still life # 5 ~
Thursday, January 24, 2008 at 09:55AM 
Lime and slimey mushrooms • click to embiggenMy fascination with still life photography has many underpinnings, but 2 in particular stand out - 1) the relationship of shapes and forms, light and shadow, and 2) the ability to control those relationships.
In the contemporary era of photographs that present 'posed' people and 'staged' scenes as slices of 'reality', the idea of a 'made' photograph seems neither new nor daring. Although, 'made' photographs have existed since medium's earliest days, one could also venture that, currently, they are being 'made' with a vengeance. One could also venture that prior to this era of 'made'-picture frenzy, still life photography was the predominant genre of choice for 'made' pictures.
I have been making still life pictures for just shy of 40 years. My commercial photo life was comprised of approximately 60% still life photography although almost entirely so for the first 5-6 years (until my skill and talent for photographing people, especially women, emerged, thus launching a sub-career in fashion / people photography - the other 40%).
In any event, I have recently been engaged in which came first, the chicken or the egg ruminations about my skill and ability to control (in 'made' pictures) or recognize (in 'found' pictures) relationships of shapes and forms, light and shadow. I have realized that the 2 seemingly different talents / skills - to control, to recognize - are definitely one and the same.
Although, the fact that they are, on the one hand, one and the same does not negate the fact that, on the other hand, they each required a somewhat separate nurture and development. What I am now trying to recognize is whether or not my initial nurture and development of my still life sensibilities aided in the nurture and development of my subsequent 'found' picture sensibilities.
At my current state of rumination, I am inclined to think that the discipline(s) required of still life photography helped me in developing an overarching 'vision' that has been 'applied' to all of my subsequent picturing endeavors.
So, what I'm thinking is this - anyone else out there who has played with 'made' still life pictures?
If not, anyone out there who would like to play and post in a Still Life Gallery?
gravitas et nugalis
Featured Comment:Steve Durbin wrote: "I also love still lifes, but in practice I'm almost always drawn outside to photograph. I absolutely agree that working with still life arrangements can have a big impact, whether deliberate or unconscious, on other photographing. I once posted on the subject, but more or less forgot about it. Thanks for the reminder about the connection."
Steve, thanks for the link.
Yo, all, I recommend the read and the accompanying comments. It's over on Art & Perception, a site that I visit (but not often enough).
Reader Comments (4)
Well in my young age, I had many commercial photography classes. I also married a Sears art director who was in charge of home furnishings. I also have friends back in Chicago that own or work in the local commercial ad studios. While the classes were very revealing and educational, I decided that I really didn't enjoy that type of photography. So in reality I never really pursued it. On the other hand, I worked for a firm that built laser beam welding machines. They had a full time photographer,quite old and experienced, and when he was not around I got the work. 4x5 tri-x in a crown graphic, darkroom work and all. And I remember to this day that the wine was stored in the bottle marked XXX, which he imbibed when he had down time.
And the reason my wife got out of the business?
We attended one of the many studio parties and we were talking to an art director with 30 years experience. His head kept moving side to side in one of the most unbelievable and violent ticks I ever saw. My wife's eyes grew to the size of saucers and she vowed that she didn't want to end up like that.
I also love still lifes, but in practice I'm almost always drawn outside to photograph. I absolutely agree that working with still life arrangements can have a big impact, whether deliberate or unconscious, on other photographing. I once posted on the subject, but more or less forgot about it. Thanks for the reminder about the connection.
I've been thinking about still life/set up type photos for some time, but haven't done anything about it. Maybe I should start something!