What is still life photography?
Still life photography is a form photography that shows life less objects. Still life photography originated from still life paintings as they were immensely popular throughout Europe. When taking still life photos you have to find a way to make your images interesting and unique. This could be done by changing the lighting, background or the arrangement of the objects your photographing.
Examples of still life photography:
These examples show how still photography can vary from simple images with little props in the photo or to a complicated image with quite a lot to focus on in the image. They also show how different lighting and backgrounds can be used to bring out different elements in the image such as how dramatic the image is.
Examples of still life paintings:
Still life Photography Timeline:
Still life photography started after still life paintings got popular in Europe in the 17th Century. It started off with photos being taken of famous sculpture. For example in the late 1830s, Baron Armand-Pierre Séguier, created a photo that features small-scale copies of famous sculptures in the Louvre and Uffizi museum collections.
In the mid 1800s still life photos of plants started to be taken. Charles Aubry formed a company that would manufacture plaster casts and make photographs of plants and flowers.
As we got into the 20th century photographers started to show surrealism and mystery to their images. For example this image taken by Man Ray
What is Vanitas?
Vanitas is a symbolic work of art showing the short lasting of life, the pointlessness of pleasure, and the certainty of death. Vanitas often contrasts symbols of wealth and symbols of and death.
What is Memento Mori?
Memento mori is an artistic or symbolic expression acting as a reminder of the inevitability of death. Memento mori originated from the philosophers of classical antiquity and Christianity and mainly appeared in art.
What kind of metaphors and symbols are used in still life?
The top 5 symbols used in still life were:
Fruits– Varying Symbolism In Still Life Paintings
Skulls– The Certainty Of Mortality
Candles– The Passing Of Time
Flowers– Symbols Of Life And Growth
Seashells– Birth, Purity, And Fertility