Product and still life photography

About this course

Participants photograph everyday objects, crafted arrangements and products while examining how lighting, composition and styling affect texture, colour and form. Practical studio exercises cover reflective surfaces, shadows, light shapers, camera settings, lenses, focusing and different camera formats. Teaching combines demonstrations, short lectures, workshops, tutorials, individual guidance and group discussion. The course also introduces basic Adobe post-processing, image outputs and peer feedback on photographic work.

What you'll learn

• Control and modify studio lighting for product and still life setups
• Use light shapers to alter the quality of light
• Arrange and style objects into considered still life compositions
• Apply focal length, camera setting and focusing techniques
• Use basic Adobe post-processing techniques and understand different image outputs
• Give and receive peer feedback on photographic work

Is this course right for you?

This intermediate course is intended for photographers who already have experience with aperture, shutter speed and ISO, and who are comfortable using manual mode. Participation includes practical studio work, demonstrations, group discussion and individual tasks.

• Previous experience with basic camera settings is required
• Learners should be able to follow written and verbal instructions
• Group discussion and peer feedback form part of the course
• Simple measurements, calculations and numerical information are involved

Before you go

• Participants may bring their own camera if they have one.
• Digital SLR and mirrorless cameras, tripods, lenses and flash are available for use during class hours.
• A notebook and pen may be useful.
• A memory stick or portable hard drive may be useful for file handling. PC-formatted hard drives can be read but not written to by Apple Mac computers.
• The photography studio uses Apple Mac computers and Google Classroom for course materials, image uploads and class discussion.
• An Adobe account must be created using the City Lit email address supplied with enrolment.