shoot “Tethered” if you can.
• If you choose to shoot from overhead, consider working on the floor so you don’t have to climb a stepladder for every shot.
• Backgrounds, if they show, should be appropriate.
• Choose an angle that shows off your subject well, and presents the textures and shapes to best result.
• Consider different lenses. A long, telephoto lens will do something much different with the subject, than a very short, wide lens will do. The telephoto compresses, and the wide angle creates depth. Lenses in the middle range are more ‘normal’ in how they render the point of view.

Begin to gather props now, please, in anticipation of the shoot. Do not wait for the due date to get these things together, and be prepared for a couple of reshoots as you work through the imagery… having two weeks to do this shot gives you time to work out the kinks.

A Lighting Essentials article on doing a very simple still life with natural light.

Some inspiration for you”
Google Images
Vanessa Rees
Adam Voorhes
Two still life shooters, two different styles. What is YOUR style preference?

Some good Youtube Videos on shooting a still life:

FORMER STUDENT INSPIRATION
(ALTHOUGH THEY COULD USE MORE THAN ONE FLOWER… YOU CANNOT.)