guides to creating still life

[redline]

ok. i don't have much idea in terms of fancy arrangments
but i wanted to do a still life photo of easter using easter egg rabbits and whatever eles is available. are there any guides flowing online with still life arrangements?

[Killakoala]

Funny you should mention that because tonight i did my first attempt at a still life or product shot.

Improvising is the key

All i did ws place a bottle of wine on a sheet of blue paper which i positioned in a curve shape. The camera was mounted on a tripod and in Portrait mode. 50mm 1.4 lens was used.

I have no lighting other than an SB800 flash or house lights so i did a trick i saw MHD do in the Jenolan Caves where he opened the shutter for about 10 seconds and used the flash to 'flash' in all sorts of places. So instead of using studio lights, i switch all the house lights off, set the apeture to F16 and a 20 second exposure, then flashed from about five different positions around the room. The effect i got is here; Click on the link to see a larger image. Not bad for about five flashes and no real lighting.

http://killakoala.smugmug.com/photos/18400847-O.jpg

[redline]

interesting idea killakoala,
do you know how to get that wet look onto bottles? i tried using hairspray that didn't work too well.

[sirhc55]

Steve you will be doing me out of a job Nice shot and technique.

Redline - I put them in the fridge for a while and then photgraph them about 5 minutes after they come out - looks natural that way.

[Neeper]

interesting idea killakoala,
do you know how to get that wet look onto bottles? i tried using hairspray that didn't work too well.

Try misting it?

Chris, that's a very cool technique. I will have to try it someday. If I ever get an SB800.

[Manta]

Don't be put off by lack of equipment Neeper - You can do the same thing with an ordinary flashlight, using it to 'paint' the picture while the shutter is open.

[Charlie Chalk]

Hi

To get the wet look (like you see on chilled beer bottles) add some baby oil to water and put in one of the garden sprayer thingys, shake well and spray onto bottle/can/whatever.

Can't remember the exact mix, haven't done it for a while but if you experiment it shouldn't take long before you've cracked it!

CC

[Manta]

Good Tip Charlie - thanks for that.