Still lifes

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This is something I've been wanting to try: still lifes in B&W and color. I'll probably use my DSLR for it, but am mostly wondering about how to set it up. I've never used a backgroud before--should I just buy some gray cloth, or is it worth buying a professional background or two? Would I hang it, then drape the lower half over a table? If you have some tips or ideas, or could post a few of your still lifes, I'd appreciate it.

I'm not planning on doing, you know, fruit. It will be weird stuff. I kind of want it to look like an old creepy Dutch painting, except with new things--toys, technology. I'd like to create a strange little story out of disparate objects.
 
35mmdelux said:
window light, table top, best background white roll paper (to accentuate the colors).
Click to expand...

I have the perfect place to do the window light, actually--that is my plan. But I'm a little attached to the idea of gray, esp. for the color ones. Some example photos could convince me otherwise though...
 
I like grey and I used a grey backdrop all the time. Its a personal choice of course. These days I blow out the background irrespective of what it may be. I shoot close up with 90mm (135 format) or 120mm (6x6 format). I dont shoot still life anymore but if did Id go with roll paper since it provides a seamless backgorund.

EDIT: Ck out Jan Groover's kitchen still lifes: http://mocoloco.com/art/archives/002132.php
 
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"I kind of want it to look like an old creepy Dutch painting"

I'd start by checking out what creepy old Dutch painters used 🙂

Honestly, the lighting, background, palette, etc. are boing to be what makes people think "creepy Dutch" rather than "product placement."
 
The answers to your questions are in those "creepy Dutch paintings." There was no seamless paper back then of any color...

Your characterization (and generalization) about Dutch still life paintings is a bit odd, I'd say. There were many individual artists and the mood of their painting varied quite a bit. Which artists or paintings do you consider creepy?

It's been a while since I've read about Dutch painting, but if I'm not mistaken there is some discussion of Vermeer's (possible?) use of the camera obscura, which resulted in his playing with the photographic concept of depth of field, or focus point, in his paintings. Might be an interesting thing to look into, and to consider when you do your project.

EDIT: Going back to this, I have to admit your comment is really nagging me. "Creepy Dutch paintings" is like saying, "all that Baroque art with the frilly, puffy angels"... an unfortunate phrase I myself used before I took an art history class in Baroque and Rococo, waaay back in art school (and realized my ideas about Baroque art were totally wrong). 😱
 
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Check out the many camera stil lives we have on RFF. I find some very good technically, for instance Justin's or Jon's.

Also, have a look at "Photostudio in a box". If your items are not too big, it works well, including two lights, screens, and backdrop.

I was just playing around with my 75 Summilux and Arista 100 last week and got this:

620173560_GarDJ-L.jpg


Cheers,

Roland.
 
I have a collapsible light box, about 14x14 in. It came with two side lights to shine through the side panels. It also came with a reversable gray/blue background cloth.
I prefer a draped cloth with gentle folds but it has been a long time since I did still life. I did use black satin with a shiny surface but lint was a problem. Black, however, may give you the 'dutch painting' look, especially with folds. I think they used a dark green/dark blue mix to get the 'creepy' look you want.
I'll see if I can find an example.
 
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