Holiday Still life 

TSW: Create beautiful, artistic images that celebrate the joy of warmth of the holidays.  Use prior knowledge of composition, lighting, and camera modes to make your subject and photo stand out.

STEP 1:  Gather Your Materials

• Christmas ornaments, wrapped presents, or any holiday decorations you have access to.

• Twinkle lights for a magical effect

• Find holiday backgrounds to use on your computer or use any of the backdrops that I have available. 

• Your phone

STEP 2:  Set Up Your Scene

• Arrange your items and twinkle lights into a visually pleasing composition.

• Consider the background and setting - keep it simple to make your subject stand out.  

  • • You can use backdrops with lights to create the bokeh effect.  Place your subject a few feet in front of the lights to allow for bokeh - will need to use portrait mode for this. 

    • You can use your computer monitor to find a background and then use books and mirrors to set your scene on.  (like we did with the abstract refraction project)

• Use artificial light to enhance the mood and light up your ornament.  Twinkle lights can double as both subject and background.  You can use finger lights, small portable lights, or light from a phone. 

STEP 3:  Take your photos 

• Experiment with different angles, distances, and lighting. Capture close - up details, full scenes, and creative angles.  Use your camera setting to achieve the desired effect.  

  • • Blurry background - bokeh - use portrait mode (be sure to leave about a foot between subject and background to create blur. 

    • If you don't want a blurred background and want the entire photo to be crisp, use the regular camera setting. 

STEP 4:  Edit and Submit your photos

• Edit them to perfections (you may edit them in your phone or on photoshop)  be sure to click on auto edit and auto white balance. 

• Publish and turn in.