Still Life In The Studio

Ian Pack uses Rotolight’s ultra portable, powerful AEOS and NEO 2 bi-colour LED lights, to shoot still life in the studio

- Ian Pack

As the seasons change it’s good to give studio still-life photography a go. Don’t be put off by ‘studio’; just about any space can be made into a temporary studio with some simple gear, including a table, background, and few clamps. Backgrounds need not be large or expensive; many can be bought in a local hobby, craft or fabric shops.

A favourite subject for studio still-life photography are flowers and nature. Florists’ shops are the best source as the blooms will be stored in cool temperature in a controlled environment. It’s best to buy the flowers no longer than a day before you intend to photograph them so that they look pristine.

When photographing flowers inside, place them in a vase of water. Much of the time I use a small clamp and articulated arm for precise positioning control and then place the stems in water when done.