One of the reasons that fashion photography is so compelling is because the images capture a moment. The model is moving, they are interacting with their space. It is a slice of life – a fantastic life – that feels like a window into a different world.
Fashion photographers have many elements that come together to create a beautiful photograph. There is the gorgeous model, the excellent clothing, the dynamic background, but it is the movement that brings that image to life.
Most of these components are similar for product photographers. Product photography has a gorgeous subject, interesting props, and engaging backgrounds. The one thing a product photographer does not have at their disposal that fashion photographers do have is the ability to direct the subject to move.
All is not lost for product photographers, however. Product photographers can introduce movement to their images, too. Not in the same way as fashion photographers, obviously, but there are options.
©Sonya Bowman Photography 2022
One thing a product photographer can do is to bring action to their still life photographs is to introduce a moving element. Setting up this shoot for JVN hair products, I wanted to try a shower effect. The product itself is utilitarian. Even with a pretty background and beautiful lighting, the photograph was still not very compelling. By introducing water to the image however, things got a lot more interesting.
I shot this image in bright, outdoor light. I wanted to use a fast shutter speed to stop the movement of the water and capture individual droplets, but to have a very wide depth of field so that they background would drop out of focus and not be a distraction from the stars of the show.
©Sonya Bowman Photography 2022
Here is another example of adding a moving element to product photography. For this still life photograph of tea, I chose a setting with a cozy environment. The glassware really popped off the dark surface of the table. I placed everything in a pleasing arrangement and created a beautiful lighting setup. It wasn’t until I brought in the boiling water, however, that the picture really came to life. Just the steam rising from the cup was all that was needed to change this picture from a basic product photograph to a compelling still life image.
Another option for a product photographer who wants to add movement to their image to put the product itself in motion. For this image of Fenty’s Fat Water, I had yet another product that in itself was simply not that compelling. Even with a gorgeous setting and beautiful light, there’s only so far a photographer can take a simple plastic bottle.
©Sonya Bowman Photography 2022
I had this idea for dropping the bottle into water, but moving the product is definitely a team effort, as capturing the photograph at the precise right moment is the key. I worked with stylist Kourtney Bailey to create this image. A great stylist brings more than just an extra pair of hands to the photo shoot, however. Kourtney had a few tricks up her sleeve that made this photograph work.
While it may look like water, we were actually shooting in liquid glycerin. Glycerin has a much higher viscosity than water, almost like corn syrup. It moves slower, so it is easier to capture the movement. Because glycerin is clear like water, it easily disappears in a photography, so we added a turquoise fabric underneath the glass baking dish we were shooting in. In the end, the viewer just recognizes a bottle being dropped into water, completely unaware of the smoke and mirrors that goes into creating dynamic still life photography.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this blog on how to bring action into product photography. If you would like to see more examples of still life and product photography, please check out my website at https://www.sonyabowman.com/still-life