Louis Meluso 
, Jan 18, 2012; 11:51 a.m.
A recent question I responded to on brought this to mind. A poster asked a question on the Beginner Forum about Still life/table top/ photo illustration ideas. He posted it there because he didn't know where else to post the question. While there is a lighting forum here, it's not really the same thing.
Still life has a rich history as a creative photographic art form yet, it appears, few hobbyist show interest in it. I wonder if that is partly due to lack of exposure and understanding. On photo.net we have forums for all types of photography from portrait/wedding, street, nature, sports, fashion etc, but nothing related to still life or photo illustration. Out of sight, out of mind? I have seen examples in members portfolios but no place to address the tools, techniques, or place to discuss ideas. Heck, after reading some of the posts here, I wonder if some members even realize photo illustration is a time honored photographic art form. In any case it seems under represented.
Perhaps it's viewed as difficult and equipment heavy activity. I know I'm an old, studio guy but even as a kid I had a makeshift studio, with a piece of plywood on saw horses, broom handles stuck into paint cans filled with cement using hardware store clamp-on lights to shoot my car model's I assembled, so I know it can be done on small budgets. Besides it's great way to shoot when the weather outside is uncooperative.
What do you think? Is there any interest in this? Is the genre worthy of membership in the photo.net community?
Tom Harvey 
, Jan 18, 2012; 12:31 p.m.
Yes, I think it's useful! It's one area that I really haven't explored much.
Ann Overland 
, Jan 18, 2012; 12:59 p.m.
Yes, I think that would be great to improve our skills in composing and lighting of stills. Haven't tried much yet, so I think that a dedicated forum would be an inspiration and could get more people interested in making pictures of stills. Good idea, Louis.
Kris Heylen 
, Jan 18, 2012; 01:05 p.m.
Yes, I would love that too! I'm often using the ironing board as a makeshift studio and wouldn't mind getting more out of it!
Anthea Scotte 
, Jan 18, 2012; 06:18 p.m.
I would also love to see a forum for this genre too. I have a home made light box and use two desk lamps for table top photography. My main interest is doing macro shots using this set up, but often get frustrated with the limitations of my lighting - I certainly can't afford to buy actual lights, so if we had a forum for this, maybe we could all discuss these types of issues. I am also very interested in learning how to do still life's, I have the general idea but can't seem to make it translate into anything interesting or effective.
I don't know if enough people are interested enough to justify the creation of another forum. Maybe we could ask to change the name (like Josh just did with the digital camera forum) of the existing lighting forum?
Eric Merrill , Jan 18, 2012; 07:47 p.m.
Louis:
I'd say start creating topics in the forum of your choice. Lighting seems to be an appropriate one. If traffic becomes too heavy for the existing forum, methinks chances are better of a standalone forum being created than simply saying, "please make this a forum" without any posts to support it.
Eric
Josh Root 
, Jan 18, 2012; 08:18 p.m.
I guess my question would be, why not in the Lighting forum? You've got both Macro and Product categories:
(link)
(link)
Louis Meluso , Jan 18, 2012; 08:37 p.m.
Lighting seems to be an appropriate one.
Eric, to be fair one could say the same about any of the forums mentioned in my OP. Lighting is central to all photography. Yet the, say, portrait/wedding forum exists because there are many other elements to that type of photography, that are peripheral to lighting, that help achieve successful outcomes.
The purpose of my query is not to petition the administration for a unique forum per se. If that were the case I would simply write to Josh and ask. My question revolves around my curiosity as to why none currently exists for this important photographic form for both art and commerce. Is it lack of interest or lack of understanding? I have seen some very beautiful still life work in peoples portfolios and there is a section for it in the critique forum. Is there a reason this has not been elevated to forum status? I thought I would hear from the membership if there really is any interest. As to what develops from this discussion is not in my purview to decide.
Jeff Spirer 
, Jan 18, 2012; 08:40 p.m.
The Lighting Forum is specific to artificial lighting, which is why the suggestion fits there.
Louis Meluso , Jan 18, 2012; 09:05 p.m.
Hi Josh, I guess we were typing together. I think my reply to Eric applies. Clearly, as your links demonstrate, there is certainly a large interest in the area, especially in lighting technique. But just as portraiture involves lighting, it also involves posing, connecting with the sitter, group dynamics, presentation etc. Similarly, still life work has it's own elements, unique unto itself that go beyond simply lighting. Firstly the scope of the genre is vast covering everything from fine art to product table top. From conceptual arrangement of real objects to digitally enhanced arrangements limited only by the imagination. Discussions about food photography alone could fill an entire section. How to present certain steamy dishes, techniques to style desserts, good ideas to show translucent seafood etc. For standard table top work ideas for backgrounds, creating a "fashion" look for products, set building, composing with products and how it effect the communication of ideas. How to shoot elements to be used in a photo montage. Using color to enhance communication, how special effects, both traditional and digital can be used to good effect. How the Masters achieved elements of depth, balance and harmony in still life.
The issues of creating good still life are no less than the issues faced by the greatest artist of all time. Lighting is important, of course, but there is much more there to learn. Sometimes total control over the image can be the most challenging thing of all.
