Still Life Photography: Lighting and Composition

Queen of the advertising sector, still life photography is the art of portraying an inanimate subject in an original and attractive way, enhancing its aesthetic based on a studied integration of backgrounds and props.

Massimo Bianchi is an expert in this photographic genre, which blends research, technical expertise, and narrative ability. In this online course, he reveals the composition and lighting techniques that allow you to create a series of three still life shots, using continuous light, flash and backlighting, and gradually increasing the level of difficulty.

Meet Massimo Bianchi. He tells you about his role models, from Irving Penn to William Turner, and about the important clients he’s established partnerships with over the years.

After reviewing the equipment needed for the course, begin developing your project concept from a set of references. Massimo then invites you to distance yourself from your ideas and to metabolize the initial idea into something more personal. Start by putting the props together, then analyze some examples of settings with your teacher’s help.

Next, see how to set up the three sets for the photoshoot, before selecting props, and taking your first shot of a floral still life. Discover how to guarantee the balance of the composition, along with the right amount of contrast. For this exercise, use continuous light, such as sunlight coming through a window. Your second image will portray a fashion accessory, while the third and final image will feature a series of transparent objects against a backlit scene. Massimo explains in detail how to set the lighting and shoot professionally.

Once your photos are ready, turn your attention to post-production. To start, choose your favorite setup, then select the best shots, taking the best parts of each and merging them into one image. In the retouching phase, your teacher shows you his entire editing process.