Day.Old.Pizza Loc: Maple Grove, MN

Just moved to MNPLS MN area from MI’s Upper Peninsula and I know no one, so Portraits are “out of the picture” for now. I shot some wildlife until it got too hot and humid to be outdoors for very long, so I tried a Still Life with what was about the house. I’ve never shot a Still Life before so this is by guess and by golly. I’d like to hear constructive comments on Lighting and Composition-anything that might add to the photograph. There is a small Indian basket around here somewhere but I haven’t found it yet, so maybe there is more coming.

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MrMophoto Loc: Rhode Island "The biggest little"

My first question is; do you have any lighting equipment other than table lamps etc? I have found a combination of interesting composition and dramatic lighting are keys to a good still life. My next question would be; do you have any training/experience with different compositions?
The image you posted is very symmetrical, I have found that unless you have a significant reason (other than you like symmetry) there are much better ways to create interest in an image. Creating interest in an image is what all photographers do, or should do. One specific suggestion for your image would be to fill the vase with a LOT of those grass stacks, a big bunch would look a lot more interesting with all the textures and randomness playing off against the geometry of the vase.
I'm a retired art teacher (photography) and one of the assignments I would give my classes would be to set up a simple still life, no more than three elements, then photograph it from as many different angles, in as many different arraignments as possible, then submit twenty completely different images. The idea was with changes in lighting, different arrangements and different camera views, even three elements can create totally different images.

tcthome Loc: NJ

Day.Old.Pizza Loc: Maple Grove, MN

Thank you for the useful suggestions. I have Flash and modifier options, but no constant lights. I do not have a huge amount of space to work in. I have no background in Art or Composition. Looking for direction was the reason for the post. Yours are the kinds of comments I’m looking for. The good news is there are a lot more of those weeds; the bad news is I have to walk about 1-1/2 miles one way to get them, but I’ll do it.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

I am no artist or professional photographer but the image seems flat to me. Better lighting would make a lot of difference.

MrMophoto Loc: Rhode Island "The biggest little"

Sounds like some exercise. There are a lot of books on composition, photography or otherwise. Composition is composition no matter if it's a painting, drawing, or a photograph. I would recommend reading a book or two on composition then look at the biggies, Adams, Weston, Eisenstadt, etc. also look at some famous painters, they all understood the importance of good composition.

radiojohn

There are a lot of cheap LED ring lights on eBay or Amazon that use USB power, variable brightness and color. I even saw one with TWO smaller rings. I've used them to light items for eBay photos and while no still life images, as product shots they were OK.

Before the weather gets bad, try driving to SE MN. Lacrescent MN is the "apple capitol' and is unglaciated, so plenty of scenes from the bluffs. Spring Grove is a few miles away and has a laundromat filled with 2700 dolls....don't ask just search Youtube for Spring Grove laudromat dolls and look at the Minnesota Public Radio feature on it. Then there's https://www.facebook.com/groups/quirkymn

Good luck!

Day.Old.Pizza Loc: Maple Grove, MN

Thanks…the La Crescent area sounds interesting. My wife wants to see Red Wing so we’re already heading in that direction. The town we now live in is so new it lacks the character that makes a place interesting to me. I’m going to St Paul later this week. That place is old and very interesting to me. Thanks for the input.

radiojohn

We bought a 1900 farmhouse in Spring Grove on 3 acres thirty years ago because I needed a place that was quiet so I could record audio for broadcast and other media. The house needed some work but was only $30K. Today we have buried broadband and electric cables, a phone co-op that rebates back about 1/2 our phone/internet bill and a decent food store with an espresso bistro. The town supplies the area with it's famous "pop" and there is now a first class bourbon micro distillery. The phone co-op built of 24 gym and state of the art digital movie theater! I'm still producing weekly one hour shows but have gone full digital. I still prefer city photo shooting, but the abundance of eagles and critters is pretty interesting.

Day.Old.Pizza Loc: Maple Grove, MN

That’s a nice area. We would to travel to Des Moines to see our daughter. On one trip back we followed the Mississippi north on 26, eventually to La Crosse, to take in an Indian Mound sight. The mounds resembled animals. It was a very interesting area. Nice views of the bluffs.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

My suggestion: Use a window for your light and keep your items in the photo to a minimum & odd numbers, study the light at different times of day and take a lot of photos at different settings until you find what YOU are looking for.
I have a friend the only shoots by window light (one light) and she does some prize winning work!!

Day.Old.Pizza Loc: Maple Grove, MN

It is all about the light and an interesting subject. I’ve been given a few assignments to try and found a few of my own, so now it’s time to play. Thanks for your comments.

Day.Old.Pizza Loc: Maple Grove, MN

Here’s basically the same set-up with a few added grasses, wild raspberries and 1 200 Godox flash in a softbox

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MrMophoto Loc: Rhode Island "The biggest little"

A much more compelling image. Setting the vase off center is another plus. I would try for some more dramatic lighting. Some suggestions; darken the background and have you light source from one side or the other, or possible have a secondary light illuminating a small part of the background to highlight the shape of the vase or the back of the grasses.