- Image by Яick Harris via Flickr
Like any other profession, there are many specializations you can choose from in the field of photography. The order in which you choose to examine photography is entirely up to you. However, I recommend you try still life photography first because like still life painting, still life photography teaches you how shadow and light interact. If you are unable to understand how light affects your images, then you will not succeed at taking good photos.
Still life photography can be of any inanimate object but with the right touch, it will express something to the viewer by virtue of your point of view. The way in which the light is shining on the object will be the determining factor in how you choose to shoot your subject.
Most likely you will be outside, so light will be shining on the object from a single source. This light source will cast shadows upon your subject and give it dimension and feel. A light source from the side is best because it will allow you to achieve more contrast between the object. A light source behind the object is a problem because the light will be shining directly in your lens. A light source from in front may also be problematic if your light source is too dynamic, as it may ‘wash out’ your subject.
Some people believe that still life photography is not high art and doesn’t represent a real modicum of ability. However, a skilled still life photographer can achieve amazing images be arranging particular items or patterns in a way that is not conventional, or in some cases, not even fathomable by the viewer.
A photographer with a firm grasp on lighting, color, and pattern can do sensational photographic work.
There are many employment opportunities still life photography. Currently, there is high demand for stock photographs on the internet which would involve selling individual pictures to an internet stock photo company for general distribution to the buying public. If you take exceptionally good photos, there is even a small market for fine arts photography. Magazines, online and offline, are thrilled to pay good money for great still life images that pertain to their given subject. Think about the broad variety of home and garden magazines or architectural review ones.
I will not even elaborate on studio photography, as it will require additional skills in manipulating an entire photo environment for the purpose of doing still life photography, as this is out of the scope of this post.
Ultimately, it is up to you to decide what type of photography interests you the most. Again, I would suggest practicing still life photography first and then work your way into motion photography. Once you get the basics of light and shadow down, this will further your grasp on photography as a whole and really open up new avenues to express your creative ambition.
