I used to think my photographic skills were strongest when I was photographing people. I loved portraiture, head shots, documentary family photography. The awards I have received for photography are for images that feature people. However, when Covid hit, I was fresh out of subjects. And I didn’t know how long that would last. So I needed to take a sharp turn like everyone else in the world. I found Still Life.
Even with this new found love, I still (there’s that word again) chase down a beautiful face. If I’m on the street and I pass one up, I have to go back and ask. And sometimes the answer is no. The good news with still life is that a piece of fruit, a glass of wine, or a beautiful tulip never say no. I shoot them until they dry up or I get the right light and composition. Sometimes the process can take a few days. With veggies, I’ve had to go out and get fresh ones. Especially carrots…..they don’t photograph well when they are limp. There is a way to freshen them up. Put them in water and then stick them in the fridge for 24 hours. Kinda like a viagra for veggies kinda thing. Buying more carrots is faster.
Waiting for Godot….aka the light
Even though I am very good at off camera lighting, most of the time while I’m doing still life I prefer window light. The photo above took me about 8 hours to set up and get the right composition and light. All the windows in the living area of my condo face north so I get wonderful light. However, that late afternoon light is yummy. I started out in the morning with the idea for a bread and wine shot. I knew I wanted to use a chunk of sourdough. (EVERYONE was making sourdough during Covid!) Texture came from a handwoven table cloth I bought in Peru. I had to search for a knife with a wooden handle because who the heck wants plastic in a still life?
The composition came together by late afternoon. Having cheese around was not a problem. I always have a chunk of Parmigiano Reggiano in the fridge…hey! this Irish girl married two Italians; I learned from the experts. (and learned not to marry another Italian again from my therapist.) And red wine? Hello? I said it was during Covid.
The background is always problematic because I want only the scene of the food in the image. I have two large pieces of styrofoam insulation that I keep in the garage for photography. I use one for blocking any spill light from the window. The other I put behind the scene and cover with dark fabric so the rest of the room doesn’t show up in the the photo. I have to move chairs, the DR table and other pieces to get the set up perfect. By the time I’m done the place is a wreck. I really need to take a behind the scene shot sometime.
The pandemic was a tragedy for the entire planet. Many are still suffering from it economically, psychologically, and physically. But it did force me to consider a type of photography that I doubt I might have ever tried. And for that I am grateful. If you have time, take a look at the Still Life portfolio on my photography website.
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