For this photoshoot/these photoshoots, I would like to take object/still life images of objects I have collected from the woodlands in a similar style to the images created by Anna Atkins, Karl Blossfeldt and Henry Fox Talbots images (specifically Talbot’s fern images in his book Pencil of Nature). To create the plain background, I will use a piece of foam board to create a studio to put focus on the object I’m photographing.
What?
I will take images of objects (flowers, rocks, twigs, leaves, bark, etc.) I have taken from woodland areas in a style similar to a formal portrait. My main source of inspiration is Blossfeldt’s work, however I would like to implement colour in these images, as well as create black and white versions in Lightroom after. Blossfeldt’s images also contain the details of each object, while images by Atkins or Talbot are silhouettes of the object, I could explore both during the editing process as well.
Where?
The studio I will use will be at my home, using the natural lighting from windows or even directly outside. I could also try using flashlights or something similar to create a different effect with the lighting (during the day time or otherwise).
When?
As I aim to use natural lighting, I will take the images when the natural lighting is at it’s brightest, so likely midday on a sunny day, or as the sun is setting (which positions the sun to be within the line of sight of the object through the windows).
Why?
I think this style of object photography offers a large contrast to my other photoshoot, with this photoshoot focusing on a formal aesthetic with a blank background.
How?
I will position my camera so that it is facing straight down towards the object, which will create a shadow on the board. Another way I could try this is to prop the object up and place the white background a distance away so the backdrop is still there, but with no shadow. If I attempt the latter, I could try positioning the camera in a way that makes it look like I am looking upwards at the object, to give it a sense of scale.